This two-door 1952 Plymouth represents a true barn find with documented history and lots of potential. Located in Charleston, West Virginia, the seller seems somewhat eager to sell and has listed it here on eBay with two options, a very reasonable Buy It Now price of $1,800, or at the time of writing the option to make an offer for the next 5 days which could possibly include trades.
The seller has provided multiple high resolution pictures of the exterior substantiating the claim of a solid body. There are even picturesque images of it traveling on a flatbed through the West Virginia countryside, presumably after being extracted from the barn. The seller admits it requires rockers and floors and is providing replacement floor pans. There are no pictures of the underside to assess the extent of rust damage. In its final storage area, the car looks like it had sunk up to the rockers on a dirt floor warranting further inspection. It could be possible the current owner had intended to fix the floors himself but may have found the repair to be more of a project than he wanted to tackle. Also frustrating for the potential buyer, there are no shots of the claimed good trunk area or engine compartment. The engine is seized, and judging from the last inspection it could possibly not have run for 45 years.
The history is what makes the project interesting. The car was purchased in 1954 and is still titled with the same owner. He presumably used it as a daily driver until 1971 and had it stored ever since. There is no mention of what had taken it off the road, but we could assume it had sentimental value where the owner didn’t want to sell and was going to fix or restore it someday. Sadly that day may have never come, even if the owner was a young man at the time of purchase, his age would be mid-eighties or beyond now.
The car is complete, having never been parted out. At some point it looks like a heater core replacement or bypass was attempted, leaving the heater motor on the front seat. Other than this repair, the interior shows it was never molested, and still retains the original tube radio. The 6V electrical system probably saved it from various aftermarket upgrades over the years. Interestingly there is a FoMoCo box sitting in the glove box. Maybe this box contains a set of universal points or condenser?
As a former owner of a 1994 Chrysler Concorde, I had always assumed the name had originated from the affiliation with AMC. I had never heard Plymouth had utilized the name almost 30 years prior. This type of learning experience makes the old car hobby interesting. If the long term owner didn’t get around to eventually restoring his car, or even driving it again, hopefully he or his family can gain some satisfaction that knowledge has been passed on.
Great, solid bones, no matter what a buyer has in mind for a project like this. Other than having been a home for ground squirrels for a while, I see little to be negative about here. Just based on the length of the roof, I’d have expected a four-door. But no, it has only two.
If I had the storage, I’d buy it and hang on for a bit, until I could decide just what the best use might be. For once, a very reasonably priced basis for a project! All the glass is there, all the trim is there, what’s not to like?
my thoughts here! lift the body off the frame , brace it up inside first replace the floors then find a 97 up dodge dakota and transplant this onto the dakota frame and running gear!
Cool car. I really like the body style. (although I like the 2 door wagon better) It would be even “cooler” with semi-modern powertrain (318, mild cam, headers, intake, throttle body injection and a torqueflite transmission) and brakes. With a suspension upgrade. Interior in semi original style, colors and fabric. (no need to get ultra fancy or expensive) If you did the work yourself you could have a very nice summertime daily cruiser for the cost of a new small car and have 10 times the fun and conversations!
Always thought this body style was butt ugly on any car. My very first thought on seeing this car was “nice pickup!” Cut from behind door posts along chrome trim, box in rear, section trunk lid for tailgate, 318 4sp, and done!!
A car like this should be kept original for trim & body. Engine mod is acceptable but chopping up this car would be a travesty IMHO.
Bob
Please don’t get Mercury’s confused with Plymouth’s. Totally different animals. While this Plymouth was not very attractive when marketed, today it is a good example of years passed and I now more appreciate the. This would be a good entry level project car for anyone. I would upgrade it to make it safe, install a newer power plant (not modified to heavily), maintain it and drive it. Add more upgrades as time and money allowed. Head turner and certainly a conversation piece. Thanks for the find and write up.
I’m in total agreement with you, Bob. There are enough ‘crusher candidates’ out there to be used as rat rods. This little Plymouth would be a great summer cruiser for local trips. I prefer keeping the original engine
Back in the early 50’s, I was a kid, my “dashing” at least compared to my parents, aunt and uncle, and the equally “dashing” couple a few houses down would take a twin of this from Hartford CT to Boston to go to a night Red Sox game, always the neighbor’s Plymouth, since it was “happier” going fast, on the fast roads than my uncles’ 49 Chevy. It was essentially silent at idle, and, vibration free as well. But, I agree, it was butt ugly while the fast back 2 door Chevy was beautiful, and still is.
what is the diff between the concord and the cambridge