The Perfect Daily Driver? 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II
The seller of this 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II believes his car is the perfect daily driver, so if it’s an original baked patina appearance you’re longing for, he just might be correct. This one’s described as a turn-key Mopar that’s ready for action, so if you like the mid-sixties Plymouth coupe styling, it’s probably worth a look. The Belvedere is located in West Babylon, New York, and can be spotted here on Craigslist, where the price has been set at $18,900. A big Barn Finds thank you goes out to reader Mitchell G., who provided us with the tip here!
Outside, the Belvedere sports a look that, if it could speak, might tell us something like don’t even think about messing with me. With the original paint having nearly 60 years of wear and fading, it displays a finish that’s come to be considered beautiful by some who dig patina, although frowned upon by the other crowd who prefers a more tidy look outside.
Despite the body’s top layer, the seller believes he’s got a fairly solid car here, with the truly corroded areas limited to the lower part of the passenger side fender, plus rust in the driver’s quarter. There’s also some damage on both doors, which seems minor on the driver’s side, but the other one is somewhat more significant.
The Plymouth was still powered by its original 318 engine until last December, but that’s now been replaced with a recently rebuilt 383. There’s a 727 TorqueFlite automatic taking care of shifting duties, with the owner stating that the Belvedere is now running and driving incredibly. The bay area has a subtle mismatch on one of the valve covers, which is painted blue but has an orange oil filler cap, and it compliments the outside’s lack of color blend nicely. I also kind of like the patriotic air cleaner.
It would benefit from a new front seat cover, but overall the interior still seems decent for the age, with wear and tear that appears consistent for the reported mileage of 96,000. The seller also mentions an 8 3/4 rear-end from a 1970 GTX that can be included on a local deal, which I think he means if you come to pick up the car and no shipping is involved. Depending on your taste, it’s always objective or subjective if an auto is the perfect driver, but I’d sure enjoy having some fun behind the wheel of this one. How about you?
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Comments
Dpatinaed this could be a neat car. Lot more fun building a car around a solid drive train. No, I didn’t find the first word in the dictionary.
Get rid of the ghetto wheels.
And the ridiculous air filter.
It’s a sweet cruiser with A/C so I 2nd the motion paint that bad boy & I would tint the windows for the mafia staff car look!
Actually no A/C…..I didn’t see any factory dash vents or any other signs of a dash unit – if you look at the compressor under the hood there are no A/C hoses.
More rust then you can see – and he already knows the answer – that 8 3/4 rear end doesn’t fit…..66/67 rears are among the narrowest of the B-Bodys…
I was looking too. Likely the 383 that replaced the original was from a factory AC car and the “builder” elected not to source the correct pulleys, brackets or whatever. I think it’s there simply to help spin the alternator.
I am loving a lot of these mid-60s 2 Door beasts, and mid-to-late 50s stuff. 55 to early 70s had some great cars we didnt see in Australia
Don’t paint it, change the wheels and drive…
I’m getting a “Tommy Boy” vibe from this, haha
Maybe it is just me and I am fine with that, but the aftermarket wheels look good on this car.
Way to much money the car needs completely gone through love this body had one when I got out of high school was working at a Chevy dealer and a kid got it from his grand parents and traded it in on a cavalier right place right time
Interesting mix of cars in the background.
My disappointment with today is well evident, but I thought the ’66 Belvedere was the nicest style, and the ’67 GTX , an offshoot of this car, and wasn’t even the same car as that RR/GTX tin can that followed. This was a Gentlemans cruiser, and quite frankly, it looks awful. The money they spent on those goofy wheels, could have done some body work. I just don’t understand the attraction with this fad, in my time, looking good superseded important things, like brakes or tires. Go figure,,,,
Had a beige version with a 361 in it . Yes a 361, which all in apperance looked like a 383..This 66 would make a good base for a hemi conversion.
I am with you Howard those big wheels look out of place on a patina car but I am not a fan of patina or big wheels well except the 20 inch 33’ s on my ram 4×4 2500 I like those !!
This guys drive way is filled with a 71 chevelle a 73 Mach 1 a 67 Camaro and 83 Camaro or firebird
If it’s an original 318 car, it CAME with an 8 3/4 rear end. Gear set, ‘pumpkin’, or 3rd member (call it what you like) can be swapped quickly and more easily than complete rear.
Ah Plymouth, a thinking man’s muscle car. Agree on the wheels. This would look best with dog dish hubcaps. No pictures of the underside, big red flag. Nineteen grand. Hard no.
NY car = rust. You can see it in the quarters, can’t believe the rest is solid. Beat is not patina.
So, first off .Who of all of you have the money for a paint job? Second drive it as is and enjoy it..Seems more “hoidy toidy” types ruining the hobby for monetary gain ..Go drink your “latte” and have someone do the work for you!!!Not me..getting my hands dirty .I’ve got soap & water.
Better deals out there. Not a 383 car, too much work to make nice for the price.
Everybody knows Chryslers were among the worst as far as body rot.
With all the body work it needs 19k? I think subtract at least 10k off of that to get realistic…. Maybe.
Your on the right track. Take another 5k off and your on the money. Too much body work interior work suspension work door and body seals. The wheels are my last concern. The Franklin’s it’ll take would be mine.
I had 3: 67 GTX (non original 383), 66 Satellite (383), 67 Belvedere II (225) – all good, but.. really.. driving one was always a chore.. never got any to easily drive in a straight line..
Alignment?
Sorry but when I look at todays oversized wheels all I see is an ugly toy car. Looks hideous on older cars, to me.
This car is from Peretti Classics. They have a channel on You Tube of all the cars they sell. The whole family is involved. Really funny channel.
This 66 Belvedere is rusty and bruised, but with a fresh 383 she looks to be a fun driver. Full, body work and paint won’t be cheap, but repairing dented rusted body panels would make a big difference.
My first car was a 66’ Belvedere my dad friend sold it to me for $50 and the body and interior was better than this one also the 318 wasn’t bad at all. But to allow for inflation I’d give $1000 for this one. Hey if they can ask for ridiculous prices so can I. Shame cause I really like the car.
I live in the area. Guy always flipping cars. Nothing wrong with that but be wary. Price a bit high but try to find one driving for much less. These body styles going up up up.
This running and driving Belvedere wouldn’t be so bad, if its bodywork and paint didn’t closely match its current asking price. The clown rims aren’t terrible, but Cragers would have been better. These are very rust prone and inspecting its structure for further rust before buying, would be a no brainer