Mopar Power: 1937 Plymouth P4 Rat-Rod

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In the pantheon of pre-war cars, Plymouth is frequently left out of the hot-rod mix as Ford and Chevrolet take up most of the room in that arena. A lot has to do with sheer production numbers but it’s nice every now and again to discover a non “Fordrolet” from that era. And that’s what we have today, a 1937 Plymouth “P4” coupe that has undergone just a few modifications. This radical rod is located in Dixon, Illinois and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $2,750, reserve not yet met. Thanks to Larry D for this tip!

Plymouth’s body style lineup was pretty similar to its competition in ’37, there were two and four-door sedans, two different two-door coupes – one that still came with a rumble seat, and a convertible. Plymouth’s production volume of 566K units put it in third place behind number two Chevrolet (815K) and number one Ford (942K).

Not looking a whole lot like how it started, this Plymouth has had quite a bit of alteration performed, probably more than initially meets the eye. Referring to it as brown (I guess some part of it might still be), the seller advises, “Custom chassis with 4 link rear and coil-over shocks. Pete and Jake front axle and 9″ rear with mini spool 3.54 gear set. Rack and pinion steering…” So now you know how it got its slammed stance with just the slightest rake. Fenders, running boards, and a hood? Fuggetaboutit. Don’t need no stinkin’ bumpers either. To my eye, the spacing of the rear tires, as they relate to the former fender wheel openings, seems off – perhaps intended, or maybe the result of the custom chassis. The through-the-quarter panel exhaust is a nice touch.

The interior has a utilitarian, Mad-Max vibe about it, at least what can be seen. The images reflect either this great-looking metal fabrication work or a pair of installed racing seats – there is no comprehensive image taking it all in at once. The seller adds, “Full bead rolled interior and trunk“. Also noted are the power-operated windows and a working heater/defroster. Capping off the interior is a six-point rollbar – just in case things get a bit hairy.

Keeping it all in the family is a Mopar 360 CI V8 engine under the missing hood that is outfitted with Holley fuel injection and headers. A Dakota five-speed manual transmission knocks a few revs off of that 3.54 final drive ratio at highway, or greater, speeds. When it’s time to throw out the anchor, four-wheel disc brakes bring this rod down for a safe landing.

Yes, it’s rough-looking but I’m pretty certain that’s the intention and the chassis/steel fabrication work is pretty impressive. This one will be interesting to watch as the reserve is unknown but the bids aren’t exactly trending. There’s an argument that can be made for buying a rat-rod already done as cost recovery can be a trick. The seller suggests, “Cash in person works for me“. I’m sure it would, the debate is, how much cash?

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. Blindmarc

    Nice to one that isn’t a chopped Ford beater. I’d drive this as a daily…….

    Like 17
  2. Valentine

    If you strive to make it look like junk, expect to get junk prices. No clue of reserve here, but it’s too high.

    This is a fad that cannot die quickly enough.

    Like 13
    • Jay

      Looks perfect and with the right modern enhancements.

      Like 20
    • Dave

      You are not in the targeted market for this one, obviously, but many people are. The Rat rod will never die. “Rat rods” were the original hot rods dating back to pre WW2. How is the genre that started it all going to die?

      Like 19
      • John Taylor

        I think if you actually look back on history, not many were Rat Rods like these back in the day. No they weren’t Rat Rods but rods that you build from whatever parts you could get to suit what your desired design was. I recall same being in patch primer and driven every day, but once you have the design you wanted then you painted the car. I painted my first Model A channeled and side valve ( Flat Head ) running gear I even modified the drive shaft the suit at work ( I’m a fitter by trade ) but back then was just a young twerp oh yes, I was 15 and painted it with my mothers vacuum cleaner, they used to come with a glass jar so you could do painting shy blue was the colour. I thought it was cool and I had made up panels because there were no doors and welded them on so you stepped over to get in the car. So no they were not rusty looking things like this. But having said that I do dig the style of this car and see plenty of potential.

        Like 3
  3. Big_FunMember

    Never liked the Rat Rod deal; guess I’ve seen too many with very tall shifters and license plates for filler.
    I would invest in satin black paint. For just about everything! Wheels could be, too. Maybe red, or chrome…
    I’ve heard Post Modern art described as “weird for the sake of weird”. Rat Rods that are “Ratty for the sake of Ratty” well, this one doesn’t have too be. You can give it a period stock car vibe, or whatever – think about a nice satin black paint job with gold leaf – red outline 57 on the door.
    You’d have people guessing…

    Like 6
  4. Jeff

    Perfect! – Very nice job – would leave it exactly like it is!

    Like 15
  5. bobhess bobhessMember

    Love the ’39 chevy taillights stuffed into holes in the bodywork. Agree to a good paint job and different wheels. Price too high but at least all you have to do is get in and drive it.

    Like 3
  6. Chris M.

    While I do agree that the rat rod trend can become a bit ridiculous with the 6 ft shifters and tacky “artistic” design features not the least of which include old road signs and license plates for floor boards. I do like an ‘honest’ distressed surface with a tasteful understated design approach. This car, in my opinion, has that look to it. I think the 360 could use some attention to bring it in line with the rest of the car but otherwise this looks like great cheap fun with the current bidding activity.

    Like 11
  7. sg

    I like it but proportions are a little off? Looks like they started with a body that was already missing the bottom 4″, so the channel job was an easy choice.

    For me, I’d prefer a little less channel and maybe 2″ out of the roof. It would also keep the air cleaner from protruding above the hood line.

    How does a mini spool handle street driving in a lighter car like this?

    Like 3
    • Joe Bru

      spools cause the rear tires to drag & slide when turning, just like making a sharp turn with a 4 wheel trailer.

      Like 0
  8. Ftlbs

    Where’s the Hemi

    Like 1
  9. Matt Saunders

    Aesthetically speaking I kind of agree with you but being that I’m 6’2″ & on the heavy side with both a bad back & knee (thanks to the Army), seeing 1 like this with plenty of room for comfort & ease of ingress/egress is a wonderful thing.

    Like 1
  10. Joe Haska

    Typically ,I wouldn’t like this car, but there is something about its stance and profile, that makes you look twice and think this could be a cool look. I also don’t think this is a Rat Rod, but I don’t know the exact definition of the term and I don’t think anyone else does either. Its sort of like I don’t know , but I will when I see it. Gray Baskerville is credited with coining the term from the Motorcycle world. If he were still alive, I would be curious, what he would say now. None the less, if I had time and money, I would take this project to another level and see what it might become.

    Like 3
  11. Bob “The I.C.E. Man”

    OH MY GOODNESS!! There is a market for rat rods, they really appeal to a segment of folks who enjoy reactions of passers by. All I can say is: What no A.C.? Somehow the driver should expect to stick to fall and winter driving. How about beach cruising? The hot chicks will be jumping through the window to get you to take them for a ride.

    Like 1
  12. Mr.Mann

    Now at $5100, Is that TOO Strong?

    Like 1
  13. Johnny C.

    The term has been so over-done that now anything without a shiny coat of paint is a “R-R”. I hate “Rat Rods”… they are stupid looking, out of proportion rolling wrecks that are built to attract attention from ignorant on lookers, safety and style be damned. Hot Hods of the 50’s may not have all been painted, chromed, etc., but it was because the owners/builders were using them as they were building them. They were un-finished. I know, I was there then. This car, to me, is a traditional Hot Rod that, with some T.L.C., could be a tough looking fun little car. The Prius snobs don’t get it.

    Like 4
  14. 370zpp 370zpp

    Indulge me here for a minute;
    I’m ready to leave for the Ramones concert and what should I drive to get there?
    Late model Vette. No, I think not.
    Range Rover? Uh, no.
    Maybe the Prius? Definitely not.

    I’ve got it; This P4 Rat!

    Like 4
    • Jim ODonnellAuthor

      Ramones concert? No, no, no, you don’t drive, you head into the Subterranean Jungle and take the subway – how else can you beat on the brat?

      JO

      Like 1
  15. Lowell Peterson

    I love to look at it but its not worth anything. Whoever buys it has to just want it. Never accepted the ‘ratrod’. In SoCal we are starting to see owners trying to make them into shiny legit streetrods and its…..not workin! A lot of wasted tin IMHO!☺

    Like 0
  16. robjMember

    Listing pulled at 11k. Somebody liked it. I liked it as well but I think I would be happier with at least black primer…

    Like 0

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