1932 Plymouth PB - seeking restoration - POC newbie

delaware39 · July 28, 2016, 07:16:29 PM

You might want to check out Apple Hydraulics, http://applehydraulics.com/
I had them sleeve the clutch slave on my 74 Saab and more recently the brake master cylinder on my 39 Plymouth. I was very pleased with their work. They may be a bit less expensive, too.

RC Drown · July 12, 2016, 06:24:05 AM

Great photo and even greater letter, that is awesome that you have both as part of car and family history.

I had my master cylinder resleeved at White Post Restorations in White Post. Virginia approx. 20 years ago, no problems to date with it and I average over 2000 miles a year on the Plymouth.

Wheel cylinders can still be bought and redone, but I find with my '40 they are getting like hen's teeth, scarce, so I must likely will go with White Post again if the time comes.

Good luck.
Bob

Jay Jennings · July 11, 2016, 08:29:16 PM

I am anxious to get her on the road, Bob. We used to drive it to my grandparents' every Sunday when I was a wee lad.

The last guy who had it told me the master cylinder was pitted, so I'd need to get a sleeve. I told him to go ahead and do what he needed to do but it sat for a long time. Turns out he was having trouble in his marriage...so I can't blame him for having other things on his mind.

Bill, as you suggested, I contacted the Mid-America Old Time Automobile Association and got a couple of good leads from a guy at the Little Rock chapter (who remembered my dad's auto dealership, too). In fact, here's an old pic of the dealership in downtown Little Rock (the building was torn down in the 1970s.

And here's an interesting letter my dad wrote to the Chrysler Corporation in 1952, asking for specs on this very car. Hope you enjoy it!

RC Drown · July 10, 2016, 08:31:39 PM

Nice looking car, get her safe and dependable, then drive the heck out of her to make many memories. The cosmetics can wait. You will enjoy driving her with your family and friends much more than sitting in a chair next to it in a hot open field. Take my work for it, each mile driven is a trophy, I bet Arkansas has many great areas that your Plymouth would good in.

Good luck, these old Plymouths are a Hoot to drive

Bill Davis · July 10, 2016, 08:24:51 PM

Jay,

Thanks for the photos. Your car looks nice and pretty much complete.
I see the paint colors are wrong and the headlights need to be replaced,
but what is preventing the car from being driven ? The engine looks
ready to start and run. Need work on the brakes ?

Jay Jennings · July 10, 2016, 01:39:41 PM

Thanks so much for the great leads, Bill. I'm in Little Rock.

Here are some pictures of the car.

Bill Davis · July 10, 2016, 12:38:52 AM

Hi, Jay,

Where in Arkansas are you located ?

You could contact the 1932 Plymouth PB tech advisor, who is Bruce Buton in Woodstock, NY.
His email address is: BButon (at) hvc (dot) rr (dot) com

Also, MOTAA (Mid-America Old Time Automobile Association) is very "strong" in Arkansas.
Google MOTAA and see if there is a "club affiliate" somewhere near you. You might be able
to find some help that way.

Good luck with your project, and as Bob Drown always says, send us some photos when
you get a chance. We would like to see your car.

Jay Jennings · July 05, 2016, 10:32:47 AM

Thanks to all the experts here for help.

I recently inherited a 1932 Plymouth PB sedan from my dad, a former Chrysler-Plymouth dealer in Arkansas (he left the business in 1969). It sat in covered storage for some 30 years (part of that time with a guy who I think wanted to turn it into a hot rod; thankfully he didn't get very far, just some bad paint and inappropriate headlights). It's now with me and I've left it with two different local hobbyists in Arkansas, who let it sit and couldn't get to it for various reasons. Now, I just want to find a professional to 1) get it in good running shape, and 2) start on an authentic restoration. I'm a total mechanical ignoramus (though I would like to start learning more), but mostly I'm just eager to get the car up and running so I can enjoy it. I'm kind of tired of dealing with individuals who are nice enough and smart enough but who just don't have the time, and I would like to find a professional who does this for a living, so I'm looking for recommendations in the region (or elsewhere if need be) who have experience with Plymouths of this vintage. I'm willing to put some money into the initial phase and willing to trailer it out of Arkansas.

Any help you all can give me would be greatly appreciated.

Best,
Jay