Driving golden era cars in the modern era

[FountainPenGirl]

HI, Big Man, That's a nifty sled. My dad has a 1938 Chrysler Royal Business Coupe that we had since I was a kid. That's the car I learned how to drive a stick shift in. In following years I drove it thousands of miles. Mopars of this era are excellent dependable good driving and riding cars. You'll also find that when properly tuned they will give excellent gas mileage. Mopar was bragging mileage in those days as an advertising point. I've gotten as high as 26 MPG with the '38 Chrysler. It has a 241 6cyl with 3spd overdrive. Chrysler used a considerably larger engine than Plymouth but your economy should be good.

Enjoy and drive in the best of health

 

[Jay]

That is one swell car BigMan. I love those P-15 Plymouths. What are "beauty rings" though?

 

[Big Man]

... Enjoy and drive in the best of health

Thanks. I'll make sure not to drive the '48 like my Dad drove the '42 (he had a "lead foot" as a young man). I've heard some good stories about his driving the '42 at break-neck speeds. But not me, 45 mph is about as fast as I want to go these days in an old car.

 

[Big Man]

That is one swell car BigMan. I love those P-15 Plymouths. What are "beauty rings" though?

"Beauty rings" are the chrome or stainless steel rings that fit around the outer edge of the wheels. I think they are also called "moon rings". For a hot rod, I guess they would look sharp. But, for what I want they look out of place.

 

[StraightEight]

BigMan, way to go! Absolutely LOVE the then/now shots in front of the house. A real time transport.

 

[Flivver]

Hi Big Man...that's certainly a nice looking Plymouth. I think you got a great deal on it.

When you get around to removing those modern beauty rings and painting the wheels black, I think you'll find that the wheels were originally pinstriped...usually two concentric rings just beneath the hubcap. It adds a nice, authentic touch.

 

[Big Man]

Hi Big Man...that's certainly a nice looking Plymouth. I think you got a great deal on it.

When you get around to removing those modern beauty rings and painting the wheels black, I think you'll find that the wheels were originally pinstriped...usually two concentric rings just beneath the hubcap. It adds a nice, authentic touch.

Thanks. I, too, think I got a good deal (especially the more I talk with folks). In the end, the seller was happy with what he got and I was happy with what I paid - so it was a good deal for everyone.

Those "pinstripe" wheels sound interesting. I guess I need to start looking for pictures to give me some guidance.

 

[normanpitkin]

Lovely car Bigman ,i have your car's big brother ,a 48 Chrysler New Yorker coupe ,if you need any help just holler!!

 

[Big Man]

Lovely car Bigman ,i have your car's big brother ,a 48 Chrysler New Yorker coupe ,if you need any help just holler!!

Thanks.

 

[Forgotten Man]

"Beauty rings" are the chrome or stainless steel rings that fit around the outer edge of the wheels. I think they are also called "moon rings". For a hot rod, I guess they would look sharp. But, for what I want they look out of place.

Big Man, those aren't correct trim or "beauty" rings on your wheels... infact, the ones you'd want are much thinner than those... and also, the ultra stock look that your car would have came with are the white wheel spats that you see on all the weels of the P-15's in ads of the era.

You love your '65, great car but as you drive your '48 Plymouth, your love for that car will come way up! I know mine has, I've had my '46 for 6 years now! Love that car!

Enjoy my friend!

 

[Forgotten Man]

Lovely car Bigman ,i have your car's big brother ,a 48 Chrysler New Yorker coupe ,if you need any help just holler!!

And why haven't we seen yours???

 

[normanpitkin]

here 'tis
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/4195630832_b6d0fb574b.jpg
complete with me !

 

[Big Man]

here 'tis
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2665/4195630832_b6d0fb574b.jpg
complete with me !

Nice!

 

[Big Man]

Big Man, those aren't correct trim or "beauty" rings on your wheels... infact, the ones you'd want are much thinner than those... and also, the ultra stock look that your car would have came with are the white wheel spats that you see on all the weels of the P-15's in ads of the era.

You love your '65, great car but as you drive your '48 Plymouth, your love for that car will come way up! I know mine has, I've had my '46 for 6 years now! Love that car!

Enjoy my friend!

Yes, I know they are incorrect. I'll be getting rid of them shortly and painting the wheels black. I've already managed to get rid of that awful looking purple window tint which I thought was the most "offensive" looking of the "modifications" the previous owner made. The wheels will be next.

Nothing can ever take "first place" from my '65 Ford; but you are right, the '48 Plymouth is a great car to drive. I put another 50 or so miles on it again today with no problems. I'm still getting accustomed to the car and wanting to know it's "personality" on the road. I got a lot of "hey, that's a nice car" comments while at stop lights in town.

I took my wife out for a ride this evening and we stopped at a local restaurant for a bite to eat. While there we ran into an older gentleman who knew my Dad from the "old days". First thing he said was, "That looks like Bill's car out there". Then he proceeded to tell me a good story about my Dad's driving in his Plymouth back in '42. I'm glad my foot isn't as heavy as my Dad's was back then.

 

[p51]

Don't wear a shirt you care about. Don't ask....

You don't have to elaborate, I'm sure most of us with vintage vehicles can guess. I've snagged many a sleeve and sprayed oil and gear lube on many a shirt while working on my 1944 Willys MB.
My Jeep's treated canvas seats give off a nasty funk and I am sure when i drive it to be sure to wear something I won't need to wear later on. If in WW2 duds for a show or parade, I lay out those clothes afterward to air them out before putting them in the closet.

My Dad sent to me last winter, one of only two known photos of my first car, a 1942 Ford GPW! He'd bought an aftermarket aluminum hard top and used it everywhere. He learned everything about cars working on it. Sadly, Grandpa sold it when Dad went in for his required service (this was in the late 50s with a draft going on, you either joined or couldn't find work) for a couple of years with the USAF. The serial # is lost to history, so there's no way to know if it's still out there somewhere. I'd give anything just to know if it's in the hands of a collector somewhere. I'd like to think it's doing to the show and parade circuit somewhere...

 

[FountainPenGirl]

I finally got it to work. This is the first picture I've been able to get up here in a reply. I grew up in a time when there were no cell phones and computers filled entire rooms and required no heating systems. Sometimes this new age stuff can really be a challenge.
This is the '38 Chrysler Coupe I mentioned in an earlier post. Just thought I would see if I could get a picture to show.

 

[David Conwill]

I wish I knew more about this car:

It looks like a stock, lowered '37 Ford ragtop, but it's a Roy Brizio build, so I'm sure there's more to it. I know from other pictures on his website that it packs a supercharged flathead with twin carburetors, and I wouldn't be at all surprised if there's a set of disc brakes behind those wheels (lots of modern dirt-track cars use the '36-'39 Ford bolt pattern).

-Dave

 

[Big Man]

Making progress ...

Finally got those horrid looking red wheels the previous owner was so proud of painted black. I think it makes the car look much better. Now, all I need is to save my money and buy a set of real Plymouth hub caps.

 

[David Conwill]

Finally got those horrid looking red wheels the previous owner was so proud of painted black...

That looks just great. On behalf of that old car, thanks for giving her back her dignity.

-Dave

 

[Michaelson]

Big Man, when ever you have a chance to do so, buy up as many brake shoes as you can that will fit your car. You'll find model years 48-52 are the same. Parts dealers no longer carry them, and though you can still find folks to reline the shoes, new ones, or even NOS versions are few and far between.

BELIEVE me, this is first person experience talking, as I drive my 1950 P20 Plymouth Special Deluxe each and every day to work and have done so for the past 6 years.

The only other thing hard to get hold of (well, actually just expensive) are window gaskets....but everything else has been easy to find.

That said, word to the wise...squirrel away good brake shoes every chance you get. The last thing you want to have happen is to go have brake work done, and have the mechanic shrug his shoulders and tell you 'sorry, can't get parts!'.

Regards! Michaelson