1962 Plymouth Savoy

The Savoy was apart of the Plymouth lineup from the early 1950s through 1964, initially for a trim designation on the station wagons, becoming a mid-priced model in 1954, offered in two- and four-door configurations.

In 1960, Plymouth introduced a compact model called the Valiant, complimenting its full-size range of vehicles. The Valiant proved very popular, so for 1962 the full-size range received styling changes bringing them in line with the Valiant. The wheelbase was decreased by two-inches and the length by 7.5-inches, now measuring 116 inches for the wheelbase and 202-inches for the length (compared to 106.5-inches wheelbase and 184.2-inch length for the Valiant). The station wagons were slightly longer at 210-inches. Design differences existed between the full-size and compact line, including the rear side feature line traversed only half of the body compared to the full body side on the Valiant. In the back were low dorsal fins resting on top of the rear deck and wraparound lights. In the front was a concave grille with dual round horizontal headlamps. The inner lenses were incorporated into the grille and appeared smaller than the outer lenses. The Savoy nameplate could be found high on the front doors.

Body styles offered on the Savoy included a two-door sedan priced at $2,200, a four-door sedan at $2,260 and a station wagon at $2,600. Standard equipment included a glovebox lock, tubeless blackwall tires, small hubcaps, electric wipers, turn signals, sun visors, and front armrests.

The sedan was the most popular body style with 49,777 examples built, followed by 18,825 of the two-door sedan, and 12,710 of the station wagon. The standard engine was an inline-6 with overhead valves, four main bearings, solid valve lifters, a one-barrel carburetor, and 145 horsepower at 4,000 RPM. An optional OHV V8 displaced 317.6 cubic-inches, had five main bearings and solid valve lifters and delivered 230 horsepower at 4,400 RPM. A three-speed manual was standard and a TorqueFlite automatic was optional.

Additional eight-cylinder engines within Plymouth's arsenal included a 360.8 CID 'Golden Commando' V8 with 305 horsepower that came standard on the Sport Fury. A four-barrel version of the 318 CID V8 produced 260 horsepower, a 413 CID dual V8 with four-barrel carburetion produced 410 horsepower, and the 'short ram' 413 CID V8 with dual four-barrel carburetor had 420 horsepower.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020