Another Id question...

[rustbucket]

I have a 50 business coupe(or think I may). How do I find out for sure what year it is? Also, I know it's not a p15 or d24, but what would it be then? I am finding parts grease-penned with '52 here and there as I tear it apart, makes me wonder.

[Plymouthy Adams]

from the rear, deck lid first clue that seperates it from the 49...on the front..the grille is distinctive to the 50 model only...post a pic or two it will get nailed...

[rustbucket]

from the rear, deck lid first clue that seperates it from the 49...on the front..the grille is distinctive to the 50 model only...post a pic or two it will get nailed...

It has no grill at the moment. The pillar plate says 37093660. I have tha body off the frame now too, so I don't know if pics will help.

[greg g]

check the engine number on the block above the generator. the first three digits should reflect the model number if it is indeed the stock motor. 49 should be49 p18, 50 P19 51 P20, and P21 52.

[Plymouthy Adams]

there is no P21...

[rustbucket]

I just put my p18 in it, had no motor when I got it.

[rustbucket]

For what it's worth here's a pic.

[48mirage]

From the pillar number you supplied I show it to be a 50 Dodge model D33.

[49roadster]

The picture is of a 1950 Dodge. (D33) It should have 115 in. wheelbase.

[Plymouthy Adams]

well..the main thing that pops out is that it is a Dodge...the taillights scream 1950

[rustbucket]

Is it compatible(body parts) with the '52? I am almost certain that someone had rebuilt this car before. I have '52 markings on some stuff(and traces of purple paint:eek: ). Damn you Barney!

[Frank Elder]

Love when Charles Barkley literally beat the stuffing out of Barney on SNL.

[B-Watson]

Is it compatible(body parts) with the '52? I am almost certain that someone had rebuilt this car before. I have '52 markings on some stuff(and traces of purple paint:eek: ). Damn you Barney!

1951 and 1952 models are virtually identical - changes in grille, rear taillamps and rear fender trim was about it.

However, major changes were made to the cowl, windshield and front clip for 1951. The windshield glass was widened along with thinner A pillars.

As well, the cowl was changed with the front fender line into the front doors raised. 1949 and 1950 doors are interchangeable and if you trace the line of the front fender into the front door you land up around the exterior door lock. On the 1951-52 models, you wind up just below the exterior door handle.

Other changes for 1951 included the hood (has a slight slope down at the front compared to 1949-50) and a completely different, lower, grille design.

At the other end of the car, the rear window of the 1951-52 models was wider and higher - they eliminated the second trim strip above the belt line and it now wrapped slightly around to the sides of the car. 1949 and 1950 rear windows were unique to those years.

Rear fenders, trunk and taillamps are interchangeable between 1950 and 1951. The instrument panel was completely redesigned for 1951, and the 1950 was basically the same as 1949.

Mechanically the four years, 1949-1952, are basically the same vehicle.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[rustbucket]

Very interesting. The most puzzling to me is, I have found some hand-written markings on the back of the dash that says it's a '52, as well as a few other parts. It all apears original, but over 60 years, who knows.

[B-Watson]

Very interesting. The most puzzling to me is, I have found some hand-written markings on the back of the dash that says it's a '52, as well as a few other parts. It all apears original, but over 60 years, who knows.

Who knows who placed the numbers there. By the looks of the car the front clip it is not original, although it is for a 1950 Dodge. Perhaps the car was in an accident and the front clip trashed. The owner, or someone, tried to sell the car and believing it to be a 1952 model (hard to tell with no front clip) and wrote said date on the car.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[wayfarerstranger]

do u have any dash pictures ??

[rustbucket]

Who knows who placed the numbers there. By the looks of the car the front clip it is not original, although it is for a 1950 Dodge. Perhaps the car was in an accident and the front clip trashed. The owner, or someone, tried to sell the car and believing it to be a 1952 model (hard to tell with no front clip) and wrote said date on the car.

Bill

Vancouver, BC

I believe it was the victim of a "no brake" situation. I also think the front is the original(I straightened it all out to mount it back up), but the front bumper and center sheet metal and grill were m.i.a. when I got it. Looks like the p.o. rattle canned the everything but the front end(right over the rust, moss and dirt?).

Will post pic of dash later.

[Young Ed]

check the engine number on the block above the generator. the first three digits should reflect the model number if it is indeed the stock motor. 49 should be49 p18, 50 P19 51 P20, and P21 52.

49s are p18s 50 is P20 and 51-52 both have p23 engines. Even if the car is one of the cheaper cars like a P19 in 50 or a p22 in 51-52 they still have the engine number of the more deluxe cars.

[BobT-47P15]

How about (since it's apart) looking for the number stamped

into the left outer side of the frame, just a bit in front of the left rear

wheel. May take some wire brusing to get the number to show.

It should start with a P__ __ same as the original engine number.

[B-Watson]

Since this car is a Dodge and not a Plymouth the engine number on the frame should start with a "D", and being a 1950 model - "D34".

The engine in the car is not original and apparently is now a Plymouth engine. That number should start with a "P".

Bill

Vancouver, BC

[BobT-47P15]

True, the engine number should begin with the D, not the P.

Was thinking in Plymouth terms.

I would suppose Dodges might have those stamped frame numbers

as well.

If there are indeed parts off other similar models......maybe the prev owner

was trying to "customize" the car a bit.

Or repair accident damage.