Mario's Tribute to the 1954 Plymouth Explorer

1 The 1954 Plymouth Explorer Concept Car was developed by Virgil Exner who was hired by Chrysler boss K.T. Keller to reinvigorate the Plymouth brand.

2 The styling was modern and graceful while carefully integrating design cues from the company's past.

3 Automobile designer Virgil Exner created the Forward Look design theme that would carry the Chrysler products into the future.

4 Styling was a collaboration between Detroit stylists and Ghia of Turin, Italy. Elements of Virgil Exner's Forward Look design were infused with the influences of European partners.

5 This resulted in a one-off design that was very different from other Plymouth vehicles that rolled out of the factory in 1954.

6 A polished natural wood steering wheel with aluminum spokes, full instrumentation, a semi-automatic transmission, and a white leather interior with bucket seats and center console were some of the new features.

6a Nice 2 seater Sports car interior with Leather Bucket seats.

6b Custom Fitted Luggage for two tucked away behind the seats.

7 Among its bold styling cues were vestigial fins, a metallic green finish, ivory-hued side reveals and fitted matching luggage that stored behind the leather seats.

8 Twin exhausts that exited through the rear fenders below the taillight pods.

9 Powering the Explorer was a 230-cubic-inch Plymouth L-head straight six engine that offered 110 HP.

10 Engine is 230 cubic-inch, 110-hp, L-Head straight 6-cylinder coupled to a Hy-Drive transmission. Electrical system is 6 Volts.

11 The sleek, wide-mouthed Explorer was mounted on a 114-inch wheelbase Plymouth chassis and was just 54-inches tall. Wide whitewalls and Chrome wire wheels adorn the Explorer.

12 The Concept car made its debut in the May 1954 Motor Trend magazine before being put on display at many of the major auto shows throughout the United States.

13 The Plymouth Explorer significantly helped to rejuvenate the company's image.

14 Chrysler's Forward Look styling inspired other automakers to return to their drawing boards to revise their models which lacked Chrysler's fresh, Italian-inspired flair.

15 This particular 1 of 1 Concept car was discovered by Joe Bortz of Bortz Auto Collection in the late '80s.

16 The Explorer was located in Sweden and was purchased by Bortz. When the car was shipped from Sweden to the US it had a Jaguar engine.

17 At the time of purchase the car was painted in a metallic gold and was not in running condition.

18 Joe Bortz acquired the car for his collection and retained it, in unrestored condition for several years before trading it for a restored Concept car.

19 The Plymouth Explorer Concept car was restored by subsequent owners and is currently a part of the Petersen Automotive Museum collection in California.

20 Deep dish headlight surrounds are a Ghia inspiration.

21 After a full restoration the Explorer toured the country at various show events.

22 The Petersen family spotted the car at an auto show and purchased it for an unknown sum of money for their Auto Museum where it resides today.

23 The Rare 1954 Plymouth Explorer is a Jet Age Dream Car stowed away in the Petersen Museum Vaults.

24 Length 185.2 in, Width 76.9 in, Height 54.4 in, Wheelbase 114.0 in.

25 The Petersen Museum tours the 1954 Plymouth Explorer at various charity shows.

26 Petersen Museum plaque commemorating the 1954 Plymouth Explorer at a car show.

27 The 1954 Plymouth Explorer at a car show.

28 Plymouth Explorer tucked away in the Petersen Museum Vault.

29 The 1954 Plymouth Explorer Concept car by Virgil Exner and Italian carmaker Ghia, a one of a kind beauty.

30 1954 Plymouth Explorer original literature.

31 1954 Plymouth Explorer sales brochure.

32 The Plymouth Explorer made its debut in the May 1954 Motor Trend magazine.