- Seller: Aaron M
- Location: Sacramento, California
- Mileage: 75,781 Shown
- Chassis #: P15511099
- Title Status: Clean
- Engine: 217.8 cui Inline-6 #PT15-511099
- Transmission: Manual
The Great Depression hit the entire world hard during the 1930s, and the American automotive industry wasn’t immune from its impact. Sales spiraled downward, and production volumes dropped markedly. It was against that backdrop that this 1937 Plymouth PT-50 Pickup emerged. The company only sold 10,709 of these classics during that model year, making these fairly rare. This one has spent the past forty years in storage but is a rock-solid vehicle that would be ideal for someone seeking a more unusual DIY project. The owner wants it to head to a new home, listing it exclusively with us at Barn Finds. He set his price at $25,000 but indicates there may be room to move on that figure.
Plymouth entered the Light Truck market in 1937 with the PT-50, a bold move during tough economic times. Buyers could select from a Sedan Delivery and the extremely rare Station Wagon body variants, although the Pickup was comfortably the most popular model choice. This gem has spent the last forty years garaged, protecting it from damage caused by Mother Nature. That is positive news for potential buyers because it has left the Plymouth rust-free. The panels are exceptionally straight, meaning that if the buyer elects to perform a restoration, they can leave the grinder and welder safely packed away in the cupboard. The bright trim pieces are all present, and it appears that the crank-out windshield works as it should. The stake sides are a perfect finishing touch that is period-correct.
Plymouth followed a “tried and true” path with the PT-50’s mechanical specifications. Buyers received a 201ci flathead six that sent 82hp and 145 ft/lbs of torque to the road via a three-speed manual transmission. The strength of the flathead was undoubtedly its torque delivery, which peaked at a mere 1200rpm. That made the PT-50 extremely flexible, and capable of effortlessly moving surprisingly heavy loads. This PT-50’s engine now has a capacity of 217.8ci, which means that it should exceed the factory-quoted figures. The owner admits the engine may need work before it runs, but the robust nature of Chrysler’s flathead range means that this might be a relatively straightforward process.
One of Plymouth’s key focus points when developing the PT-50 was safety. This extended beyond the exclusive use of safety glass to the interior. The padding on the seat backrest was thicker than the competition, while many of the normal switches and knobs were mounted below the dash to prevent injury in an accident. This Pickup’s interior is tidy and serviceable, with the seatcover free from rips and other issues. The wheel sports a wrap, and there is an under-dash temperature gauge to monitor the engine’s health. However, the factory gauges are intact, and when combined with some of the bright trim pieces, they give the dash a wonderful Art Deco feel. The new owner could perform a few tasks to improve the presentation, but as is the case elsewhere, there is nothing that would be beyond the capabilities of a competent enthusiast in a home workshop.
This 1937 Plymouth PT-50 Pickup is a wonderful classic that emerged during one of the darkest eras in world economic history. The prosperity that arrived following World War II sounded the death knell for many of these vehicles as buyers had the cash to update to the latest offerings from Detroit. That saw many vehicles from the 1930s consigned to the scrap heap, but this gem avoided that fate. It needs someone to return it to its rightful place on our roads, which would be a rewarding task. Enjoyment is one of the most important aspects of the classic ownership experience, and this Pickup should deliver in abundance. That makes it worth far more than a passing glance.
Check the fluids and tires wash it up and go!
Parts pictures. Would be nice to see what it looks like outside away from all the junk piled around it.
The price is fantasy . . . advertising it where readers recognize that is folly.
Click the make offer button and offer what you think it’s worth.
I think it would be a fun truck to have. Asking price is out of my budget at the moment
I don’t see anything out of bounds with the price, as long as the seller doesn’t really expect to get that much.
If not, he’s got it well positioned in front of a lot of people who will appreciate it and word will get around to someone who is both close enough to go look it over in person and has the cash to make a serious offer. It will sell, just not all that quickly.
A wonderful truck, just the wrong price for the average buyer. Someone my age can appreciate it and has memories of these being on the road, but younger people do not. We are a literally, a dying breed. The young who survive us might want this for the novelty, but they will not want to pay such a high price. This would be so much fun to put around town in, maybe light duty chores, but not at that price.
Not original paint color??
Not an original color – and not a good choice for this rug IMHO
A carbon copy of Dad’s ’36 Dodge pickup!! My chore was to haul pressed wood logs from the local sawmill on the Columbia River to our home at age 16 in 1956. He told me to use the back streets and don’t go over 25 miles per hour and coast a bit through stop signs to save the clutch. The mill employees thought I was crazy loading the bed until the back fenders were almost rubbing on the tires- but Dad didn’t want me making exra trips!! That flat head six and clutch were always up to the task along with a prayer or two. Great little truck for sure!
Wash the truck and see how much more presentable it is.
Beats the snot out of a cyber truck
Awesome truck! I never knew there was a Plymouth- branded truck. My first car was a 1950 Plymouth wagon.
Pre war Plymouth trucks, especially one in this survivor, condition are hard to come by. And asking a top shelf price like this, at least the seller could get her starting and running again. And hopefully that wouldnt take much, but the buyer is the one taking that gamble if the seller doesnt. She is a beauty for sure.
Plymouth trucks from the thirties are scarce on the ground. I would enjoy owning it. But I see at least one vehicle every day in BF that I would park in my driveway. I like the 1936 Ford too. Alas limited space and funds will limit me to an observer. GLWTS.
we just finished two of “these” era but:
one sedan
(the other)
a cheb (p/u).
No thing is easy
Chassis number P15-511099 is not the chassis/serial number. Like so many California vehicles its been registered by the engine number and the number indicates the engine is from a 1947/8 Plymouth P15 series passenger car. Should have a T50- series engine. Certainly not worth the 25K asking price.
I expected a “Special Deluxe” to have the wood grain dash that a 37 business coupe has.
No wood grain in the commercial line – and no Special Deluxe either; trinkets added on.
Thank you.
Our Flxible Clipper came with a Cadilac emblem.