1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe Six Coupe
VIN# 25058650 // Car is titled to the engine # P15901121
Mileage Shown: 69007.2
Engine: 218 cu in Inline 6 cylinder 95 HP
Transmission: 3 speed manual with column shift
The post-war Plymouth line, like most automakers of this era, is lightly restyled versions of their 1942 pre-WWII models. Plymouth added a newly styled grille and fenders, and restyled the interior as well as improving the chassis. No major design changes were implemented until 1949. For most consumers after the war, price was a much more important feature than a new design. Plymouth was aware of this, and focused on selling affordable vehicles to the hungry market, instead of pausing to create the next big thing. This proved successful; from 1946 through 1948, Plymouth sold the third most cars behind Chevrolet and Ford.
Perhaps the most notable change in the 1948 Special Deluxe Six P-15 was a decrease in tire size, from the 16-inch tires used on cars built in 1946 and 1947 to 15-inch tires. The 1948 Special Deluxe Six P-15 six-cylinder engine has a 217.8 cubic inch displacement, generating 95 bhp at 3600 rpm. Special Deluxe Six P-15 stands out as a typical post-war car that many average Americans would have driven. Plymouth offered the Special Deluxe P-15 in six different body styles. This Special Deluxe P-15 2-door coupe had an original factory price of $1,440.
This 1948 Plymouth appears to be a really solid car. The rocker panels, floors, fenders all look solid. The frame also looks good with no issues noticed. The car has been repainted at some point and the color changed from its original grayish- green to black. The body looks straight and sound. The front and rear bumpers are straight are complete with uprights and look good. The stainless trim as well as the grille looks great, is missing one center piece on the lower horizontal plus has a dent on the lower right side (pictured). All glass is good; there are a couple of very small chips in the driver’s side door and quarter glass. The Plymouth “Sailing ships” hood ornament is in great condition as is the rear Plymouth trunk lid ornament.
The engine is complete, however the radiator is missing. The engine will turn free but we are not able to tell anything else about it. The transmission shifts through the gears with the lever but we cannot drive it so we do not know the condition of the internals.
The brakes drag a little and have no pedal pressure so it will need all wheel cylinders, master cylinder and rubber hoses. The park brake works but adjustment is backed off some to allow car to roll easier.
The tires are G78-15s and look good with good tread but the date code shows 40th week of 1996 so they would need to be replaced before you would try to drive on them.
The Interior appears to be original, the rear seats are great, the front bench seat is showing wear at the driver’s side (pictured) and carpet are showing wear and headliner is great but needs to be re-secured at left rear. The dash is very nice with woodgrain paint and chrome with original radio and steering wheel with Plymouth logo horn button intact.
All the Gauges look good. The car comes with ignition key and one door key. There is a spare tire but no jack. The car has period-correct spotlight on the driver’s side.
The car has been a part of a museum’s large collection of cars; it has been garaged inside, preserved and serviced for storage with fuel drained and stabilized, and fluids checked and changed, battery removed and used as a display/exhibit car for many years. If you are looking for a late forties coupe to get running or to restore, this is a great solid, clean candidate.
Auction sale as it with no reserve.
