What do you buy the person for whom a 1930s Ford is too common? A 1936 Plymouth, perhaps? The seller of this DeLuxe Business Coupe makes a bold statement in his advertisement: The 1936 Plymouth Coupe is one of the most desirable body styles of the 1930s, rivaling…the ’38, ’39, and ’40 Ford Coupes. You have to admit, this little coupe is a nice-looking ride, and with flathead Mopar power, it’s as reliable as anything bolted together 90 years ago. It’s being offered here on eBay in Clinton, Missouri, with a “low reserve,” and with several days left on the auction, the high bid has already reached $12,900.
The engine should look familiar to any Mopar fan who takes an interest in cars from the 1920s through the 1950s. In 1936, Plymouth’s flathead six displaced 201 cubic inches and produced 82 horsepower. Built in an era where the interstate highway system was decades off, the Plymouth’s 4.125:1 axle ratio would allow cruising speeds most likely in the 50-55 mile per hour range. The seller says that the Plymouth “starts easily, even in the coldest of weather,” and the transmission shifts nicely. The brakes “seem to work fine” and the “wheels and tires are correct for the year.”
Also pointed out in the ad is that the engine holds “60 pounds of oil pressure,” which I assume is at speed and not at a hot idle. The only gauge that may be inaccurate is the temperature gauge. Speaking of the temp gauge, you may have noticed that “hot” is labeled 212 degrees, water’s boiling point in Fahrenheit. Chrysler didn’t begin using a pressurized cooling system until after World War II, so the temperature at which the engine would boil over was as physics intended.
Although the interior of the Plymouth has been redone, “the discriminating buyer will not be satisfied.” The ad copy is refreshing, and I feel that this might be one of those cars that is being undersold; the buyer may be pleasantly surprised at its overall condition. It certainly looks good enough for cruising around town.
The seller has been dealing in old Mopars for over 50 years, and he says that he’s getting too old to maintain a 100-plus car collection, so he’s selling a few off. He also says that the Plymouth will need some restoration, and that three out of four fenders need work, but this might be one of those cases where driving a ten-footer might be OK. In my opinion, a car from the 1930s looks pretty good with a story to tell, and this one could be good enough to drive as it sits. It’s not a bad alternative to a 1930s Ford, is it?
I’ve always liked the offerings from this vintage of Plymouth. 1937 is one of my favorites but this would suffice. Not much of a power house but when I’m out for a drive in something like this, I’m not in a hurry, even if the jockeys in the import SUVs behind me are. And I’ve had lots of experience of that nature in my ‘49 Chevy. I would hope that this car goes to a good home…