Thread: FNG from Nampa, ID with a 1939 Plymouth

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Greetings all. My Father-In-Law recently gave us his 1939 Plymouth business coupe that originally belonged to his Great Uncle who bought it in 1939. It is a 4th generation family heirloom. It has the flat head 6 and 3 speed on the floor and it needs a lot of work...
The pressure is on to return it to its former glory (and then some) before the big C finally wins the war with my FIL.
I always wanted a project car for me and my boys... but this one wouldn't have been my first choice... or second... or at all. But hey, we work with what we are given, right? And given it was, so despite the long list of "needs", the beginning structure was free.

So far, I've blasted and re-coated the rear axle, replaced the shocks and springs, rebuilt the rear brakes, and upgraded the fronts to discs (well, in process). I had all the front suspension blasted and powdercoated (semi-gloss black), as well as the inner fender/engine compartment panels.
I've begun stripping the frame of dirt, rust, grease, and paint and re-coating it with Eastwood Chassis Black(which matches the powdercoat perfectly).

It was stored for a very long time with minimal maintenance so I don't even know if the thing runs or not though her Dad swears that it ran great last time he drove it. Fantastic... except that was, oh... 10 years ago? The engine will turn over but the electrical system is so shot that I don't dare actually try to start the thing for fear of it going up in smoke.

I have a Painless wiring harness for it which will go in as soon as I have the other components needed for the 12V conversion.

This project has some serious challenges and specific goals. My wife wants it to look "just like it did in 1939". That goes for interior and exterior so no upgrades there.... but... (and here's where you hot rodders will smile) she said (and I quote): " I don't care what you do under the hood".

It was, for the most part, all there but I am on the prowl for: front sway bar (eliminator) with links and mounts, front nose emblem, ciggy lighter assembly, and the bubble instrument cluster glass.

It will also need: all new glass, new trunk pan, new headliner and carpet, some dent and ding body work, new exhaust, and fresh paint. (and 100 other things I don't know about yet)

I am not aiming for a concourse restoration. This car is neither rare nor valuable though its sentimental value is immeasurable. I am aiming for a period correct exterior and interior appearance with enough out of sight improvements to make it a worthy hot rod/cruiser.

I apologize if I rambled.

Almost forgot a picture, shame on me:

welcome to the site, looks like a good start to a project to me. quick question though, you said the glass is in need of total replacement? in the pic the glass looks pretty good to me. if your going to hot rod it, you can have the interior done with the same look, but go with modern comforts, same goes with things like power windows, they make a nice conversion that enables you to keep the handles but internally you can go power. a nice motor might be a small block mopar if your going to change out the old flat 6, you can also change out the headlights to an HID conversion to keep the stock look, as far as paint, switch out the one color for the two tone option that was available in 39' it's a nice look and adds alot of character to the car, without changing what stock would have looked like. upgraded suspension and brakes would be a plus too that can be done without changing asthetics. thats my two cents on things you could do to fulfill the admirals requests and still getting a modern riding car with keeping the looks of the old

The driver's window and passenger wing window are both broken. The windshield is pitted and chipped in a few places. So, I guess technically I could get by with piecemeal replacement, but might as well do it all at once. That way... the wife may not notice the subtle tint to the back windows.

I would love to drop in a 318 with a 4 speed behind it but I may be budget challenged on that one.

I can get HID's with the squared headlights? Please tell me more.

Welcome to the site. I look foward to seeing the old car look new. Seems like your off to a great start.

I believe all the glass on that is flat so any good glass shop should be able to cut new glass using the existing windows as a pattern. It's usually pretty reasonable.

Really nice old coupe, and welcome to CHR. Someday I'd like to start on a car that nice!!! I know a guy who has some '36 parts, what does the dash look like in your car, just wondering if they might be the same... Some pics in my gallery how I upgraded the frame and suspension on the '36, might give you some ideas.

Welcome to CHR. Looks like a sound old Plymouth, and should made a great driver.

Originally Posted by Dave Severson

Really nice old coupe, and welcome to CHR. Someday I'd like to start on a car that nice!!! I know a guy who has some '36 parts, what does the dash look like in your car, just wondering if they might be the same...

It has the dome around the speedo and the corner is broken. I can get a flat version with new silk screen for $175. But if I can find the dome glass intact, I can have it restored for the same $175.

Originally Posted by rspears

Welcome to CHR. Looks like a sound old Plymouth, and should make a great driver.

Thanks, and I sure hope so. We're hoping to drive it in the Hot Rod Power Tour for my 40th... in 2014.

Nothing like the '36 dash....oh well, it was a thought.

Welcome to CHR if nothing else it needs to be lowered a bit

[QUOTE=Dave Severson;445431]Really nice old coupe, and welcome to CHR. Someday I'd like to start on a car that nice!!!

Just shows there still out there

Originally Posted by cbr74

The driver's window and passenger wing window are both broken. The windshield is pitted and chipped in a few places. So, I guess technically I could get by with piecemeal replacement, but might as well do it all at once. That way... the wife may not notice the subtle tint to the back windows.

I would love to drop in a 318 with a 4 speed behind it but I may be budget challenged on that one.

I can get HID's with the squared headlights? Please tell me more.

Yeah you just keep your headlights and keep the lens' a run up to Napa for the hid bulb and new wiring and you can swap em out. My buddy does it all the time and sells em on eBay for motorcycle using vintage head lamps. Pretty simple to do. And mikes right any good glass shop can cut you new glass. Some will even install It as well.

Originally Posted by cffisher

Welcome to CHR if nothing else it needs to be lowered a bit

Yeah, I know. It'll get dropped 3" eventually but it's low on the list of priorities at the moment.