Plymouth Owners Club

Since the day i was born my Dad had a 1937 plymouth pickup in his garage that one day he was going to turn into a street rod, which turnied into my dream as well. 3yrs ago my Dad passed one and left me with the dream. So 2 weeks ago I dug the Plymouth out from the corner of the garage to find a totallly complete and very nice pickup. My dream to build a street rod out of it is daunted and something is telling me to restore the vehicle. So here I am looking for Information on history, of Plymouth pickup, and how do I find out how the Plymouth was constucted in 1937 to restore. and find a manual.  Please any help would be appreciated

Hi troddleboy,
To start with, the Plymouth truck is pretty rare. They stopped making them after 1941. I had a 1941 until someone stole it. Anyway, I have both Street Rods and Originals, but like you, in the case of the truck, I would be tempted to keep it original. But then, it's your dream.

I have a friend that has a 37 truck and a friend that had one. I currently have a 37 Plymouth Coupe, which I have had for 28 years.

The 37 truck, as with many other models and years, used to take the last years model cars fenders hood, grille & shelll, and make it the next years new truck model. SO your truck has the same front end on it that they had for the 36 plymouth.

Can't give you any manufacturer numbers as to how many were built and some more detailed history, but someone out here surely can. And as complete and as nice as you say it is, it should be an easy restore. The engine was used by Chrysler for many years an all of their cars and trucks until of course the Hemi came about.

I currently have two 49 Desoto's and a 53 Dodge truck and of course my 37 plymouth.

Welcome aboard the Mopar train and the Plymouth Owners Bulletin.
JT.

1937 was the best sales year for the Plymouth pickup, with slightly more than 10,000 made.  After that, it went down hill.  There are no manuals that show how it was constructed and there was only a "preliminary" parts book issued for it (with pickup specific items only - because so much of it was like the car, they didn't duplicate a lot of material).  The truck is pretty straightforward, so you shouldn't have any problem restoring it.  There was some material on the trucks in the dealer date book, which I could make copies of those pages for you.  I won't get into the controversy of original vs. street rod, but my preference would be to keep it original.  They didn't make that many of them and there aren't that many of them still around.....

There's a couple of 37's running around here, Dodges too but I've not seen later Plymouths. I'd fix what needs fixing and drive it, appraise it's drivability and do some real hot rodding if necessary. Any pics?

I have no Pics yet but I am going to get some. I need to clean off the dust from storage

Jim I would be interested in getting copies from the date book from you my E-mail address is

I have a 1939 completely restored even the correct engine.  Below is data on the pickup from 1937 through 1940.  There are many places to get manuals, parts, etc.  If your interested, e-mail me at and I'll get you some info.  Jack Gallagher  Bethesda, Maryland


1937 TO 1941 HISTORICAL DATA

1937 EXPRESS PICKUPSeries PT50; K-82-LR   Price $525; Weight 3,100; Production 10,709
116? Wheel Base in Ladder Frame   Tires:  6.00 x 16 inch
Built in Evansville, Detroit & Los Angeles   Production began:
Made where:  Chassis & Cabs ? 158; Express Pickup ? 10,709; Station Wagon ? 602; Sedan Delivery ? 3,256   Wood-bodied station wagon on the commercial chassis this year only ? made 602 total.

1938 EXPRESS PICKUPSeries PT57; K8-2-LR   Price $585; Weight 1,850; Production 4,620
116? Wheel Base in Ladder Frame   Tires:  6.00 x 16 inch
Built in Evansville, Detroit & Los Angeles   Production: began 09-16-1938, ended 08-17-1938
Made where:  Chassis & Cabs ? 95; Express Pickup ? 4,620; Station Wagon ? 0; Sedan Delivery ? 1,601   
                                 
1939 EXPRESS PICKUPSERIES PT81; M-1-2   PRICE $575; WEIGHT 2,800; PRODUCTION 6,181
116? Wheel Base in Ladder Frame   Tires:  6.00 x 16 inch
Built in Detroit & Shipped to Kansas City, Mo.   Production: began 11-01-1938, ended 08-31-1939
Made where:  Chassis & Cabs ? 140; Express Pickup ? 6,181; Station Wagon ? 0; Sedan Delivery - 13   Frame Serial Number: 8,626,462 (left, very front of frame) means the truck was manufactured in Detroit, Michigan
Built and Shipped: February 6, 1939   Body Number:  15469     Ignition Key Number: 203BP
Color Code:5; Hunter Green    Rear, Ratio:  4:11;  Body Model 16

1940 EXPRESS PICKUPSeries PT105 - 4012   Price $585; Weight 2,800; Production 6,879
116? Wheel Base in Ladder Frame   Tires:  6.00 x 16 inch
Built in Detroit & Los Angeles   Production: began 08-15-1939, ended 07-12-1940
Made where:  Chassis & Cabs ? 174; Express Pickup ? 6,879; Station Wagon ? 0; Sedan Delivery - 1601   

1941 EXPRESS PICKUPSeries PT105 - 4112   Price $625; Weight 2,800; Production 6,073
116? Wheel Base in Ladder Frame   Tires:  6.00 x 16 inch
Built in Detroit & Los Angeles   Production: began 09-18-1940, ended - unknown
Made where:  Chassis & Cabs ? 196; Express Pickup ? 6,073; Station Wagon & Panel Delivery ? 0; Utility Sedan ? 174: Sedan Delivery ? 468   Series P11D: 1 Deluxe Utility Sedan and 1-820 Sedan Delivery Vehicle were made and 2 P12 Utility Sedans were built on the P12 Special Deluxe Chassis.

From 1937 to 1941 inclusive, total Express Pickups made were 34,462.  Next year for a Plymouth Pickup was 1974.

I would LOVE a Plymouth pickup .... but I think that I will stick with my 59 Chevy.  ;D

"if anyone has a Plymouth Truck and wants to TRADE"  :-\


Cliff54