1941 Plymouth Deluxe

Description

If this 1941 Plymouth Deluxe coupe was a Ford, we'd be charging $10-20,000 more for it. Instead, you get a great-looking coupe with big block power, a very usable interior that looks pretty slick, and the distinction of being the guy who doesn't own a Ford when all the other Fords show up. All for a bargain price. Pretty hard to resist, I'd say.

It's an older build, but the basics are solid and even from five feet away, this tasty Plymouth acquits itself quite well. The no-nonsense business coupe looks great in black, which gives it a purposeful look and doesn't allow for sloppiness in the build. As a result, the panels are nice and straight, the fenders have shiny curves that reflect well, and if you like the pre-war look, this car totally nails it. The doors fit well, the trunk drops down onto its seals without a fight, and running boards were on the way out, so it's nice to see them still in place on this car. Aside from the stance, this car is pretty much as the factory intended, which means a handsome grille, elegant side trim, and very cool headlight assemblies that incorporate parking lamps up top. The good news is that most of the trim is stainless steel, so it'll be easy to maintain and will look great practically forever without an expensive trip to the chrome shop. It even retains original-style bumpers and neat little taillights that nail the 1940s look perfectly.

OK, so diamond-tufted black upholstery is a little dated, but you can't argue with the quality. Using the original bench makes it easy to get comfortable and I doubt your passengers will complain about the accommodations once they're aboard. Matching door panels make the car feel complete and wherever possible, original parts were used so the car has an honest feel. The steering column and wheel are from a later-model, but the gauges are original and look suitably 1940s behind the glass. There's also a factory AM radio that lines up vertically beside the centrally-located speaker and vacuum windshield wipers for a true period feel. The back seat is cozy and functional, so grab some friends or your kids and hit the road, and the fully upholstered trunk includes a full-sized spare, suggesting that this car was built for road trips.

The great thing is that this early Mopar keeps it all Mopar, thanks to a 383 cubic inch big block under the hood. There's plenty of torque on tap to make the coupe feel downright quick around town, even with a 2-barrel carb that keeps it thrifty. The installation is tidy and upgrades like power steering and brakes are welcome additions. It looks pretty much like it would if Chrysler had built it, with corporate turquoise engine enamel, an OEM air cleaner assembly, and other small parts that help with reliability and service in the future. A 727 TorqueFlite 3-speed automatic transmission delivers the thrust to the rear axle, which hangs on leaf springs and uses modern tube shocks for control. Up front, there's a torsion bar front suspension that fits rather well, and the dual exhaust system sounds great and looks cool with both tips on the same side. Stylish chrome wheels with V8 center caps are a classic look that'll never go out of style and they wear 205/75/15 front and 255/70/15 rear tires for just a bit of a rake.

Fast, fun, and affordable, this 1941 Plymouth is a great entry-level rod that's ready to get you into the greatest hobby in the world. Call today!