Here we are in the ’40s again; I can’t help it – these cars have become so inexpensive that they’re compelling. Today’s example is a 1947 Plymouth Deluxe coupe, offered here on facebook Marketplace for $8000 with a rebuilt engine that positively purrs. Sadly, the owner had a stroke and must sell the car before finishing its restoration. It’s located in Pittsfield, New Hampshire and while it’s drivable, best to plan on a trailer unless you live around the block. Bruce M. sent this tip in – thanks, Bruce! Post-war ’40s Plymouths were not much more than a continuation of pre-war mechanicals and designs, with a heavy dose of exciting marketing and a host of tiny amendments to open consumers’ wallets. It almost didn’t matter. Waiting lists at dealers were common, such was the demand for new cars after the war.
The De Luxe and Special De Luxe were carryovers from the 1933-1942 period; in the post-war period, a 217.8 cu. in. flathead six-cylinder rested underhood, breathing through a single-barrel carburetor and making about 95 hp. This engine bay probably looks better than any coming straight out of the factory. A video of the engine running is included in the listing; she sounds great. Gearchanges are courtesy of a three-speed manual transmission.
All car makers tried hard to provide value to war-weary customers. New switch configurations, better seat padding, rotating door handles, extra exterior trim … these were a few of the details offered up, taking advantage of the materials that were available in an economy still wracked by scarcity. This interior is termed “original” with seat covers hiding the true condition of the upholstery underneath – and that carpet didn’t come from the factory. The dash with its rectangular elements and the steering wheel are in excellent condition. The headliner is near-perfect. The Special De Luxe afforded a few more body styles including a convertible and a woody wagon along with larger wheels, interior rope straps, vent windows, and myriad other upgrades. The cars were advertised as “Four Years Better Than Before!”
The coupe is one of the more popular configurations, but even at that, prices are almost criminally low. This very nicely restored ’48 Club Coupe sold for only $21,550 – an amount that must be a small fraction of its restoration cost even if it was a DIY job. Sedans are even less expensive; this gem of a four-door Special De Luxe sedan sold in a no-reserve auction for $7000. What do you think of ’40s cars? Are you tempted at these prices?
I’m increasingly drawn to these post-war/pre1950 cars with their simple but classic design. Several weeks ago there was another 1947 Plymouth, this one a Special Deluxe, also located in N.H. but for $10k. That car in blue was more attractive but it needs more work. I’ve been tracking it (no price reduction after 11 weeks) but I’m distracted by this with it’s rebuilt engine.
This car has vent windows but you list that as a feature on the Special. Hmmm
And what are those two things on the exterior above the windshield?? Anybody know??
I think they’re some type of attachment for a Fulton sun visor.
My ’46 P15 sedan didn’t have them so maybe there’s a visor thats included in the sale. And while my ’46 was a great car, I just didn’t have time to properly restore it as I was a touring musician back then and not home very much. I wound up selling
it to a friend of mine for $1,000 in 1975. It ran great when I sold it to him and what happened to it.I’ll never know. But I had a blast with the car the summer I had it. I think about it every time I see one on BF, All I can afford to do now is make a print of it
when I have time,
I like 40s cars, just their dashes alone are almost worth the price of admission! This particular car was your everyday driver back in the day yet is so much more attractive inside than anything made in the past 50 years. I like this car, and I’d like to know how “deep” they went when rebuilding this engine, and if it has an overdrive. It would be the perfect car to cruise to the Carz and Caffeine or whatever.
I wish it was closer shipping would be to expensive and I don’t want to tow it on a U haul auto transport in the winter
I’d be very tempted if it was closer….’46 Plymouth Club Coupe was my first car all those years ago….$80 in 1958. I might have overpaid.. 1st lessons in a vehicle’s mechanical systems.
How can you not like the ’46 through ’48 years? Plymouth, Dodge, Ford, Merc, Chev, even Nash, Hudson, all put out beautiful coupe models. Yup, we’re showing our age but I think these are some of the best looking vintage cars out there, plus so easy to work on. Nothing fancy, just good down home America. Of course, just my opinion. Thanks for showcasing this one Ms. Rand.
These are the cars of my childhood. So I am a big fan. Especially Mopars. From my perspective this Deluxe is a good deal. But the handwriting is on the wall. The market is softening for these early post war cars. I fully expect that at some point in the not too distant future; other decades of old cars will decline in value as well and fewer people of the generations behind boomers like me will have any interest in them. I think Howard is also prescient about three pedal vehicles like this. A lot of drivers today believe that they should use their left foot to brake. It’s becoming quite common to follow cars with no reason for the driver to apply the brakes but the lights are shining. GLWTS.
Listed 31 weeks ago. It’s safe to assume that this is a case of never deleting the ad. Hopefully the owner’s health didn’t decline further.
I’m probably younger than the average reader on here and have a true appreciation for cars of this age and older. It’s sad, but probably true that the interest will continue to wane as time goes on. I guess the only “upside” is that those that are interested can buy them at a reasonable price. The other sad aspect is younger generations that are interested in cars are only interested in driving fast and recklessly (along with everyone else), which puts cars like this and their passengers in danger. I’d be perfectly content to drive this at a leisurely pace, but it’s getting to the point where that would only be possible on the most remote back roads. Which is perfectly fine by me, away from everyone else.
All this wimpy talk about cars of this era “being happiest around 45 mph” is a lot of “hooie.” I had both a ’46 Olds and a ’50 DeSoto and they were happy as clams tootin’ along at better than a “mile a minute” for hours on end. I know because I’ve done it and those buggies didn’t suffer one little bit.
Of course, we had a full compliment of gauges and most, I say MOST, folks knew what they were and that the pointers were not to read at either end of the span of the needle’s throw.
Gas ’em, grease ’em, ‘n go on down the road! Now that was what motoring was all about in the Golden Age of motordom.