This 1951 Plymouth Concord is way cool! It has been given the business, so to speak, and it is an eye-catcher. This business coupe, like this 1953 Ford Courier, is today considered an unusual body style, one from a bygone era – and that’s what makes them such neat discoveries. Beyond that, it’s the surprising engine choice that this Plymouth’s engine compartment is harboring that adds to its allure. Want to know more? Well then just read along as we examine this Houston, Texas domiciled coupe. It’s available, here on craigslist for $16,500.
Plymouth offered three trim levels in ’51, Cranbrook at the top, Cambridge in the middle, and the Concord tagging along at the end. All Concords were two-door models including a sedan with a sloped roofline, a Suburban station wagon, and then the Business Coupe such as our subject car. Plymouth’s 1953 total production output scored an impressive 650K unit third-place finish, just behind Ford and Chevrolet. Of that total, 14K were Business Coupes.
Originally powered by a 97 HP, 217 CI, flathead six, this three-seater is now sporting a 120 HP, 200 CI, in-line six-cylinder Ford motor- how unusual! One would assume that a V8 of some provenance would be the replacement candidate but that’s not how it turned out. In addition, the donor Mustang has given up its C4 automatic transmission and eight-inch rear axle. The seller adds that this Plymouth, “is truly a pleasure to drive, and car that you can drive anytime and anywhere“. One important to note upgrade is the inclusion of front disc brakes.
The exterior, in my favorite hue, presents beautifully but the seller cautions, “Please have in mind that it is still a 70 yr vehicle! and not by any means, a show car. As a driver, it has chips, scratches few dents and faded paint that adds character, but again, NO rust or rot!“. I think that the builder has nailed the exterior presentation with this car’s stance and American Racing Torque-Thrust wheels.
The size-constrained interior of this coupe perfectly complements the exterior. The reupholstered seat and door panels match, the headliner has been replaced and the dash features an array of aftermarket gauges. I’m not wild about the clunky-looking B&M shifter but I guess you have to come up with something when you make such a directional change with the transmission.
So, what do we really have here, is it a sort of all bark and no bite kind of get-up? I wouldn’t be that dismissive, this Plymouth projects an excellent ’50s hot rod vibe, but the engine choice is, well, ah, a surprise – certainly an unexpected find. Let’s face it, not everything has to be humongo V8 powered, but the reality is, when an old engine like a Plymouth flathead gets the bum’s rush, a V8 usually fills the void. And my thought is that engine choice may hold this Concord coupe back a bit, would you agree or not?
Had me going. I was expecting a 302, not an I-6. The heater box in old Plymouths is gynormas, a considerable intrusion into the engine compartment where the right side of a V-8 wants to sit. That aside a friend has a ’52 with a Hemi and a 4 speed so it can be done. This is a sensible ride and probably loads of low stress fun. Something a little different.
Aside from the played out Torque Thrusts it’s not a bad looking car, but I would just sense pure disappointment every time I stepped on the gas. You’d probably have to be pretty careful pulling out into traffic with this underpowered thing.
Played out? Hardly. Nothing looks better IMO.
I’m a Ford restorer through and through. But I would never do this engine swap. Smh
I can see all the Mopar tears dripping around this car
Why not a 318.All that work and didn’t stay with a Plymouth engine.
Thry wanted it to at least run down the road.
I had a ’51 Dodge pickup inthe early ’80s. It needed an engine. I tried a 273, the smaller CID version of a 318. Same size block I was told. The starter and the steering box needed to shared the same space. I don’t know how similar the Plymouth frame, suspension, and steering is to the Dodge truck, but my point is some swaps just are easier said than done.
I was given a 215 Pontiac (Same block as a 194 Chevy) from a ’65 Tempest.
In the spirit of make due with what you have, I went with it.
A straight six would make a great daily driver. why more horsepower in a car than you need cruising down the road. I had a 65 mustang with a straight six and it was fun and economical to drive. I’d love to drive this car for the looks.
I had that same engine in a 1970 maverick I bought new it had a 3 speed stick on the tree great little car and engine
But why not a Mopar I6?? Smh
That F.O.R.D. 6 Cyl ain’t no slouch in an old 60s Mustang, especially with a 3spd, but in a 50s Plymouth Coupe, I , personally don’t think so🤔Might get that old Mopar around town, but I’d be afraid the Automatic couldn’t get that car out of it’s own way at a light?? To each his own though. I’d like to drive it just to see for myself…Maybe it was too good of an old Mopar to let go of, especially if they had a Beater Mustake to steal the power plant from?? Very Clean old Plymouth for sure! Gotta LOVE AMERICAN INGINUITY!
I doubt many will disagree, it looks sharp. Fact is, I don’t think a Plymouth business coupe EVER looked this sharp. They were merely salesmens tools, with not much left when done. Naturally, the motor is a shock, again with the Falcon, but really, I bet it’s a dependable driver. Coming from the “Ford in a Ford” camp, any number of Mopars could have worked. You want a 6, a slanty would be perfect, and somewhat more correct. Still, today, we are in an age, where this is merely a custom old car and originality just isn’t important anymore. It’s okay, kudos to the builder for going this route, rather than another clown wheeled, tugboat powered abomination.
The car needs nothing. I like it the way it is.
As an old Mopar guy I must say that this was a surprise to me. My first car was a 51 Plymouth convertible that was given to me by my father but it was not in as good condition as this one is. At fifteen years old I definitely wanted more power but would not have considered a Ford engine. I understand why they stayed with a straight six engine because the frame is narrow and the steering box must be moved to take a V8 engine, which brings on more modifications. I know this from having put a 318 in a 53 Plymouth coupe. The hood ornament is up side down, which seems to be common on this model Plymouth. I only mention it because I had one and wonder why it’s so common as there is a picture of a ship in it that should be obvious how it goes. Excuse my rambling and GLWTS.
Needs a 383, 4-speed, best looking Mopar Biz coupe ever seen on this site.
A couple other Inline-6 candidates would be the 250 and 300 inch Ford motors. And the 250 and 292 GM offerings.
In my mind, a “hot rod” or “custom” should have a manual transmission. Period.
An automatic is as lame as a 4-door.
Just my opinion….
I don’t know the up output of the Ford 250 cid, but the 300 cid makes 145 hp stock.
Yeah, hood ornament upside down. Strange.
Maybe some disgruntled employee was having some fun at the assembly plant before he quit!
My choice of motor would NOT have been the 200 6, But the 300 6, Then you have a much better selection of ‘hot rod’ parts.
Oh boy another Mopar business coupe! This is very nice. I like the color. It’s the same color as my 1952 club coupe. Just very nicely done overall. I think the price is right too. The only drawback for me is the automatic transmission. Ideally I would like a Tremec five speed. The disc brakes are a good idea. I have thought about getting them done on mine. That Ford six cylinder will be a whole lot better performer than the original flattie. Plenty of power to keep up with modern cars. A lot higher revs too. I like the wheels on this and I normally like steelies and hub caps. All and all this car can take up residence in my garage and I would be quite happy. I learned something today too. Russ Ashley commented on the interference between a V8 and the steering. I wondered about that when I was fantasizing about putting a 318 in mine. And robj is right about that heater box taking up a lot of space on the passenger side of the engine compartment. This car appears to have had that removed and they have mounted what seems like some sort of fan box on the firewall. I really have enjoyed looking at this today. Thanks BF.
I like it as is. The wheel choice is perfect and I like them in general. I’m sure this would go fine at highway speeds. Nice car!
Hey guys why not use a very proper Slant/Six with a Torque-Flite trans at least it would be in the same family and to me they would make a Excellent set up. And there are plenty of HP parts available from Offenhauser Performance !!!
A “Cars and Coffee” car that can be driven daily and has a trunk big enough to handle anything you can lift. I’d love to have it. And those wheels are perfect. Too bad the days of cruising the drive-ins are all over. Well done to whomever might be responsible for its creation.
Well the engine is what it is, but i’d leave it alone. The wheels are cool but
I’d sell them and get some body-colored steelies with dog dish caps for a period look.
“this Plymouth projects an excellent ’50s hot rod vibe”
Hardly, since the Torq Thrust wheel wasn’t released until 1963….