Curbside desire: 1958 Plymouth Plaza- Chasing Charlotte

(first posted 11/8/2018)        Sixty dollars a week for the next six years. This post marks the beginning of Operation: Toastcat.

I have two great automotive desires. Two cars that haunt my very soul. One I have driven, the other I have not. While a base model 1968 Ford Thunderbird might be more attainable, I have turned my attention to the subject of today’s post, and have set a lofty goal. By the time my Mazda is paid off in six years, I will be able to buy a 1958 Plymouth Plaza like the one you see above- for cash.

Some men are Baptists… others Catholic… But I am a Plymouth man. Don’t let my recent purchase of a new Mazda fool you into thinking I’m not a classic car buff, for a man has to have his priorities. On that note, I came to a realization. While I could buy an older car that needs loads of work and spend time fixing it on the weekends, how practical is that for a man in my situation? I am not mechanically inclined no matter how much I deny it. While I enjoyed working on Helen it quickly became too much for me to deal with and stopped being something I looked forward to. It became a nightmare of constant worry, knowing that at any second she could break down in a way that I, with my paltry toolbox and limited knowledge, could reasonably handle.

This would prompt yet another visit to the shop, and the stress of how much it would be to fix this time. The Sword of Damocles hanging above me quickly sapped any enjoyment I gained from driving my beloved Fury. I was terrified to get behind the wheel, and that’s not something I want to feel again. Also, while people have worked miracles in their garages, I do not have one, and it isn’t exactly appropriate to be restoring a car in the parking lot of your workplace, the only place I would be able to store said project.

With all that in mind, I decided to look up the price of a car I had wanted for years, the one with such distinct fins and flowing lines. I found the price to be between 21-24 thousand dollars. That’s the average cost of a new Accord! I could save that up if I REALLY stuck to my guns and didn’t buy stupid things I didn’t need…

…Like my modest collection of MiniMaster Transformers from 1988, or my Erector Set from 1936.

The above car is from my local Streetside Classics dealership in Fort Worth, and while I highly doubt it will still be around in 2024, I know a car like it will be.

I have placed subtle reminders around my office, like this sign behind my desk…

…and this lovely reminder on my wallet.

(Also, the Plaza will be named Charlotte, much like my Fury was named Helen)