Restore or Rod? 1939 Plymouth Business Coupe

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Barn Finder Ikey H has found an interesting car for us to consider, and I must thank him for that. This 1939 Plymouth Business Coupe is listed by the owner as a possible hot rod candidate, but it could just as easily be a restoration project. You will find it listed for sale here on Craigslist. Located in Colfax, Washington, it is offered for sale with a clean title. The asking price for this Plymouth is $7,500 OBO.

The owner states that the only rust in the vehicle is in the trunk as shown in the picture above. Otherwise, the body looks to be solid, with only a few dings and dents to be attended to. In this shot of the trunk, you can see the neat little access door between the cab and the trunk. This allowed traveling businessmen and salesmen to access products or papers without leaving the driver’s seat.

The interior is complete, and the upholstery looks to be original. The door trims appear to have some wear on them, but I think that both the door trims and the seats might respond quite well to a clean. The dash is in reasonable condition and could either be restored or left untouched. This would depend on the sort of look that you would be seeking with the car.

The engine is the 201ci flat-head six, which is mated to a 3-speed manual transmission. In their advertising brochures, Plymouth referred to the column shift as the ” Perfected Remote Control Shifting”. This meant that with the column shift instead of the usual direct stick shift, it was possible for the car to seat three people. The engine of this Plymouth ran when it was parked some years ago, and it was parked due to a fuel leak. There is no information provided on the state of the engine now.

So, to restore this or use it as a rod project? This car seems to be a reasonably solid car, and addressing the minimal rust and getting the body and paint up to scratch wouldn’t be a hard job. The drive-train is an unknown quantity. The 1939 Plymouth is not the rarest of cars, as 1939 represented the brand’s best sales year to date. There is no doubting that this body style lends itself well to a rod project. With good standard examples of the ’39 Business Coupe ranging in price from $16,000 up to $39,000 for an immaculate car, that’s a tough call.

Auctions Ending Soon

Comments

  1. canadainmarkseh

    I’m looking at this and I’m thinking would you want this or the ruined chopped in half Lincoln. No brainer it would be this hands down. And for less than half the asking price. This is a car that appeals to me and if I had the money and a place to put it I’d be interested but at more like $5500.00 but I’d go as high as $6500.00. Lots of potential here and even if you don’t like the six under the hood I could see having a 318 CID in its place while restoring everything else back to authentic stock condition.

    Like 2
  2. Dirk

    I love old Plyms from this era and those venerable old engines are such a pleasure to run it would almost be a crime akin to murder to rip it out and make a “unique” rod exactly like all the other “unique” rods (a bit of sarcasm here). Just leave the thing alone and effin’ drive it. Please!

    Like 11
  3. Max

    Not my type of classic but to the new buyer Please Dont Hot Rod or molest it keep it as Original as possible there are already thousands of molested and hot roded classics around !! just my opinion

    Like 11
  4. geomechs geomechsMember

    While I’d prefer to see something like this kept original I’ve got to give credit to those who simply want to have something to show off. I shot some pics of a modified sedan at a show-n-shine a couple of years ago and it turned out really good. I guess we’ve simply got to keep an open mind and let the enthusiasts take their ray of sunshine wherever they want…

    Like 9
  5. geomechs geomechsMember

    And then there’s the purist version that also turned out very well. I understand that this one is driven a lot and thoroughly enjoyed…

    Like 10
  6. stillrunners

    Yep…buy it and do as you wish – upgrade to a later Flathead mopar for some cubic inches and maybe a later trans they used up until 57 I think….just get it back on the road !

    Like 4
  7. Dennis Adkins

    Had a 36 found in original condition wood floors and all. No engine or trans. Painted filled the floors with metal. Installed a 275 horse 327,4 speed and modern rear gear. Drove it for 5 years loved every minute.

    Like 5
  8. Jeff

    Gotta restore that one– too many original intact details. Rodding is for cars that are too far from original to restore.

    Like 9
    • Mike

      I dunno about that. Might look better in metallic orange with a green stripe down the side, tan interior, billet steering wheel driven by a guy in his 60’s with cargo shorts and a route 66 Hawaiian shirt. Hat and cigar optional.

      Like 2
      • LAB3

        I’m seeing it with a satin black paint job with burnt orange trim.

        Like 1
  9. John C

    In 1966 I bought one of these. I paid $15, I eventually sold to a friend for $25.

    The brakes were the very worst I’ve ever experienced. Lucky I didn’t kill myself in it, Drivin down a mountain road. What a nightmare that car was. Literally gives me chills today thinking about.

    Best of luck whoever buys this one.

    Like 0
    • Mountainwoodie

      What strikes me is how many of these formerly five hundred dollar cars…………even into the nineties……… are on asks of thousands and thousands of dollars. Crazy

      Like 4
    • Jim Kirkland

      The guy(s) at coldwarmotors on YouTube
      had a 41 Plymouth similar to this. They
      had a LOT of trouble with the carburetor.
      My Dad had a 51 with the 217 Six. I’m
      surprised to hear somebody recommending
      a later Mopar L-head, as the piston-strokes
      were LONG, not conducive to highway
      cruising. 236 Desoto is best, forget 230 Dodge or Chrysler versions.

      Like 2
  10. bobhess Bob HessMember

    Got a complete low rust car, restore it. But that silver sedan is beautiful.

    Like 3
  11. Poncho

    I keep entertaining the thought of a 2 door business coupe, love the body lines on the entire car, and really digging this example, until I got to those square headlights – that ruined it for me on this one. Totally prefer the tear drop headlights of the old Fords, but in the end I’m a GM guy. Don’t like the idea of dropping an LS into a Ford or Mopar.

    Like 1
    • ctmphrs

      Any Ford or Mopar would love the attention

      Like 0
    • pugsy

      The tear drop lights on an old Mopar you say? Great minds must think alike.
      Here’s my 41 New Yorker…still a work in progress. Cut em up people and make them look good. Some of these old cars have a face Walter Chrysler probably didn’t love.

      Like 4
  12. Matt in L.A.

    In that car, I would dress like Sam Spade and drive around LA (in a Fedora and 30’s/40’s suit of course) No one does that anymore here. It’s all new cars…all silver black, white and gray ones to boot!! zzzzzz.

    Like 4
    • CaCarDude

      Yes, they are aka the Jelly Bean or Tupperware cars of today.

      Like 1
  13. Qabbott

    Those headlights are what makes the ’39s so special!

    Like 2
  14. 1st Gear

    I see a mile high gassed in the works-blown injected hemi and all.I’m too old school for anything else.

    Like 4
  15. Rustytech RustytechMember

    The only way to possibly cover the build cost would be to restomod this car, even then it’s doubtful you could cover it all. Good luck to the next owner.

    Like 1
    • Duaney

      Restomod would cost triple over restoration. Unless you did all the work yourself, found a good deal on a used drivetrain, and you’re a highly proficient fabricator.

      Like 1
      • canadainmarkseh

        For me the build is the best part of owning a car like this. My 1951 dodge Mayfair 2 door hard top has been a work in process for 8 years now and is getting close all the work has been done by me and has some modern touches. Front disc brake are a must as well as a two stage masterclyinder and power booster. More modern wheels and tires are also on my car partly to make room for the calipers and for better handling. I also put in seats out of a 05 LHS Chrysler grey leather. I also put in 12 volt electrical so I can have a modern stereo and run my power seats. The car will be original colour when done and the wheels will have the original dog dish hub caps when I’m done. I’ve put modern shoulder restraints in it both front and back. The flat head 216 CID six and 3 speed trans is still in place. I’m of the opinion that there is nothing wrong with upgrades to make a cars more compatible for modern traffic and this can be done in my opinion without losing the character and feal of the an old car while maintaining modern safety.

        Like 1

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