Even though it has been nineteen years, I still find it hard to believe at times that Plymouth is no more. As a youngster, I always remember them vying with Chevrolet and Ford for that entry-level consumer and as a leg of the “Big Three” stool. Then, as an adolescent, who could forget the Road Runner, GTX, ’Cuda/Barracuda and the highly potent Duster 340? Unfortunately, Plymouth didn’t follow rocker Neil Young’s advice and decided to fade away instead of burning out. And while I have fond memories of Plymouth, I have little knowledge or recognition of their cars prior to about 1951. And I definitely don’t recall ‘40s vintage convertibles like this ’47 example, located in Torrington, Connecticut and available here on eBay for a current bid of $8,485, reserve not met yet.
I’ll cut to the chase, I don’t recall ever seeing one of these and if I did, I probably thought it was something else or just didn’t pay any attention to it. The body lines and grille are somewhat familiar but the convertible top with its wide c-pillar of fabric and no quarter windows make the lines unfamiliar. The other notable thing, in this case, is that the body and paint seem to be in pretty reasonable condition. The seller states that this Plymouth was repainted at some point in its past but doesn’t know when. This convertible is located in Connecticut and there is a service station door-jamb sticker from Erie, Pennsylvania so that means this car has seen winter weather which translates into snow, salt and then rust. The seller says, “There appears to be no rust through, some surface here and there especially where the paint is coming off. The floors inc. the trunk are solid”; that’s a good sign! The seller advises that the convertible top is very brittle and the images bear that out. I did some looking around online and finding a new fabric top for this vintage Plymouth doesn’t appear to be difficult.
The one commonality that I find with cars of this era is the dash panel. The gauges and chrome work are just beautiful and the dash controls in this convertible have held up reasonably well. There is some deterioration as expected, but the attention to detail and the visual impression that it makes is a real attention-getter.
While we are inside, the two-tone upholstery stands out and looks especially fresh for a 73-year-old car. The seller tells us that the carpets and part of the seats are original. What can be seen of the floors gives no cause for concern. This car is a 41,000-mile example so it has spent a lot of time sitting, apparently stored well.
While there are no images of the powerplant the seller is pretty bullish on this car’s operational capabilities. The standard equipment engine for Plymouth in ’47 was a 217.8 CI, in-line six-cylinder engine good for 95 horsepower. Gear shifting is manually conducted via a three-speed box. The seller claims, “The engine and trans were rebuilt, I do not how long ago, but no miles since the rebuild. It runs very well with 40 psi oil pressure at a hot idle. It also yard drives and stops well…” I gather this means it hasn’t had any real road exercise and has been confined to a lot or a yard but this is still a refreshing departure from the commonly found, “ran when parked” disclaimer. Included in the trunk are extra parts that go with the sale. The original air cleaner is in there somewhere.
If you are looking for late ‘40s uniqueness, here it is. Convertibles are always a bit extra special and this example has some nice attributes, maybe one of them being that it is not the usually found Chevy or Ford. That begs the question, has anyone had any experience with this vintage Plymouth? And if so, what was it like?
This thing looks awesome! I am assuming that Chrysler ceased auto production about the time this car was built, and then resumed again in about 1946. The body sure is reminiscent of the 47 and 48 Chryslers. Either way, a great looking car.
This car has been sold and is in the process of just being cleaned up. It does run excellent and is cleaning up pretty good. Has some issues from where it was originally stored, but over all, it’s in nice shape. It does need a new top and tires. Although the tires on it are new (prior to 1970), they are “thumpers” from sitting so very long!
I owned a 1946 Plymouth Business Coupe for a brief while…& it matched this grille and body. I’m casting doubt on this being a 1941?? I Google’d a 1941 Plymouth & the body is not this body…I’d get a lot of enjoyment outta this ol’girl…but my other ladies would undoubtedly feel spite’d, & rightfully so…
Only 12 hours to go, reasonable price for a convertible, so far, trunk full of parts. Someone is in for a fun project!
Nice car 44 or newer
It’s listed on ebay as a ’47, which is correct. I own a ’41, which still has running boards; the ’42’s first hid the running boards behind the body flare at the bottom of the doors, which was continued after the war through the First Series ’49’s.
This is a very nice car – an older restoration as evidenced by the painted dash and upholstery.
Buy it, get mechanical up to speed -(brakes, tires, etc. a little polish / buffing DRIVE and ENJOY – – – then pick away at the things that Niggle you.
Interestingly there was a VERY negative comment at a car show in Picture Butte Alberta a few summers ago when discussing a 41 Mercury and I mentioned I’d owned a 1942 4 dr. all original 37,000 (ish) mile car back in the early 60’s – – -that led to an outburst from a (fairly loaded) guy sitting with some buds. Well, I asked for his cell number or email and said I’d send him pictures to document that Mercury was still being produces in limited numbers before all production was dedicated to the war effort. He wouldn’t go there with me. As I left one bud of his said he was dead wrong and that created a large argument between them. Just add alcohol – -instant ass_ _ _ _ wanna be expert.
Mercury wasn’t the only manufacturer of full size cars still in production in early 42.
It is a ’47, it’s titled incorrectly in the headline. Thank you all.
Had a ’46 P-15 4 door sedan and loved it!
These were simple, well built cars that
would last forever if properly maintained.
I bought mine as a yard find 45 years ago
for $50! With Dad’s help, I got it running
and driving within a month after I bought
it. And it was original–down to the paperwiork in the glovebox. I started restoring it but playing my music got in the way. I was on the road 49 weeks out
of the year and really had no time for it.
Wound up selling it to a friend for $500
and he took it to Oklahoma and I never
saw it again. But this car, I think I might-ve
it on YouTube 8 to 10 years ago. It was built for an older couple by their children
to replace the one that they had when they were first married in the late -40s.
It sure looks like the one I saw back then.
The only other thing I’d do with it would be to install a factory Town.& Country wood kit
on it that was offered by your local
Plymouth dealer. It went a long way in
terms of spicing up a rather mundane
car. All I can say is I WANT IT!
Very nice Ragtop & hard to find another like it!
Man. I love this car.
This car is in sweet all original condition!! Should be preserved the way it is!! A true time capsule!! I always say that it should be kept original but the truth of the matter for me is that I would only do things that could be easily reversed!! After all disc breaks on a car like this definitely makes it safer and more fun to drive!!
Wow! What an interesting find. I would love to see it after restoration. She will be a knock out.
Bob, she’s not going to get “restored”. She is buffing out nicely, and although it will get some paint touch-up, I’ll drive it as-is. The last registration ran out in 1970 and the car sat for a very long time. It runs excellent, but a new output shaft bushing needs to be installed. I’ll have it on the road in May and just enjoy the hell out of driving it. I’ll pick away at the issues needed to be addressed, but that’s it. :-)
Love it. Makes me want to get started on my own projects. I have two 49 Coronets that i need to get to. Quick someone smack me….i think I’m becoming one of those guys……I’m going to restore it someday….uggghhh. I could get them done quick but don’t think the wife would be to happy having to live in them. And to tell the truth I’m pretty fond of the roof over my head also… Oh now where did i put that winning lottery ticket…..
About 15 years ago my father and I did a full restoration on a 1.946 Plymouth 4 door custom, we resourced original factory parts for the engine and transmission, I took us close to 6 years but when done she looked, ran and drove like new. The car was originally from Ft. Wayne Ind and driven to FLA in 1946 where it resided under a pole barn next to my parents home, the original owner died about 10 years before we were able to convince the son to part with it. When first started ( before the rebuild ) it knocked and had no power. When I pulled the motor apart 2 of the Pistons had completely deteriorted to the point of just rods. To bad my Father sold it to someone that later turned it into a street rod.
The original owner was found floating in a swimming pool at Nora Desmond’s Beverly Hills home
This is the twin of our first family car given to my parents new as a wedding gift by my maternal grandparents in St.Petersburg FL. We settled in Atlanta GA about as I was born after Dad separated from active duty Naval aviation service. When the forth of us kids arrived it got traded for a ’49 Plymouth station wagon, ugly maroon color and 6 or 7 years later a ’55 Plymouth station wagon, very attractive tow-tone green. We went to Holyoke & lots of other places in that one. Yes, Dad, from Holyoke Mass, was a Plymouth guy.
Bob, she’s not going to get “restored”. She is buffing out nicely, and although it will get some paint touch-up, I’ll drive it as-is. The last registration ran out in 1970 and the car sat for a very long time. It runs excellent, but a new output shaft bushing needs to be installed. I’ll have it on the road in May and just enjoy the hell out of driving it. I’ll pick away at the issues needed to be addressed, but that’s it. :-)