Squirreled Away: 1936 Plymouth Touring Sedan
Many people love the “Art Deco” inspired styling of the cars of this era. America was still in the depression but things were starting to look up for many people in 1936. Car companies had survived the depression by building inexpensive cars that were still well built and stylish. Plymouth was the only brand whose sales actually increased during the depression. This 1936 Plymouth had advanced features like an all steel body, a six-cylinder engine, hydraulic brakes, and an almost luxurious interior. It cost around $600 which is about $10,000 in today’s dollars. It was restored at some time and doesn’t appear to have been driven much afterward. It’s listed on listed on eBay and looks like it could be a pretty good deal for $8,000. It’s in Roslyn, New York, where it was stored inside for the last 20 years.
The interior is far from perfect, but it’s really nice overall. You’ll notice things like the wrinkles where the headliner was glued around the rear window.
The old cars with their suicide doors were very roomy. Those back doors made it much easier to get in and out of the back seat. There is some paint peeling but it looks nice overall from a distance. Sadly, the motor does not turn and it will need the usual mechanical restoration to the fuel and brake systems to get it running.
It will take some work to get this old Plymouth on the road again. If the engine is truly stuck, it could be easy or it could be impossible to get it turning. If the engine is salvageable, and it very likely is, then it will take all the usual mechanical restoration. It appears the roof insert will need to be redone as well. It’s hard to tell how much this car could be worth. There are similar sedans for sale for about the same price but they need a lot more work. It will be interesting to see if there’s a buyer willing to pay $8,000 for this one. I hope it can stay original. I occasionally drive a similar car, a 1936 Plymouth coupe, and really enjoy it. Many of these are customized, of course, and combine the elegant styling with comfort, modern handling, and performance.
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Comments
This one’s not perfect but it’s too nice to do anything but keep it original! At least that’s what I would do with it.
Looks pretty good to me. Don’t you just love that ‘instrument cluster’ there! It’s one of the attractive things about this era cars
That’s always been my favorite hood ornament. I saw one on a beautiful pickup version 30 years ago and never forgot it.
This is a good deal. My ‘36 Dodge needs more than 8K in missing body parts alone!
Tell me about your 36 Dodge, Jim. I have a 36 non-touring sedan (four door) that I pulled out of a local garage after about 30 years of storage. My progress is slow but I’m determined to drive this baby!
1936 was an interesting year, I think Chevrolet and Chrysler produced just about the ugliest cars, on the planet in that year. Ford did much better 36 Fords are very popular and collectable. A 36 Plymouth 4-door sedan is just not a good buy at 8K, you are buried in it before you even get the Title signed.
I’d redo the roof insert and repaint the roof same colour. As for the engine I’d start by pulling the head and filling the cylinders with some diesel. I’d also calculate which pistons are on the down stroke and place a block of wood on the pistons. I’d then put a metal cross bar on the block of wood and snug it down with the head bolts. Each day I’d top up the diesel fuel and add a small amount of pressure to the metal cross bar. Over time this engine will free up. With a very good chance of running again. People are all to quick to write off a stuck engine without at least trying to free it up. As for the rest of the car there are plenty of small repairs to do while your working on freeing up the engine. Patience is something that we have lost in our world of instant everything and patients is what is needed for this engine. JMO.
Great read Canadainmarkseh, I would change only one thing. Use 50% trans. fluid & 50% acetone. You’ll be amassed how good this work on every thing “stuck”
Pliers, engines and rusty bolts.
Right on re: the Tranny fluid/acetone combo. Works like a charm. Just don’t store it anywhere near where you weld or grind, one little spark and……. BOOM!
Good to know I’ll have to remember that when freeing up rusty things.
Growing up in the 60’s, a neighbor lady drove one of these Plymouths. It was huge and she was so tiny. Suddenly the car was gone. I wish I would have been able to buy it, but at the time, no money or space was available.
Friend had family’s old ’38 4 door sedan, nick-named The Mayflower (see the hood ornament) when I was in HS in the late ’50’s. Owned by a handy engineer, Ran like a top, and often squeezed 8 teens in it, despite its having been run on dirt farm roads in the summer, at much to high rates of speed.
The first 2 cars that I actually remember my folks having were ’36 Plymouths like this. Pretty dependable as long as the batteries were up and the wiring dry.