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My new ride - a 58 Dodge Regent "Plodge"

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by tstclr, Aug 20, 2010.

  1. tstclr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2006
    Posts: 313

    tstclr
    Member

    I picked this up a few weeks back. It has so much going against it - it's a 4 door, and is painted one of Dodge's strangest colors - Shoreline Beige that you'd swear was pink. V8? Nope. Flatty 6. Stick? Nope, 2 speed "Powerflite" Yet this damn car has grown on me. Maybe because it's the epitome of what the average family likely had in the driveway back in 1958. Or it could be the oddness of it being a "Plodge" - the front clip is Dodge, the rest of the car is Plymouth. They only sold them here in Canada. Better yet, the "Big" flathead
    (251 c.i - the same motor used in Dodge trucks and Power Wagons) purrs like a kitten and while it's no V8, it has no problem cruising at 65mph. I'll pretty much leave it as it is other than dig up a factory Dodge truck split manifold/dual carb setup. Next I need to find a vintage 1950's camper to tow behind it. Can you say road trip? Now where the hell did Lassie run off to..
    Todd

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  2. Squablow
    Joined: Apr 26, 2005
    Posts: 17,390

    Squablow
    Member

    Looks really clean. I love Forward Look cars, and the Canadian ones are always interesting. I'd love a Regent, Kingsway or Mayfair if I ever found one.

    The side trim looks like '57 Desoto stuff, or maybe '57 Plymouth "Silver Special". Don't know that I've seen that on a '58.
     
  3. She's a real creampuff. Now drive the wheels off that bitch!
     
  4. tstclr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2006
    Posts: 313

    tstclr
    Member

    The p.o had skirts on her at some point but lost one of them. I can't decide if she looks better with our without them.
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    What I think is cool is the Plymouth instrument cluster with "Dodge" stamped on it!:

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    Power steering on a flathead!

    Here's a cool shot of the Windsor plant where my car was built in 58:
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  5. VNTGE41
    Joined: Mar 4, 2007
    Posts: 739

    VNTGE41
    Member
    from l.a.

  6. studemisfit
    Joined: Jul 21, 2010
    Posts: 99

    studemisfit
    Member

    Cars awesome! love the fact your just gong to do the split manifold and drive it.
     
  7. Oh I remember this model! My first licensed Hot Rod. Mine was also a Big Canadian Six which i changed to a Canadian 313 (from a 1961 Dodge Seneca) with a 4 Barrel set up from a 56 Chrysler Windsor. Mine didnt have a "Ply" dash! It had a Canadian Dodge dash. I dont give a rats tail what dash they have in USA. I live here in the GWN and that is the way they came this side of The Bridge. (So does my 63 440 series Max Wedge car. BTW )
    Anyway here are some pics from back in the day. 1966/67
    Don
     

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  8. I love that side trim.
    I would like to see the rear a tad lower if running skirts.
    Kyle
     
  9. Ruiner
    Joined: May 17, 2004
    Posts: 4,141

    Ruiner
    Member

    That car is bitchin! And super clean...not sure about the paint color, but being it's in fantastic shape it's best to just leave it alone and drive the wheels off of her...personally I think it looks great with or without skirts, and that gauge cluster is AMAZING...
     
  10. Rusty Karz
    Joined: Feb 11, 2005
    Posts: 299

    Rusty Karz
    Member

    Totally cool old ride. You almost never find one of those any more. Even in the South they rusted away in short order. I'm envious! Rusty.
     
  11. tstclr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2006
    Posts: 313

    tstclr
    Member

    Thanks for the kind words. I am amazed at the attention this car gets when we are out in it! Lot's of stories from the old timers.
    I agree the car needs to be lower if I'm running skirts (and maybe even if I don't) Twin antennas would be cool on the rear as well.
     
  12. Scratchbuilt
    Joined: Jul 19, 2010
    Posts: 155

    Scratchbuilt
    Member

    what a neat car it looks in great nick.
     
  13. EDGEFIND
    Joined: Mar 30, 2010
    Posts: 69

    EDGEFIND
    Member

    Sharp car. I will always remember having a set of '58 tail lights hanging on the basement wall while growing up. My dad promised my mom that they'd get one after he retired. Unfortunately, he passed before that. It will always be one fine car in my book. Enjoy that thing.
     
  14. Great looking car, in a strange way. But get that plastic fuel filter away from the exhaust manifold !!
     
  15. truckncoupe
    Joined: Apr 4, 2009
    Posts: 1,428

    truckncoupe
    Member

    Very cool, great looking car!:D
     
  16. George
    Joined: Jan 1, 2005
    Posts: 7,723

    George
    Member

    Get all the fuel stuff away fron the manfold!:eek: Great lookin car! Might consider joining www.forwardlook.net
     
  17. propwash
    Joined: Jul 25, 2005
    Posts: 3,857

    propwash
    Member
    from Las Vegas

    keep it, love it, drive it, and LEAVE IT ALONE - it needs nothing but maintenance and the aforementioned safety items (fuel lines/filter near exhaust manifold).

    Do NOT lower the rear end...that would look so silly...just enjoy it for what it is.

    dj
     
  18. Rumbles
    Joined: Jul 4, 2008
    Posts: 34

    Rumbles
    Member

    Man that is a great looking car and it will definitely stand out from the common shit you see at cruise nights! Here is a pic of my dual carb set up and split manifold on a 1960 dodge 230 flatty.
     

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  19. chryco
    Joined: Dec 31, 2007
    Posts: 213

    chryco
    Member
    from Winnipeg

    Cool my Dad had a 57' , which is the car I had my first ride in !
    Best of luck with her !
    Chryco
     

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  20. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    I love it, she's beautiful, the pattern in the vinyl is rad, could you take a close up of it?
     
  21. tstclr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2006
    Posts: 313

    tstclr
    Member

    That filter looks closer to the manifold in the pic than it really is. I do have a metal one that I'll swap out asap. Thanks for bringing that to my attention. Sometimes you don't see the forest for the trees!
     
  22. tstclr
    Joined: Sep 20, 2006
    Posts: 313

    tstclr
    Member

    Sure, here it is in all it's glory. :D
    It obviously isn't original. I suspect this was redone a long time ago. Even the sunvisors are covered in this material!


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  23. Nads
    Joined: Mar 5, 2001
    Posts: 11,862

    Nads
    Member
    from Hypocrisy

    Original or not, it looks great with the car, I love that old stuff, I'm looking for some vinyl with the squggles embossed in it.
     

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