Some of our favorite cars are those that have somehow escaped the ravages of time and found themselves in the hands of caring owners since day one. They’re called survivors, but I think that word fails to adequately describe cars like this 1966 Plymouth Belvedere II hardtop, which hasn’t merely survived, it’s been LOVED from the very beginning. It’s easy to see how Duesenbergs and Ferraris might be survivors because they’ve always been inherently valuable and cherished by their owners, but this plain-Jane Belvedere with its bench seats and radio delete was simply well-maintained by an owner who obviously cared about his machinery, regardless of cost. Today, it’s showing just 22,470 original miles (not a misprint) and is remarkably well-preserved inside and out.

The angular styling and trademark cantilever roofline make the mid-60s Mopars easy to spot, and they definitely have an industrial strength appeal. Up close, there are a lot of wonderful details that were baked right into the factory design, from the sculpted body sides to the pointed front fenders that almost seem to leading the way forward for you. The paint is called “Light Yellow” and I’m guessing the guys in the paint naming department were phoning it in that day, but it seems to fit the no-nonsense Belvedere just right. It’s not flashy but it’s not dull, either, and the car has a low-profile look that suits it just fine. It’s completely original, and while there are a few chips here and there, maybe a spot where it was buffed a little too aggressively and shows the primer underneath, and a scratch on the passenger’s door that was amateurishly touched-up, it’s quite good overall. The soft shine of vintage enamel is almost impossible to replicate with today’s paints and with original paint, you know there’s no questionable bodywork underneath. The doors open and close with a reassuring precision that belies the car’s affordable price tag (both then and now), and the trunk doesn’t require a huge slam to latch securely. Most of the trim is stainless, so it’ll look good virtually forever with modest upkeep, but details like the chrome bumpers are in excellent shape.

The interior is as businesslike as you’d imagine, with wide bench seats covered in textured and durable vinyl. All of the upholstery, including the carpet, appears to be original to the car and in excellent condition throughout. The low mileage claims are easy to believe when you see that the seats look almost new, the heel pad on the driver’s side is still crisp and sharp, and the pedals themselves show very little wear. This was a very basic car when it was new, so the only features include a full array of gauges (all functional) and a heater/defroster unit in the dash. Factory radio delete is an interesting feature that, oddly, is a part of this car’s appeal, and the steering wheel is quite attractive with its chrome horn ring and bright red medallion. All the gauge faces are bright and clear with little to no fading or discoloration and the column-mounted shifter moves through the detents with precision. Original seat belts are still in place, a bit faded from age perhaps but still ready to use, and all four windows crank up and down easily. In back, the trunk is outfitted with what surely has to be a reproduction mat, since it’s just too nice to be original. The areas you see around the perimeter of the trunk that look vaguely orange/brown are NOT rust, but rather some kind of sealant applied after the car was built to seal the seams and protect the trunk area. Lift up the mat and you’ll find what is likely the original spare tire which has never been used, plus the original jack assembly in its spot in the driver’s side quarter panel.

The engine is the original, numbers-matching 318 cubic inch “Poly Head” V8 and it runs superbly. Obviously someone has been busy under the hood, as it’s simply too clean and detailed to be 50 years old, but everything is highly correct, from the hose clamps to the ballast resistor on the firewall. The 2-barrel carburetor has been rebuilt and the car starts quickly and idles well, even when it’s cold. Bright red engine enamel looks vivid against the body-colored engine bay and aside from a Roadrunner-style “beep-beep!” horn that’s been added (original horns are still functional), it’s very stock. It appears to have a newer alternator and remarkably, this car is not a leaker, a testament to the low mileage and quality care it has received. Original wiring is in excellent condition and with power steering, it’s a pleasure to drive.

The transmission is a 3-speed automatic feeding an 8.75-inch rear end with what we believe are 3.23 gears inside, so the car is an easy cruiser and actually fairly thrifty for a V8. The chassis is original, so we aren’t going to sugar-coat things and tell you that it’s perfect. The fact that it’s been undercoated for decades is either good news or bad news for you—the good news is that the floors are unmarked and in excellent shape. The bad news is that they’re covered with undercoating, so it doesn’t have that highly detailed look that so many people appreciate. It’s been cleaned and is as detailed as possible and there’s a new exhaust system in there that sounds just right, but other things like the shocks are quite likely original, which is pretty impressive. The brakes have been recently rebuilt with new wheel cylinders, shoes, and hoses, plus the gas tank was pulled and restored, so it’s road-worthy and ready to enjoy. Stock steel wheels with dog dish hubcaps are the perfect look and they’re wrapped in period-correct H78-14 Goodyear Polyglas tires.

The car also includes a lot of documentation, including a Chrysler Corporation Broadcast Sheet, the original Certi-Card in its holder under the hood, the original owner’s manual, original dealer bill of sale, and a 1966 Plymouth sales brochure.

The last owner of this car was planning to drop a Hemi in it to create one heck of a sleeper, and that’s still not a bad plan. But after he saw just how clean and straight it really is, he just couldn’t bring himself to do it. So it’s up to you to decide how to proceed. The car is a slam-dunk in HPOF competition, it’s wonderful to drive, and has a nostalgic look that everyone seems to love. Or maybe you’re the kind of guy who understands just how cool it is for a car like this to bring massive blasting powder to the party, a low-key apex predator for the street. Either way, this car is an impressive specimen of originality at a very reasonable price.