I have been in love with the 1934 2 drs for years and I am getting serious about getting one the first of the year. I have read the specs. I want a driver, one that can be driven as is.
Pros and cons are pretty much the same as for any of the 1930s Plymouths with the 6 cylinder motor: Trim parts will be hard to find. Drive train parts are reasonably easy to get (I get nearly all my tune up, minor repair parts, etc. for my 1933 at my local auto supply store).
If you are planning on driving it a lot or at higher speeds, you may want to read my web pages at http://www.ply33.com/Misc/performance and http://www.ply33.com/Misc/speed
Possible cons:
These are fairly low geared cars. To go 60 or 65 MPH you will be spinning the motor faster than you are used to if you've only driven modern (post mid-1970s) cars. I don't find that a problem, but others disagree.
The brake drum width for '33 and '34 are fairly narrow so multiple stops in quick succession from highways speeds will be fade prone. I don't try to race/rally my car, leave lots of space in front and use engine braking on long down grades so that is not an issue for me.
Not sure about the '34 PE or PF, but my '33 PD suspension starts to feel squirrelly to me at speeds above 60 or 65 MPH. The real suspension improvements in that era where phased in starting about 1935, so the '34 may be similar to mine. On the other hand, the PE and PF have independent front suspensions and might be better.
Pros:
Compared to the Ford or Chevy of the era the Plymouth was a modern car: Full pressure lubrication, thin shell insert bearings on mains and rods, four bearing fully balanced crank, aluminum pistons, hardened exhaust valve inserts, etc. In good condition, or better yet properly rebuilt, the engine is a good strong reliable beast.
A fairly unique car, you don't see many '33 or '34 Plymouths on the road. And the two door sedan is pretty rare among those. I think the two door was not as appreciated and many were scavenged for parts to fix up more popular coupes and convertible coupes, etc. At any rate there are not that many two door sedans in the club registry.
Thanks. I am not against slightly modifying an old car. Disc front brake conversion, gear ratio change, seat belts.
In my 34 PE sedan I find that the rear end gearing really starts to whine at 45 mph and am reluctant to push beyond that speed.
Additionally the bias ply tires seem to roll and need constant correcting even with the independent front suspension.
Otherwise the car runs forever and maintains a constant 180 degrees when fully warmed up, so all in all a most reliable auto.
Other than a rear end upgrade, I understand the coupes have a better ratio, the only thing I would like to change would be a set of those Diamondback Auburn radials but need to mortgage the farm to afford them.
2 door versus 4 door is a personal preference - to each their own.
Cheers and happy hunting!!
An option that may be considered is trying to find an overdrive unit, I believe these were available back in the day but I have no experience of finding one or what is involved in fitting it.
Thanks, all. I have vacillated between my first choice all the way to 1937. Unless a super buy falls into my lap it will be those years. Since I was born in mid-1943 that years is out as hook to buy. My frustration is sites that advertise cars don't still have access to the car, they are sold or withdrawn. I thought I had found the car the first of the year and sent numerous emails and months later found it had been sold for more than a year ago and it is still being advertised.