Vehicle Description
1950 Plymouth Deluxe
Old cars have gotten a bad reputation lately as being a rich man's
game; news reports and TV shows depicting cars passing over the
auction block for literally millions of dollars can easily put that
impression in peoples' heads. Happily, like so much of what passes
for "reality TV" and "news" these days, most of it is orchestrated
hokum, and an example of the bank-draining insanity that can happen
when you have a live camera trained on you.
When you say "Fifties cars," most folks think of fins, but if you
look on the other side of the Jet Age, in the first half of that
decade, enough has changed in our cars nearly 60 years on that
these machines manage to feel vintage-they transport you to another
era. We also need to look at the word "Deluxe" which was used by
virtually every car manufacturer at one point or another. This car
oozes "Deluxe" in many ways, like its design, embellishments,
interior chrome, and curvaceous lines. All affordable, and a real
piece of vintage that will not break the bank. And Look! No cameras
trained on you to raise the price!
Exterior
Our consigner states that he was going for the "Rat Rod Look", so
panels were intentionally left rusted, paint is faded in places and
even primer is on the rockers. The paint is yellow, and over the
rust, bodywork primer and missing badging, is a coat of matte clear
coat. This will prevent any additional rust from accumulating and
doing further damage. Gaps are all surprisingly good, and the car
is straight, except for the designer's vision on the otherwise
curvaceous exterior. Transitioning from the 40's to the 50's the
fenders are starting to be almost totally integrated into the car,
and the use of chrome accents is becoming more prevalent. All trim
on this car presents very nicely and would be classified in good
condition. From the beltline fender spears, to the rocker trim, and
upfront on the hood, the trim line to the ornament centering it.
Badging is there, light bezels, and chromed bumpers, border of a
grille in the front, and some badging on the rear which in this
area has begun to dimple and lose its luster. Wide whites are on
all fours, and Plymouth logo moon caps are seen as well. Deep red
steel wheels with the clear coated rust on them are behind the moon
caps. Seen above the split windshield is a black sun visor which is
aftermarket material.
Interior
Seemingly original, but replaced, cream vinyl door panels with
slight smudging and some waviness house the door handle and window
cranks. Smooth smudged new vinyl covers the seats and shows no
cracks or tears. The two tone brown and Plymouth cream dash houses
plenty of large chromed panels housing original gauges, a beautiful
radio and speaker combo, and a near perfect heating/air lever
control which hangs below the radio. An original cream bakelite
steering wheel with a chrome horn fronts the nice dash and has a
brown painted metal column. Brown carpeting covers all aspects of
the floor. Noted all the interior chrome trimmings have slight
dimpling on them. One has to love the radio speaker housing which
uses the iconic 50's green metal mesh and fabric insert within a
chrome egg crate rectangle, and PLYMOUTH badging in your
grandmother's handwriting across one of the horizontal
bars...Lovely!
Drivetrain
A pop of the hood and a totally unrestored but mechanically sound
218ci L head inline 6-cylinder engine. There is some surface rust
on top of the head and an oil bath air cleaner leads the way for
the air to enter the engine through a 1-barrel carburetor. On back
is a 3-speed manual transmission with a 3.73 rear axle ratio
putting the power to the pavement. Overall patina going with the
"rat rod" concept.
Undercarriage
Floor pans are new, and the frame is solid. There is some concern
as to the rockers and fender areas as these show invasive rust, and
layers of metal peeling off. Some of the body hangers are missing
and there is a fair amount of rust on the rockers which could lead
to eventual structural issues. For the suspension, in front are
independent coil springs, and for the rear, leaf springs. Drum
brakes are on all 4 corners, and a rust free exhaust system is
noted.
Drive-Ability
This car started right up and ran like a champion, (or should I say
Deluxe?!). Smooth acceleration, easy shifting and bias free panic
stopping as well as all working functions for the pulls and knobs
on the dash. It is a virtual new interior and is very comfy
inside.
This classic driver left to be seemingly alone in a barn somewhere
is mechanically sound, has a few structural issues on the rockers
and body hangers, a new interior, and clear coated rubbed through
and rusted paint for the exterior. We give you direct from the
North Hall at the Classic Auto Mall, a Plymouth Deluxe Rat Rod
right out of 1951, and looking the part.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.