The unique prototype Plymouth Belmont auction

For many fans, the 'Fifties' represent the golden era of American cars in terms of design. During these years, the manufacturers launched dozens of prototypes more interesting than the others, like this Plymouth Belmont concept of 1954.

The Chrysler Corvette

Designed by Briggs Manufacturing and manufactured in the US, this nice Chrysler Corporation prototype for the Plymouth brand was introduced at the Chicago and New York shows in 1954. The one that should have been the Chevrolet Corvette or the Plymouth Ford Thunderbird is remained a simple prototype and logically never reached the stage of production.

The unique prototype Plymouth Belmont auction

Mounted on a conventional Plymouth chassis, the body was designed in fiberglass and materials like plexiglass were used for the rear window. Some prototype-specific details draw attention, such as the lack of door handles on the body. This detail now requires the occupants to open the doors using the interior joysticks.

Slender design and small V8

The only Belmont prototype manufactured was preserved by Virgil Exner, Chrysler's Vice President of Design at the time. He saved it from certain destruction because the model was not given the green light to go into production. So he cleverly added it to his personal collection.

Six decades later, the model has been restored in depth so that its bright red body and white interior regain their former glory. It also retains its 'small' 4.0 liter V8 160cv original, coupled with a three-speed automatic transmission.

The Barrett-Jackson auction house, which has already sold this unique model in 2014 for $ 1,320,000, will once again raise the stakes in the next 10 days in Scottsdale. But for now, no starting price has been set.