1946 Plymouth Special Deluxe 2 dr sedan $8,000 (Stockton CA) NOT MINE

[m-mman]

This has been listed for 13 weeks, originally at $15,000, now at a more realistic but still high, $8000.

It looks like a nice original car and it is speaking to me. It is a 6 hour drive away so I pretty much need to decide before I spend the fuel. It looks like a good honest car. 

Mopar people, do you see anything this Ford guy wouldn't notice? (yeah, I dont like the air cleaner either)

I am figuring that it would need a later Overdrive transmission fitted to be a good touring car. 

 

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/434093272731534?ref=search&referral_code=null&referral_story_type=post&tracking=browse_serp%3A9189858c-448f-4aec-9505-f4e4eaa2dd4f

 

 

All original, immaculate, this car is a 9 out of 10 inside and out it’s been in my family for 40 years and garage kept, runs , drives , stops as it should. It is completely original needs to be jumped to start because needs a new battery which I put in it when we used it for my daughters wedding two years ago, but it has been sitting since will work on the price but I know what it’s worth this isn’t some field find it is cherry and 100% complete with all chrome and lights lenses even the radio works, etc etc . Come and see it let’s talk

 

[bryankazmer]

Some of the interior may be redone (upper plain gray looks newer

, carpet instead of mat). Not a big deal, but look under the blanket on the rear seat 

 

hubcaps need repainting, engine should be silver, replace the universal fit radiator hose, but again minor.

not a bad looking car but absolute bottom in terms of model desireability

 

these are not quirky cars, very straight forward

[Fossil]

I much prefer these over the business coupes. This is not a bad car but as stated, they are very minimalistic. At least this one has a working radio and a heater. 
Should make someone a nice driver.

Check the kingpins as they tend to wear and not get noticed. Same with spring bushings, and motor mounts.

m-man let us know what you find out.

 

 

Edited September 15 by Fossil (see edit history)

[Bloo]

I like these a lot.

[DFeeney]

Not as fast as a Ford but certainly "Bullet Proof " .

[bryankazmer]

6 minutes ago, DFeeney said:

Not as fast as a Ford but certainly "Bullet Proof " .

Not that big a difference. 95 HP Plymouth vs 100 HP Ford

[The 55er]

Overall this looks like a fairly nice car in an attractive color but as bryan stated a 2-door sedan is not the most popular model. It's missing the stainless rocker moldinigs and stone guards, the lighter is gone and the top half of the horn ring is broken off. Also the throttle cable is disconnected and is hanging loose in the engine compartment. The radio antenna looks like it's not secured and is flopping around. These cars originally came with black rubber floor mats and not carpets and the trunks weren't carpeted either. I would definitely check underneath those trunk carpets and the lower rocker panel areas for signs of rust regardless of the car's location. Some of the interior windlace is coming apart and possibly the trunk gasket should be replaced too. One thing of concern is that 46-48 Plymouths had a manual choke on the carburetor with a control knob on the dash that appears to be hooked up correctly but I see an electrically operated Sisson choke mounted on top of the exhaust manifold with no electrical wire attached. Maybe the manifold or engine was changed? Who knows, I guess that's really not that important on an old flathead 6 Plymouth. I suppose all these flaws are relatively minor things but IMO for $8 grand you should be getting a really pristine example that should be correct in every way in perfect running condition that's ready to drive & enjoy right now without needing a jump start or anything else. Just some thoughts, all the best in whatever you decide to do but if the seller's pretty firm on the price, IMO it's not worth the 6 hour one way trip to see it in its current condition. 

[Bloo]

Well I like the four door best in these, which for sure puts me in the minority, but I can't imagine how a 2 door sedan could be an undesirable model. They must have sold eleventy zillion club coupes, as that is all you see. The P-15 is the probably the only car ever where coupes outnumber everything else by a lot, even four doors. I don't think the coupe is particularly good looking. I like P-15s, I'll probably buy one someday, but it won't be a coupe. To me this 2-door is a really good looking car.

 

[7th Son]

In addition to all the warnings posted already, check out the severity of the rust under the trunk latch and that whole panel under the bottom edge of the trunk lid. Look under the bumper and at the trunk floor under the carpet and spare tire

The metal under the package tray appears to have been sprayed a metalic copper color for some reason. I'd find out why.

The lack of rocker trim may indicate past rocker panel [rust] repairs. Look underneath there, too.

Maybe it's just me, but the rear of the car appears lower than it should be. Shackles? De-arched springs? Fatigue?

As said above, $8k is still a lot for a car that might require considerable work. Good luck and let us know your decision.

 

 

 

 

[m-mman]

Follow up.  I have been messaging the seller.  He (family?) has had it for 30? 40? Years. It hasn’t been driven for at least 2 years. 

I live 6 hour drive away and would want it to be a driver AND be able to drive it home. (Having it shipped automatically makes it overpriced) 

 

Seller says that the tires are too old and weather cracked to drive that far. He can’t (hasn’t?) replaced them because they are bias ply (16”) and unavailable unless you order them and wait weeks. 
There is a fuel leak from the glass bowl filter “but it only takes a $2 O ring to fix”.  Why he hasn’t fixed it is a mystery. 
There is a 8 volt battery under the hood. Seller said that 46 Plymouths were all 8 volt and that nothing was changed on the car.  However, the battery is dead and needs jumping to start the car.  (Probably jumped with 12 volts?)  
I tried to explain that 6 volt is correct, no cars were ever 8 volt and that 8 volt was used to mask other electrical issues.  
He responded angrily that I don’t know that Plymouths are all originally 8 volt and that I have offended him by saying that he was covering up the condition of his mint condition car. 

Currently listed at $8000.  Because I expect to drive his “good running” car 6 hours and it has the other concerns,  I asked if he was negotiable on the price.

 
He listed it 3 months ago at $15,000 and now it’s $8000.  (Almost half off?) He said that he might take $7800 but he has already come down a lot and he knows what it’s worth.  Again he was not happy that I would even ask.  

Car deals are closed on what the car is, but also on the interaction between the seller and the buyer. People won’t always agree but having a less than pleasant exchange during negotiations (and EVERY car deal is negotiated) is the best way to end the discussion and walk away.  

A 46 Plymouth 2 door sedan isn’t worth further time investment, So I have just walked away. 
Good luck with your sale….

[Sal Hepatica]

I'll bet this gets sold and turned into some kind of modified "rod".

[Fossil]

Back in the fifties that conversion to 8 volts was common in the colder regions on both cars and tractors. Around here the 8 volt batteries are still available. 

[DrumBob]

Here we go again; bad punctuation and a lousy attitude seller. That car is a plain jane that needs work. Good decision to walk away.