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We need little help remembering why we think brands like Ford, Chevrolet, and Dodge made/make cool cars. The main reason being these carmakers have remained relevant all these years. However, not all companies managed to stay relevant despite being responsible for some of the coolest cars in the world. Plymouth is one such company that failed to hang on for as long. So, here are five reasons why you shouldn’t forget about Plymouth

A 1969 Plymouth Road Runner with a V8 engine on display at Hot August Nights Custom Car Show in Reno, Nevada
1969 Plymouth Road Runner with a V8 engine | Lyle Setter/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

1)The Plymouth Superbird

The Plymouth Superbird is one of the coolest cars ever made. As far as American cars are concerned, they could well be the coolest. To be clear, the Superbird is cool in a vacuum. However, part of the reason it might be the coolest American car ever made is because of its role in early NASCAR and, of course, its connection to Richard Petty. 

Petty raced for Plymouth until a quarrel broke him loose. According to Trust Auto, Petty started racing for Ford in 1969. Plymouth couldn’t have that, so it came up with a plan. Largely inspired by the Dodge Charger Daytona, the Superbird brought Petty back to Plymouth in 1970 and went on an eight-year killing steak together. 

2) The Plymouth Fury was its first muscle car

1959 Plymouth Fury in creme at a car show
1959 Plymouth Fury | Wikimedia Commons

Aside from spooking readers in the Stephen King novel Christine, the Fury started life as a full-size family sedan from 1959-1961. By the mid-’60s, the Fury had shrunk in size but grew in power. The base model Plymouth Fury came with a 290-hp 5.0-liter V8. That sure sounds like American muscle to me. 

3) Plymouth peaked in the ‘70s

1973 Plymouth Valiant in green at a car show
1973 Plymouth Valiant | Wikimedia Commons

The ‘70s were a strange time for the automotive industry. The gas crisis eventually led to a paradigm shift in how cars were made and how efficient they had to be. 

Despite Plymouth’s many peaks and valleys over the years, the ‘70s was certainly their golden age for production. According to Hot Cars, Plymouth built 417,528 vehicles in 1939, 726,009 in 1957, and then in 1973, Plymouth hit an all-time high output of 973,000 cars. 

4) The Plymouth Prowler

A Plymouth Prowler in Gold
Plymouth Prowler | Wikimedia Commons

Before I receive too many death threats, let me explain. The Plymouth Prowler was objectively cool. Hang with me now. I am not saying that I love the way it looks. In fact, it looks kind of like a bug. But, coolness is typically defined as something or someone who goes their own way and makes something memorable or impactful. I’m sorry to say, but the Prowler is nothing if not memorable and impactful. 

Plymouth shook the automotive industry with the design of that car. Much like the Tesla Cybertruck, not liking it is totally fair and probably even a sign of decent taste. However, you can’t deny its originality and boldness. The Prowler may not be cool, but Plymouth is cool for going for it. 

5) Plymouth had piles of cool muscle cars

I’m not willing to say that Plymouth made the coolest muscle cars, but I wish someone else would. I might possibly agree. Either way, Plymouth is responsible for making many of the coolest muscle cars. 

Just to name a few: Plymouth Barracuda, Plymouth Road Runner, Plymouth Duster, Plymouth Superbird, and the Plymouth Fury. That is one hell of a lineup.