Frisky bidding has pushed the price of this 1933 Plymouth PC project car here on eBay to $5200. A handsome coupe to be sure, but it needs virtually everything, so what’s driving the price? Well, though it needs plenty of work, this example is dry with minimal rust. Hot rod potential is certainly present. And, this model had an important role to play in the Chrysler story. Plymouth was Chrysler’s entry into the low-priced market in the late 1920s, while the PC was Walter Chrysler’s roll of the dice that a six-cylinder could be sold profitably even when installed in a cheap car. That was going to be true, but not until the PC’s short wheelbase was lengthened to make the PD, a successor model, in mid-1933. Vigorous sales followed. The Plymouth brand literally enabled Chrysler to survive the Great Depression. The 1930s marked some of the most successful Plymouth ever had, relative to its competition.
The six-cylinder flathead engine displaces 190 cu. in. With a single downdraft carburetor and a compression ratio of 5.5:1, output came in at 70 hp. An optional high-compression head brought horsepower to 76. This motor was dimensionally smaller than the earlier four-cylinder, and it ran quieter with less vibration. It was a good enough mill to last until 1959 with few changes until the Slant Six was developed. The transmission is a three-speed manual. The seller notes that this car has been stored for forty years and doesn’t run, so you’ll need a trailer to pick it up from Warren, Michigan. The title is from California.
Might be a bit mousy in here; looks like a few generations of four-footers have had their way with the seat stuffing. That windshield will tilt out. These cars had a roof constructed of rubber, batting, wire, and wood; replacement instructions are here. Legend has it that in the 1930s, steel stamping equipment simply could not yet make a panel as large as this roof, thus the various inserts that automakers used to fill the hole. This example doesn’t have a radio, but radios were beginning to show up in even less expensive cars. That wire in the roof acted as an antenna, in case an owner wanted the latest Philco.
The underside is only dusty, not rusty – a blessing since the buyer will be coping with a missing rear-mounted spare, a bent grille, a misshapen front bumper, and who knows what else in the parts department – along with putting the mechanicals right. The short wheelbase – reviled in its day – makes this Plymouth coupe quite appealing today. Many have been rodded, but this pristine original example sold recently for $39,000. What do you think – hot rod, or keep it original?
Restore to its original condition. Maybe modify suspension so it can be driven around town as dependable transportation. Our roads need more classic cars / trucks on them…..
Second the Motion. Wish I had the space. Love to restore this and put it next to my model a ford roadster pu
Hot rod. It doesn’t need any body mods. It actually looks like a mild chop already.
I think this would be awesome to get it back on the road and the best part is it’s not the Ford everyone seems to want. I would upgrade the suspension and brakes. And for me just because I’m crazy like that I would put a Toyota Supra drive train in it.
Neat car. Just saw a ‘34 at Wheels & Waves car show in Seaside OR. last weekend. It made a nice rod. On the other hand, these had durable and dependable running gear, so would work great as a stock refurb/resto. No need to update the suspension to cruise around town IMHO
Wow! I haven’t seen a ‘33 Plymouth in too long!
I am more interested in the Vette sitting behind the Plymouth
An education: My Dad was a New England (Holyoke Mass) Plymouth man, first a wedding gift 1947 red with white CV top, then a 1949 maroon (ugly) station wagon when the kiddie population outgrew the CV, then a pretty 2-shade green station wagon, which took us from Atlanta to Holyoke & beck, all with the 6-cylinder very likely same as the one in the car here. Thanks for the history!
Dig the body style on this one. Always liked the suicide doors. Looks like a mild custom already even though it’s stock. Leave the body as is and put a new frame and suspension, drive train and all that. New interior. Nothing fancy. Just make it a very nice daily driver type.
To much money at today prices for materials to restore sorry yard art
It’s not a PC — it’s the Deluxe PD model
eBay ad says VIN is PD121649; that is the engine number but seeing as the car came from California, for some reason that state used engine numbers as VIN serial numbers. And yes, it is a Deluxe PE, not a PC…
My grandfather had a 1934 Plymouth like this one. That Chrysler flathead six would seemingly run forever.