U.S. automobile production was on hold from 1942 to 1946 to shift the emphasis on production to the much-needed armament for the war effort (WW2). By the end of that period, pent-up demand was huge for new cars, but until 1948 or 1949 Ford, GM, and Chrysler were only able to provide warmed-over 1942 models. Such was the case with this 1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe which we’re told has been in hibernation since the 1980s. It doesn’t run but is trying awfully hard to do so. From Tom River, New Jersey, this post-war classic is available here on craigslist for $8,000. Kudos to T.J. for yet another nifty tip!
In 1947, Plymouth only offered two models of automobiles: the Deluxe and the Special Deluxe. The differences pertained to the level of trim and the availability of certain body styles. Either way, the cars had a 218 cubic inch inline-six under the hood that was rated at a leisurely 95 hp. In Plymouth’s case, you would have to wait another two years for an all-new auto or be content that these ‘47s were at least unused. The Special Deluxe (like the seller’s car) was only $70 more than the standard Deluxe, which doesn’t sound like a lot today but that was a seven percent upcharge back in the day.
We believe this edition is the 2-door sedan as there is a back seat and the Business Coupe would not have one. Buyers were happy with what they could find as witness to a 47% increase in sales from 1946 to 1947 for what was essentially the same product. The odometer reading on this car is said to be just 57,000 miles, which was accumulated from 1947 to around 1982 when the vehicle was “retired”. We’re told the motor will turn over, but the car won’t start. Bad gas from sitting so long?
No mention is made if rust is an issue with this Plymouth and we don’t see any off hand. These cars were built like tanks back then (pardon something of a pun), giving the tin worm a run for its money. If you dig these pre-1950 automobiles and are okay with 6-volt charging systems, would this project be up your alley?
I would buy this in a flash, it’s about an hour away. Would start at 6K depending how it looks but the timing is not right.
Well at least you would had it not been for bad timing.
When I saw this car, I got wistful thinking that this could be a great family project – you know, teach the kids (or grandkids) something about mechanics, wiring, restoration, etc. Then I thought to myself, who am I kidding? Few kids today would want to learn how to, say, adjust points, tune a carburetor, or do a brake job. I tried to get my own son involved in wrenching on a car way back when and he just wasn’t interested, he found video games to be much more compelling!
They would put a huge computerized engine in it.
Does anybody want a dwell meter and timing light
Seems you could use the timing light, Roykirk. After all, you did say the timing isn’t right!
Would they now Roy?
Yes, I thought the same thing way back when and the grandkids are looking to be of the same mindset,when I was a kid I was always hanging around my dad learning about fixing things (I still do today)
And that’s exactly why the classic car/bike movement is going from bad to worse. At one stage I owned quite a few classics at the same time and was intending to emigrate so I asked my two Grandsons if they would like any of the cars or bikes which included a ’67 Mustang Coupe, ’69 BMW 2002, 1960 Austin Healey 3000, 1959 Ford Zephyr 6 convertible etc. Their answer, “No thanks Papa, who wants old stuff like that when we can get turbo powered cars that will make your Mustang look like a go-kart!” So I sold the lot apart from a1933 Calthorpe 500cc and a 1949 Triumph 3T motor cycle which I sold off here in UK for £12k. Their loss. Now they also live here in UK and Todd, all they do is play video games!
Solosolo, I hate to hear of stories like this, but you are not alone in that regard and you know it. Video games? Lets just be glad you and I were kids when we were.
My wife and I never had kids, but we have several nephews who never demonstrated the slightest interest in cars, vintage or contemporary. A couple of them didn’t bother even to apply for a driver’s license when they became of age (whereas I began fantasizing about getting mine from age fourteen)! Seems their generation is all to happy to sit at home and peer into their devices.
I’m no prophet and can’t predict the future course of society. But I can say with certainty that I’m happy to be old.
This is definitely a coupe of some sort, the 2-door sedan had the same elongated, almost 2-box roof as the 4-door sedan.
You might want to research photos of coupes from the 30s and 40s. This is, most definitely a
2-door sedan.
its not a coupe its a club coupe there where 4 body types in 1947 Plymouths i remember them well and rode in many of them there was a coupe, club coupe, 2 dr sedan and 4 dr sedan with suicide doors friend had a 1947 club coupe in 1958 he paid $25 for it ran and drove very good had a flat head 6 that was when you could buy a good used car for under $100
it’s a club coupe 2 door sedan’s had bigger back side windows that rolled down this car is a coupe back windows push out like vent windows in front did
Yep, it’s a Club Coupe. The body style was shared with Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler differing in dimensions. A good friend had a ’48 Chrysler Windsor Club Coupe that he bought in 1957. IIRC, the back side windows rolled down. My dad’s 1948 Dodge D24 4 door sedan had push out back side vent windows. IDK about the 2 door sedan back side windows.
I’d have this baby runnin in no time! I
owned a ’46 Special Deluxe 4-door sedan when I was in my teens. Bought it for $50 in ’74. All you have to do is disconnect the fuel line at the
fuel pump that runs back to the gas
tank. Then clean the fuel pump and
replace the rubber diaphragm inside
the pump itself. While you’re at it,
there’s a glass sediment bowl on the
carb. You wanna unscrew that and
clean it too. Next, get some small
diameter rubber hose and hook it to
the rear inlet on the fuel pump where
the line from the tank would go. Get
a 5 gallon Jerry can, add gas, remove
the breather. Place the palm of your
hand firmly over the mouth of the carb and have a friend get in and kick
‘er over. Keep your hand over the carb til the engine starts to sputter.
Once it stays running, remove your hand and work the throttle. And that
folks, is how you wake up a ’47 Plymouth.
Very good, but you forgot to clean the points, they will be corroded after all these years. Nice looking coupe though, well fixing right.
Nice very solid clean looking car.Whomever had it took care of it.For a car sitting for 40 years it looks really clean the seller must have done a quick detail or it was sitting in a temp controlled area.I’d buy it if I lived in that rural semi rural area which I’m going to soon.Drive it daily.Where I live now it’s like the indy 500 everyday.Good price neat color too.I wonder if that brush guard up front is factory?
Great looking car! Outside the Village, a small business owner drives a 48 sedan every day. I just drool when I drive by…..
Looks to be in great shape. Price is a touch high for a non-running car, but don’t be afraid of it. Parts are readily available and your first purchase should be a factory manual as reprints are also readily available. Lots of technical resources available from the Plymouth Club and from the P15-D24.com website.
A friend of mine bought a ’48 Dodge 4 door back in 1975. His had the fluid drive transmission. You could have held a square dance in the back seat!
Looks to me like aluminum spray-bomb on the front bumper, and maybe the back one too. No complaint, just observation. Maybe same thing on engine head. Someone has tried to spiffy this thing up, as best they could, on a budget. Presents pretty well. I’d like to join in for that square dance….
In 1947 Plymouth had a coupe and a club coupe. This example is the Club Coupe.
Wrong !!! This is a two-door sedan.
There are many pictures of club coupes online. Check them out .
forget pictures i was there in 1947 where where you in 1947 how many 1947 club coupes and sedan have you been in
My apology !!!! My 80 year old eyes did me wrong !! It definitely IS a club coupé
than we are about the same age i have a older sister she is 83 she had a friend that had one of these in the late 50s paid $25 for it. do you remember when for under $100 you could buy a car and drive it all summer long ?
When and where can it be seen very interested
Thanks Yblocker, I forgot to mention that. It’s been 50 years since I did the
deed and my memory isn’t working
so well these days. I set the points to
.020 and the plugs to .030 knowing
they’d open to .035 when the engine was warm. With the car running, I checked my ammeter for any noticable discharge or overcharge in
the electrical system. The only problem I had was worn brushes in the starter so I replaced them and had the armature turned to remove any scratches on it. You should’ve
seen the cloud of smoke that rolled out of the tailpipe as the engine burned off all the Material Mystery Oil
that we poured down the cylinders to
unstick the rings. It was so bad my
friend’s neighbor called the fire department thinking we accidentally
set the car on fire! I wound up selling
it to my friend as I was playing music over the road and had no time to fix it
up. Boy do I regret selling it. Wish I
had it back.
boy does that bring back memories except i was short of cash i would take plugs out of my 1950 ford flathead 8 have them sand blasted re-gape them put them back in and the starter would replace brushes take a fine emery cloth clean armature reinstall, loved every minute of it, kids now a day don’t know what fun they are missing
Without a proper tool, I used to set points with a matchbook cover. Kids don’t know what that is either I imagine, but readers here will. And probably did the same thing!
Chevy had the little door so you could use an allen wrench and dwell meter
What? Are you suggesting that the thickness of a matchbook cover didn’t provide the exact point gap prescribed by every vehicle manufacturer?
Seriously, as a teenager, a matchbook was my go-to method of setting points on everything from Buicks to Harleys–and it never failed!.
Do they still make matchbooks?
When I was a teen I used to work on my fathers 68 Belair. I was like an auto tech with the timing light and dwell meter. That was high tech for the time.
Roy: Good question!
I don’t know about matchbooks. But just the other day I asked my wife if they still made Baby Ruth candy bars. I haven’t seen one nor heard one referenced in decades. For what it’s worth, she didn’t know, either.
Yes, they still make. I’ve seen the miniatures in stores and you can get them from amazon
Possibly a p15 special deluxe I have one.with 10,400 original miles
That is not a typo 😀