Okay all you fans of highly original, low mileage, unmolested time capsule cars with great patina, here’s a 1952 Plymouth Cambridge Club Coupe for your consideration. The seller uses all-caps and exclamation points to let prospective buyers know that this an UNMOLESTED ORIGINAL! with ZERO RUST! ZERO COLLISION HISTORY! And verified 32,891 ORIGINAL MILES! It’s a cool-looking old Plymouth and is currently located in Northeast Texas in the small town of Avinger (population 371 in the 2020 U.S. Census), with an asking price of $12,500. A big thanks to T.J. for sending this unmolested Mopar our way.
The seller doesn’t give us any history or back story on the Plymouth, only saying that “it’s fresh from storage, hasn’t been touched or cleaned, has been in slumber for some time, and is ready to live again!” Looking at the supplied photos, I’m not spotting any rust, the trunk is very clean and solid (with supposedly the original spare included), and the chrome and trim and glass all look good. The panels look straight and I’m not seeing any dents or problem areas. The original paint, which is a dark green poly based on the doorsills, is faded and there’s some surface rust on the hood, but that’s what gives it an A+ grade in the Patina section.
The interior of the 72-year-old Plymouth looks pretty remarkable for its age. The large steering wheel and Plymouth’s new for ’52 Lustre-Tone Instrument Panel (with reflection-proof, easy-to-read dials, and controls located where you want them) look nearly new. I wish there were more detailed photos of what Plymouth called their Tone-Tailored interior. You get a good photo of the car’s “Chair-Height Seats” that were found in both front and rear seats of all Plymouths. The original front seat upholstery looks very good and the seller says the rear seat still wears the dealer-installed Deluxe seat cover.
Unfortunately, there are no photos of what’s underneath that beautiful patina front hood and there’s no mention of how – or if – the engine is running. Plymouth’s only power plant in 1952 was a 217.8-cubic inch Flathead Straight Six that generated 97 horsepower when new. It’s paired with a 3-speed manual transmission and the photos show a pushed-to-the-floor clutch pedal. The Flathead Straight Six has a reputation for being reliable, bulletproof, and thrifty, which is why Plymouths were popular with taxi companies (and why so many were still around to be a teenager’s first car in the 60’s). These fat-fendered Mopar have a certain charm about them. They were conservatively styled, boxy, practical, and had to pass Chrysler President K. T. Keller’s two main design requirements: a high enough roofline so drivers could sit upright while wearing a hat, and a trunk large enough to hold two large 10-gallon milk cans. So, what do you think of this highly-original old Mopar? I’d love to know it’s back story and what it’s been up to the past 72 years. You can check it out here on craigslist.
Barnfinds has taught me another piece of automotive academia, chair height seating and the two ten gallon milk can trunk capacity requirement. I had read about the interior was room requirements while wearing your top hat but never the seat and trunk specs.
I like it, but the seller is a bit high on the price imo. Last I looked running and driving, 1990s restored Dodges and Plymouths of the 1949-54 era are available for $10,000 on Hemmings. I wish him luck though, as I appreciate more pedestrian cars being saved.
Accelerator pedal to the floor too, and doesn’t say it runs or drives.
I wonder if there is an engine under the hood of this car. Looks a little high in the front, like the engine and trans are out. Hence, the clutch and gas pedal on the floor.
From an owner of a 51 Cambridge…..Too many unanswered questions with no pictures of the engine bay. Pedals to the floor is a good indication that things under the hood are not good. I am not sure what the four switches under the dash are all about. This one needs a good eyes-on check before bidding.
Those four switches under the dash are the heater controls. I wish they had posted a pic of the engine bay. I said engine bay as I’m not sure there is an engine in there. My first car was a 51 Plymouth convertible but it wasn’t as straight and rust free as this one. I’m curious to see what this one sells for.
If the engine is missing, it would be the perfect opportunity to upgrade to a late model Hemi engine. Don’t forget to add disc brakes too.
I had one just like this in the mid 70’s. Mine was a dull blue much the same, whether this is green or blue. They are a rather conservative car, as stated, but reliable. I learned to adjust the side valves while engine runs, easy but imposable not to get burned on the manifold. This one really might be low milage, looking at condition of steering wheel, etc. Gas pedal disconnected. I don’t think the car level indicates lack of engine but ad should say and show more. Price too high.
I own the twin to this car. It must be Craigslist disease: no pictures of the engine. With the clutch and accelerator pedals laying on the floor; my spidey sense tells me that a critical component or two might be missing. The seller waxes enthusiastic about the car in general but makes no statement to how it runs or doesn’t. Makes me suspicious. I suppose one could enquire but you shouldn’t have to. If this car is as good a runner as mine then I can accept that the asking price is sort of reasonable but still on the high side. If not then the price is ridiculous.
In the listing, car is described as having 6 cylinders and a manual tranny, FWIW.
WOW! What a little sweet heart. I had a 51 suburban that I added wood to it, to make it a woody. It got a lot of attention for the wood but the running gear was totally stock and I drove it everywhere. This little coupe would be assume as a daily driver and I think the asking price is fair.