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So, i have been eyeballin' this car for a few years now. It has been sitting next to a shop in my area that I work in. I retired from doing auto body and paint after 20 or so years and took a job for the county doing road maintenance in 2017. I'm not sure if it's a good or bad thing because there are so many old cars and trucks sitting everywhere. I want to buy them all. This particular Plymouth just spoke to me, something about it. I left a note on the gate one day and sure enough, the owner called and said, 2,500 and it's yours. One of the nicest friendliest people I've ever met. I couldn't pass it up. It has not a lick of rust anywhere. Floors, trunk, rockers, all solid. The underside is so clean and solid, looks to not have been driven much. He said the motor and tranny had been rebuilt at some point. He did take the tank out and have it boiled and lined. I have a Mike's carb kit on the bench already and I will try and start it tomorrow. I never name my cars but this thing is so basic and stripped of trim I'm calling it Plain Jane. Sorry for the long post but I'm pumped to get her on the road. I will update it as I go.

She's telling you "drive me more often". I love driving these old cars, they require you to be firmly committed to the process and engage you in it.

Congrats on a great purchase. Please replace the plastic fuel filter with a metal one.

well, my company truck pulled the Cambridge home, 2019 Silverado. I figure if I can use it for personal use then I will put it to good work.

A disease with only one known cure, more of the disease!

3-6-21: Drove the Meadowbrook to work all week. Took it to the car wash today and got all the salt off. Cruised around town for a while. LOTS of people out in their yards drinking beer and visiting. Got a few waves. Photo is enhanced, giving my car a sheen it doesn't really possess. ?

You have a serious disease worse than Covid 19. It’s called MOPAR FEVER and unfortunately it’s chronic. LOL ?

..........I said something mean @vickij37 and so I erased it, the truth is I simply don’t believe in putting chevrolet products in a chrysler product. You could sell that motor and probably buy 3 318 motors the tri five guys love 283 motors.......

everyone see faces and shapes in cloud formations, they recently cleared the power lines of limbs and brush given me this view, even more detailed in early morning light.....

When I took my crankshaft to the machine shop they said it was too worn to economically repair. But they just happened to have one they could regrind and sell me. When I got the replacement home and started my re-assembly I found that the "NOS" bolt that holds the pulley on wouldn't thread into the crank. So I decided to see if I could get a tap to straighten out the crank's internal threads. After ordering a tap from an online supplier and waiting and waiting and waiting, I found out they had cancelled the order. So I re-ordered it......same result. Finally I ordered one on eBay, from China. For one third the price of the one from the U.S. supplier I got a tap and a die.....and it came today. Good thing too. The NOS bolt needed its threads dressed as well. Carefully I cleaned up the threads in the crankshaft. When the two parts came together they threaded perfectly. Can't get an American tap but you can get a Chinese one that works perfectly....no wonder they have the bomb. Clearly this is not a high production item. The size was hand written on the tap and the die with an electric pencil. The size of the threads are 1 1/8 x 14 which are not real common. If anyone should need to know.

Did they still stamp the engine number on the left rear area of the frame in 1953? On a P15 model (46-48) , it is on the outside of the frame just before the gas filler neck. May require some wire brushing of surface rust and/or dirt to read. About 6 inches before the filler tube. I went over the numbers with a piece of chalk to make them stand out better.

Got the ‘48 Dodge D25 club coupe out for the first run of March. It’s not a big deal in warmer parts of North America but in Canada old cars often don’t see the road from October to April. This winter has been unseasonably warm in Alberta and I have had an old car out every month. I thought I might miss March as we had a brutal cold spell and lots of snow a few of weeks ago. Amazingly it warmed right up again, most snow is gone, and roads are good. Pictures show the ‘48 out today with winter coloured grass, dirty snow banks, and lots of clouds. However, a great time was had putting 30+ miles on the old girl. Gotta drive them when you can!

then Savoy and Plaza, bottom of trim levels

Did a little interior rummaging this morning. Found this and a the original small service manual.

Or/AND carry a fire extinguisher. I carry one,and it saved my 48 Plymouth coupe from burning to the ground one day when it backfired in the carb and caught on fire.

Yeah,you actually get to drive the damn things,not just point them where you want to go.

If a windshield wiper motor were to go the other way, would the wipers, instead of going back and forth, go forth and back? Maybe they would park pointing up instead of across?

I do know some acids will blacken stainless. I want to say sulphuric (battery acid) does it though. So be careful in your choice of acids as they are not all the same. Looks like it's actually hydrochloric acid, same as stomach or muriatic acid. So don't just grab any old acid if you don't have phosphoric. Might not hurt to double check even that by testing it on a small spot that is not seen normally, probably the backside of the trim. AND WEAR THE PROPER PPE. Gloves and goggles at the least, maybe a face shield and have a neutralizer handy just in case. BTDT.

Fuel filter will be replaced with a metal one. I can see remnants of old fuel in this one. The motor at some point was rebuilt. It's too stock to do any mods to it. I lower every vehicle I own but this one is staying as factors as humanly possible. She just needs to be put back in service as is. Thanks for all of the positive feedback.

I would not risk taking it apart. I would try mild chemical cleaning plus a mini wire brush to remove the rust deposits, followed by a rust stabliser, primer and paint. The simplest would be to get some phosphoric acid based rust remover and paint it on the steel strips, several coats, each followed by wire brush or stainless steel wool.. It attacks the rust and puts a phosphate coating on the steel, while it wont hurt the stainless if you take care. Use rubber gloves and safety specs. Dont drop it in a bath and leave for a week, anything could happen. Another mild cleaner is phosphamic acid which is sold as a radiator cleaner, looks like sugar and mild on steel. Diluted molasses or lemon juice may also be used but they both attack the steel and have to be watched carefully. A final option is a caustic bath, about 4oz caustic per gal of water, immerse part and connect to -ve terminal of battery charger, positive to a steel bar immersed in the bath, full safety gear needed as caustic is nasty to skin and eyes.

Nice find, but for some reason an Aerosmith song is now playing in my head. I have a 51 Cambridge and in 51 it was the midline series. By 53 I think the Belvedere was top line and pushed the Cranbrook and Cambridge down one level each. I love basic no nonsense cars myself.

Thank you for all of the positive comments! It's not a business coupe, it has a back seat. I have a 49 Plymouth business coupe that is a full on 100% nut and bolt redo. I got this to be a daily hopefully while I'm doing that one. It's a Cambridge which I believe is the lowliest of models. That is most of the appeal for me. Just stripped down and basic.

OK, just got the wife's approval to go for the road trip (I know that sounds weak but there are reasons). We will be there but unfortunately, no '54 Dodge to show you guys. Lots of photos though. lol Have been working on the restoration for about 20 years now (can explain that when we get there). Baring the end of the world.... Engine should be done, Paint should be complete, Bed boards also on the finished list, Transmission is the stumbling block as well as the final assembling. May be able to get there on Thursday definitely by Friday (late). Any suggestions on places to stay? Looking forward to our first BBQ with some like minded folks. Ken & Becky

The consistent smoke out of the fill pipe + blue smoke out of the exhaust tells me that ya have blowby + oil consumption, which puts that flathead on the parh to a rebuild. Might be leaky valves from worn guides, might be worn rings from use or stuck rings from disuse. Inspection of the internals is warranted... The crank pulley might not be too bad, as long as the hub is true...might just be that the sheave got bent a little somewhere along the way, maybe somebody tried removing with a prybar instead of the proper puller.

Engine shots

You know the old Rap - Jane.... Jane..... reminds me of a high school flame. L.O.L. Nice Car, good luck with her!

Your car appears to have an alternator rather than a generator. That probably explains why your electrical system is negative ground. My thoughts are "If it ain't broke, don't fix it".

I'm pretty sure we all have *other* rides we don't talk about... That's just the way it is.

hey guy.....if it's yours and you're happy....I am not going to throw a wrench through your windshield....might cast a frown now and then....don't hate me for that...???

That's great! I just bought my second Mopar - a 51' dodge 1/2 ton . I need a trailer like that

Or shared pain, lol. Old car hobby is a disease.

its called pity.........................................................?

It belongs to a friend of mine. I'm providing storage for him for the winter. His truck and trailer were utilized in bringing these two Dodges to their new home. Tomorrow we're off to Fargo to get a 36 Ford truck that belonged to his Grandfather and then his uncle. That'll get parked in front of the 56 until he has room in his shop to get it running. He's a big time early Ford and Tri Five guy. Somehow we get along great. ?

It's awesome that you drive your car in the winter! Keep it up!

I wish! The Coronet a ways off from running. I was told it last ran and drove in 2000. Currently has no water pump on it. Front floors are thoroughly ventilated. I likely won't try to get it driving. Once I finish some projects on my Meadowbrook it'll be time to get the 1 ton going.

Nice looking barn. Looks like you got room for a couple more. ?

I noticed that too. I thought it may be the silicone I sprayed on the gaskets as it didn't smell like gas. I'll check back on it tomorrow.

Looking good man! Great to see you out and about having fun. That's such a nice car. Thanks for sharing ?

I just viewed it Gary. Fix what you need to and get it out on the road! Can you post some pics for us??

I feel your 'pain'. I caught my first case of MoPar fever, when I was 4 yo, about 66 years ago when my Dad brought home a '54 Dodge 3/4 ton 241 V8. I have had it since and nearly caught another case in 1969 when I met my girl friend that had a '66 Dodge Dart with a 273 V8. Wish I had a shop like yours. Looks great to keep your obsessions under cover. Ken

Update - I rebuilt the carb and learned a bunch if stuff. Bottom line is that it doesn't leak anymore and runs real well. First, I want to thank Mike's carburetor for their rebuild kit and video. It made rebuilding my first ever carburetor a breeze. Second, whoever said the screws needed to be tightened wasn't kidding. Barely any effort to remove the carb and take each section apart. I made sure to tighten everything when I put it back together. Third, whoever saw that the seals were doubled up was right. For some reason there were 2 seals on the float section of the carb. Fourth, the needle o removed was flat, not pointy like in the rebuild kit. Overall it was an easy job for having no experience with carburetors. Thank you for all your suggestions. I am going to enjoy working on this car.

I can hear Fussy right now...."alright Elder you were given two eyes and two ears as both are twice as important than talking, unless you are eating, keep that pie hole shut...!" ?

1. You don’t need to have a truck to attend. 2. Fly to Mexico and come across that border. That one seems to be wide open.

I think they forgot about you. The observation period is supposed to be 15 minutes if you don’t have a history of allergic reactions to vaccines and 30 minutes if you do. For what it is worth, my wife and I pulled rank by being volunteer first responders and completed our Moderna vaccination a while back. Word of caution for those getting the Moderna vaccine: The second shot put us both back a bit: Me more than my wife. The next day we both felt slightly under the weather, good thing we are retired as going into work would not have been possible for me. I don’t know if the second shot on the Pfizer vaccine is better or worse. My wife says the one lasting side effect that she has noticed is a revival of the desire to travel. We just got back from our first trip since the beginning of the pandemic. Here is what we were doing.

Reminds me of the old story about the man and the flood. A man was trapped on the roof of his house in a flood. He prayed to God for help. Shortly afterwards a boat pulled up. Get on they said. No he replied, God will save me. As the water rose a helicopter flew overhead, we'll lower you a rope. No said the man, God will save me. They flew away. The water now covered everything but the chimney. Another boat came. Get on before it's too late. The man said no, God will save me. He drowned. As he stood before God he asked God why he abandoned him. God looked at him and said" I sent two boats and a helicopter" The moral is, you also gotta help yourself.

Beauty marks.

All the scars revealed. I still like it. I respect it as it still puts on the miles and bring the smiles year after year.

I'm new to this but always wanted to buy and restore a classic/vintage car so I bought this 53 B4D to keep me busy during the pandemic.

So pretty much done, all the hard work is behind me. Rear brakes need a going over,and in spring it will get somewhat knocked apart and a coat of clear. I sure had a lot of fun doing this, and managed to keep my plan in line right to the end. I want to do another one.

Damn I love my truck!