Plymouth.1948.

Plymouth was a brand of automobiles based in the united States , produced by the Corporation for Chrysler and its successor DaimlerChrysler . Production was discontinued on June 29, 2001 in the united States.

History

Sources

The car Plymouth was introduced on July 7 1928. It was the first entry of the Chrysler Corporation in the field at a low price, which at that time was already dominated by Chevrolet and Ford. Plymouths had a price actually slightly higher than their competition, but offered all standard features, such as the expansion of internal hydraulic brakes that the competition did not provide. Plymouths were originally sold exclusively through Chrysler dealerships. The logo featured a rear view of the ship Mayflower that landed at Plymouth Rock . However, the brand name Plymouth came from Plymouth Folder, Twine, chosen by Joe Frazer for its popularity among farmers.(Plymouth Folder, Twine was a common element of the house that was used to tie up various items.)

The origins of Plymouth can be traced back to the car, Maxwell . When Walter P. Chrysler took control of Maxwell-troubled Chalmers car company in the early 1920s, he inherited the Maxwell as part of the package. After he uses the facilities of the company to help create and start up the car Chrysler in 1924, he decided to create a car-mate a lower price. So for 1926 the Maxwell was reworked and re-badged as the Chrysler model "52" low range. In 1928, the "52" has been redesigned to create the Chrysler-Plymouth Model Q. The "Chrysler" nameplate was dropped with the introduction of the Plymouth Model U in 1929.

Great Depression, 1940s and 1950s

Although the original purpose of the Plymouth was to serve a niche marketing very low range, during the Great Depression of the 1930s, the brand has significantly helped to ensure the survival of the Chrysler Corporation in a decade when many other car companies have failed. Since the 1930's, Plymouth were sold by the three divisions of Chrysler (Chrysler, DeSoto and Dodge ). Sales Plymouth were a bright spot in this period of gloomy of the automotive, and in 1931 it was elevated to Plymouth the third place among all the cars. In 1931 with the Model PA, the company introduced the float and boasted: "The economy of a four, the smoothness of a six." In 1933 Chrysler decided to catch up with Ford and Chevrolet with respect to the number of cylinders of the engine. The 190 cubic inch version of Chrysler engine flathead-6 was equipped with a downdraft carburetor and installed in the new 1933 Plymouth PC, introduced on 17 November 1932. However, Chrysler had reduced the distance between shafts of the PC 112 (284,5 cm) to 107 in (271,8 cm), and the car was sold little. In April 1933, chassis Model DP division Dodge, with a 112 in (284,5 cm) wheelbase, was put under the body PC with front defenders DP, the hood and the shell of the radiator. The model designation is progressed to the DP and the car was put as the "DeLuxe" 1933 Plymouth. This car sold very well and is the model 1933 most commonly found in collections. The PC became the 'Standard Six'. It had been the 'Plymouth Six' at introduction, and was sold through the end of 1933, but in much smaller amounts. In consequence, it is in the minority in the hands of collectors today. In 1937, Plymouth (along with the other Chrysler makes) added safety features such as instrument panels flat with controls located on the inside and the back of the collar of the front seat occupants of the rear seats.The PC was shipped overseas to Sweden, Denmark, and the United Kingdom as well as Australia. In the Uk it was sold as a "Chrysler Kew, Kew Gardens is the location of the Chrysler plant outside of London. The flathead 6 which started with the 1933 Model PC stayed in the Plymouth until the models of 1959.

In 1939 produced 417.528 vehicles Plymouth, of which 5.967 were coupes convertibles two-door, with seating sound . The 1939 coupe convertible was prominently on display in the Chrysler on the New York World's Fair 1939 , is announced as the first convertible to series production with a hinged lid electrically. It had a 201 cubic inch, 82 HP version of the flathead six-cylinder.

During a large part of its life, Plymouth was one of the brands in us automobile sales, but that along with Chevrolet and Ford was commonly referred to as the "three-low-price" marques in the american market. Plymouth almost surpassed Ford in 1940 and 1941 as the second most popular car brand in the U.S. through 1956, the vehicles of Plymouth were known for their durability, affordability and engineering. In 1957, Virgil Exner's new Forward Look design theme, advertising by Plymouth with the tagline "suddenly, it's 1960^" produced cars with a style far more advanced than Chevrolet or Ford. 1957 total production soared to 726.009, about 200,000 more 1956, and the larger output yet for Plymouth. However, the models 1957-1958 Forward Look suffered from poor materials, quality of construction spot and protection against corrosion; inadequate. They were rust-prone and greatly damaged the reputation of Chrysler^.

In 1954 Chrysler began its decade-long unsuccessful attempt to develop and market a vehicle viable driven by turbine engine when it installed an experimental wind turbine they had developed specifically for vehicles in a Plymouth.

1960 - 1970

Although the sales of Plymouth suffered as a result of the quality control problems and the excesses of the models of style-Exner in the 1960s, people bought enough of the cars to keep the division profitable. From 1961, the Valiant compact became a Plymouth, further increasing sales. Under the impression that Chevrolet was about to "reduce the size" of its models in 1962, Chrysler introduced a significantly small standard Plymouth for 1962. As you know, the big cars of Chevrolet are not trimmed, the capture of Plymouth in a fall of sales in a market in which "bigger is better." The '63 Fury, Belvedere and Savoy were a little bigger, and more important, with a totally new style body, emphasized by the prominent position lights front side. For 1964, Plymouth received another restyle, with a new roof line "slantback" for the coupes of the hardtop that would prove extremely popular. Many aficionados consider the '64s to be the most attractive of all the Plymouths early 60's.

For 1965, Plymouth has an all new platform. The '65s were the biggest Plymouths ever produced, The Savoy was discontinued, and Belvedere became an "intermediate", but it was basically a restyling in '64. All big Plymouths became Furys to 1965. The series of low range was Fury I, the models of the middle level were Fury II, and the luxury models were Fury IIIs. Above fury III was the Sport Fury, which featured bucket seats and a V8 engine, the Ford Galaxie 500/XL and Chevrolet Impala Super Sport. Ford and Chevrolet introduced the luxury editions special of their big cars for 1965, the Ford Galaxie500/LTD and Chevrolet Impala, Caprice. Plymouth responded in 1966 with the VIP, a luxury version of the Fury. Furys, belvederes and Valiants continued selling well during the late 1960's and early 70's.

It is noteworthy that they are the "muscle cars" Plymouth of the late 1960s. Many consider that the fastback Barracuda in 1964 to be the first of the sports cars of Plymouth. Based on Valiant, was available with a durable Slant Six, or 273 cubic inch small-block V8. For 1967, Plymouth introduced the Belvedere GTX, a coupe with hard top great style bucket-seat and convertible that could be ordered with the Super Commando 440, or 426 Hemi V8. In search of an advantage in the endurance races, 1968 saw a coupe Belvedere simplified, the Roadrunner, which offered a continuous seat, a minimum of exterior and interior finishing, but it was available with big block engines from Chrysler, and mounted on the floor of a 4-speed manual transmission. The Barracuda, originally a "compact sports car", led to the Mustang and Camaro, because a car muscle real 1970 when it became available with the engines of monsters 440, and 426. A few 'Cudas were ordered with the Hemi, but the handful that were built became a rare and highly desirable collectible cars. The GTX, Barracuda (and more muscular "Barracuda"), and Road Runner continued in the 1970s, but as the decade progressed, the emissions and safety standards, together with the rising gas prices and an economic recession, the death of the spelt for these large gas consumers. However, the Valiant compact sold well, built an enviable reputation for an attractive style, durability, economy and value. Although the hardtop Valiant was discontinued for 1967, it was re-introduced as a virtual clone of the Dodge Dart Swinger for 1971 under the model name "Valiant Scamp". The rogue will be produced along with the Valiant, Dodge Dart Swinger, and until 1976, when it was replaced by the Volare. With torsion bars cross-mounted, and a body a little larger, the Volare (and its Dodge twin, the Aspen) was a sales success right away. Available as a coupe, sedan, or truck, Volare offers a smoother ride and better handling than the Dart / Valiant, but unfortunately suffered quality control problems and for 1980, it sold poorly.

Realizing that the front-wheel-drive, four-cylinder engines, and rack and pinion steering would become the standards for the 1980s, Chrysler introduced a new compact car for 1978, the twin Plymouth Horizon / Dodge Omni. Horizon sold well, but unfortunately suffered from a scathing report from Consumer Reports, which found its dangerous to handle in certain situations. Plymouth continued to sell the horizon until 1987, when a gang of car-the compact front-wheel-drive formed by the line. Great Plymouth, including the Fury and Gran Fury, were sold until the 1980s, but mostly as fleet vehicles. In an attempt to compete with Ford and Chevrolet for the sales of large cars, Plymouth was affected by the financial problems of Chrysler in the late 1970s, when its two competitors downsized their models of full size. The attempt of Plymouth in the reduction of the Gran Fury in 1979 was a poor seller, and was reduced in 1981. By the 1980s, as a division Plymouth badge in Chrysler Corporation no longer existed. Their cars were simply re-badged Dodge.

• 1955: Plymouth first offers a V-8 engine.
• 1956: The automatic transmission three-speed TorqueFlite transmission was introduced on some premium models. The Plymouth Fury is introduced.
• 1957: as with all other divisions of Chrysler, the Forward Look design makes its debut at the 1957 Plymouth. Torsion-Air front suspension introduced on all models.
• 1960: Dodge introduces the smaller, lower priced Dart model that directly competes with the offerings of Plymouth. The new compact Valiant was presented as a brand in itself. Cars of full-size now have construction of the unit body.
• 1961: Valiant is placed again as a model for the U.S. market Plymouth; dodge gets badge engineered Lancer version. Rambler and then Pontiac assumes third place in industry sales for the remainder of the decade of 1960.
• 1962: The sales fall dramatically with the introduction of a line of unpopularly style, reduced models of full size.
• 1963: Valiant receives a new body, court, resulting in a significant increase in sales. Models of full-size are redesigned to look bigger.
• 1964: New Barracuda coupe fastback introduced in April. Models of full-size redesigned with stunning new "slantback" hardtop coupe roof.
• 1965: Plymouth rejoins the automotive market full-size with the new full-size Fury , based on the Chrysler C-Body. The line of models B-body intermediate was converted into the Belvedere and satellite for the year 1965. Push-button controls of the automatic transmission replaced with the column or conventional lever mounted on the floor.
• 1967: The GTX was introduced.
• 1968: The trail runner enters the Plymouth line-up.
• 1970: Duster coupe introduced in the line Valiant, 1970 as is the E-body Barracuda .
• 1971: The british Hillman Avenger is imported as the Plymouth Cricket , but that was discontinued in mid-1973. New Valiant Scamp two-door hardtop is an engineering badge Dodge Dart Swinger .
• 1973: The production of Plymouth performs a historical maximum of 973.000. The Plymouth Cricket in Canada is now based on the Dodge Colt.
• 1974: The Dodge Dart and Plymouth Valiant are, for the first time, different only in name and minor details of the setting as the two cars now share the same wheelbase of 111 inches. This engineering of the currency continues with the Dodge Aspen and Plymouth I Fly all models Plymouth volume of production and post. The car would eventually become the Chrysler Cordoba is reassigned to Chrysler from Plymouth. The last year for Barracuda.
• 1975:. The car that was to become the 1975 Plymouth Sebring is instead released as the new Chrysler Cordoba
• 1976: Valiant discontinued; I'll Fly launched.
• 1977: The large Gran Fury is discontinued.
• 1978: The mid-size Fury was discontinued at the end of the model year. The subcompact Horizon was introduced. Chrysler Canada introduces the Plymouth Caravelle based on the Diplomat Dodge.
• 1979: the alignment of Plymouth is reduced to the horizon and Fly, and three imports Mitsubishi rebadged.
• 1979-1980: Chrysler makes several thousand of Dodge Plymouths for the first time. More Plymouths would Dodge for 1981 and 1982, but from then on there will always be more Dodge made Plymouth.
• 1980: with headquarters in Newport Gran Fury introduced. In the past year to Fly.
• 1981: The full-size Gran Fury and Trailduster last year SUV.
• 1982: The Plymouth Gran Fury, basically identical to the Dodge Diplomat was introduced in the united States.
• 1983: Caravelle four-door sedan based on the E-body and a two-door coupe based on the K-body introduced.
• 1985: E-body Plymouth Caravelle was introduced in the united States.
• 1989: The mid-size Gran Fury ( Caravelle in Canada), as well as the Reliant was discontinued after this model year. The Reliant and E-body Caravelle was replaced by the Acclaim .
• 1992: models of higher-priced Acclaim is repositioned as a Chrysler LeBaron . The total sales of Acclaim and LeBaron fall. Plymouth The total production of 1993 model years is reduced to 159.775, along with 237.875 models Vogager. Dodge built 300.666 caravans.
• 1994:-announced little The laser of the compact sports , as well as the popular Sundance and Colt compacts all end production. Are replaced by a single car, the Neon , a car that Chrysler decides to offer as a Plymouth after dealers protested the loss of the Sundance and Colt with no replacement.
• 1995: alignment of Plymouth is located at its historic low, to just 3 cars: the Acclaim , neon and Voyager / Grand Voyager . The number will go up to 4 in 1997, with the introduction of the Prowler , but will never get anything higher.
• 1996: Chrysler announces the new Plymouth Breeze six months after the sister Dodge Stratus, and Cirrus Chrysler models. Chrysler had originally plans to replace the model Acclaim.
• 1996: In an attempt to move for anything for Plymouth, Chrysler makes the Voyager redesigned is available only in the models of mid-level base and BE. All trim levels high range available in the previous generation can now only be know in the Dodge Caravan . The levels of finish of high-end can still be found in some markets outside of the USA.UU..
• 1997: production for The model year 1997 reached 178.807 cars and 187.347 models Voyager. Dodge builds 448.394 cars and 355.400 caravans.
• 1999: The total production of 1999 for the cars to Plymouth arrives at 195.714, with dodge to 394.052. Production Voyager reaches 197.020, front 354.641 caravans. The writing is on the wall. The redesigned 2000 Neon becomes the last new model of the brand.
• 2000: The mid-size Breeze ends the production. This is also the last year for the Voyager minivan as a Plymouth. All 2000 Voyagers built in December 1999 and beyond are badged as Chrysler Voyager. In Canada, the Neon redesigned, sold under the name of Chrysler, and both the names of Plymouth, and Dodge is reduced in all models of cars, except for the Prowler and Viper. The name Voyager is dropped in Canada as the entire Chrysler dealership selling Dodge truck, including the campsite. The total production for the model year 2000 to Plymouth arrives at 108.546 in comparison with 459.988 cars Dodge. The production amounted to 123.869 front Voyager 330.370 models of caravans.
• 2001: The year's final model of Plymouth. Only the Neon remains in the line of Plymouth. The Prowler and the Voyager become Chrysler . The Voyager LX earns a high range of adjustment, as well as a basis of eC crop, and retains the finish. The breeze is dropped as Chrysler issues the Chrysler Sebring sedan to replace the Chrysler Cirrus . The PT Cruiser is launched as a Chrysler, despite the fact that it was originally planned to be a Plymouth. The final Plymouth, a Neon, is assembled on June 28, 2001, with a total of 38.657 built for the model year.

(All production numbers - Ward's Automotive Yearbook, various numbers, 1973-2002)