1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible
There was a lot of truth to the slogan, “The Great New Plymouth,” when the new 1949 models were introduced. Their restyled bodies had the most thoroughly redesigned exteriors since the prewar 1940 models. Gone was the fat-fendered look, replaced by front fenders that were less obtrusive and better integrated into the body. It was a style that helped sales reach 508,000 cars for the model year, and increased calendar-year sales a massive 47.5 percent over 1948. Yes, the new ’49 Plymouths were a hit.
This Plymouth is known as a Series P-18 model because of its 118.5-inch wheelbase. This series had a wheelbase that was longer than that of the Series P-17, which was much shorter at only 111 inches; that’s why they are often referred to as the “short wheelbase models.” The P-18’s Special DeLuxe models were Plymouth’s preeminent line, priced only slightly higher than the P-18 DeLuxe models. To satisfy the public’s demand for a variety of these higher-level automobiles, the Special DeLuxe was available in four different body styles: four-door sedan, two-door club coupe, two-door convertible, and four-door station wagon.
It is an L-type flathead of a straight-six design, its bore and stroke measures 3.25 x 4.37 inches, with a total displacement of 217.8 cubic inches. Small in size, this smooth-spinning engine has just four main bearings, a compression ratio of 7.0:1, solid valve lifters and a single-barrel Carter carburetor, all of which allow it to develop 97 horsepower at 3,600 RPM
Our Plymouth is a nice example of a car that has been simply maintained as needed thought out its life. It starts easily hot or cold, steers and shifts nicely through the gears (with some slight clutch chatter when starting off), stops smoothly. charges with high amps, cools appropriately. It was upgraded with a 1955 Overdrive transmission which operates perfectly and propelled the car effortlessly down the interstate, a perfect upgrade in todays driving practices . Tires are older, but in good condition. Power top working as Plymouth intended, all gauges and lights working with a current Rhode Island Inspection until July 2021.
