- Seller: Tom G
- Location: Ottumwa, Iowa
- Mileage: 2,500 Shown
- Chassis #: P18474583
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 350cui V8 with 290HP
- Transmission: 700R4 Automatic
Some custom builds are better than others, and this 1949 Plymouth Suburban is a gem. The owner left no stone unturned creating this Wagon, choosing a “total package” approach that combines stunning classic charm, a bulletproof drivetrain, and enough creature comforts to ensure that every journey feels like a special occasion. He has had his fun with this Suburban, feeling now is the right time for it to head to a new home with an enthusiast who will appreciate all that it offers. Therefore, the owner has listed the Plymouth exclusively with us at Barn Finds Auctions.
Plymouth released the Suburban in 1949. It was its first all-steel Station Wagon and only the second Wagon released by any American manufacturer that wasn’t a “Woodie.” The owner followed a frame-off approach with this custom build, with every aspect of the vehicle receiving careful attention. Any substandard body steel was removed and replaced, with the seller performing a 2″ chop for a lower stance. That doesn’t represent a radical drop in height, preserving the excellent interior headroom and allowing the owner to utilize the original full-size windshield that has been laid back. The result looks subtly aggressive, which can be a difficult balance to strike in such a build. The panels are laser-straight, and the paint reflects its surroundings like glass. The owner bolted the body to a modern frame, and, unsurprisingly, the entire package is rust-free. The glass is clear, the trim looks beautiful, and the color-matched Rally wheels and Mini Moon caps give the exterior a fitting touch of old-world charm.
Plymouth adopted a “one size fits all” approach to the 1949 Suburban’s mechanical specifications. Buyers received a 217.8ci flathead six that sent 97hp to the rear wheels via a three-speed manual transmission. Performance was considered quite sprightly by the standards of the day, but our feature Wagon offers the winning bidder far more bang for their bucks. Hiding under the hood is a 350ci Chevrolet V8 that churns out 290hp. Shifting duties fall to a four-speed 700R4 automatic transmission, with the power finding its way to the road via a 9″ Ford rear end with 3.71 gears. As drivetrain configurations go, they don’t come more bulletproof than that. Factor in power assistance for the steering and front disc brakes and new S-10 suspension, and this Suburban will perform brilliantly in any situation. The small-block will sound muscular and purposeful when exhaling through S-10 headers and a dual stainless steel exhaust, ensuring that everyone knows that this Suburban is anything but average. The vehicle is in excellent health and is a turnkey proposition for its new owner.
This Suburban’s interior continues the theme of classy custom touches found on the exterior. The front bucket seats are trimmed in Black leather, with the remaining upholstered surfaces featuring simple and elegant trim in the same color. Matching carpet covers the floors, with the dash featuring a stunning machine-turned fascia that provides a striking contrast to the dark materials. Its presentation is impressive, from the sparkling paint to the flawless wheel. However, this interior is about far more than looks because it features creature comforts that would have been unimaginable in 1949. The buyer receives Vintage air conditioning and heat, power windows, and power front seats. There is scope for the buyer to make a few changes to place their mark on the interior, but there is no reason why it couldn’t be left as-is.
This 1949 Plymouth Suburban is a stunning custom classic that the winning bidder can drive and enjoy immediately. The owner’s choice of mechanical components should guarantee years of trouble-free motoring and affordable maintenance. The interior feels significantly more luxurious than it would have when this classic left the lot, making it ideal for cross-country adventures. With no indication that American manufacturers plan to introduce new Station Wagons to their model range, it falls to classics like this Suburban to carry the flame for the genre. This Plymouth does so with understated style and muscle, which is why it deserves a closer look.
Bid On This Auction
JohnnyG bid $10,000.00 2025-04-23 19:51:41
What a great car- I have always thought that these were a beautiful design, especially the sliding side windows and two piece tailgate. I am old enough to have looked at a totally stock one for sale years ago for $1,600. I balked at buying it because one of the rear floors needed replacement- what a fool. This is really nice, but, at 71, my garage already contains the cars that I can realistically deal with for the foreseeable remainder of my life.
This car doesn’t look like a hotrod. I would have kept the nice little six. There are places for high HP, this a’int it.
The ad says the engine a 290hp 350, the basic 4bbl 327/350 from the mid-60’s to 1970 that came in millions of full size Impala’s, Caprices and Bel Air’s as well as Chevelle’s, El Camino’s and Monte Carlo’s was rated at 300hp. This is little more than a stock engine with an aluminum intake manifold and Corvette valve covers, it’s not even close to a high horsepower engine, just a good cruiser.
Steve R
You don’t consider 300 to be high HP? That chassis was never meant to handle that kind of power. Not going top be safe. I am a fan of power, but it has to be in the right place.
There have been upgrades to both the suspension and brakes as shown in the ad. Someone but a lot of thought into this car. It looks like it’s a great cruiser.
Steve R
If you had read the description you would know that car is now riding on an S-10 chassis so it will handle and ride better than the original. Just because it has been “hot rodded” doesn’t relegate it to unsafe. If you don’t like hot rods that’s fine, just move along to something that suits your fancy but don’t put the car down because it doesn’t suit you, it wasn’t meant to.
Very interesting. I am struggling with the engine choice here, I would have gone with something from the MOPAR family.
A 350 Chev and an automatic! I can’t think of a more boring, common, choice for power There’s nothing wrong with a good old 318 with a STICK shift. Cool car otherwise. My parents had a 52 wagon many, many, years ago and I always did like it.
I knew there would be a comment like this. Show us your build(s), please!
I kinda disagree. While I usually like to keep cars stock, 1940’s engines don’t really make a car drivable in moderns times (IMHO) a nice newer V-8 makes more sense to me. I would agree that a 318 or a 340 mopar engine would of been my choice.
seller: GLWTA!
Not drivable, where? The stock engine will travel at legal freeway speeds.
Ho hum. The writeup says it’s on a new frame and there are multiple references to S-10.
The ad says after the body was worked it was placed on a modern chassis, I’m betting a Tahoe or Yukon based on the pictures & seats!
The back looks unfinished without the bumper. As I recall they were nice bumpers that year.
Crazy not having any bumpers on that. Maybe all the rodders got them, they were very popular in the day.
That was my first thought . Then a closer look, the stock rear bumper, is there. Since it is painted flat black, and so close to the body it is hard to see.
My first car was a 53 Dodge Wagon,3 on the tree, Flintstones brakes, and flathead 6 engine.The engine had been overbored 40 over and head shaved for higher compression, with 2 97’s on log manifold.Was very quick car, many a fellow student found out just how quick it was.Drove it for year then gave it to my little brother he wrapped it around a phone pole one icy night less than 6 months later.He wasn’t hurt but car was totalled from doors back.Last I heard it’s engine was used in a stock car.Was a fun car to drive as a sleeper wouldn’t mind if I had it back ,
318 or 340? I was thinking a 440 or 383 big car needs a big block plus pull the boat !
All opinions aside, sure can’t fault the workmanship on this one.
Just right.
Nothing more to say.
(Chop/windshield is sensational)
Crazy not having any bumpers on that. Maybe all the rodders got them, they were very popular in the day.
The back bumper is there. Painted black. Ugh. The front bumper is missing. Put it back on. One year only rib design.
Excellent taste all around including that color.
And you won’t get it inspected in many states without a back bumper – the ’49’s had ribbed bumpers which were, at the time, “wanted”, for modifications to other cars. But it ought not to be hard to find “a” bumper that looks OK and weld it on. And with these modifications it would be OK at 75 mph, a necessity on today’s interstates.
I have always liked these 2 door wagons. I like the way the rear bumper is tucked up close to the body. (I would have painted it body color) When using an S10 chassis it is easier to use the small block Chevy kit. So I understand the Chevy mechanicals. Very nice car, but I have one question. WHERE ARE THE WIPER ARMS AND BLADES?
I’d think the lack of wipers would be an issue in most if not all states.
Engine choice at have been influenced by the swapped frame, most likely from an S10 truck. Perhaps shoehorning the SBC was logical due to minimal modifications to engine block/transmission mounts. Great presentation overall. Question about a back seat, is it there? Didn’t see the rear seat back, maybe I missed it?
Agree with the others on the bumpers. The front delete is actually pretty cool and flows with the theme but the lower air intake/filler panel looks out of place. Rear bumper should be chromed. Another option would have been rolled front and rear lower pans.
Where are the iconic washboard bumpers? Probably ended up on a Ford fat fender hotrod. To the 50’s hotrodders, those bumpers were like gold.
Beautiful. Awesome workmanship. I would be more concerned with the lack of windshield wipers than the lack of a back bumper.
The chopped windshield probably required the removal of the wipers. Not aware of a fix for that.
Nice work on this wagon, especially the laid-back windshield. That took a good body man/woman to make it and the two-inch chop look good, but they pulled it off very well. There are a few things I would have done differently but nothing major. This brings up memories for me because when I was a teenager we had a Plymouth Suburban like this. When it had been through two teen drivers and was getting tired my dad and I made it into a pickup truck. It looked great and some people thought it was factory made. It was sold in the mid-sixties and I never saw it again.
Is it just me or is there some paint work on the right side between the door and front fender? Cool looking ride just the same. Probably the only one you’ll see at your local car show.
I saw that in the first pic but it’s absent from all the other right side photos. Go figure.
I think the “paintwork” is a reflection of something? What I DON’T see are windshield wipers!
Very nice workmanship. The whole concept works for me. I doubt you’ll see another one just like it at the cruise in. GLWTS.
Nicely done. Not everyone’s cup of tea for sure but I like the car. I’d add it to my collection in a heartbeat. Were I looking to add that is. I’m sure it wouldn’t be worth the reserve to me with all the work done but I do like the vehicle. Kudos.
I would have put a 340 in it keep it mopar , and some cool nerf bars on the front if your not running it with a front bumper IMO .
What is the title situation?
Magnificent looking car, except from the pics I can’t tell is the paint is gray or pea soup green? Power seats and power windows seems to be overkill. I miss crank windows on modern vehicles.
Love the workmanship!
Anybody figured out where the spare tire is? Or if there is one?
The chassis is a clean rust free 1993 s-10 Chevy. All new neoprene bushings, springs etc.New 9” ford housing and axles, I think there would be no issues with installing wipers in the original openings. The original was a vacuum type so I would think a cable driven system would go in there, motor might have to be placed in the engine compartment but I really never looked into it.Any other questions please let me know.
I’ve seen pictures of the woody wagon version and some had the spare mounted on the tailgate. Kind of blah since it’s a woody wagon. For the all metal, two door wagon, I’ll state the obvious; below the floor of the cargo area?
Many many comments! Certainly a nice build and quality workmanship! There is a lot more money into this than the current bid of $10K! If you want a turnkey car, this is the type to buy! All the work was been done.
Beautiful car and well thought out plan. It is a turn key cruiser with modern amenities. This could be my weekly road trip car to the cabin. You’ll not see another like it EVER. If it goes for less than 20k, I would be amazed.
No wipers, no registration in CA. Maybe those hand operated ones, at the top of the windshield out of a 1920’s something. Or, the electric ones of the ’30’s where a motor was attached to the hand operated ones. Or maybe the motorized ones that had a connector from the motor one to the passenger side one above the windshield, assuming when the person who modified this, and forgot about wipers, remembered too late and there is no way to put them in below the windshield.
I agree about the wipers. Your insurance company may have an issue as well.
Impressive work! The subtle changes really make the car stand out! The windshield was tilted back, I can’t tell if the bottom of the windshield was moved forward, requiring the removal of the window wipers or was the top just leaned back. Is there enough room to have wipers mech reinstalled or not.
If the owner sees this, please let me know so I can move forward with a higher bid.
To whom it may concern, I just now saw this post, to answer your question the windshield was laid back from the cowl and vent windows removed and full door windows. When you chop a top you end up being short on the roof.
If you do it this way you can blend the roof with out adding any metal by changing angles at the door and roofline. I appreciate all the positive comments. Thanks
I actually have a lot of the original parts for that car, I have always used Rainx for all my hot rods. It actually always worked better than the old wipers.
You could easily put a manual or single motor above the windshield or install an aftermarket in the stock location.The original holes for the wipers have been welded shut with a sheet metal coupon that fits in the opening.
Anything I can answer or help with let me know.
So there is still room to put wipers in the original position if I didn’t put some above the window, correct?
I’ve seen the spare mounted in different positions on those cars. Is there a spot on this car for a spare?
What chassis was it placed on?
Excellent workmanship on the car!
It sits on a clean 1993s-10chhassis with all new bushings and springs,spindles,bearings etc. new 9” ford rear with new 3rd member as well as leaf springs
Is that an additional seat behind the two front seats?
I an 6’ is there sufficient leg room?
No , I have a set of back seats but were never installed. Their is plenty of room in the front as they are power seats and they came from a 2006 Escalade
Beautifully done. A true hot rod. So many cool aspects of the build to enjoy.
But I’m with the keep it mopar people. I totally lost interest as I read about all the gm parts involved. Sort of takes all fun out of it for me.
Good luck with the sale.
I definitely love mopar as well, chopped and sectioned a 36 business coupe once and won many awards with it. Love the mopar style and class just had a hard time justifying the price of mopar drive train versus sbc. You can find parts for this car anywhere.
WHAT a dream SLEEPER, What I would have loved when at that age. NOW I can just wish but maybe if>>>>>>>
Brings me back to my childhood in the ’50s.
I enjoy Mopar as well, many of my first builds were Mopar. However I always found it best using the SBC as a base. I put one in my 51Merc for the same reason the seller mentioned. Easy and economical to get upgraded parts. Once the hood is closed, nobody knows!
To each his own. It still rings hollow to my ears. I understand mopar drivetrain parts being costly, what with the seriously over priced rust buckets we see here all the time. But the rest of it? S-10 pickup parts etal? Ugh. Same with the chevy in a merc, ugh.
It’s still an awesome build no matter how you look at it. These days though there are so many performance options out there for inexpensive parts, mopar or ford, that it boggles the mind that gm is still the go too.
Did I say ugh?
So it’s a ‘49 Plymouth body bolted to a 90’s Chevy chassis and drive train? Too much of a Frankenstein for me.
I think the ralley wheels look very cool on this car!!
Tom,
If I was to purchase the Suburban, my wife and I would plan to fly there and drive it home to NC. Or would you recommend shipping it?
Johnny G,
I have a driven the car a hundred miles a number of times.
Have been to the Good Guys in Des Moines, Iowa the last couple of years.It is approximately 95 miles from my home so it very drivable.
Personally I would have it shipped just to be on the safe side.I have driven it approximately 2500 miles, local car shows, grocery getter, Errands etc.
Let me know if I can answer any other questions?
Thanks Tom
Dear Johnny G.,
I guess I would probably ship it.
I have driven it to Good Guys in Des Moines Iowa the last couple of years which is about 100mile one way from my house. The car drives great and I have driven it approximately 2500 miles since I finished it. Some local shows, grocery getter& errands.
Any other questions let me know if I can answer.
Thanks Tom
If you ship, use a reputable company and consider enclosed transport (more expensive, but possibly worth it). This is a really nice vehicle- you don’t want some old truck above it on a double decker car transport trailer dripping gear oil on that paint job or the vehicle being exposed to the weather (road spray, sand storms, etc).
Also, if you transport, ask for “door to door” service. This minimizes your vehicle sitting in a yard somewhere waiting to build up a load to your neighborhood, or being passed off to another driver. Get insurance in place prior to shipping (the transporter should have insurance- ask for a copy of it). Lastly, get the driver’s cell phone number.
I agree! I have transported a vehicle and was impressed by the sophistication of the enclosed transport. I had someone purchase a ground up restoration I did on a 68 Firebird and the transporter was pulling two enclosed trailers. One car in the first trailer one and two in the second trailer. I was not impressed. He asked me to back in the car I just sold, I declined. I reminded him it was not my car anymore!
Normally I think of a “frankinstein” as something like a junky rat rod. Does that name apply to any hot rod that has parts from different makes even when it’s a nice build? Just getting my vocabulary correct.
Tom,
I noticed that it had a starter button. does it have a key switch as well? Is the left/right switch for the turn signals?
Can the doors be locked? I saw that the external key cylinders are not there.
Yes it has a normal ignition switch located left of the steering column underneath easily accessible. Also turn signals and emergency flashers. Doors do lock, the push button has a lock cylinder in it. The lift gate can be locked but I don’t have the key. I assume one could be made?
Tom,
You are correct, a key can easily be made.
Good new about the other issues!
JohnnyG,
Yes it has a normal keyed ignition switch, it is located to the left of steering post underneath ( easily accessible)Yes L/R switch is the turn signals. It has a new American Autowire 28 circuit harness and all new wiring.The doors lock with a key in the push button part of the handle.The lift gate on the back is keyed but I don’t have the key to it. I suppose one could be made?
Tom
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