Milwaukee Carl sent it to me with a 104 less than the 69,161 that is thought to be the original miles. Glass is clear and but for one 3 inch crack on the passenger windshield center, from top down is in great shape. The body had typical dents associated with a used family car 65 years old. The motor starts every time and purr's like a kitten, no smoke. It drives 60 Mph straight down the Highway on Balanced New Tires with tubes, only 73 miles on them. It has no noise from bearings, transmission, rear end or drive shaft and is why it has no wobble, shimmy, shake or vibrations.
Getting to that smooth driving car was an odyssey that started my 3rd day of ownership. I pushed the clutch and it collapsed. Talking to Carl I discovered that he backed the 52 onto the transports top tier, a very steep grade which required slipping the clutch to get there. Heat + Old = Fatigue = Collapsed Pressure Plate = New Pressure Plate, Clutch and Throw-out Bearing. While underneath I discovered a dripping Master Cylinder, (Brake) replaced it, and lines including to the wheel cylinders. Intuitively I told my helper to stand on the brakes hard, moments later I was rewarded with a blown left front Wheel Cylinders, there are 2 per wheel on this Plymouth and I replaced them along with Brake Shoes, packing the Bearings on re-assembly. This took about 4 months, including turn around on the parts. Attempting to start it after that time, it would not and I discovered no gas in the carburetor, which meant, a hole in the system somewhere. Because they no longer make rebuild kits for the fuel pump diaphragm I installed a New Fuel Pump and Lines for insurance. Why not a New Battery, Radiator Hoses and Thermostat as well! All this time 2 Bumpers, License Tag Holder/Light assembly, 2 Hood Ornaments, 4 Park Light and 2 Head Light Bezels were being Chromed. A 6 Month turn around, but worth it.
Seats are original, the back although yellowed has no holes or rips. The front has one rip, center of driver seat, front to back and is why I spent the time with a custom hand stitched seat cover, including backs of seats, leaving the original underneath should the next owner desire it. It needs a headliner. Removing the seats I found a rusty floor and rockers. With New Metal in Rockers I replaced the floor with 1/8 inch Tempered Aluminum, New Carpet and Stainless Steel Rocker Threshold Covers. The seat adjuster was repaired and lubed before returning the seat, it works flawlessly. The gauges all work and the dash paint, (gray) looks original and shiny.
The Paint is Old School Green, (no metallic) in a New School Polyurethane. I was more than please when I saw the outcome. They did a great job sealing and blocking for the Poly and it sure does shine. New Chrome is the Cherry on top.
The back story, Carl is a fine fellow who did his best with a great car and the history is pretty interesting. He got wind of the car, (it was built right up the highway) there in Milwaukee in a shed where it had been for many years, left there by the original buyer, who in passing left it with his son. Carl rescued it, cared for it, baby sat it, drove it to church on Sundays where, I'm sure conversations about it in the parking lot after, were longer than the sermon. He passed its care on to me. I've done my bit and now its time for another to take care of Carl's 52.
I'm Russ. I graduated from General Motors Tech School Oklahoma City in 1970, a Certified GM Mechanic. Although I worked with my Dad, (a Mechanic) on cars of this vintage growing up, the 2 summers, 1968 and 1969, 3 months each, 40 hours per week at GM's Pontiac division was priceless. Although I've done professional work on this car and believe it has many, many years of fun and highways in its future, it is 65 years old and like people, ya just never know when something may give out and for that reason it is sold AS IS. $11,950
