1950 Plymouth Deluxe Fastback Coupe

[Matt Harwood]

This is a great entry-level hobby car that can be driven and enjoyed as-is, with all the big work already done. Given a frame-on restoration about 10 years ago, it's a rust-free example of a fairly unusual car that drives well and looks great.

The paint is Kitchener Green, the car's original color, and it has been neatly replicated in single-stage paint, so it has a lovely soft gloss that looks right. Much of the chrome has been re-plated, including the bumpers, but other items like the hood ornament and door handles remain good originals with only light pitting. All the stainless trim is there, and aside from a few minor wrinkles in one of the rear quarter spears, it's remarkably good.

A new interior went in at the same time, and it's a fairly faithful facsimile of the original, using gray striped Bedford cord and vinyl to create a bright, airy passenger compartment. The door panels and carpets were new as well, and I'm guessing the headliner was done at the same time, although there's one finger-sized hole near the passenger door. The woodgrained dash and gauges are original and showing their age, although all but the temperature gauge are functional, and I suspect the mileage shown (70,231) is authentic. The trunk has a matching mat, but no rust-through, even in the spare tire well. A very solid little car.

The engine is the original 217 cubic inch inline-six, and I don't think it has ever been out of the car or rebuilt. It runs well, starting easily with just a little choke from the manual choke conversion on the carb. It's definitely a little crusty, but it runs smoothly and pulls the lightweight coupe around quite nicely out on the open road. The transmission shifts easily, and the brakes are good. Four whitewall tires are showing their age, but look great on the car (although there are more than a few, myself included, who would throw a set of blackwalls on and call it done).

A very nice little car that's an ideal starter collectable. I don't think I've ever seen another one, and the basics are excellent. Asking $12,900, and we're always open to reasonable offers. Thanks!