Sturdy, reliable older build. Nice bodywork and paint, fully finished interior, runs and drives great. Bulletproof 4.3 liter GM V6, 700R4 automatic, power steering, power disc brakes, ice cold A/C. The affordable rod for the guy with a family.

This 1939 Plymouth has a very cool art-deco look. From the faired-in headlights to the stylized Plymouth schooner hood ornament to the teardrop-shaped taillights, there’s simply nothing on it that wasn’t touched by an artist. Finished in two-tone burgundy and gray, it has a classic ‘30s look that isn’t over-the-top or some guy’s amateurish interpretation of the period. Instead it looks grown-up and appropriate, neatly disguising the modern hardware living underneath. Finish quality is quite good and all four doors fit nicely and close with a reassuring THUNK. The paint shines up beautifully, suggesting there’s far more than the asking price wrapped up in the build. There’s also a decent investment in brightwork, although on Mopars of this period most of it is stainless steel, so it should look good virtually forever with just some occasional polishing. The bumpers are chrome and in excellent shape and details like the emblem on the trunk lid are crisply restored. This is a great-looking car from any angle.

The two-tone theme continues inside with simple gray and burgundy mohair that gives it a period-appropriate look that’s also durable and easy to maintain. All the usual upgrades are here, including a tilt steering column, ice cold A/C, and a modern steering wheel that makes it easy to handle. Dolphin gauges have a suitably vintage look with their off-white faces and ornate pointers, a nice touch in any rod from the late ‘30s. You’ll note that the column-mounted shifter has detents for four forward gears, thanks to a 700R4 4-speed automatic with overdrive, so this is a fantastic highway cruiser. It’s pre-wired for an entertainment system and speakers are already installed, so it’s just waiting for the head unit of your choice—not a bad thing simply because technology is changing so fast. What, you’d rather have some ancient cassette head unit? The original garnish moldings were retained on the doors, adding to the art-deco vibe and there’s even a robe rail on the back of the front seat. A full-sized back seat can handle adults for even long hauls and there’s a giant trunk that includes a space-saver spare. If a street rod can be practical, this Plymouth is it.

For motive power, this Plymouth takes a slightly different approach. Instead of the same-old, same-old 350 Chevy, it actually uses a 4.3 liter GM V6 (not a bad idea, since the 4.3 is just a 350 with two cylinders cut off). In today’s world of $5 gas, perhaps it makes a lot more sense. It’s topped by an Edelbrock 4-barrel carburetor and makes plenty of torque to make the Plymouth feel lively on the road. It’s a neat fit in an engine bay originally designed for six cylinders, and all the accessories and electronics are cleanly installed. There’s a giant radiator with an electric fan, an HEI distributor, and all the parts are typical off-the-shelf items that will be easy to find in a pinch (isn’t this one of the reasons why everyone builds a street-rod—easy-to-find parts?). The transmission is the aforementioned 700R4 with quick reflexes and a relaxed overdrive, and it spins a GM 10-bolt rear end with what feel like 3.08 gears inside. The front suspension is augmented with power rack-and-pinion steering and disc brakes and there are adjustable air shocks in back to help keep it on an even keel. Super clean floors, a mild-sounding exhaust system, and sway bars front and rear make it a car that is at home almost anywhere. Chrome wheels with baby moon hubcaps give it a vintage vibe and they’re fitted with 225/75/15 whitewall radials with a lot of life left in them.

If you’re on a budget but want a fun car that stands out in a crowd, this Plymouth might just fit the bill. It’s not the same old thing everyone else builds, and it’s thoughtfully put together to make it comfortable and reliable on the road. Anyone can handle it with all the power features and it’s even pretty good on gas thanks to the torquey V6 and overdrive. This might just be the best choice for a rod in the 21st century. Call today!

Harwood Motors always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase.