Parked For 56 Years: 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible
Can you spot the car in the garage? Well, there’s one in there, and it’s a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe convertible. Buick had the Special and Ford had the Deluxe. I guess Plymouth thought they would one-up the competition by naming their top of the line Plymouth the Special Deluxe. Located in southeast Iowa, this example is listed here on Craigslist for $12,000.
Postwar Plymouths sold like crazy to the car-starved public as did most any car from the Big Three auto manufacturers. Over a million Plymouths were sold in the 1946, 1947, and 1948 model years combined. This wasn’t a rare car when new, 15,295 Special Deluxe convertibles were produced in the 1948 model year alone, but 70 years later how many survive in good unrestored condition? That number has to be very small.
Granted, a lot of the car is hidden, but it appears to be in really sound condition. According to the seller, the car is “rust free”. I have noticed a couple of moldings missing from the sides. Hopefully, they’re in the garage somewhere. Might take a week to find them, however. If you have a convertible and decide to store it in a garage for 56 years, remember to leave the top down. Makes it easier to pile junk inside.
The body panels look dent free from this view. In fact, I’ve yet to detect any body damage in any of the views. I started to say it looks straight, but I don’t think there’s a panel on this car that was made anything close to straight. Look at the size of that trunk lid. There’s a lot of space inside there. If I remember correctly, there’s a third tail light in the upper part of that trunk emblem. I wonder how long that pedal car has been parked there.
The under the hood appearance matches the rest of the car. It appears to be all there and original. The seller states that the engine will turn over. I once owned a 1940 Dodge with virtually the same flathead six-cylinder engine. They’ll get you around town, but I wouldn’t want to attempt much highway driving. I read that the top speed is slightly under 80 mph. What would you do with this wonderful old Plymouth, rod it, restore it, or simply clean it up and get it running and driving?
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Comments
I’d repair as required, redo the seats if needed to hard to tell here and put a new top on it. The paint looks like it just needs t be buffed up. As far as driving on the highway I think as long as you stay off the interstate highways you would be fine. These old flat head engines are pretty built prof. I think the price is a bit high but think of all the resto work you won’t need to do.
I had a ’51 Kaiser with a similar flathead drove it on the backroads to a meet and it did great. Going home, another Kaiser owner took the interstate, so I figured, if he can…got about 30 miles and she had a full head of steam. Pulled off, cooled down, took the backroads and all was fine.
There you go Mark, a nice companion piece for your Dodge hardtop, perfect for that one warm summer day per year up there in the cold, cold North Country.
I used to drive my 6c powered flathead Plyms on the highway all the time. They were good up to about 65mph with no problem.
I’d love to go poking around in that garage for a while, betcha there’s some really interesting stuff stashed away in there.
Dirk there a saying up here 11 months of winter 1 month poor sleighing. Of course it’s an exaduration we get at least 2 months poor sleighing.
That is the going rate for a convertible if it is all there. Key thing is the top mechanism and if it is a vacuum mechanism, if the vacuum system parts are all there.
They didn’t pull it out or remove the clutter. Must be a CL ad.
I wonder what the wing’s off?
w h a t ?
The pic from front left shows another car in the gloom. Anyone know what that convertible is?
55 Chevy?
Looks like an Oldsmobile engine on that engine stand too. Somebody was a car enthusiast.
Cool car. Seems worth the asking price.
That didn’t do as bad as some things I’ve invested in over the years. 56 years ago, that was a 120.00 car, tops, and now it’s up two factors over that.
Tow it out.
Dust it off.
And make a proper presntation.
I see it sitting there for another 50 years
The first car I remember was my Father’s 1948 Desoto convertible. It was followed by a 1951 Dodge Wayfayer convertible. Both had a lot in common with this Plymouth. The light in the trunk ornament is a brake light.
I wish I could. At that price in 2018, I would be all over it. I also find value in the mostly wash mitt only restoration. I would pull the engine to have it freshened up and then beefed up. I do have a finned aluminum head for it that I have been waiting almost fifty years for something to park it on. I talked to a guy at the 1973 Street Rod Nationals who found an unsold car in a Detroit warehouse, it still had the shipping papers on the seats. He drove it from Detroit to Tulsa with his street rod club. A main bearing spun trying to keep up with the V8s. He offered it to my buddy and I for under $1000 but between two teenagers we came up short. A beautiful mint green.
I keep thinking of William Holden in Sunset Blvd.
I really like it and the old Plymmies….I can’t get a handle on the color…whether it’s original or not..doesn’t look familiar. Would love to have it but I think the $$ are a bit optimistic. That’s about where I would like to be when it’s done.
If a person is serious about selling something dig it out from all the other junk and put it outside where you can take some good pictures of it, for goodness sake! When I see cars advertised like this it’s a immediate turn off for me! I would never buy a car from someone who is obviously to embarrassed to show what they have! JMT
I have complained about this very thing several times here on BF. Just LAZY or trying to hid something, eh? Just like lazy folks here on BF that have given up using any kind of punctuation, capitalization or correct spelling. Sure makes reading things more of a chore. There, Their or They’re ? Your or You’re? Also please read and then re-read your message to make sure its exactly what you mean to say.
I must comment about your comment! People who want to say something on the message link are not writing a book! They are just posting! There is no English rules when you are making a post or comments! If you don’t like reading others thoughts or comments, very simple don’t read the comments just read the article! Have a great day!
Smokey, he’s not trying to ‘HID’ anything he’s just too lazy to dig it out of the shed !
Try re-reading your own post for spelling miss-steaks too. Ooops!
So this ad has been running for two months with no sale. I suspect those that believe it a good price aren’t actually going to be buyers. Any buyers out there aren’t apparently stepping up to near $13k. Sure, it’s poorly presented, but that’s only part of it’s problems.
Agree or not, Fords have shown to be the most popular cars of this vintage. In the past month two very decent looking and driveable Ford convertibles have sold. The ’46 for $15k, the ’48 for $14k. Others with optimistic sellers with higher reserves have drawn bids in that vicinity going no sale. Given relative market demand this Plymouth may be 30 to 50 percent over priced (or even worse if condition is not as represented).
I would guess it would not take much too get it running and with the body in great shape it would be cheaper than one that would need a full restoration. If has survived this long in original condition leave it stock and cruise the two lanes.
“There is no English rules when you are making a post”. ?
There ARE No English Rules……..OK Mr Wrong Way, lets keep the county Dumbed Down…..
I appreciate that you called me mister, because I am probably older than you are, sir! Sorry that I happened to upset you, that was not my intent! I just tried to explain to you the difference in a post or text to you! I am educated myself, I certainly don’t hold a doctorate degree, I was a major in, English and Speech! I was as surprised about the different rules myself, so my college freshman student brought home a video that they observed in his English class! Belive m, sir I was confused at first! (Hence the exclamation point! ) this is what you are supposed to do at the of a sentence otherwise other symbols mean different things! Now, as you might see, while I am trying to use proper format to you, look at all the space I have taken up? You have a great day! You, sir may call me,(Pop’s
that’s what most of the younger I know call me! )
If I spelt anything wrong or put things in the wrong place, keep in mind that I will be 80 years old come December recovering from a heart attack, and doing pretty well, I might ad, lol! Not wearing my glasses yet, because I can’t find the darn things it’s heck to get old, but the good memories make up for it! LOL, you have a great evening!
A Nice Response for sure and thanks! Hey, I bet I win the age game, as I turned 83 just a few days ago. I was really just kind of poking fun, but sometimes sarcasm comes across the wrong way.
Smokey and Wrong Way, please don’t use your ages as an excuse for poor spelling and pronunciation, there is no acceptable excuse for either, you should be setting an example for the younger generations to follow with the garbage we see and hear from them on social media in this sad day and age !
Y’all hav a nise dae nouw won’t yew.
Yes, I’m well over 70+two, too, to, ??.. (as well)-(I think)-(duh) !
I would go over the engine and drive train. Keeping it as original as possible. Then go over the interior and make sure the top works and is in good condition. This is a car that should stay original. Like they say it’s only original once.
The latest (2019) price guides show a number 3 car at $14,400, so $10-$12,000 might be realistic if the true condition is decent, otherwise $6500+ (probably around $8000 if they’ll throw in the old pedal car).
These old Plymouths are tough. At age 15 I bought my first car, a 48 Plymouth. Not a convertible but 4-door suicide doors, That flat head 6 would run 100 mph, did that a couple times at age 16. Not as smart at 16 as one should be, but it was fun. If I ever find a 48 for sale that doen’t need a lot of restoration, I’m a buyer.
I currently own two of these sweethearts, one is a driver and the other is a project. My driver sat in a barn for 32 years before I got her, couple days work and she was back on the road with new brakes, and a fresh carb. She now has a new top and new interior. For my money the Plymouth has better styling. Parts are readily available at NAPA, and the major auto parts stores. Value for my driver is about $32k, for the project car a 3rd of that.