The Plymouth Savoy was built by Plymouth for the 1951 through 1964 model years. Like the Plaza and Belvedere, it was named after an upscale hotel, the Savoy in London, and it moved from being a wagon trim to Plymouth’s entry-level full-size car.
Plymouth Savoy at a glance
| Maker | Plymouth (Chrysler Corporation) |
|---|---|
| Model years | 1951–1964 in the US, 1965 in Canada |
| 1951–1953 | trim package on the Suburban wagon |
| 1954 | mid-level model between the Plaza and Belvedere |
| Engine, 1954 | 217.8 then 230.2 cu in six, 100 then 110 hp |
| From 1959 | entry-level full-size Plymouth |
| 1962 base engine | 225 cu in Economy 6, 145 hp |
| 1962 top engine | 413 cu in Max Wedge V8, 410 or 420 hp |
| Assembled in | USA, Canada, Australia, India, Mexico, New Zealand |
History of the Plymouth Savoy
Plymouth used the Savoy name as a trim package from 1951 to 1953, as an upgrade of the base Suburban station wagon. When it became a model of its own in 1954, later in the year with 1955 paint schemes, it was Plymouth’s mid-level car, priced between the base Plaza and the top-line Belvedere. On 26 February 1954 the engine’s stroke grew by a quarter inch, taking displacement from 217.8 to 230.2 cu in and power from 100 to 110 hp. The Savoy was sold as a two-door Club Coupe, a four-door sedan and a two-door Club Sedan.
From 1955 to 1956 it stayed between the Plaza and the Belvedere, gaining power steering in 1955, and in 1956 a hardtop coupe and the Custom Suburban wagon joined the line. That year also brought seat belts and an optional Highway Hi-Fi record player.
Entry level
The Savoy was an upscale trim of the Suburban wagon in 1957, and for 1957 and 1958 the range included a four-door hardtop sedan. In 1959 Plymouth dropped the Plaza and replaced it with the Savoy, making the Savoy the entry-level full-size Plymouth: the two hardtops went, along with the side trim and much of the interior equipment. Sales did not suffer, because the Savoy became the car of taxi companies, police departments and other fleets, and it stayed available to private buyers who wanted full-size room with an optional V8 and automatic transmission. By 1960 a Plymouth Taxi Special had been spun off from the Savoy, and front leg room was quoted at 45.5 inches.
Plymouth restyled its range in 1960, and the 1961 styling was described as being hit with the ugly stick because of the odd chromed “eyelashes” on the front.
1962–1964
The redesigned Savoy of 1962 started with the 225 cu in Economy 6 making 145 hp. Three V8s were offered at first: the 318 cu in Fury V-800 and Sport Fury V-800 with two- or four-barrel carburettors, giving 230 and 260 hp, and the 361 cu in Golden Commando with 305 hp. Later in the year came a 383 with twin four-barrels and 335 hp, followed by the Super Stock “Max Wedge” 413 cu in V8 with 410 or 420 hp depending on compression, of which only 289 were built; it was sold as a competition car and was replaced for 1963 and 1964 by the 426 Wedge with 415 or 425 hp. Plymouth dropped the Savoy at the end of 1964 except in Canada, where it continued for 1965 as the entry-level full-size model.
Design and features
- Hotel name: the Savoy took its name from the Savoy Hotel in London, like the Plaza and Belvedere.
- Changing role: wagon trim, then mid-level car, then Plymouth’s entry-level full-size model.
- Fleet favourite: widely used by taxi firms and police departments after 1959.
- Max Wedge: the 413 cu in competition engine of 1962, of which only 289 were built.
Plymouth Savoy versions
- Savoy wagon trim (1951–1953): an upgraded Suburban station wagon.
- Savoy (1954–1958): the mid-level range with coupe, sedan, hardtop and wagon bodies.
- Savoy (1959–1964): the entry-level full-size Plymouth, including the Max Wedge cars.
- Canadian Savoy (1965): the last year, sold only in Canada.
The Savoy sat between the Plaza and the Belvedere, and its full-size role passed to the Fury. More cars are in the Plymouth collection.
Video: 134481 / 1964 Plymouth Savoy
Video by RK Motors on YouTube.
Sources
- Plymouth Savoy, English Wikipedia: model years, trims, engines, overseas assembly
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