Family Hauler: 1950 Plymouth Suburban
While the first steel “station wagon” was built by Chevrolet in 1935, most wagons were still expensive, wood-bodied maintenance nightmares. In the late 1940s – with the post-war economy entering prosperity – Crosley, Willys, and Plymouth introduced all-steel wagons to capitalize on the newly invigorated family travel niche. Plymouth’s offering arrived in 1949 in standard form with two doors and two rows of seats on a 111″ wheelbase, or as a Deluxe, at 118.5″ with four doors and three bench seats. The new models sold almost 20,000 copies. The woody version was marketed simultaneously, but with fewer than 3400 finding homes, it was pulled from showrooms in 1950. Today’s Plymouth Suburban runs and drives well; it’s located in Stantonville, Tennessee. The seller suggests a hot rod conversion, but I like it as is; let us know what you think in the comments section below.
The Suburban wasn’t built for speed – reliability and capacity ruled the day. Plymouth’s 218 cu. in. flathead six-cylinder makes about 97 hp; a three-speed, column-mount manual brings the power to the wheels. This one’s shift knob is missing. “Oil bath” air cleaners were a selling feature starting in the 1940s. This car’s maintenance sticker is still present. The seller notes that the fuel system is new, the brakes have been rebuilt, and the electrical system has been converted to 12v. The underside shows signs of restoration work.
The upholstery is not correct, but it’s attractive enough and in good shape. The door panels were customized using the same fabric. A new headliner is in order, as this one’s is missing. Plymouth was still using two-piece windshields in 1950; curved glass wouldn’t become ubiquitous until the mid-1950s. Those rear seats could fold down to increase carrying capacity – a feature that made the Suburban a popular commercial vehicle. A few quaint sales brochures in near-new condition accompany the car.
This 1950 Plymouth Suburban is listed here on eBay, with bidding at $4050, reserve not met. Three videos are embedded in the ad – two showing it underway and the third a “tour” of its features. Rust isn’t mentioned but the body clearly has a few issues including panel fit, sketchy paint, a few deep dents, and miscellaneous smaller ones. The trim is rather spiffy, and the tires look relatively new. Not many original Plymouth Suburbans change hands these days; we found this one at Hemmings with a beefy asking price of $30k; meanwhile, this Deluxe was only bid to $15,500. What would you pay for an early Plymouth Suburban?
Auctions Ending Soon
2006 Ford Mustang Saleen S281 SCBid Now16 hours$15,000
2002 Subaru Impreza WRXBid Now3 days$333
1975 Chevrolet Corvette ConvertibleBid Now3 days$3,000
1964 Ford F-100 Camper CustomBid Now3 days$2,000
2006 Jeep Wrangler SportBid Now5 days$10,500
Comments
NHRA Safety Safari used Plymouth wagons in the 50s, the sticker looks like a NHRA sticker, but something to do with street rod assn., perhaps a division of the NHRA? Going up $50 at a time, they won’t see 5 figures, 4 if they’re lucky, and I’m telling you over and over, it just doesn’t appeal to modern day folks. The stick kills it everytime. Shame. I read a news blip saying, after the Mecum Monterey auction, there was an alarming amount of unsold cars, mainly before 1960. I bet most were a stick.
“The stick kills it everytime. Shame”
Shame indeed. I guess I’m an outlier: an automatic would kill it for me.
“Save the manuals!!!”
I am truly a lucky man- My wife owned two VW Sciroccos with manuals. On the downside, I sometimes have to “misplace” the keys to the 6-speed Corvette to make sure I get to drive it. Cheers.
It’s something anyone seriously bidding on a 1950 Plymouth should know how to drive already, or be prepared to learn – there was no automatic option for Plymouth until a year or two later. Even Fluid Drive was reserved for Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler.
The sticker clearly reads DSRA, I don’t know how that can be confused with NHRA.
Because it looks a lot like the NHRA symbols of the time. I can’t read the 1st word, but there was a “Delaware Street Rod Association” that may have copied the NHRA symbols.
These kids need to learn to drive a stick if they want to rent a car in Europe. Automatic rentals are only in big expensive rentals and would be no fun on those narrow roads.
Neat wagon and the dents give character.
As the former long term owner of 2 Chev Suburbans, I love this!
I’d fix this up only to make it reliable and then take on a Route 66 cruise( the entire route, of course).
Keep it as is (mostly), no hot rodding this baby. Maybe a couple of upgrades at best to make it less of a bear to drive.
Something is off . The last picture of the undercarriage shows a red paint car and wide tires and some kind od custom ( aluminum) wheel ?
Would be proud to drive it with some dent repair .
My Dad had one of these back in the day , we{kids} hatted it ,he drove that thing forever ,until one day mom made a turn passenger door flew open and my sister Jill flew out , it was really snowy and she had a snow suit on and never got hurt ! traded it in for a 1958 Ford ranch wagon we all loved that car,and the doors stayed shut !!! still talk about that blue Plymouth and laugh !!
Sorta the same thing, my Dad had a 53 cranbrook 2dr with 5 kids. Hated the car, ironically, he then got a 58 Ford ranch wagon witch we all loved. He would put the back seat down and all 5 kids could roll around in the back while he drove. Miss the 50’s
It’s sad the stick sometimes kills the deal. My 38 and 34 year olds both can drive a stick. Unfortunately they would never look at a car like this. The youngsters don’t know what they are missing.
This is in nice shape. I’ve always liked the long-roof offerings from Plymouth during this era. Interesting because I never liked the regular cars. Anyways, I think it’s a great car and I wouldn’t kick it off my driveway.
Too bad my wife doesn’t like station wagons. She likes panels but does NOT like wagons. So, in keeping things harmonious in my home forty, I’ll have to pass this one up and look for something else…
I’m thinkin’ $7500 tops.
The high bid was $4,600, did not meet reserve.
Steve R
Yep, that engine really needs the stick!
as U no I’m w/geomechs on this 1 (mig some sheet metal into the windows for the panel so U can garage it @ ur house).
This is not a chev suburban. It’d B 1/2 size. Here’s a pint size model:
https://www.media.volvocars.com/us/en-us/media/pressreleases/49791/volvo-p210-duett-1960-1969
U can C it in the sno or an orange panel model. Locally known as ‘wagonman’ (50 yr of different yr/make ones) I love all 3 (well, only the 5dor cheb 47/55, & 60/71), ’49/55 here and ’58/’69 on the wolwo.
Well at least a three on the tree is a good theft deterrent.
So true. I’ve bought three news cars since 2012, all with manual transmissions. On each occasion, the sales person admitted he couldn’t operate the car because he’d never learned how to shift gears.
Bingo!
I might have a fender for this out back, hmmmm.