1954 plymouth belmont concept car is one-of-a-kind and up for sale

the 1954 plymouth belmont concept car first appeared at the new york auto show of the same year, originally created by chrysler as a possible production car which unfortunately never came into fruition. but unlike most ‘dream’ cars of the period, which were routinely destroyed once their useful life was over, under a special arrangement the vice president of design virgil exner adopted the one-of-a-kind model for several years.

all images courtesy of barrett-jackson

it’s because of this that the belmont survived to this day – a fiberglass-bodied concept car featuring a 241-cubic-inch V8 coupled to a three-speed automatic transmission which chrysler never intended to produce. today the vintage model is up for grabs, being offered in its fully restored glory at barrett-jackson’s scottsdale auction, promising to make one collector very very happy.

the design completely conceals the convertible top behind the seats in a compartment, featuring door handles, which unlike most vehicles at the time, were not fitted meaning you needed to reach inside the door to open it. upholstered in grey leather, the belmont’s interior boasts radio and air conditioner controls in the centre console, an extendible radio antenna, and an expansive dashboard with seven gauges allowing the driver to control current speed and operating condition.

in 2014 the belmont was sold at auction for $1,320,000 USD, and it’s now due to be offered for sale via barrett-jackson in scottsdale arizona between the 13th and 21st of january.