Robin (UK)

Thanks Bob, Those numbers will be coming off today. I'm told that the shoe whitener starts to eat into the paint if you leave it too long! Any news on when your 'vert will be back on the road?

Hi Greg, Really pleased to hear about your Plymouth's achievements, too. There were plans to spray the underside of the cars but the beach was hard so nothing much got thrown up. I'm going to wash everything thoroughly today, just to remove anything that may be there. The helmet is a vintage Clymer, from San Francisco. Advice was to keep tire pressures high, or even slightly higher than usual. Consensus was approx 30 pounds. I run with 28 pounds on the road, so I stuck with that. Regarding the speed... the run-up was reduced to half a mile, because of beach conditions further down. If it had been the full mile, as originally planned, i would have smashed 74.50. As it is, I'm confident I could have got more (at least 77, possibly 80). I'll have to try again! I changed my technique on each run and the third was the best, so I know what to do next time. The sand did feel weird after about 50mph - kind of like aquaplaning. As if you were somehow out of contact with the surface. After a couple of runs it wasn't so disconcerting, so my confidence increased. A great day!

Just got home, safe and sound, from a 500 mile round trip, a day's racing on the beach at Pendine Sands and an absolutely amazing weekend. It was fantastic to be part of such an historic event - the first ever Amateur Hot Rod Races on the beach where world land speed records were set in the 1920s. We had a half-mile run up, with a timed sixteenth of a mile. It felt very strange driving on the sand at speed and it took a couple of runs to build up the courage to drive hard. My best run clocked 74.50 mph, beating some of the Ford V8 flathead-powered hot rods. I was very pleased. And as my Plymouth was the only full-bodied car running a flathead 6, I also set a class record (V6F/K). Here are just a few pictures...

Thanks guys. God's speed to you, too, Greg. The Vintage Revival event sounds like great fun. You are right to remove all your travelling kit... advice to us has been different because we're being timed over a flying quarter mile - so weight is good, as long as it's between the axles. I'll post some pictures when I get home.

My car's ready and I'll be setting off in the morning, for Pendine Sands. The beach racing will be on Saturday. I'm really looking forward to it.

You're right, Don. I have an album of pictures, now. It's always an honor to be part of such a special occasion.

I drove a bride to her wedding today. I collected her from an amazing Tudor building that was originally a Royal Hunting Lodge, built in about 1550. It's now a very nice hotel. We had fine weather so everything was perfect.

Really wish I could meet you for a cuppa. But I'll be in South Wales on 7th and 8th (Hot Rod Races at Pendine Sands) and running a community event on 15th, so won't be at Goodwood. Look forward to seeing some pictures. I'm sure Garry (UK Plymouth on here) and William (NormanPitkin on here) are likely to be at Goodwood, so worth PM-ing them. Hope you have a great time in the UK. Robin.

Chet - I wouldn't want to guess the top speed but it'd be good to break the UK speed limit (70mph). I've had a tip that I may have the only registered car in my class (flathead, 6 cylinder, normally aspirated, full bodied car) so I could become a record holder. How funny would that be? I'm really just doing my bit to help the VHRA to lay down markers for future years. They are a great bunch of guys and I'm pleased to be a member. Greg - thanks for your messages. The Race of Gentlemen looks great. I think Pendine will also be memorable. Reports are that the sand is very hard, so times should be quick. I hope the guys look out for unexploded bombs... a blown flathead is good... a blown-up flathead is bad!

In a few weeks, I'll be taking my car to Pendine, in South Wales, to take part in the first annual Hot Rod Races at the historic Pendine Sands, which was the home of Land Speed Record attempts, prior to Bonneville. Should be a lot of fun. Here's some information... http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Hot-rods-rev-sands-racing/story-19686401-detail/story.html#axzz2cdkYCxO2

He didn't mention that he had any pictures of the car. But he was very clear about the model and body style. I guess this will remain a mystery.

I was invited to take my car to historic Brooklands on Saturday. As soon as I arrived, I met an older, Australian guy who told me some great stories of a 1948 Dodge he once owned. He owned it from 1951, for 'many' years, and eventually swapped it for a MkIV Jaguar... a decision he said he regretted almost straight away! This guy knew his stuff, discussing the subtle differences between Dodge and Plymouth models, etc. Interestingly, he said his car was a sedan but had a separate trunk, rather than being a fastback. Was this perhaps a local body style (by Richards)? Can anyone shed any light on this? Thanks. Robin.

Great thread about a very interesting car. As you can see, Stanley, there is a wealth of information available from the good folks on this Forum. It's good to see that Garry has chipped in. His 'African Queen' is beautiful. There are a fair few Plymouth and Dodge owners in the UK, but not many with RHD. I look forward to reading about your progress and hope to catch up with you at a show sometime. I'm in West London. Do stay in touch. Good luck. Robin.

Yes, FrankieFlathead. My car always turns heads and gets many great comments. I agree - How could you not love these cars?

Thanks guys. Don - the text isn't quite accurate. I don't remember saying all that! I've had the car 9 years, but had my red coupe for 9 years before that. So I've been around a while!

I got an invitation to attend Classic & Sports Car Magazine's annual 'Car Park Party' last Thursday evening. There were some fabulous cars there, including a blower Bentley, a Porsche Speedster with race history and many other exotics. So I was very flattered to see my Plymouth featured on C&SC Magazine's website, with a special mention. It's really nice to see a P15 get this sort of recognition. Here's a link to their web page... http://www.classicandsportscar.com/news/classic-car-events/rock-star-cars-steal-the-spotlight-at-csc-car-park-party

I'm very flattered by Neil's comment. Totally agree that it's all down to personal opinion. When I first put the skirts on my 'vert I didn't like them - I thought the car's styling lost its balance and the rear looked too 'heavy'. With stainless beauty rings on the wheels and Buick trims added to the skirts it took on a whole different look, and I really like it now. Here are two comparison pictures....

Hi GTK. I took a quick look but couldn't quite work out how to do this.

Here's another picture that a friend just posted to facebook...

Colette and I may be at the Revival - still undecided. But it would be great to meet up, if we're there.

I took my Plymouth to Prescott Hill last weekend, to take part in an event organised by the Vintage Hot Rod Association, and enjoyed driving her on the historic track, which first opened in 1938. The Plymouth is certainly no race car, but it was a lot of fun running at high revs and testing her (and myself) on the corners. I even made a couple of runs fully loaded with passengers! More info on Prescott Hill Climb here... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prescott_Speed_Hill_Climb

Probably worth picking up that driver's side heater.

Jimmie Lynch was still performing in the early 50s... http://hotrodsandjalopies.blogspot.co.uk/2010/09/jimmie-lynchs-death-dodgers-were-at-cle.html

I have a Sharp intake on my P15 file://localhost/Users/robin/Desktop/IMG_0653.JPG

I got mine from Bill Hirsch and fitted it with a glass rear window. I'm very pleased with the quality, and fit.