Robin (UK)

I know that car!

What a desperate situation. Look for the Plymouth at 35 seconds... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-35387895

I've been in touch with a friend of mine, over here, who owns a Custom Imperial Airflow. He has a lot of knowledge about old cars - both restorations and customs - but can't offer any definitive advice. However, he did say that he'd be happy to correspond so I will PM you with his contact. Good luck.

If it's anything like Bakelite, you could try Brasso

Thanks Greg, It looks like I'll need to do a bit more research to confirm the exact location of my car's sale, as the delivery date was approx a year ahead of this announcement. EDIT... Gettysburg Motors operated from Chambersburg St from 1940 onwards. The lot on York St, in my photographs, is approx half a mile away. This site was purchased in 1945 and used to expand the business. The quonset hut was the first building, erected in 1946. EDIT 2... I've now discovered that the address of Gettysburg Motor Sales was 204 Chambersburg St. Again, it seems that the original building is still there. It's now a hair salon.

I've discovered that the dealership was owned by Glenn C Bream, who died in an air crash in 1955, returning from the races at Indianapolis in his private aircraft. There was also an Oldsmobile Cadillac dealership in Gettysburg, called Glenn L Bream. So it looks like cars were a family business.

Thanks Dan, I love history, so I'm going to have to add Gettysburg to my bucket list and make the trip to visit the building and the great historical sites in the area. It'd be great if you'll be my 'eyes' in the antique shops in the meantime. Thank you. Robin

I recently found a period picture of Gettysburg Motors, from where my Plymouth was sold new, on 3rd September 1947. I'd love to try to get more information, or pictures of the dealership, or even some dealer giveaways or memorabilia, so if anyone's in the area and may be able to help, please let me know. Here's the picture from early 1949. and a shot of how the building looks today... it's home to Schmuck Lumber Co...

I've run mine up to a true 95mph, measured on GPS. It was still accelerating but I felt that was enough!

From experience, just splitting the exhaust provides a noticeable performance improvement. I now also run dual carbs and high compression head. I don't have output figures for my car but the numbers at the end of this magazine article certainly look good. Speed Mechanics, October 1954...

I fitted a factory switch last year. And I have 3 brake lights. But, for rear turn signals, I use 'false' reversing lights fitted with amber bulbs, as nobody expects red turn signals in the UK.

I've had it quite some time. I also have a Dodge one, with the bulb-holders, so will be able to build a full kit. This is prompting me to get on with that project!

I have one, but haven't yet fitted it...

Found it! According to Jim Benjaminson, in his book (Plymouth 1946-1949), Plymouth convertibles from 1936-1948 shared the same 6x24in rear window.

Mine doesn't have the factory window but I believe it would have been 21" x 6". I can ask a friend to measure the window on his car if nobody on here has a definitive answer to hand.

I just received a gift from a Forum member, containing all sorts of Mopar-related goodies. What an incredible surprise! I won't embarrass the sender by naming him publicly, but I'd like to thank him... And thank you all for providing and being part of this amazing online community. Very best wishes from London, England. Robin

This is the finished car, earlier this year, when Chris and I went to visit.

Hi Henk, There's a guy in England with a RHD D24 convertible and I know of a few RHD Plymouth P15s. There are also an SP15 and a D25 (both RHD) over here, but I don't know who owns those now. You can email me Robin@RockTheJoint.com Which parts do you need?

Hi Don, Here's an original promo picture and a great photo from 'back in the day', both showing smooth beauty rings. The ones I have on my Plymouth are similar so I've attached positive proof that they made my car go faster!!! They are widely available for 15" or 16" wheels, so worth shopping around for the best price. Here are some currently listed on eBay... http://www.ebay.com/itm/15-Smooth-Chrome-Stainless-SS-Hot-Rod-Style-Trim-Beauty-Wheel-Rings-Vintage-/121786773433?hash=item1c5b0eafb9:g:1PYAAMXQyY1TTVv-&vxp=mtr or with ribs... http://www.ebay.com/itm/Stainless-Steel-Wheel-Rings-Beauty-Rings-New-15-/360308160119

Another great outcome is the fact that several owners we didn't know have been in touch about their cars. Amongst others, we've discovered another Plymouth convertible and two DeSoto business coupes - one owned by Dave, who signed up to this Forum yesterday, on our recommendation.

Thanks Greg. Public reaction was superb. It's rare to see one American classic car on the road, so when we cruised out, passing cars were honking their horns and people were waving. The Welsh group travelled furthest - about 170 miles each way. And most of the people who brought cars wear vintage daily so, yes, the group were generally dressed in period.

Welcome, Dave. Glad you made it onto here. As I said, this is THE place for great advice, encouragement and all you'll need to keep you going on your restoration. Looking forward to seeing your DeSoto.

Here's a short report I've just posted on facebook. The P-15 Picnic was great. A big THANK YOU to all of you who came along, with or without your cars. The line-up of 8 Plymouths, 2 Chryslers and a Dodge was fantastic. First to arrive on Saturday were Chris & Rebecca (with Archie and Percy), John & Traci, and Robin, who had travelled in convoy from Hemel Hempstead with two Plymouth Convertibles and a Chrysler Business Coupe. Next came Dean & Joyce in their Plymouth Sedan and William with his Chrysler Club Coupe, who'd driven together from Bishops Stortford. Then the Welsh contingent arrived... Phil, Inga, Bryn and Trish, four up in a Plymouth Club Coupe, all the way from just north of Cardiff! Completing the Saturday arrivals were Tony & Dawna with their Plymouth Business Coupe. Before heading out for afternoon tea, there was time to watch in admiration as an array of vintage aircraft departed from a 'fly-in' at the Aerodrome. The list of aircraft included a Spitfire, Texans, Yaks, a Beech Staggerwing, Jet Provost and many more. 7 cars headed out for tea at The Blitz Tea Rooms and we took the opportunity to get some memorable pictures before returning to the aerodrome where we all enjoyed dinner and an evening in the bar. Sunday was the day of the main event and saw more arrivals... David's Dodge Business Coupe, Ian and Bob with their Plymouth Club Coupes, and Steve with his newly acquired Plymouth Business Coupe. There were also about a dozen 'guest' cars swelling the ranks, including a stunning '56 Chrysler, a beautiful '47 Nash, a superb '37 Plymouth and a freshly restored '38 Chrysler convertible which made its maiden road trip from Yorkshire to Sywell. And about 20 HRG sports cars dropped in on their 80th anniversary tour, One of those was a 1941 LeMans class winner, so it was great to see those cars, too. At 1.00pm we were treated to a highly entertaining and informative guided tour of Sywell Aviation Museum and then cars began to depart. A final treat for those who stayed late was the magnificent sight of a Vampire Jet taking off, displaying over the airfield and landing. It couldn't have been better. Everyone's talking about 'next time' so we're bound to be holding another P-15 Picnic in 2016. Watch this space for news. And we'll be posting more pictures from the weekend, soon.

That's great. Shame you couldn't hit the UK, too. Maybe next time?

Thanks for all the good wishes. There will be 7 of 'our' cars and a '37 Plymouth coupe arriving on the Saturday. During the day there will be a 'fly-in' of historic aircraft, including Harvards, Beech 18s, Tiger Moths, a Spitfire and a lot more. In the afternoon we're going to take a drive out to a tea room, for a typically British Afternoon Tea, then back to the aerodrome for dinner in the original 1930s clubhouse restaurant. Sunday will be the main event. Cars will arrive from 10am. We have been offered an exclusive guided tour of the Aviation Museum and one of the car owners, who is a DJ, will be bringing a record player and some of his collection of 78s, to keep us all entertained. Our cars' 70th anniversary meeting will coincide with the 80th anniversary of the HRG Sports Car and their club will be joining us for a couple of hours, so it'll be good to see them there, too. Attached pictures of the cars due to arrive on Saturday. We'll definitely share some pictures of the event after next weekend.