BF Exclusive: 1950 Plymouth Deluxe Club Coupe

Asking: $7,400Make An Offer

  • Seller: Hunter M cIlvenny
  • Location: Greer, South Carolina
  • Mileage: 123456 Shown
  • Chassis #: I5455707
  • Title Status: Clean
  • Engine: 318 V8
  • Transmission: 3-Speed Automatic

If you’re a fan of NASCAR history, the sight of any 1950 Plymouth might bring a smile to your face. The first Southern 500 at the then-new Darlington Raceway in South Carolina was held that year, and the winner was a 1950 Plymouth. The best part? The Plymouth qualified dead last. Johnny “Madman” Mantz didn’t have to stop for a tire change by using a set of durable truck tires. Therefore, he plugged along at just over 75 miles per hour while the faster cars screamed by him, only to stop for a tire change a few laps later. Mantz’s patience paid off with a $10,000 purse and a nine-lap lead over second place. While this ’50 Plymouth hasn’t won any NASCAR races, it is appropriately located in South Carolina, and it’s being offered as a Barn Finds Exclusive.

This Plymouth does have a head start in the power department. In lieu of the original flathead six, someone has swapped in a 318 Poly; not to be confused with the “LA” or “Magnum” 318s, the Poly’s cylinder head design was first used on Chrysler’s 1950s V8s. With its valve-cover-mounted PCV valve and Carter BBD two barrel, I’d say that this one’s original home was a mid-’60s Dodge or Plymouth. The seller includes some hop-up parts, including a fresh set of cylinder heads, an aluminum intake manifold, and a four-barrel carburetor.

Regarding the interior, the seller might say it best: It is “wacky.” With what looks like a GM truck steering column, a mid-’60s Chrysler console, and a hole where the radio used to be, there are definitely some personalized touches in here. At the very least, I’d replace the radio and find a different steering wheel; that bowtie doesn’t belong in a Mopar.

At least everything is color-coordinated, and velour fabric is probably the toughest in the world. The car is suffering from a sagging headliner, however, so that will have to go.

The seller bought the Plymouth as a barn find that had been sitting for 15 years, and he thinks it might have original paint. It’s a running car, but the seller has lost interest; maybe it will interest you! Although the Southern 500-winning car was a fastback, Lee Petty drove a Club Coupe back in those nascent days of NASCAR. Are you thinking what I’m thinking? A NASCAR tribute with a little extra V8 rumble? It’s not a bad idea, and if you agree, make an offer now.

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Comments

  1. Lcl

    Was Mantz’s motor a stock six?
    His gearing?
    75 mph for 6 hours!

    Like 1
    • RallyeMember

      First car I remember riding in was a 53 Plymouth and it had overdrive.

      Like 1
    • Aaron TothAuthor

      I’ve read a lot of stories about this race, and from what I understand, yes it was. Apparently, some of the series’ top drivers were pretty miffed at being stomped by a Plymouth, so NASCAR disassembled it that night. The local Plymouth dealer burned a lot of midnight oil verifying part numbers.

      Regarding gearing, I’d say that those big truck tires (I’ve also read that they were “Indycar” tires, but that seems to make less sense) made the effective gear ratio taller. The stock gear ratio was 3.90:1. With 27-inch tires, that would work out to 3650 rpm at 75. If those truck tires were 29 inches tall, that would work out to more like 3400. I’d say the Plymouth would have no problem doing that for six hours.

      Like 4
  2. charlieMember

    Speaking of wheels, does it look like the wheelbase and the rear fender openings do not match, as on some ’40’s Hudsons and some ’50’s Ramblers? I never noticed this on any other ’50’s Mopars so maybe it is just the photographer’s doing.

    Like 2
    • Erich

      I saw that too but I think the dangling rear quarter chrome strip is adding to the illusion.

      Like 4
    • Bozz

      It does look off a bit. Do an image search and find a side view of the same car. I am confident the steering wheel is after market. That’s okay. Jus’ sayin’.

      Like 0
      • The Cadillac Kid

        Aftermarket wheel? Let’s see, it’s a Plymouth and there is a Chevy symbol on it, I’d say yes.
        The brake pedal is Plymouth and the same as my grandfathers 61 Belevedere but the gas pedal is not original. The alternator looks like a GM Delco, not Plymouth.

        Like 0
    • bobhess bobhessMember

      Agree on the rear axle location. I’d guess the transmission was a bit shorter than the original and they slipped the rear end forward on the springs. Have done that a couple times myself. Saves having to have a driveshaft made.

      Like 0
  3. Anthony Tellier

    “Auto”?

    Like 0
  4. charlieMember

    Looks like automatic transmission from the pedals (not from 1950) and the shifter, it would have been 3 on the tree in 1950. And looking again, maybe the whole body has been transplanted on the chassie that goes with the drivetrain.

    Like 2
  5. UDTFROG

    MAN OH MAN do I wish my Buick had been already sold. THIS sleepper would be a joy. , These are the kind of RODS we saw in the 40-50’s.

    Like 2
  6. The Cadillac kid

    Interesting. The alternator is not a Mopar product.

    Like 0
  7. BrianT BrianTMember

    I kinda like it, the V8 sleeper aspect . The price is pretty good for something that wouldn’t take much to be driving it and having fun.

    Like 0
  8. Michael Lloyd GregoryMember

    Did anyone else look at the picture and wonder if the car was coming or going? At first, I thought it was one of those cars where they welded two front ends together.

    Like 0

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