Still showing a lot of its original Kitchener Green paint, this 1949 Plymouth Special DeLuxe Club Coupe could be a PhD thesis study in patina art if it were faux patina, but it’s not. Blackwall tires were standard equipment but this car deserves new paint and some period-correct white wall tires. The seller has it posted here on craigslist in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and they’re asking $3,500. Here is the original listing, and thanks to Zappenduster for the tip!
Plymouth made the DeLuxe and higher trim Special DeLuxe in two phases, broken up by their need to jump into war production during WWII. From 1933 through early 1942 was the first round, and after the war ended in 1945, production ramped up for the 1946 through 1950 model years. You can tell from the profile that this is very much in the K.T. Keller era when men were supposed to be able to wear a hat while driving. The Club Coupe is a two-door notchback body style with rear side windows, different from the two-door business coupe, known as the three-passenger coupe.
The seller says that this car was driven until 1995 and then “stored on blocks since 2009”, but I’m not sure how that timeline works. Was it stored inside after 1995? It sure has a lot of missing paint on the top portions of the car, but 1949 to 1995 is 46 years so that’s a lot of living out in the Colorado sun. It looks solid but we don’t see the underside or any detailed photos. The Special DeLuxe had a bit more trim than the DeLuxe and this car seems like a steal at this price in 2025.
Sadly, this is the only interior photo and that’s a huge head-scratcher. We normally don’t get to see the engine, it’s rare to not see anything of the front passenger compartment at all. You can see that at least the door panels will need work. I take back my statement about the seller not providing any detailed photos, they do and this one of the killer hood ornament is fantastic. You do not want to have this car run into you with that sharp Plymouth clipper ship on the hood.
The engine is Plymouth’s 217-cu.in. L-head inline-six with 95 horsepower and 172 lb-ft of torque. It sends power through a three-speed manual via a column shifter to the rear wheels. The seller doesn’t say whether it runs or starts or even turns over, so there’s that. I’m sure most Barn Finds readers could have this car on the road in a couple of weekends. I’d want to restore it back to its original spec glory complete with wide white wall tires and correct wheel covers, and yes, I’d wear a hat while driving this beauty. How would you restore this Plymouth?
Those one-year-only ribbed bumpers were very popular with customizers.
If the flatty is junk, would the “Leaning Tower of Power ” fit in the engine bay?
I vote for blackwalls. I grew up with cars like this. I don’t recall seeing many of the low priced three sporting wide whites. Besides, if you keep the patina look wide whites would look out of place. And you might have to add curb feelers, lol. I hope someone gets this old Plymouth back on the road. GLWTS.
This looks like a solid restoration candidate. I agree with Scotty. I’d like to see it brought back to original ( including the color) and definitely would look great with period correct white walls for certain. The one thing that got me that Scotty brought out is that hood ornament. That is a beautiful piece of artwork in of itself, especially for a “low priced” Plymouth. It looks like its got good bones, if everything underneath is rust free it would be worth it if bought at the right price.
I would drive it just as is.
I agree with Carbob about the WSWs. Those who bought entry-level new cars would have sprung for a step up in the corporate ladder (Plymouth > Dodge, Chevy > Pontiac, Ford > Mercury, etc.) before squandering their hard-earned cash on high maintenance tires.
Same goes for fender skirts, too. You’ve got a new car and probably want it to still look new for a while by keeping it clean, so why hide half the rear wheels and their hubcaps/covers so you have to move the car to clean the other half?
Oh, and for Driveinstile- I saw a COE PB or KW with a flatbed trailer merrily rippin’ down US 27 in Central FL the other day. Seemed like old times!
Never heard of Greenwood Springs, but there is a Glenwood Springs.
GAAA! What a bonehead I am, nice catch, Larry! Thanks much. Greenwood? How did my fingers type that? Wow.