Robin (UK)

Guys, I've got a slight problem with my car and I'm wondering if any of you have come up agaist this before? Occasionally, when the engine's hot, it won't turn over very easily - it's just like the battery's gone flat. Let it cool and everything's OK again. Most of the time it's no trouble because I'll be parked up for a while. But when I go to get gas, it can be a real problem!!! Has anyone got any ideas? Thanks. Robin.

Harold, When I'm on the Forum I do my best to fit in with you guys. I try to use Americanised English spelling and American terminology for parts, etc. Not always easy, but I think it's polite. Also, if I start talking about things like 'bonnet' (hood), 'quarterlight' (vent window), overriders (bumper guards), etc, you'd think I was crazy. Then again, you'd probably be right!!!

That looks neat. Sometimes the artists go a bit over the top with the striping. He's got it just about right, and really used the stripes to highlight shapes and add character. Great job!

Guys, My son (7-year old Henry) was determined to get his picture in his favorite comic book - The Beano. He came up with the idea of taking his picture with the Plymouth and sending it to the club page... and it worked!!! Here's a clipping from today's issue.

The greenish blue looks great. Your 3rd and 4th mock-ups get my vote. Here's a color-adjusted picture. Robin.

Guys, Some friends of mine were recently looking for their first american car and considering an early 50s Chevy. Their search slowed down, on the birth of their duaghter, so I thought it'd be some time before they started looking again. Yesterday, I got an email with the attached pictures. Their 'new' car is a 1950 Dodge. I can't wait to see it. I've told them about the Forum, so I hope they'll post a profile and message, soon. One more Mopar flathead in the UK, and I have another friend planning to buy a 1950 Plymouth fastback from Lou. Looks like we'll soon have to start our own club!!!

Hi Jim, We don't sell clothes, but my wife and I have been collecting and wearing vintage for many years. We get it from specialist dealers, markets and, increasingly, from Ebay. There's a video clip on our website which shows a very small part of my wife's collection (also includes some footage with the P15 Coupe we used to own). It's at www.RockTheJoint.com/robincolette (click the video clip on the right). There's a web-based company called RustyZipper.com - their website is laid out a bit like a department store, so it's an easy way to look for something you'd like. Hope you don't catch the vintage bug too bad - it can get quite expensive!!! Good luck. Robin.

There is a small picture of my wife and me, with our P15 ragtop, on Page 140 of the November issue of Classic & Sports Car Magazine. The photo was taken at The Goodwood Revival. The write-up isn't quite accurate, but it's still nice to see my car in the mag.

Yes Clay, I have my R10 hooked up with single wire activation. It works great, and there's less to go wrong. Especially with the British weather, as under-car electrical connections don't like the salt and rain. Also, no need to kick down and stress the engine with high revs. Just by 0.02 worth.

Hey Frank, Any chance you have an email or telephone number for him? Thanks. Robin.

Hi Guys, I received a call from the garage that fixes my car. They are working on a 41 Chrysler coupe and need a driver's side gravel shield for the rear fender. It's black (sounds as if it's made from vulcanised rubber, or something similar). Can anybody help to supply, or source, one of these? Thanks. Robin.

Guys, Here's the scoop: He's looking to purchase a car from the USA, to take advantage of the favorable exchange rate. Ideally a very good, useable, well maintained driver. He's already checking ebay and the other internet sales sites, but it would be helpful if he could any get leads from 'the great and the good' on this Forum. I know that you guys know all that's going on in the world of 40s Plymouths!!! Thanks again. Robin.

Guys, I have successfully encouraged (brainwashed) a friend into considering a Plymouth as his first Classic Car. He's now on the hunt for a P15 club coupe, or a 49 or 50 2-door fastback. If you have one for sale, or know of any nice cars available, please email me with details. Thanks for your help. Robin.

Track racing in 1947

Thanks for all the messages. Speedysleeve looks like the way to go. Anyone know which size I'd need, or do I have to take a measurement? R.

Guys, I changed the rear pinion oil seal, to solve a slow leak, and now have an even faster leak!!! A friend used a SpeediSleeve on his Studebaker and is thrilled with the result. Have any of you guys used one on a P15? Would be great to hear about your experience of the product. Thanks. Robin.

Hi Eric, That picture you saw is probably the one which was advertising the Pin-Up Calendar by What Katie Did - it was in the September issue. You did well to spot it. There'll be a picturte of me and my wife (with our clothes on) in the Goodwood Revival feature in the November issue.

Guys, This one's fun - but don't let your wife (or mother-in-law) watch it!!! www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aTjof5fqQo

I took my (7-year old) son out with the Plymouth yesterday, to take a few pictures. He always loves sitting in the driver's seat and I think he has that arm-on-the-top-of-the-door pose just perfect. The girls had better watch out, in about 10 years time!!!

Very sorry to hear your sad news. Our thoughts are with you, from across the Atlantic.

My 47 Convertible has the ribbed section. My (ex) 48 Coupe didn't have it. Here's a picture of the radio in the 47.

Chuck Rio was the lead sax player with The Champs (he wrote 'Tequila'). He played at our Rhythm Riot festival, in the UK, a few years back. He put on a great show, despite suffering from mild Alzheimers at the time. Sadly, he died a couple of years ago. We were due to welcome Janis Martin this year, but she has just been diagnosed with severe, widespread and aggressive cancer. Looks like we're gonna lose another one of the rock'n'roll pioneers. Our festival continues with several other 50s stars as headliners and we will bring in a replacement for Janis, but if you get a chnace to see any of the originals, make sure you do it... we are the last generation to be able to enjoy hearing the real deal, live. I caught a show by James HoneyBoy Edwards in London a couple of weeks ago - the last performing Delta Blues player. FANTASTIC!

Guys, My car was built exactly 60 years ago today, and shipped on 3rd September 1947 to Gettysburg Motors. Yesterday, the grand old girl took me and my wife to The Goodwood Revival, which is the biggest Classic Motorsport event in Europe, with over 110,000 people attending over the three days. Check out www.Goodwood.co.uk/Revival/ for information. We had a great time and came home happy but exhausted. Classic & Sportscar Magazine took our picture - I'll let you know if it gets published. We were both dressed in white vintage suits and hats, with spectator shoes and accessories - (Palm Beach 1949?) The magazine will be choosing the couple best dressed to match their car, so maybe we'll have a chance of a prize? (don't know what that would be) We saw one other P15 - it was a right hand drive Club Coupe, imported from South Africa. Attached a couple of pictures (the dash pic was taken through the window, so it's not very clear). The last picture is me and Colette with a 1938 aeroplane. Stupidly, we didn't get a picture with our car.

I'm running dual Smithy's. I noticed that the sound was quite harsh at first, but mellowed significantly after a couple of hundred miles. They sound great, now.

I like skirts on coupes or convertibles. But I think they can make sedans look a little 'back-heavy'. Here's a recent shot of my car.