The long trunk on this Plymouth P-2, Two-Passenger Coupe gives it a svelte look which really seems at odds with its position within the sales structure of the day. The P-2 was a low-priced Plymouth and was designed as an entry-level model. This particular P-2 has a great look about it and has the makings of a great project car. Located in East Palatka, Florida, it is listed for sale here on eBay.
The Plymouth has spent the last 40 years in storage in Idaho, and only recently has it seen the light of day. The decades in storage don’t seem to have really hurt the car much because apart from some surface corrosion, it appears to be as solid as a rock. There are some photos of the floors and the inside of the trunk, and while they look a bit crisp, they look quite sound, with only a small hole in the passenger side floor near the parking brake to attend to. It does look like there may have been some other patches performed in the past, but they look to be solid. It isn’t surprising to find dents and dings on a car of this age, but they all look to be repairable. It also looks like all of the external trim is present, but some of this will definitely benefit from restoration.
Under the hood are the 201ci straight-6 engine, and the 3-speed manual transmission. After its long hibernation, the owner has treated the Plymouth to a new gas tank and a new fuel pump, and the car now starts and runs really well. The news just gets better, as the rest of the mechanical components are in working order, so the car runs, drives, steers, and stops well. The car is so original that the original spare tire is still sitting in the trunk, and it has never been used. In the owner’s words, ” The brakes work fine and you can drive it off into the sunset!”
The interior could quite easily be used exactly as it is, but I would be very inclined to perform at least a partial restoration. I can’t tell whether the front seat is the original that has been fitted with a new cover, or whether a different seat has been fitted to the car. I would probably replace the cover regardless because it does look out of place. The passenger side door trim is missing, but everything else is there just waiting for a new owner to put their own mark on it.
The shape of the P-2, Two-Passenger Coupe lends itself perfectly to a rod or custom project, and that has been the fate of many of these. There are very few standard examples that come onto the market now, which is a bit of a shame. While the temptation is certainly there to go down the rod pathway, I would be very inclined to restore it to original, just to be different. The bidding on the Plymouth has been quite spirited and has reached $8,600. However, the reserve also hasn’t been met. If you bought this Plymouth, what would you do with it?
Adam, are you writing up another car in another tab or are you just tired? Cause I don’t think this is an ultra rare Plymercury! Even crazier than that is to realize that someone putting this away around 79 would be like someone just taking a 76 valiant off the road today, and stowing it away until 2059. Really puts the age and condition of this beast into perspective.
I certainly wouldn’t be able to go completely stock with this. I’d probably go rat rod with it at first. Do wheels/tires and some suspension work to get the right stance. Then do a custom, but not too fancy interior refurbish. I would then fix up the appearance of the engine and any mechanicals it may need while putting on some glasspacks. Convert it to 12v pf course. Eventually I would probably paint it and stuff a 360 magnum or 5.7 hemi in it with a modern trans to match. Car has all kinds of potential……great find! I just pray whoever gets it doesn’t bastardize it with an LS or SBC.
Capriest, I agree with you regarding the idea of rarity. The P2 Coupe most certainly wasn’t rare. What is increasingly rare is to find one in the market that is not modified. The shape lends itself to a traditional rod look, and that has been the fate of a lot of them.
The build numbers for the ’36 Coupe was up around the 54,000 mark, and they were also by far the cheapest of the P2 range, selling new at $580, or $620 if the buyer specified the optional a rumble seat. This compared to $765 for the 4-door sedan, which is why the Coupe sold in such high numbers.
Oh, the car is rare no doubt. It’s 80+ years old. I was referring to you calling it a mercury and a plymouth in the original posting, which you have fixed with an edit. My post must make zero sense to anyone seeing it now lol.
Great looking car, I’d restore not rod it out we have enough of those. I’d paint it burnt orange with black fenders and a chocolate brown leather interior. Those old flatheads were the bench mark engine for Chrysler Corp. all the way up to 1959 in a variety of sizes. Not the most powerful engine around but they had a great reputation for durability and longevity. I think it’s do to 4 main bearings, forged crank shafts, and most importantly a full oil pressure system reaching all the internal parts. These engines were so rugged that they continued on into the 70’s powering farm equipment, fork lift,portable welders and more. This car would have been popular for the traveling salesmen as there was a very large truck for inventory. Parts are still readily available at your local Napa store. Great find.
The door trim is missing? Hell, the whole door panel is missing! They are obtainable tho.
That’s pretty much what I would do too….modern suspension, but old school hemi instead of a modern one…4 speed, manual trans with some Rocket wheels like the Injector or Igniter style.. Diamond Tuck interior maybe in a glitter vinyl…a House of Color Orange over ether gold or copper flake base… The Wheelsmith chrome reverse wheels with wide whites….maybe cheater slicks?
This is the way to find them. You get to see exactly what the car is all about. I don’t agree with the first comment in that, yes although not a rare car, high production on and on…..how many are around today? This solid? Looks like most everything is there at least as a template to fabricate from….84 years later….I think this one IS rare. Therefore, nice find for sure. Going to take a lot of money to restore and it won’t be worth half, maybe even a quarter, of what it will take to make it great BUT it will be a labor of love for someone who really digs these cars. AND IT’S A 2 DOOR !! I think I hear angels singing!
I learned how to drive in one of these. Nice car with huge speedometer and all of the gages. Keep it stock!
Living in the DFW area there are rat rods everywhere. So many there are few well done custom rods around. Texas is cracking down on a lot of rat rods and I expect to see a lot of states doing the same. This car needs restoration it is in too nice of shape to rat it out.
Nice
And runs !
I believe the grille is a repop from Argentina. The trim at the top around the hood ornament is missing, which blends into the grille. This grille became a cheap, popular after-market replacement.
This survivor turned up in 2005 after 50 years storage. I replaced the blown 201 six with a ’58 Dodge 130hp 230 flathead. Almost a direct bolt in except for the water pump, manifolds, front motor mount and flywheel. These cars are small (113″ wheelbase), light weight (2700 lbs.), and very driveable in todays traffic. The larger flathead has plenty of power, runs cool, and is quite happy at 60mph.