Vintage racecar clones and replicas have been very popular over the years. Capturing the feel and look of a vintage racer is a challenge, but can be awesome when executed well. The opportunity to purchase a real vintage racer doesn’t come along too often, but once in awhile, one becomes available. This car is a 1932 Plymouth coupe and was raced under the name “Texas Termite” and is for sale here on eBay with a current bid of $11,100. Located in Louisville, Kentucky, there isn’t a lot of information in the ad, but let’s check out more of this awesome car!
The interior is fairly sparse at you can see, but that’s typical of a racecar. There appears to be a “roll cage” or at least a hoop behind where the seat(s) will go. If I was going to seriously race this car again, it would be a good idea to install a new one. Rolling a car down a racetrack isn’t a time to test rusty sixty-year-old welds.
The seller states there is a DVD included with the sale that shows the car racing in the early 60s. There is also a vintage photo of the car parked amongst cars of the same era. This thing looked awesome back then! It’s hard to make out what engine powered this car back then, but hopefully, the DVD will help identify it. It looks like this car may be a good candidate for a period-correct restoration. The cool thing about a Plymouth is you could put a monster Chevy, Ford, Dodge or other engines in it and no one would fault you for your choice. If this was your new project, what would you choose to power it? Let us know.
Definitely an early Hemi, a 4 speed, 392 with 3×2 or a blower and zoomies. If not that then a long ram 413 with a torq flite behind it.
I agree – although article stating you could put a “Dodge motor” in it doesn’t make much sense ; Plymouth and Dodge shared motors .
Most of the “clone” and “replicas” of race cars are really bad. The vast majority are done on the cheap with vintage looking Chinese parts or whatever old speed parts can be sourced at the local swapmeet without regard to what would actually be correct. Someone has started throwing parts at this car without much apparent thought. Cars like this don’t make good race cars in today’s environment. Most, if not all of the cars running in competitive classes at nostalgia races are new. This car would be much better suited if returned as close as possible to its “as raced” condition and taken to shows and cackle fests. I like old race cars, but most that survived in their original form are hopelessly outdated for anything other than exhibition classes. To make one safe and competitive will ruin the appeal associated with its roots, wiping out much of its uniqueness in the process. When you see old race cars still running, they were generally updated gradually, over time. Most would be unrecognizable to people that were familiar with them from back in the day.
Steve R
No one has thrown anything at that car as you are saying. I am 73 years old and when I was in High School I use to go watch that car race. It was based out of Abilene Texas. It ran pretty darn good in it’s day for what he had to work with to build it. It is the real deal. It looked better back then but that was 55 years ago when I use to watch it. Back then you went to wrecking yards to find a part you could make work. It is a vintage car, they all looked simular that way back then in the 50’s and 60’s. Allot of homemade parts were made.
No China parts back then but you could buy a cheap toy at Wackers that said “made in Japan” on it.
Ray Anderson:
I owned the 40 Willys which was called Gran-ma by Phil Parker of Odessa Texas whom had her had built by Dragmasters in Calif back in late 50’s. After I bought her I repainted her blue and ran her under the name “Antique Jugs II”. I know well about trying to find parts back in the day. Look Gran-ma up on YouTube for the 1959 NHRA Nationals. Here are two links to her. http://webdesignsadsd.com/40-57/willys.html;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bqCm7YO2GOI&feature=fvw
Agree with Steve. It is what it is. Put a period engine in it, buy a trailer to haul it to shows along with some lawn chairs and beer to sit around and admire it.
I’ve never attempted to drive one of these older hot rod/drag strip cars but I think that is the only way to truly appreciate (or respect) an old ride like this. Things had to be a real handful even with mild mods. My hats off to the brave souls who drove them.
If there was a way to make it streetable, not necessarily legal, it would be quite the eye opener. With the exposed engine curbside appeal is a must here when it comes to engine selection.
Forget the period stuff. Big 440 and update everything and then have some fun.
Like he said in the article why trust 60 year old craftsmanship.
That makes no financial sense. Competitive and reliable turn key race cars can easily be found in the low-teens. This car will take tens of thousands of dollars on top of its purchase price, to build a good 440 and update everything needed to make it safe and reliable. By doing what you suggest the cars character would be ruined.
Steve R
Not if you already have a built 440 with drive train and a whole bunch of parts to build it up
It is a little pricey for what you get
I like the idea of a 392 with a 4-71 6-71 blower Hilborne injection or twin fours with a blower. Definitely could only be allowed exhibition runs. But as noted the men that raced cars like this in competition had a LOT of testicular fortitude. I did some crazy stuff in my youth on the street but driving something like these and A/FX cars at 150 180 MPH in the 1/4 mile is like driving your own coffin not for the faint of heart
Over a 11k and hasn’t made reserve. Rough with no motor or trans so I would think the buyer would have a connection somewhere in its history to pay much more.
Looks like the current owner is in the mist of updating it already. Little on the pricey side for a lawn chair car but look at the bidding….
And where’s Keith ?
32 Ford front fenders, look to be in good condition!
BAD ASS no LS Pleeeze. tighten er up a liitle make new safe stuff look old. Old hemi or big cube wedgie no computer crap.
Texas Termite raced out of Abilene Tx. Owned by Dean Brown.
Engine blown small block Chevy.
Fast car back in 60’s!
Email me cranesnwood@yahoo.com iys my dads car
Its getting a blown small block chevy which is what it had , not gonna be all period correct due to im putting it back on the track and needs to be safe .. it will still look the same as it did back in the day , just upgraded a bit
This was my DaDs car. I have the DvD pics and trophys. I grew up this car in the family. Even have pics before it became the Texas Termite.