1937 ID

Ron of Chicago · September 3, 2011

I am looking at a 37 2dr. coupe???????

I would like to know if the only identification of the car is the serial number on the plate on the right front door pillar.

This vehicle does not have the original drive train in it so there will be no engine number to find. My books talk about a body number. Would this be the P3 or P4 designation? Would that designation be in that number?

I'm not totally convinced that the cars is sitting on the correct frame either. Seeing this car is not an original and has been sort of hacked with a Ford I beam front end and a Mustang drive train, would it be possible to put this body on an S-10 chassis????? I would really like to make this look as close to original as possible and be a great driver.

I'm not a real street rodder and lean more to the originality of vehicles but I think I can get this car for a great price and the body is very solid and straight. As long as I he can find the original title I will do my best to get the car. Illinois is a tuff state to make non title cars streetable.

Thanks for any input.

Ron

September 3, 2011

Ron, I have spent a few minutes on the www.plymouthbulletin.com site and I think your going to ffind all the answers you are looking for there as far as what you have to I.D. in an origional Plymouth.

The P3 or 4 will be part of the serial number on the passenger door jamb but the body type will be on the firewall plate-see the search of "1936 frame" in parts and paper section for all details of that plate.

Now this may be difficult to eek-out but the engine serial number is stamped into the frame and you would have to take a rear tire off and do some cleaning to see it---but..if it starts with P3 or 4 you may have at least most of the origional frame, I am not completely sure what you are saying about the mods to the front of the frame but a picture to one of those guys would clear that up.

Stock and quite streetable is do-able and a good investment of time and money. Those that "rod" these vehicles often put the frames and drivetrains on craigslist and other forums, suspension parts are not hard to come by, an engine with P3 or 4 may take a little more time but they are out there. Remember that certain upgrades to brakes and transmissions (for say highway speeds) can be reversable back to stock without cutting or welding.

Hope this helps and good luck. Richie

Ron of Chicago · September 3, 2011

Thanks for the information Richie. I took a brief look at the site but could not find that information. I will look again when I can spend some time. Maybe it is in the Discussion area.

The man selling the car is going to get me the numbers off the door pillar today. I did not find a firewall plate but I am going there again this week and take a much closer look. I have been doing some research and find a lot of information that I should have had when I went the other day. I actually went there to look at a different car for a friend and saw this one in the corner. Note: Never look at a car without being totally prepared or short on time, ha,ha.

I gave the front end much thought and and can not understand why the man changed the front axle. It is not the "round bar" style like you see in pictures but a more of a flat style I-beam. I am now questioning if the chassis is even the original one or did he put this body on an old van.

Thanks for the information on the original engines and maybe drivlines being available. It may be a good choice.

I will spend more time and take more pictures this week.

Thanks again for the reply and info.

Ron

ply33 · September 4, 2011

The serial number is on the door hinge post. You can enter it into my serial number/VIN decoder to find what year, model, etc. the car is. Plymouth First Decade: Where is the VIN?

Ron of Chicago · September 7, 2011

Thanks Ply33. As soon as I get the number I will use that.

I have looked the site over and find it very informative and nicely laid out.

Thanks for the fine work.

Ron

September 9, 2011

On my 37 coupe, the serial # is also stamped on the frame,drivers side outboard right where it raises up at the rear wheel. They started doing this in late 37 but not at every assembly plant. give it a shot cheers John

Rusty_OToole · September 10, 2011

Your body will not come near fitting on an S10 frame. The front suspension is too bulky and will stick out past the fenders for a start.

Now you know why the last guy sold it cheap. I hope you got it cheap right?

If you want a coupe they are rather rare, rarer than a 4 door sedan anyway. If you watch your chances you may be able to find a 4 door 37 Plymouth parts car cheap and have a chassis that will fit like a glove. I know where there are 3 or 4 of them sitting in junk yards around here.

Rusty_OToole · September 10, 2011

If the car is done and finished, drivable and has good paint, upholstery etc then it has a certain value.

If it is a failed project it has practically no value. Such hack jobs are a dime a dozen, literally a dozen nice old cars get hacked up for every one that is properly finished.

In that case it is a parts car worth a few hundred $$$ bucks depending on what parts come with it.

Buying up the missing parts piece by piece is too much trouble and expense. Better to buy a complete car all in one piece.

The exception to the rule would be a rare car like a coupe or convertible, where it is worth while to buy it just for the body. Then, it is usually cheaper and easier to buy a whole parts car than try to piece it together off ebay or craigslist.

Ron of Chicago · September 12, 2011

Thanks for the input. The guy called me and said the number is on the door pillar. I checked it and it is 3175918.

He is saying that it is on the original frame, but why would they have put a Ford van straight axle under the front? Unless the king pins were shot? Doesn't sound right.

I also was thinking as a last resort to see if it would fit on a Dodge Dakota frame. Most are 112 inch wheelbase.

It is a two door coupe and the body is super. Very, very little rust and no rot. Original dash, but no seats, Mustang engine, 3 speed trans (floor shift) and rear axle, and radiator, and the Mustang steering wheel, column and box. Non original wheels and tires also.

Also in the process they cut the cowl to help fit the Mustang engine in there. They did a fairly decent job on it though.

I may go see it Wednesday or Thursday again an will take more pictures.

Thanks again

Ron

keiser31 · September 12, 2011

Nice Plymouth! What's the scoop on the XKE Jaguar next to it? Is it available?

Ron of Chicago · September 13, 2011

It's another car of his brother who passed away and he is taking care of the estate. It is for sale but I do not remember what he was asking if he even told me a price. I am willing to ask about it when I go there on Wednesday if you like. If he is willing to I will tell him I can give you his number and you can deal with him directly.

These cars have been sitting for a while now as you can see by the photos. The Jag has a dent in the hood and at the time I was there he could not open the hood. I guess some kids were playing on the hood at some time.

He also has a vette of late 70's area I think. It is in rough condition as the interior needs a lot of work and the dash is out but I think he has it.

Here are some pictures that I took. They are clickable thumbs.

Ron

Sign In

1937 ID

Recommended Posts

Ron of Chicago

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Guest Richie09

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Ron of Chicago

Link to comment

Share on other sites

ply33

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Ron of Chicago

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Guest 1isenuff

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Rusty_OToole

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Rusty_OToole

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Ron of Chicago

Link to comment

Share on other sites

keiser31

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Ron of Chicago

Link to comment

Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

Create an account

Sign in

Activity