Here’s Lawrence Welk beating the drum—literally—for the national television debut of the 1959 Plymouth.
We tend to think of Lawrence Welk, the original champagne music maker, as a Dodge guy. But actually, in 1958 through 1959 he was representing another Chrysler division as the host of Lawrence Welk’s Plymouth Show, broadcast from ABC Television Center in Hollywood. The program aired in prime time every Wednesday night, demonstrating that at the time, he was a bigger star than many of us might imagine today. It was only natural, then, that the bandleader and his musical variety show were selected for the national television debut of the 1959 Plymouth, which we’re sharing here.
After an elaborate fanfare with Welk himself literally beating the drum, we’re treated to some primitive special effects to illustrate that the ’59 Plymouth is indeed a car of the space age. Only then do we get a look at the car and its actual features, including Virgil Exner’s dramatic Forward Look styling, push-button automatic transmission controls, and the new-for-’59 Swivel Seats—see our story on this novel gimmick here. While they were distinctive and in part inspired by Exner’s low rooflines, the swing-out seats were offered by Plymouth for just three years.
One claim here caught our attention: that in ’59 Plymouth offered the “biggest engine in the low-priced field.” It’s factually true, if only by a little. The B-series Golden Commando V8 displaced 361 cubic inches and developed 305 hp, while Ford and Chevrolet made do with 352 and 348 cubic inches, respectively. However, the Chevy 348 with three two-barrel carbs actually developed a little more power—315 hp. Anyway, enjoy the video. A one and a two . . .
Hmm, couldn’t tell ya’. When “Larry” came on, it was a signal for me and my brother to hit grandpa’s treasure laden basement,,my folks and grandparents adored that show.
1959 was a milestone year for Plymouth Div- the last year of the flathead six dating back to 1932, replaced by the leaning tower of power for 1960.
Power shifting a dual quad 3-on-the-tree ’59 was an art mastered by few.
Lawrence Welk’s autobiography “Wunnerful Wunnerful” is the fascinating story of the bandleader’s life, couldn’t put it down. Dad had a stack of Welk albums he played often and never missed his TV show. I was not a fan back then, but now consider the man a musical genius…
The first thing I noticed was the panel gaps on the trunk. Maybe it was the lighting, but it almost seemed misaligned. Still, a pretty nice looking spaceship!
Panel alignment was secondary, as the demand was so high for cars, they came down the line too fast and close was good enough. Many cars of the late 50s and early 60s had panels with poor alignment, some solved by slamming a 2×4 in the door so it would close. and most troubling, these cars had a nasty habit of doors and trunks popping open on bumps. My uncle had a late 50s Plymouth 4 door, and we were told not to sit by the doors.
Not to lean on car doors from the inside while the car was moving was good advice back then. Some door latch designs were pretty sketchy in operation.
For better or for worse they did offer a lot of style in the low price field.
My guess is the Plymouth actually delivered its rated power to the rear wheels unlike Chevy’s comparatively complicated triple carb setup.
The fins got too crazy for me this late into the era, but overall this style worked pretty well if fins were your thing. I’d pass on Exner’s spare tire pressed into the trunk deck. Odd.
I’d take this Plymouth over the melted plastic look we have now.
I remember watching the Lawrence Welk show in the ’70s–mesmerizing.