My Grandpa stopped driving a few years ago but just recently gave me his 1950 Plymouth Business coupe. He treasured the car since new and took very good care of it. It is in excellent condition, 85k miles, always garaged. The paint is thinning in a few spots and a few pieces of chrome are failing but there is no rust. Even the seats are good.
But it is ugly, and my friends are giving me a hard time about my grandpa 's very ordinary ugly car. You know how that can be.
Is there anything in the history of these cars, anything unique about them, I can use to counter all the trash I get about it.
Thanks, Eric
The very fact that your Grandpa entrusted it to you should be enough. They are just jealous. My father had a 1954 two tone beige and brown Chrysler Windsor 4dr. and I would love to find one like it but I am a thirties Plymouth person.
Eric,
What ever you do, don't cave in to your friend's jealous rants on your Grandfather's loving gift to you. He has entrusted a family heirloom to you that he has loved and cherished for soon to be 68 years. Now in my way of thinking that says something great about your character, not to mention his love for you.
The 1950 Plymouth, was the second year of the post war design and if I am not mistaken, Virgil Exner still wanted his cars to have enough head room as the men of that era still work hats on most occasions. The flat head six had darn near as much horse powder as the Ford flat heat V-8 at the time., In fact that engine was used in Plymouths until 1959.
Good luck with your treasure and please when you have time, I, as I am sure other members of this board would love to see some photos,
Bob
I have my answer. Lee Petty drove the #42 Plymouth business coupe in NASCAR races in the early '50s; 5 races in '49; 17 in '50; 32 in '51; 29 in '52. He switched to Dodge in 1953. I wonder if I should paint a number 42 on the side of my car.
(https://www.plymouthowners.club/talk/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FXLMtyrB.jpg&hash=e402fee20219696cf4d35c48e04712d0d2f2f165)
Quote from: Erical on August 16, 2017, 12:10:18 PM
But it is ugly, and my friends are giving me a hard time about my grandpa 's very ordinary ugly car. You know how that can be.
Is there anything in the history of these cars, anything unique about them, I can use to counter all the trash I get about it.
Thanks, Eric
Eric,
When I was 18 years old in the late 60's I purchased a 1950's hard top Ford convertible from a senior citizen in our Long Island neighborhood for $150.00. The hard top folded into the trunk. Same deal the neighbor loved the car and took care of it from original purchase. To me it was just a heavy pig of a car and as an 18 year old in 1968, I was interested in speed.
Needless to say two older gentlemen came by and saw the car in the driveway and offered me $500.00. Of course I gave the car to them at a nice profit. The point of this story is. 45 years later while I was in Las Vegas on business I went to a car show and there was my 50?s Ford hardtop convertible. It was in the casino and for sale for $160,000.00 Dollars. Oh well !!!
Good luck with the car, Chet...
Hello Eric,
I too have been blessed with an inheritance from my Gramps, a 1941 Plymouth P12 SD. And I too have had to listen to comments from others about my "ugly old Plymouth".
Most of the people who make comments are driving Mustangs/Cameros/GTOs...the everyday, cookie-cutter, run-of-the-mill cars that are in abundance at car shows.
Here's the thing; whenever I am at a car show with my '41, tons of people stop and admire it. I get to hear cool stories of how their parents/grandparents/family member used to own one and the fun memories they have of riding in it when they were young. Most of the time I am the only pre-WWII Plymouth at the show. And believe it or not, a lot of people will walk right by all the Mustangs/Cameros/GTOs to stop by and chat with me about my old, ugly Plymouth.
Like everyone else has said, be proud that your Grandfather trusted you with something he loved. Tell his story and love driving it!
And whatever you do, do not modify it to please others...
v/r,
Matt
I am happy for you. Your car seems to be an excellent, original survivor. Those type cars today are generally more interesting to auto enthusiasts, that perfectly restored cars. Getting to your point of information on your car, check out the following link. It will take you to an article, written by a long time Plymouth Club member, on the 1950 Plymouth cars. Wishing you much enjoyment of your vintage Plymouth :)
https://www.allpar.com/history/plymouth/1946-1959/plymouth-1950.html