A recent internet discussion board topic covered the impression that it costs a lot of money to get into the old car hobby. But as this lovely 1950 Plymouth Deluxe coupe nicely illustrates, having a neat old car that you can drive, show, and enjoy sometimes can cost less than a used Hyundai. There are no asterisks next to this car’s price, that’s the real deal, and it’s not a project, but a car you can buy today and drive to the cruise-in tomorrow.

The 1950 Plymouths were heavily redesigned to make them appear larger and more impressive, and the facelift was a success. Although it’s perched on a modest 111-inch wheelbase, this slick fastback coupe definitely looks like a larger car, perhaps a peer even to the larger fastbacks from General Motors. It’s hard to say whether this car is rare as production figures by body style are hard to find, but many Plymouth enthusiasts have never seen one before. It’s practical and spacious, and far more desirable than a boxy sedan or standard coupe. If any 1950 Plymouth could be considered sporty, it’s the fastback coupe.

This lovely fastback received a frame-on restoration about 10 years ago, and has been nicely maintained ever since. The body and chassis are almost entirely rust-free, and all of the usual trouble spots like the trunk (particularly the spare tire well) and driver’s footwell are solid. The body is similarly clean, and with the lovely Kitchener Green paint job, which is the car’s original color, it looks ideally suited for a ‘50s cruise. Single-stage paint was used, so it has a very appropriate soft gloss that looks right on the vintage sheetmetal, and detailing is quite good. Much of the chrome was refinished at the time, including both bumpers, and the rest is original and in decent condition with only very minor pitting on the door handles. The grille is stainless steel, not chrome, which is a relief for restorers and means that it can be easily polished to a mirror-like shine and is in excellent condition here. The rest of the trim on this car is in very good condition, with only the spear on the driver’s rear quarter showing minor wrinkles that could be easily straightened. All the lenses appear original, but are undamaged and suitable for use today.

The interior was also replaced during the restoration. Both front and rear seats are original, but have been reupholstered with gray striped Bedford cord that shows almost no wear. The overall pattern and the materials are period-appropriate, and gives the coupe’s interior a bright, airy feel. The door panels, carpets, and headliner were also replaced at the same time, and remain very good, although there’s a small hole in the headliner near the passenger’s door. All the gauges are original and unrestored, with cool charcoal gray faces that look pretty high-tech for the era, and all but the temperature gauge are functioning. The surrounding dashboard and instrument panel was woodgrained at the factory, and remains in original condition with some deterioration, but certainly nothing that warrants immediate attention. There’s also a heater under the dash, but no radio or clock were included with this particular Plymouth. In back, the spacious trunk offers a recent mat, a full-sized spare, and a few extra parts.

More than one visitor to our showroom has pointed out that the post-war Mopars are perhaps the best-driving cars of the era, and this Plymouth is no exception. The compact 111-inch wheelbase and light curb weight gives the 217 cubic inch inline-six a great power-to-weight ratio, and on the road the light steering, powerful brakes, and supple suspension make it a pleasure to drive. We believe the engine has never been out of the car or taken apart, and it is quite likely that the 70,231 miles shown on the odometer are correct. It’s a little crusty, but it starts quickly and easily with just a little choke, and pulls the little coupe around with aplomb and a gutsy exhaust note. It stays cool, the generator charges as it should, and there are no noises or other red flags regarding its condition. Light action from the column-mounted 3-speed shifter means driving the car is a pleasure, and clutch take-up is easy and progressive. And Chrysler has always been famous for their brakes, with those in this car easily up to the task of hauling it down from speed. The tires are older wide whitewalls on the original steel wheels, which were painted to match the body and fitted with full wheelcovers.

So forget about a major investment to get into the world’s greatest hobby. This stylish Plymouth needs nothing to be enjoyed this summer, and with almost unmatched parts availability, legendary reliability, and the best road manners of any car of the era, it’s an easy decision to make. This one surely will not stick around very long, so call today!