Does anyone have 1940 Plymouth info?

[Brooks in Dallas]

I also posted this in the Plymouth section, but I'm in a hurry as you will see....

Can somebody talk to me about the 1940 Plymouth?

I already have 15 cars, but no Plymouths. A friend of a friend's husband passed away (they live out in the country) suddenly. He had bought a 1940 Plymouth to restore, because that's the year he was born. She needs to sell; wants $1,000 (probably would take $800); he died 2 years ago; had no lookers so she thinks she'll donate it to charity and take a tax write-off. Do I want it? I haven't seen it yet (going Sunday 12/26/04) but here's all I know from the "friend of a friend" (both are ladies, but not car workers (:-D)):

4-door (is it a P9 or P10 or 7-passenger? How do I know if it's Roadking or Deluxe or 7-passenger? I saw ad pics @ one site but it was ambiguous)

Engine is free but has not been run

Minor surface rust except on one fender where there is a rust-thru

Suicide back doors

What do I look for? What am I lookin' for? Is this one of those "if it ain't already restored, skip it or let the rodders have it" kinda cars? Just don't know Plymouths (yet). (:-D)

I do all my own work. FYI, current stable: 1956 2-door Buick Roadmaster Riviera; '61 4-door Imperial; '63 Crown Imperial Convertible (in the middle of frame-off, and by "middle", I mean "middle" (:-D)); '64 Lincoln Continental convertible; '69 Dodge Polara 500 Convertible <--- is this the only one in existence??); '73 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Royale convertible; '75 Dodge pickup; '75 Sedan DeVille; '75 Model 75 limo (no divider); '76 Fleetwood Brougham; '78 Eldorado Biarritz; '84 Fiero; '85 Fiero (they both followed me home, independently); '86 Jeep CJ7; '04 Excursion Limited Ultimate

And yes, there is always that "do I have room for it?" question. (;-D)

--Brooks in Dallas

You can e-mail me at vm "dot" dude at verizon "dot" net or

vm "underscore" dude at yahoo "dot" com

[Guest imported_Bill-W]

There should be a plate on the firewall with the model number "P9" or "P10"

The P9 was the bottom of the line Roadking.

The P10 was the top of the line DeLuxe.

If you know the serial number, you can also determine which series it is :

P9 Roadking -

Detroit, MI : 1378001 to 1454303

Evansville, IN : 9062201 to 9081375

LosAngeles, CA : 3121501 to 3133963

P10 DeLuxe -

Detroit, MI : 10883001 to 11122538

Evansville, IN : 20063001 to 20104165

LosAngeles, CA : 3242501 to 3269066

The regular 5-passenger sedan was on a 117" wheelbase while the 7-passenger sedan had a 137½" wheelbase. The extra length is quite noticeable. Also, the 7-passenger sedan had jump seats in the rear passenger area.

For the Canadian Plymouth, the P9 was Roadking while the P10 came either as a DeLuxe (P10) or Custom (P10S).

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[Brooks in Dallas]

Thanks for that info...... I've now been to visit the car. Wow. It is the P10, 4-door, I would be the 4th owner. 1st owner drove it "back and forth to town", whatever that means (this is outside of Ft Worth). Second owner drove it for a few years, then garaged it. 3rd owner bought it from 2nd owner, who he knew at work, to restore, but then passed away unexpectedly. The widow is selling the car. Wants it gone by year-end.

From the info posted above, it is the P10, built in Evansville, IN. S/N is 20088737. Interestingly, tho there is a plate on the passenger side door pillar announcing that s/n, the car is titled by the engine # (which I found and verified that it matches the title). (good thing nobody changed the engine).

It has the optional heater and radio. A radio in 1940 must have been a rarity. They also rounded up one of those "A/C" units that hangs from the door and you put water in it.

There is no rust, other than surface rust. She had told me that there was "one spot of rust-thru" -- that is a hole about the diameter of a nail at the back of the RF fender, and that's IT. Even I would call it really minor.

Floors are solid, and on this 64-year-old car, the whole interior is still COMPLETELY SERVICEABLE. No tears or rips in the seats. I sat on the seats. THis car must have been always garage kept (it's currently in a shed). Both windshield glasses are cracked. It could use all new window seals. I noticed another window has [i don't know what to call this] that thing that happens to laminated glass where you can see air bubbles starting to come in from the sides. (I think that was the driver's side rear door glass). But all that oughta be easy to replace.

The guy had begun disassembling the engine, but the only thing he did was take out the radiator, the fan, and the water pump. Everything else is still together. The engine turns freely. They also rounded up 1940 mint condition (I'm sure they've been re-done) Texas plates.

So now I have to decide if this thing is worth $1,000 or not (that's what she's asking). Any ideas?

--Brooks in Dallas

[Bob Kinker]

Hurry up & buy it before she either changes her mind or someone else gets it! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_BaronvonR]

Based on what you have told us it is definately worth the asking price.

[Mika Jaakkola]

Here's a page that's worth of looking ..

http://home.earthlink.net/~sscheutzow/40ply.html

I wish it would be possible to make such finds from Finland... <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Bob Young 40 Dodge]

Listen to the guy about the Historical info. I have the tele number if you want it. There is a cost (I think $45) for the build record. Do you have any info on wiring?

[Bob Young 40 Dodge]

Did you have a wiring diagram? Do you know where I can get one? I have a 40 Dodge Business Coupe and I am ready to wire it.

[Bob Young 40 Dodge]

for $1,000 grab it.

[Guest imported_Ricky Luke]

I've got a copy I've scanned. I've just moved so the CD is in a box... I'll dig it out and send it to you if you want.

[Bob Young 40 Dodge]

Hey Brooks, did you ever get the 40 Ply? If so, how was it?

[tempertwister]

Brooks,

I have a 1940 Plymouth Roadking 2 door passenger coupe. It is currently for sale

My father owned it, he had a stroke and is in a nursing home. We arent interested in the car we are all ready working on a 70 Duster. The car has new tires, paint, interior, new tune-up on the original flat head 6 with 53,000 original miles on it. I thought maybe you or you know of someone interested in this car. We are asking $13,900 and have pictures available if you email me. Any one know of anyone looking for a vehicle like this give me a holler. It really is a beautiful car throughout.Keith (NJ)

[billwillard]

DO YOU KNOW ANY ONE WITH A 40 COUPE FOR SALE?

[billwillard]

DO YOU STILL HAVE THE 40?