1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe

Description

This lovely little 1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe four door sedan is a stylish, reliable, and practical car, both when it was new and today. With a restoration that offers a few updates but doesn't erase the quality and fun-to-drive quotient, it's an affordable, fun way to get started in the greatest hobby on earth.

Finished in two-tone tan that isn't exactly correct, this handsome sedan nonetheless looks fantastic driving down the road or parked in your driveway. The restoration is now several years old and showing its age in some areas, but it certainly falls under the category of a fine driver with great eye appeal. Fastback styling was at its zenith following the war, and even the four-door sedans looked downright sporty when finished in light colors like this. It retains all its original chrome and trim, most of which is stainless steel so it can be buffed and polished to a high shine without an expensive trip to the chrome shop. And don't worry, because the parts that are chrome, including the bumpers and sleek bullet-shaped hood ornament are in excellent shape. This car is in ideal condition for club events, touring, and local shows, and it means you'll never have to fret about bugs, rain, or dirt while having fun behind the wheel.

The interior has obviously been restored using burgundy leather for the seats that's both attractive and durable, giving the humble Plymouth a very upscale feel. Traditional patterns were used, with pleats and contrasting cream piping on the seats and door panels, but nothing is over-done, keeping to the Plymouth's everyman theme. New carpets were installed at the same time and work well with the upholstery, and you'll note that all the original garnish moldings and door hardware has been retained and lovingly restored. The flashy woodgrained dash is full of crisply marked instruments, and this car carries accessories like an AM radio and under-dash heater/defroster, which were actually a big deal in the mid-40s. The trunk is lined in black carpet and carries a full-sized spare, just in case.

Plymouth's 95 horsepower 217 cubic inch inline-six is a big overachiever, delivering peppy performance around town thanks to a set of steep gears in back (back then there were no interstate highways and cars rarely saw more than 50 MPH). The engine bay is tidy and quite authentic, showing original parts like the oil bath air cleaner and 6-volt generator. Wearing turquoise paint, which is perhaps a shade or two brighter than original, the engine runs beautifully with a wonderful mechanical sound that's sadly absent from our cars today. A big part of these cars' appeal lies in the way the machinery does its work, and enjoying one as it was built is a true pleasure. It's also surprisingly thrifty, and Plymouth advertisements of the day suggested that it was among the most economical new cars to operate. It fires up easily and idles with a nice six-cylinder grumble from the glasspack-equipped twin tailpipes, and wears a recent set of 6.70-15 wide whites.

If your interests run to early Mopars, this Plymouth makes a fantastic starter collectable. Parts are still easy to find, it's easy to drive, and there are enthusiasts everywhere. This is a lot of car for not a lot of money. Call today!