As a recovering car collector and a writer at Barn Finds, sometimes we feature a car that leads me toward temptation and debt. Mainly debt. Yet, if I won the lottery a few weeks in a row, it would not be hard to see myself building the world’s largest barndominium and filling it with amazing cars like the one pictured above. If you are looking for a driveable dream boat, this 1949 Plymouth Special DeLuxe convertible for sale on Craigslist in Laguna Beach, California deserves your attention. Having just two owners, this Plymouth has been well cared for its whole life and benefitted from a $25,000 restoration and a great amount of recent mechanical work. The asking price of $34,995 is steep but reflects the quality of the car and its ability to provide reliable transportation to its new collector owner. Do you think this Plymouth is worth the asking price? Thanks to Numskal for the tip on this pretty Plymouth!
The ad, one of the most extensive in Craigslist history, was placed by Laguna Classic Cars and Automotive Art. While this company is the seller, they have been kind enough to share the story of the car from the consignor. It seems that this car was purchased as a birthday present in 1949 for a 16-year-old girl. The car remained in her possession until she passed away in 2015 at the age of 82. It was purchased by the consignor in Pennsylvania and then brought to Southern California.
From there it underwent an extensive restoration to the tune of $25,000. The laundry list of work done includes rebuilding the engine and transmission, converting the car from its original 6-volts to a 12-volt system, all new leather upholstery, new carpet, a fresh paint job, and a complete rebuild of the power top system along with what we assume is a new top. There were some concessions to modern comfort and safety. The sound system was updated to include a new radio, CD player, and Bluetooth connectivity. All of this is hidden in the glove box. There was also a full set of seat belts installed.
As you would expect after all that, the car is said to start immediately and is very easy to drive. Every switch, button, and light works perfectly as well according to the ad. In each of the pictures, there is evidence of the high level of care that this Plymouth has received all its life. Unfortunately, the seller is downsizing and has to find a third caretaker for this beautiful car.
The picture above of the trunk is indicative of the work done on the car. It shows an original type mat along with a plethora of carpeting and the cover for the convertible top when it is down. We can also see the hydraulic pump mechanism for the convertible top. Below we can see the rebuilt engine complete with an aftermarket radiator. One thing to note is the slight difference in color above and below the body seam. This may be a sign that the car was not stripped down completely for paint despite the removal of the engine for rebuilding. Not a terrible thing, but the lack of fresh paint on the cowl shows the extent of the restoration.
Regardless of minor nit-picks, this Plymouth convertible presents nicely, seems to have been sorted out mechanically, and has an interesting history. The price may reflect the seller wanting to recover their money on the purchase, restoration work, and the dealer’s percentage. Perhaps a reasonable offer for this very nice Plymouth will bear fruit. You never know until you ask.
What do you think a fair price on this Plymouth would be? Would you pay extra for a solid car with an interesting back story? Please share your price estimate and thoughts in the comments.
Beautiful car, but if you’re interested in a MOPAR convertible from this era, I contend that the 1952 New Yorker convertible featured a few weeks back gives you more bang for the buck, even though the Plymouth is somewhat better sorted (they have dropped the asking price on the New Yorker, BTW). After all, the New Yorker has more “class” and is rarer than the Plymouth – 2,200 New Yorker convertibles manufactured in 1952 vs. 15,240 Plymouth convertibles in 1949. And you get a rebuilt “Fire Power” V8 with the New Yorker vs. a flathead six in the Plymouth.
Finally we get a little back story on a nice car. There, was that so hard? Didn’t it make the read that much more interesting? We need more back stories. A phone call or two might be all it takes to add such into future features. Come on guys, do it for the poor site fans that have to put up with increasingly annoying ad content. There, with all that said, might I add that despite the praise for the often (usually) missing back story, no mention of the engine size? I assume a 217. Also, no mention of the tranny? I believe only a column mounted 3sp was available, unless my memory serves me poorly.
A beautiful car, but sad to think it will only go to another rich person, like the original owner. Of course, that is, and always has been the way of the world. Not going to improve anytime soon, I think that is blatantly obvious.
My late Father once told me how much he loved this design and wished he could have afforded a new one in those years. But alas, he was a simple working man with young children at the time. I guess he should have been a spoiled 16 year old girl.
If you go to the craigs list link, it shows that this Plymouth has a 218 ci engine and three speed transmission. Also, it has been converted to 12 volts.
Yeah! Those rich people are disgusting! They should give all of their cool cars to poor people!
Very nice example of a not particularly desirable car. $35k is doubtful in my estimation.
No, they shouldn’t inflate the price of objects that average people would truly enjoy just because they can and want even more money. They should not spread the wealth gap that allows them to do it and the average to not be able to. How old are you? Do you remember how it was before the mid 1970s?
Yes Curt,
I remember well the 1970’s. I also remember the 1950’s when I bought my 1st car, a one owner 1930 Studebaker with 23K miles on the clock. It was possible for kids to buy a worn but, road worthy car for $100.- a cream puff would set you back $250. or $300. One friend’s first three cars cost $50.- each (a 1940 Plymouth sedan, a ’40 Plymouth Opera coupe and a ’48 Ford Coupe, all running and passed State Inspection!).
Admittedly, he kept the Bill of Sale in the glove compartment. In the event one of those cars died, he only had to sign the bill of sale, stick it on the steering column and walk away.
JGD, I bought my first car in the 1960s, but a similar price. The world has gotten too lopsided for the average citizen because the non average ones want it all. People our age need to keep telling about the way things were, and could be again. Young people often laugh and don’t believe me.
I love it, verry classy but probably a bit overpriced. My only nit – the aluminum radiator is totally out of place IMO. Completely unnecessary but all too common these days. The stock radiator with a modern core will do the job just fine and look right too.
35k is too high, I think it’s more like a 25k car
So it’s a sweet, classy, classic second hand car. Not a daily driver but a great Saturday drive Sunday morning breakfast stop for groceries on the way home car. A little pricey? maybe, Priced a new car lately?
This looks like a really nice car, the original owner, who was 16 at the time, looks to have taken great care of it over her 66 years of ownership, credit should be given for that accomplishment.
No matter how nice, even with the recent work, the price seems high. Other than being a convertible, there isn’t anything to else to differentiate it from any other car from that time period. These cars don’t have much of a dedicated following which is reflected in their prices. This should eventually find a nice home, probably reduced considerably from its current asking price. This would make for a nice car to cruise and take to shows well below the cost of an entry level muscle car in the same condition.
Steve R
This looks like the same car in the movie Karate Kid. It’s the one Mr Miami gave to Daniel.
I wonder if this is the movie car.
I believe Mr. Miagi gave the kid a Ford convertible.
Yes, your right. It was a Ford.
“go find balance, Danielsa……find balance!”
Curt why do you profess the girl was spoiled? My father had dreams of a preferred car and instead adopted six children. Priorities were important to both of our fathers. My first car was a used 54 Corvette. Was I spoiled? I was blessed. My uncles were car dealers. I got 100 on my driving tests. My mom handed me the grocery list, the money and said please get the groceries and then pick up your brother and take him to his appointment. We all contributed and every Saturday morning was weed pulling day. My car now? A 1948 Anglia with a 426 Hemi. Am I spoiled? I have worked for everything I have including raising 4 children on my own. They are not spoiled, they are blessed and have earned it themselves.
Cousin had a’49 in the late ’50’s. Could go 55 all day, but not 75, which is what you need to be able to do on the interstates today. He was attracted by the tail lights and the ribbed bumpers. ’49 exclusives. The 6 was well balanced, and, you could not hear or feel it running at idle. But if you pushed it too hard, he tried 70 on the Mass Pike, it blew a connecting rod, and was toast.
So, this would be great around town.
If ya’ll keep up with my BS & whining, you know I recently told Ken about the ’53 Metcury my mom had which was replaced by a ’49 Plymouth 2 Dr sedan. In a dull horrible burgundy. How I hated that car!
It had such a “happy” front and a bulbous sad rear. Kinda like me.
Online six, 3 on the tree, the only option was a heater and radio. There is a big handle under the dash to open the center vent just in front of the windshield. I remember playing with that. You open that as your going down the highway and all the dirt and dust from the floor goes flying in your face.
I suspect I will always hate the ’49 Plymouth because of the one we had. This one, however, because of the light yellow (every convertible looks good in yellow) and it’s a convertible and in good condition could possibly be a contender, but I still don’t like the design.
To Curt: Class-envy is ugly, My Friend. My parents had money — my father drove Packards (except for one Peerless and one Pierce-Arrow) — but they dis-owned me and I have been dirt-poor for my entire life. There are many things I would like to have — including, to own my own house, however humble — but I make do with what I am able to possess and save, and I visit here on Barn Finds to “dream”, I guess. If a 16-year-old girl had family well-off enough to buy her a brand-new convertible right off the showroom floor, then God especially blessed her. If I could not afford one in 1949, that holds no blame upon her or her familiy’s wealth. At age 16, how many young people with such means would have regarded this gift so highly, as to take excellent care of it and preserve it for 66 years, still maintained and road-worthy? She therefore is due the utmost appreciation! Believe me, I have wanted/desired many things; however, I do not begrudge it to those who are furtunate enough to have them. I instead can be happy that they are able to do so. But I have the gift (so far) of long years — and many “rich” people die at 75: this lovely lady was only 82; should she have resented me for the further years she did not get? Now, as to the car: the 1949 Plymouth is not particularly widely sought-after at this point — and the price is high — but, considering what has gone into the survival and superb condition of this one, it is worth every penny to the person who has the means and truly wants it. If I had such means, and I loved 1949 Plymouths, this one would not be for me; because, in the restoration, it has also been modified. For me, those 12 volts, seat-belts, leather upholstery, aluminium radiator, modern sound-system, etc., are NOT to my liking. I would want the original A.M. radio, for one, and the original mechanical solonoid-wound clock, 6 volts, no seat belts, etc.. So, even if I wanted a yellow 1949 Plymouth convertible and could readily pay this price, I would pass on this one. Wish they had restored it just as it was — genuine 1949 all the way!
Mr Reed, not class envy, not at all. It is class anger. The wealthy always spout out about class warfare, but that is what they have been doing to most of us, pretty much forever. For a brief time after the war until the early 70s, America was the envy of the world. regular people had decent low stress lives. The rich were still pretty rich, but just not as crazily as now. The majority of the people were holding their own in the great class war, but about 50 years ago they came on with a vengeance and have made steady advances every since. At this point, not sure the common folk will ever be able to make an advance that takes back the metaphorical ground. All I know, is it is time to gather the troops and march forward. We are many, they are few. They have the weapons of cash, bought government, basically the high ground…but we have what is right and common decency. I will not see the reversal in my lifetime that will benefit my grandchildren, but I sure wish I could see the opening salvos of the great counter attack.
To Curt: Class-envy is ugly, My Friend. My parents had money — my father drove Packards (except for one Peerless and one Pierce-Arrow) — but they dis-owned me and I have been dirt-poor for my entire life. There are many things I would like to have — including, to own my own house, however humble — but I make do with what I am able to possess and save, and I visit here on Barn Finds to “dream”, I guess. If a 16-year-old girl had family well-off enough to buy her a brand-new convertible right off the showroom floor, then God especially blessed her. If I could not afford one in 1949, that holds no blame upon her or her familiy’s wealth. At age 16, how many young people with such means would have regarded this gift so highly, as to take excellent care of it and preserve it for 66 years, still maintained and road-worthy? She therefore is due the utmost appreciation! Believe me, I have wanted/desired many things; however, I do not begrudge it to those who are furtunate enough to have them. I instead can be happy that they are able to do so. But I have the gift (so far) of long years — and many “rich” people die at 75: this lovely lady was only 82; should she have resented me for the further years she did not get? Now, as to the car: the 1949 Plymouth is not particularly widely sought-after at this point — and the price is high — but, considering what has gone into the survival and superb condition of this beauty, it is worth every penny to the person who has the means and truly wants it. If I had such means, and I loved 1949 Plymouths, this one would not be for me; because, in the restoration, it has also been modified. Those 12 volts, seat-belts, leather upholstery, aluminium radiator, modern sound-system, etc., are NOT to my liking. I would want the original A.M. radio, for one, and the original mechanical solonoid-wound clock, 6 volts, no seat belts, etc.. So, even if I wanted a yellow 1949 Plymouth convertible and could readily pay this price, I would pass on this one. Wish they had restored it just as it was — genuine 1949 all the way!
Harrison, How might you be? A response about envy, Envy wants to possess and jealousy wants to destroy. A personal injury attorney said something to me years ago. If someone sues you and wants your possessions especially your car, give it to them. In a few short months they will deeply regret it. I can’t count the number of times I have seen extremely low mileage cars that have had several owners in a few short years and the next badger comes along thinking its a great find and deal. That loaf of bread at the store that cost you $2.00 in the Toyota costs you $200 in a Bentley to go get.
In 1980 I was 18 and living in Rumson, NJ. In a local Redbank paper there was an ad for a carriage house sale and in the listing was a 1950 Plymouth convertible. With $500 cash in my pocket I was first on the scene and the seller accepted my offer. Later that day my big brother towed it the 1/4 mile home with rope attached to the rear bumper of his 71 Pontiac Catalina. Big brother was an auto mechanic so I had no fear we’d get her running but Bondo and spray bombs were the extent of our bodywork knowledge at the time. I had great fun tooling around the shore that summer.
Asking prices are always a topic of discussion in this forum. Part of the fun. Perhaps the seller is just testing the waters. Only way to know is make an offer. Problem is that they have set the price so high that most of the people like me who find these cars desirable will never come close to meeting the seller’s expectations. Maybe if the car was in concurs condition and 100% correct; but it’s nether. Yeah, the top goes down so the price goes up. Don’t get me wrong though. I really like this even if I’m not a big fan of yellow. To me, the really neat thing is the original owner’s sixty six relationship with this car. She obviously was very fond of it. Hopefully this car finds a new owner with as much passion.
My first car when I was 15 was a 51 Plymouth convertible. Virtually same as this car other than the grill and instrument panel. I got it in 1957 so it wasn’t all that old when I got it although it had definitely not had a complete restoration, or any restoration at all. It did run and drive though, so it allowed me to park my Schwinn. My parents sold it for $125 when I went off to Air Force basic in 1959 and I never saw it again. It was my first car so I remember it fondly. Someone will get a fun car when they buy this one. Not a hot rod but an easy to own and maintain car that will get noticed at car shows and cruse ins. Good luck to them and I hope they buy it to keep it like it is.
I would not be scared of the price, especially if I was going to be using it as a daily driver, which I think wouldn’t be that bad. Especially if it has been overhauled well. Just spent $40,000 for a 2021 BMW X-5 for my wife to drive and though yes it has all the gadgets, I would still rather ride this Plymouth or a 52 Buick RoadMaster but they cost even more.
But if not now…when? Thankfully again, not near me.
In one respect I’m glad I’ve had many different cars over my 71 years. But, I also envy this late lady for getting a car at age 16 and driving it, taking care of it and keeping it for 66 years as the only car she’s ever owned. The relationship she had with that automobile….. amazing.
We can stop deploring the prices on Mustangs and Corvettes and GTO’s and look at others that are uncommon but really were, and still are, good looking, and reasonably rare, and above all, inexpensive: Cadillac Allante, Buick Reatta,Cadillac’s two seater based on the Corvette chasis, Chrysler LeBaron convertibles, all convertibles built at the turn of the 21st Century with hard top, Pontiac, Volvo, VW, you do not need to go to Mercedes to get one – very tight with the top up – fun with the top down, and all interstate capable. Even the Audi TT’s are not too expensive as a starter car into the hobby.
There is so much to be said about the mixed feelings and opinions listed here I really don’t know where to start. So I’ll try and let my fingers keep up with my mind. First about the car. All that glistens is not gold. Without any before pictures a car from a state where winter snow and salt dominate, makes me question the condition prior to the restoration. Secondly it is NOT a California car. The sparse undercarriage pictures reveal a true story. The SALESMAN is a DEALER. Out to sell cars and make money not make friends.
He comments numerous times about the leather. That is not leather. So let’s be real here. A bought lesson is the best learned one. Greed glutony and avarice will always draw weak prey to feed on. But it won’t buy you another minute of time. I can cite so many examples but just a few. Steve Jobs Coby Bryant etc. I’ll post part 2.
Originality. First thing to consider is do you want reliability or a museum queen that’s not a daily driver? I’m not big on customizing the looks however mechanical modifications up to a point is a necessary evil. I own several cars and I faced a dilemma of one sitting for 3+ years searching for original parts. Time and money lost because something else is destined to go out.
I think it’s important to understand the laws of attraction. You are what you say you are. As man thinketh.You must give up something to get something plain and simple but be careful what you seek. I mentioned Coby Bryan and the fatal helicopter crash several people lost their lives in just to escape the traffic and get his daughter and friends to practice on time. In hindsight would it have been better being late driving or not making it at all? I’ve been on both sides of the fence, several times eating Ramen noodles and beans from a can to Wagu and Kobe steaks. The end result (pardon the pun) was the same. One was just more expensive than the other. If you want something good after it. The universe says it’s yours if you really want it. What are you willing to sacrifice besides time to get it. You know the idiom wish in one hand and s#!t in the other and see which gets filled first. When you lose hope you lose everything.
There was a young teen 16 years of age whose parent bought her a Porsche 911 for her birthday. He was a high profile executive for Lowes. She ended up crashing and totaling the car and killing herself and two friends in the process. I can’t imagine the guilt and remorse her parents and the other childrens parents must have to live with every waking day for the rest of their lives. There was also another incident in the states when a young Asian woman crashed totaled and killed her passenger in a 911. Miraculously she lived. With big things come big responsibilities.
Frog,
In 1972 I totalled a 1967 911. Hit a cement bridge & telephone pole doing about 120. I didn’t die (obviously) and neither did the passenger. I broke my wrist on the gearshift.
But I’m just wondering how do you get 3 friends in a 911? That backseat is basically useless.
Angel,
I’ve had my son and his girlfriend in mine. She is 4’11” but she test fit in the passenger rear and fit comfortably according to her words. My son and I are both XXL size and we were overlapping shoulders in the front. The rear fold down seats IMO are superfluous unless you have toddlers in carseats? or a person of diminutive stature.