This beautiful 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe convertible probably isn't going to convert Ford or Chevy fans to the Mopar camp, but that's a shame because these are wonderful cars to drive. Chrysler was always an innovator and built surprisingly high-quality cars throughout the 1940s, making up for their conservative styling with sparkling road manners. Agile suspensions, strong brakes, and an over-achieving powertrain make these handsome little cars quite a lot of fun on the road. Add in plenty of bright trim that's made of stainless so it's easy to maintain, a spacious interior, and a top that goes down, and you have a rather affordable convertible that is at home just about anywhere.

Perhaps the most remarkable thing about this pretty Plymouth is the fact that just about everything works. Lights, radio, power top, gauges, everything but the clock. Believe me when I tell you that this is not a frequent occurrence when it comes to old cars. This is a car you can slide behind the wheel today, drive it cross-country tomorrow, and not have to worry about anything going wrong. Part of that is the bulletproof engineering, and part of it is the great maintenance it has received over the past 10 years with a very conscientious owner. The handsome Plymouth Cream paint job is just about right, not too yellow and not too bright, giving it an understated look that would appropriate on cars costing far more than this. It does not appear to have ever been wrecked or rusty and we can find no real evidence of botched bodywork, just clean sheetmetal that fits together quite well. You could perhaps tweak the hood fit a little bit, but we bet it wasn't much better when it was new, so it's your call whether perfection is worth chasing. There's a great shine to the paint with only a few minor signs of use and age, making it just about ideal for simply having fun without worries. And speaking of no worries, most of the trim on the car is stainless steel, not chrome, so keeping it in top condition will be easy and inexpensive. Of note, it carries an accessory grille guard up front, a pair of period fog lamps, dual spot lights, and correct taillight housings that have been painted to match the bodywork. For safety, turn signals were added and the rear lights were modified to illuminate all three housings when the brakes are applied, rather than just the center. It's a smart upgrade!

The cheerful red interior is the ideal complement to the cream bodywork, rendered in period-appropriate materials and patterns. The durable vinyl should last practically forever and has a woven texture that looks dressy and helps keep your backside cool on a sunny day. New carpets were recently installed and are protected by a set of matching mats. The steering wheel is a big, beautiful ivory piece with a working horn ring and all the gauges are fully operational. A factory AM radio lives in the center stack, and it was recently rebuilt and now includes an FM converter that sounds great and makes it far more useful. Both the heater and defroster work, too, so this is a car you can enjoy well into the cooler months and extending the driving season. There are some very minor signs of use on the upholstery, with the back seat looking almost new. There's new weather-stripping throughout, so it seals up quite well, and the entire power top mechanism, including pump, lines, and cylinders, is new. Hit the switch and the black canvas top powers itself up and down easily (albeit slowly) and stows under a matching black canvas boot. The spacious trunk is neatly outfitted with a correct rubber mat and full-sized spare tire with correct bumper jack assembly.

It would be a mistake to evaluate this Plymouth merely on the spec sheet, because the 217 cubic inch inline-6 is a definite over-achiever. Still running its six-volt electrical system, it spins over easily and fires quickly every time, and thanks to a freshly rebuilt carburetor and ignition system, it idles smoothly even when it's cold. The engine is buried way down in the engine bay, but you can see that it's wearing correct corporate silver paint as well as an accessory oil filter. There's a recent radiator up front that keeps it cool with ease and a proper exhaust system gives it a wonderful six-cylinder grumble that's a big part of the car's fun when the top is down. It has zero bad habits and pulls the convertible around with genuine enthusiasm, feeling quick in traffic and zipping along at 60 MPH on the highway without much effort. You'll even be pleased with the fuel economy!

The transmission is a 3-speed manual with light action from the column shifter and a smooth clutch that was replaced recently. Up front, there's an independent front suspension that gives it great road manners and it was just rebuilt last year, so it's tight and responsive. Ride quality is excellent, especially for a smaller car, and the solid structure feels substantial, not flimsy, going over bumps. 4-wheel hydraulic drum brakes are plenty adequate for the lightweight Plymouth and with a firm pedal and great response, they inspire confidence out on the road. 3.90 rear gears mean that it's punchy around town and will cruise happily at 60-65 MPH. Yes, it's a little busy-sounding, but you'll never break the engine and it doesn't mind spinning away at today's highway speeds. I promise you won't hurt it! The chassis is solid and clean with no signs that this car spent any time in the snow belt, offering clean floors, a straight frame, and exactly zero surprises. It's a little grimy, but it's ideal for driving and should not need any expensive work anytime soon. Factory steel wheels carry shiny chrome wheel covers and trim rings, as well as a new set of 205/75/15 wide whitewall radials that really do improve the ride and handling in a big way.

The car comes with a lot of extras, including manuals, original sales brochures, service books, and full DaimlerChrysler Heritage documentation, including the original build card. There are also a few magazines that will help reinforce what a great little car this Plymouth really is.

I love these cars. We've had a number of them and each time I am reminded what a joy they are to drive. My usual preference is for big 8-cylinder cruisers, but this wonderful little convertible makes a strong case for less being more. Everyone smiles at the little yellow ragtop and with such a well-sorted restoration, you'll be able to show it with pride. Add in the bulletproof reliability, comfortable ride, spacious interior, and you get a car that should make the whole family happy and will serve you well for years to come. Call today!