When I first saw the “tip” for this 1941 Plymouth Super Deluxe, courtesy of T.J., I was on the fence about covering it. As we have all discussed many times before, pre- and immediate postwar domestic cars don’t generate the interest level that they once did. There are many reasons for the phenomenon, but I lump it under the “all things change and evolve” category. But then, I reviewed the images and thought, “wow”, what a ride, this is a fantastically styled car – tres cool! And that’s before its stellar condition is even considered. Follow along and see if you agree; Aumsville, Oregon, is where you’ll find it, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $17,000.
In 1941, Plymouth’s models ranged from the Standard Series to a “Special” designation, and then to the Super Deluxe, as seen in our subject. This example is a business coupe (no back seat) and one of 37K assembled that year. Other body styles included two and four-door sedans, station wagons, and convertibles. The seller considers this 54 K-mile example to be a “survivor,” and refers to it as “all original,” but there’s no documentation or authentication provided. I will say, it looks great, almost too great to be all 84 years worth of original. The finish, chrome, and stainless trim are all in excellent condition, and the seller mentions that the radial tires are the only deviation from stock.
Regarding that “all original” claim is the interior. It’s spotless and looks like all-new upholstery – which may explain its fine condition. The mild fabric pattern doesn’t look like genuine original ’41 Plymouth interiors that I could find searching around online, but still, no complaints. Unfortunately, the interior images are limited to just two, and neither really encapsulates the entire environment in detail.
Power is provided by an 87 HP, 201 CI, in-line, flathead six-cylinder engine. The engine and its surroundings continue the vibe projected by this Plymouth’s exterior and interior; they both present outstandingly, too outstanding to be original in my estimation. But once again, I must reiterate, no complaints on my part. Sadly, nothing is said about this car’s running and driving characteristics. A three-speed manual transmission handles all gear-related activities.
This Plymouth’s Super Deluxe lines and condition have me rethinking cars of this era. This is one that I truly like and can see value and enjoyment in ownership. The only caution is that “all original” insistence, which I don’t think is the case; it’s probably more a sales ploy. But, I could be wrong; it certainly wouldn’t be the first time (or the last, I imagine). What’s your thought, an all-original survivor or a very nicely conducted redo?
I’m with you Jim. Cars from this era are beautiful. Especially 2 door coupes like this Plymouth. I agree, I dont know how original the interior is, but it sure looks beautiful, and comfortable. The whole car looks terrific truth be told its a beautiful find, thanks T.J. for finding it. And thank you Jim for taking the time to write it up, I’m glad you did. I know you were on the fence about it, but its just too nice to let it slip by.
Glad you liked it!
JO
Asking far too much. Worth about 10% of that because then a younger person could own and love it. This is from my fathers generation, he is long gone. I like it because of him and i will be gone soon too. Id cheap, then my son or grandson might actually get to own it. I really doubt who ever is selling it needsthe money that badly. Why not take one for the team? Leave the world better then it was when here. Legacy is important.
How this car escaped becoming a Powell or a gasser only shows it was well hidden. Hot rodders had no remorse turning a pristine car like this into a gasser. Not to beat a dead,,,topic, but honestly now, don’t you think this car would appeal to a great many, if it was an automatic? Retro is in, at least in my kooky state, judging by some of the places some people live, I could easily see a retro car parked out front. Some do, I could probably make a video of all the cool vehicles, but NEVER one of these. I ask you,,aside from going to or coming from a car show, if any remain, when was the last time you saw a car like this driving around?
It’s not as glum as I make it out to be, I think there are plenty of us “shiftys” that would love a car like this today, and will clearly get the sweetheart of their dreams, but time marches on, and next time around, I’m not so sure.
I saw the “survivor” moniker in the listing and the “original” mention, perhaps not accurate maybe an explanation.
This certainly has to be a restoration. I would submit the owner/lister is touting “survivor” as a car that did not succumb to the whims of a hot rodder. “Original” may indicate the car was restored to a state of “as intended by its maker” by avoiding the temptation to deviate. It appears this beautiful machine has not been converted to 12 volts and retains its generator (couldn’t see an alternator but it’s early in the morning here in Michigan).
I would spring for close to the asking price if this were closer. I like the look, and the originality. FYI, under 60 so…. there is that. I just have a penchant for these era cars…
These era cars have a larger cabin space far more comfortable for we older. Me, a 318 poly, push button auto and Mopar rear along with front suspension and steering upgrade. Even 80 plus like me still like a nice ride with a little extra zip
I’ve owned a ‘41 Special DeLuxe 2 door sedan since ‘13 – mine was a ‘90s “restoration”, and this is certainly a restoration too, although a better quality effort than mine. The seat fabric looks period, if not Plymouth, but the door panels don’t have the horizontal chrome trim they came with. The big tell is the engine: 41 Plymouth motors aren’t blue – they are silver. Business coupes are probably the most popular after convertibles, so the ask might be just a little optimistic. If it’s in “drive it anywhere “ condition they might get close to that.
Hey Jim – thanks for the write-up on this beautiful car.
Rather than letting current interests dictate what vehicles you cover, why not promote these older cars for those of us who still appreciate them? Wouldn’t it be nicer to write up these old-timers, and advocate for the preservation of cars like this one? In my mind, that’s what the hobby is about, rather than seeing a car like this end up getting crushed as junk.
I would hope that most of us would whole-heartedly agree!
The leaned in profile suggests speed. Those who know understand otherwise. I love the close coupled coupe design. The little flat six will trundle along anywhere you want to go. Buy, drive and enjoy.
That leaned in profile shows ‘The Foward Look’, before 1957.
We are all familiar with Victrola photographs, which are fascinating pieces of old technology, beautiful to look at, and often viewed as family heirlooms. The problem? Nobody wants them. Nobody wants them taking up space, nobody plays 78 Records anymore, and while everyone is happy to acknowledge their beauty and how unique they are, in the end, Victrolas are always looking for a home. The same can be said of cars of about 1960 and earlier. They are beautiful, fascinating, and everyone is happy to look at them, but increasingly, nobody wants them taking up space in the garage or is going to drive them, or is even able to drive them! And I say this as a man who has owned and sold many of these, and who actually drives mine on the road. Over the last few years, I have watched the values fall off a cliff, the market flooded by estate cars, and cars for sale lingering a tremendously long time. Anecdotally, I bought a 1950 Packard that was fully restored by a man who had died, and intended to flip it and make a profit. I was stunned when nobody was interested and I was ultimately grateful to get a measly $9950 for it, and that was a few years ago. I hate to say it, but the seller will probably end up getting about $7000 for this in the end, and I say that as a friend of the hobby.
Oh, I was in the basement this morning doing laundry and I was listening to 78’s from the swing era on my wife’s old Sony from the 1970’s. They still included a flip cartridge and three speeds, 33, 45 and 78 rpm. In the summer I cleaned and lubed the mechanism. Who needs stereo? Where’s Harrison? He’s the collector of 78’s and knows more than me.
Jim, I am glad you didn’t pass this one up. This car is right up my alley. Interest in these vehicles from mid thirties to mid fifties is where I live. I like the newer stuff and the antique cars too but when I see one like this Plymouth I am going to stop and look. I have to add my two cents worth on a couple of other points of discussion. The term original means different things to different people. My opinion is that original means that it is as it was manufactured with only wear items like brakes or a battery having been replaced. This car has most likely been restored and an attempt was made to keep it authentic as possible; although the engine paint is an incorrect color. To some folks restored in this manner equates to “original”. As far as I’m concerned it’s all good. This is supposed to be a hobby not a religion. The other thing that I want to say is that I think the asking price on this is not all that out of line. Eyes on business coupes has kind of been my thing for years. But there is no denying that potential buyers for cars like this are in decline. When the time comes for my 1952 Plymouth to be sold I’m pretty sure that potential buyers will be scarce. Tempus fugit. Who knows someday a Prius might be collectible.
I agree that people throw around words like “original” and “survivor “ when what they mean is “appears factory” and “still exists”. My comments on what I knew were not in fact were not original to a ‘41 Plymouth would not have been made if the seller’s description was not solely “Other than Radial Whitewall Tires, it’s 100% original”. That claim may not be intended to be misleading, but it at the very least inaccurate. As for kneeling at the altar of originality, I do not. The first thing I did to my ‘41 was stamp a bunch of louvers in a second hood, ditch the 16” wheels for a pair of 15” on the back and 14” on the front for a rubber rake (painted red with chrome lug nut covers and wide whites) and I’m going to build a hopped up 230 with overdrive for it. As you said, it’s all good, and the price on this coupe isn’t bad.
Collectible Prius? 🤮
I love them but me from 1940
Glad to see RNR mentioned the wrong engine color. Owned a 37 Dodge Business coupe for years. Sold it and watched it rust away outside standing in water and “dodging” trees till it went on the be restored in Iowa back to stock. BIG job. Can’t keep them all.
What I did try and trade my HT-1 Yamaha in on at a used car lot – it did start up – the car lot guy was all in but daddio nixed it – because he said “it has fresh oil”…..mom would have been happy….
Hello, Eric! I bought 78s when they were new, and I still play them regularly — though never on a brutal wind-up Victrola. My turntable has the 78 r.p.m. speed, and I use the correct .3 mil stylus: they sound great. I stuck with 78s long after most buyers didn’t, and so I have things on 78 that many “oldies”-interested folks have seen only on 45s.
All of that said, I would LOVE to own and drive a 1941 Plymouth; however, not THIS one. I personally despise coupes, for openers, particularly business coupes: never liked them. However, I would love to have a four door sedan in this condition! But it needs to have the somewhat rare overdrive accessory option, so that I am not limited to about 50 m.p.h. or only relatively short distances. And I would prefer one with a radio, and a clock. 6 volts WORKS for me. So do the original type of tyres with inner-tubes. And I have NO problem with a standard shift! I had to get used to automatic shift, and not reaching for that “phantom” clutch pedal (smile). These cars are comfortable to drive and ride in, and you actually can see out the windshield if you are very short from the waist to your shoulders, like me. When they first went to the postwar bodies, I needed an unabridged dictionary underneath me, just to see the road ahead of me! So I have a great affection for pre-1949 cars, so long as I can find parts when needed. One thing I observed: 1941 Plymouths lasted far longer on the roads as still-used daily transportation, than other 1940-1948 cars — so, when well-maintained and in good condition, they LAST as reliable cars. Besides, they are nice-looking, with especially graceful lines. What MORE could you ask??? But please: FOUR doors! Front AND REAR seats!
Please stop continually hitting the “enter” key; once is all it takes – I have to keep deleting your multiple entries.
Thx,
JO
Jim, Harrison and I had a conversation about posting “mystery”, as I call it. I texted him to let him know about 78 record content here, so he replied with the above post. Sometimes, I said, a post will appear after one “enter” immediately but sometimes it may not appear at all or may take quite a time. Harrison uses his phone with no computer. I told him that sometimes my posts appear after I “refresh”, but I don’t think he has that option on his phone. Others have said the same thing here. It can be very frustrating, especially with a long post, if appears to be lost. I have waited an hour at times, then I return and the post shows up.
Often, a comment will, for whatever reason, end up in the spam filter. Generally, there’s no logical reason for that to happen, but once it does, it stays there, indefinitely, until I release it. It could be some length of time before I get around to reviewing every recent post that I’ve published and actually look for spammed comments that should be released.
Our WordPress server will slow down at certain times – it depends on how much traffic we’re encountering, day of the week, time of day, late vs. early in the month, etc. With fifteen+ writers working away, it can take time for comments to appear.
As for Mr. Harrison, his comments are always appreciated but his are commonly triplicated, quadruplicated, quintuplicated… I’ve mentioned this to him before.
Patience is the key here; give the system a chance to upload your comments.
JO
Sale pending! Not a surprise. Nice car
I recently checked a 41 Plymouth Special Deluxe business coupe off my bucket list! It was restored about 20 years ago,and still runs and looks great. It was an estate car, Im now retired making it possible to full fill my decades long desire to own one! This business coupe listed here is missing the pass through into the trunk behind the right seat thay mine has, a feature that for some reason they did not include when it was restored! Also there ere only two models available, the Special, and the Special Deluxe, no Super Deluxe,
Hey Glenn, I thought it was “Deluxe” and “Special Deluxe”. My first car was a ’37 Plymouth two-door for which I parted with $70 of my paper-route money. The year was. 1956, I was a junior in high school, and the car was two years older than I was. ‘Loved it! ‘Love all my memories of it. I’ve been a car guy since I bought a ’53 Plymouth Belvedere two-door hardtop in 1978. It had a factory continental kit and five Kelsey Hayes wire wheels, along with overdrive. ‘Bought it for $500. Everything worked and I did drive it a little. Lost it in divorce court. Since 1984, my whole life has been MGs, but there’s got to be room on my bucket list for another prewar Plymouth.
I’m a little young to remember when these were new – although I have faint childhood memories of my dad’s new ’39 Dodge – which he sold 2-3 years later. I do remember in the early postwar years almost everybody was still driving prewar cars – so I clocked a lot of seat time in them.
At age 86 I’m still very comfortable in my ’73 MGB/GT, or my ’57 MG Magnette saloon, so why would I not be comfortable in well-preserved ’41 Plymouth?
I feel like CarBob and I might be twins separated at birth; I’m a little less intolerant of business coupes, but I definitely prefer the four-door sedans. ‘Seems to me that most 30s-40s car designs were at their best in four-door livery. I never liked the two-door sedans of the period (even though I had one), my second choice would be what they called “club coupes” – considered “sporty” until the rise of two-door hardtops circa 1950.
‘Think we have to take terms like “original” or “surviver” as implied in the contexts in which they appear. My pet peeve is the term “classic”, but that is a different subject for another time. From what I can see, I can understand the use of those terms here – even though the engine is (Ford?) blue and the battery is under the hood instead of where it belongs under the driver’s seat.
But to me, “survivor” means beyond routine necessary repairs/replacements, it has never been refurbished, repainted, or restored. Is the seller sure, for example, that Grandpa didn’t have it repainted in 1956? I find it unlikely that the fresh blue paint got on the engine in situe. Did somebody remove the engine just to repaint it? They didn’t take the head off? ‘Didn’t check the cam or the main bearings? I don’t think this is a survivor. That doesn’t mean it’s not a damn nice car! Probably too nice for a guy like me – ‘cuz I’d drive it – daily – like I do my MGs. I’d USE it!
The price is beyond me, but I don’t need one this nice – at least not for now.
I’ll stop now.
Yes Allen you are correct it is Deluxe then Special Deluxe. You have me by 13 years and your memories sound like mine! My dad had one just like this one right after the war, my grandpa also had a 39 Dodge coupe at the time. I was not around yet but I grew to admire them over the years and am very thrilled to have found the twin to his and this car. I believe the battery moved under the hood in 40 your 39 being the last year it being under the floor boards.
Thanks Glenn. You just taught me something – re: the battery location. ‘Love to keep learning!
Yes Allen thats what its all about keeping, our old ageing bodies and minds active in these golden years of our lives. Keep driving your MGs and enjoying life to the fullest! I’m going out in the garage now to do more detailing on my 41! Happy Holidays!
Isn’t it the truth. Anticipation of the many hours I spend on my MGs – in the shop as well as on the road – these pleasures are what keep me going. And going. …And going… And Happy Holidays to you too, Glenn, and to everybody reading this!