Parked For 48 Years: 1950 Plymouth Woodie Wagon
Plymouth introduced their first all-new bodied post-war vehicles midway through 1949, but the Deluxe and Special Deluxe names were recycled from the pre-war years. The names differentiated the wheelbase length, and in 1950 the 111 inch wheelbase Deluxe was available as a fastback sedan, a three passenger business coupe and an all metal Suburban station wagon. The Special Deluxe, with a 118 1/2 inch wheelbase, was available as a two-door club coupe, a four door sedan, a convertible and a wood bodied station wagon, just like this one found here on craigslist in southern New Hampshire for just $7,375.
When this car was manufactured Plymouth station wagon bodies were supplied by U.S. Body & Forging, known today as Ushco Manufacturing, as they had been since the first Plymouth station wagon was built in 1934. Sales of the wood bodied Plymouths slumped following the introduction of the all metal version. This was in part due to the extensive maintenance required by the woodies, as Plymouth recommended applying varnish every six to eight months when exposed to excessive sunlight or salty conditions. With only 2,057 units sold in 1950, Plymouth decided to discontinue the wood bodies. This car, while complete, will likely need most, if not all, new wood, and kits are available. It is also going to need extensive rust repair.
The dashboards of these cars are quite beautiful with the faux wood finish. The interior of this car seems to be in relatively good condition, aside from rust in the floor boards. This vehicle is equipped with a 218 cubic inch straight six that would have put out 97 horsepower, matched to a three on the tree transmission. I have the pleasure of owning a 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe coupe with the same engine, and these motors have surprising get up and go. The seller of this one unfortunately believes the motor is seized, but they do say it appears complete.
The University of South Florida sticker on the back of this wagon looks a bit newer than the 1969 Florida plates, so there may be a curious story there, but I’m no expert on stickers. Coming from Florida, this must have been a fun beach cruiser in the 1960s. If you brought this home what would you do with it? To me, this is the type of car that deserves a full restoration, but I may be partial.
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Comments
Awww fer cryin’ out loud. The miles spent with Chrysler product wagons is immeasurable. Nothing but good times. These beasts of burden really held their own against more glamorous makes.
This one really would be worth the effort to restore. B-J had one in their showroom with a premium price on it’s head .
I’ve seen restored one sell for over $100k so definitely worth restoring if the buyer can do at least some of the work. To higher all this out would be astronomical!
Sooo rare….how’d it end up in Fla…..semester break ?
Not worth the amount that would be put into it. You can find one in better condition for the same price on carsonline.com. the mopar goodies have never been worth much because the wood was built at a desperate factor and not by plymouth or chrysler. The ford goodies are worth so much because the wood panels were built in a ford factory and Henry Ford had the wood crates that things were shipped in to his company used to make the wood panels for his vehicles.
Restore it for sure. True American classic.
Another Amazing Find “right” in my back yard!
Had to walk away from the Hudson Pick-up; will have to walk away from this one too.
This Plymouth would simply be stunning restored period-correct.
Hope someone saves it.
I am sure this needs more work than it looks like, however, full wood wagons are big money and will continue to climb. The seller’s price seems reasonable, running or not.
Since I’ve never even seen one of those tailgates before, I’d think that would be a pretty hard piece to find. Does anyone know if it’s original or an aftermarket piece? I think I’d like to see this one brought back to original if possible.
definitely has potential! wish I had the time and the $$$ the surviving metal doesn’t look too bad to me, but I am no expert this is a case where I would use the “p” word.. this is what I think of when it is mentioned! if the metal is indeed salvageable would leave the paint as is I think the engine is a goner, would a more modern slant six fit? , I would nix a V/8 possibly a 318, but would stick with the 6 interior really doesn’t look bad I hope somebody saves the car! if the metal needs to be replaced, would do so, keep the color it is, would look great with a new , shiny paint job.. you experts out there would know if it is possible to have the ” faded” look is that possible?
Mike D…. a slant 6 is at least 6 inches longer than the flathead , I built a 1952 2dr hardtop wagon a couple years ago, using a slant 6 , had to move the firewall back more than 6 inches, a V8 would have been much easier, but I like sixes…. this car needs to remain stock with a tuned fat six, three speed with OD. I would love to do this car, but in the middle of a model A speedster.
Where in Southern New Hampshire and doesn’t that seem quite a ways from there in Fla.
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I remember seeing the episode about the ‘50 Plymouth suburban on Jay Leno’s Garage. Have always been a vintage GM guy but have been coming around to the vintage Mopars the last few years. Another big Mopar guy lives just a few miles away: “Big Daddy” Don Garlits!