P15 differences by year

[larryconnors]

What differences are there by year for the P 15's. I know that the 48 and

49's had 15" wheels instead of the 16's. Are there any other differences between years?

[RobertKB]

I believe the outer covers of the door locks are different. Not positive but pretty sure. Also, not sure at what point this happened.

[Plymouthy Adams]

while I will not claim this to be an authoritative and final word on these cars, the POC homepage has a reference section and judging sheets..these can serve as a good guide line in the small distinctive differences of the model years and optional equipment. I would post a link but for some reason I am not getting a response to that page for the minute..

Edited June 5, 2012 by Tim Adams

[BobT-47P15]

The company claimed there were changes and improvements for the

various model years. But it's hard to tell. And pretty much impossible

to pinpoint exactly when certain things occurred. Like the change from

the "dime" (thin, round) door lock covers to the "figure 8" covers, which

were shaped like an 8, were heavier and more durable.

I think the switch from 16" to 15" wheels came around mid 1947.

In the parts manual, they say things like a certain item was used up to

serial number such-and-such, and the revised item begins with the

following serial number. Gets kinda confusing.

Essentially, in the big picture, the P15 models were pretty much the

same animal from it's introduction in 1946 till it's conclusion in March

of 1949. As many know, P15s built the first 3 months of the year 1949

are called "early 49" models. Then the more square cars produced

the rest of the year are simply known to most as the 49 model.

There were various items added by dealerships after delivery of the

car - like oil filters, heaters, fog and spot lights, & extra bumper guards.

There was the cheaper MoPar radio with 5 pushbuttons and the better

one with 7.

Or --- you could go to an outside supplier like Western Auto and others

to get a radio, gas heater, and other things. Therefore you find a variety

of brands used in these cars.

The best (more expensive) model was the Special Deluxe.

The cheaper model (which had a different horn button, no arm

rests, no radio grille in most cases, and maybe only one inside

sun visor) was the Deluxe.

The Spl Dlx received a 10 inch diameter hubcap.

The Dlx only got a 9 inch one.

But, at the same time, many other things were the same on

either model.

At least, this is my take on the topic...

[greg g]

Well I have an early 46 and can note the following

Headlamp chrome surrounds turn under where they meet the body, This round lock cylinder covers, and white rear reflectors in the tail lamp bezels. There is also a sheetmetal, dust gaurd surrounding the engine, I believe this dissappeared some time in 47.

Mine also has a different drive shaft that does not have the ball and trunion ujoints on both ends. As such the mounting flange on the differential is also different to accodate the different u joint. The rear springs are wrapped and the driver's side has an extra leaf

but that may be related to the business coupe rather than a difference between years.

[Roadkingcoupe]

As many know, P15s built the first 3 months of the year 1949

are called "early 49" models. Then the more square cars produced

the rest of the year are simply known to most as the 49 model.

Always thought the early 1949 vehicles were called

"First Series 1949's"

[Plymouthy Adams]

they are called P15's...the true '49 is a P18 uynless its a shoart wheelbase car the it is a P17

[Plymouthy Adams]

One other item, a biggy in a way of speaking, the change of the thermostatic two wire fuel gauge/sender unit to a single wire style on the later models..this was also applied to Dodge as I have a single wire cluster for the D24 here also..with a Dec 48 build date if memory serves me correct..

[Guest P15-D24]

Changes are listed.

[Mark D]

The Allpar site has a great page published on this subject.

My car is a first series '49, it came through with the standard Special Deluxe options, however it does not have the dual heaters, and was never equipped with a rear hood support nor does it have the hood hinges required to mount the support.

Being the 4,030th car from the end of production, it seems that once the parts where off the shelf the cars left without.

[Young Ed]

My car was built in the last month of 48 production. Has dual heaters and the hood brace. I don't believe the plymouths switched gas gauge sending units like dodge. I've never seen a P15 gauge with the single wire connection.

[BobT-47P15]

I think "First Series 49" is probably more correct.

Yes, there were several additional differences like the reflectors, flange on

the headlight rims, hood brace and other items. They were either pretty subtle or kind

of hidden under the car........the average person probably did not really

notice them much back in the day.

Anyway, it's always interesting to discuss such stuff and hopefully some

helpful tidbit will have been imparted to a new P15 or D24 owner.

[Mark D]

My car left the factory in the second or third week of january from what I can tell from production numbers. I've had it on my list to mail $40 to Chrysler to find out exactly, just haven't got to that yet.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I will concede the P15 gas gauge as I was only going on the memory of a discussion here once..also the differences of the gauge with the suppressors on it..but for the dodge "first series 49" a definite..

UPDATE: just for grins, went out and got the cluster from the box for the "first series" I have here..build date on the cluster was November 12, 1948..two wire unit, no suppressors..crow is only good if you have hot coffee...I always have hot coffee on hand..

Edited June 5, 2012 by Tim Adams

[Niel Hoback]

Just tossing this out there; Special DeLuxe models have stainless trim around the windshield while the DeLuxe doesn't. I find it an easy way to determine the the trim level from a distance in a junk yard.

[larryconnors]

Back in 68 I was attending UMass in Amherst and I was driving my 48 2dr special deluxe back and forth from Revere Ma on weekends. It was almost exactly 100 miles. I consistantly used a quart of oil going to Revere which was at sea level and 1/2 qt going to Amherst which was a much higher elevation. Without an internet to refer to for good reference information, I incorrectly decided that someone had changed my wheels to 15 inches from a 50's car so I found a set of 16's and swapped them. One night well after midnight I was on a stretch of rte 2 in athol that was wide, newly paved, and where there were no houses for several miles so i decided to floor it and see what she'd do. I got the speedometer to read 100 for a mile or so before I saw the flashing blue lights in the rear view mirror. The officer got out and told me he couldn't believe what I was driving after he clocked me at a hundred and he let me go without even a warning. That was my one time I ever did that. Another time my generator failed on the way to Amherst at night and I drove the last 25 miles without benefit of headlights although they were still turned on. Even with a dead battery and no generator, the old flathead kept running til I got there.

[B-Watson]

In the United States, Chrysler Corporation began building 1st series 1949 models on December 1, 1948. The last P15 Plymouth was built by the first week of February 1949.

I have never seen a production by month report for P15 Plymouths, only SHIPMENTS by month. Which is to say, the cars listed for March 1949 in the Shipments by Month report were built long before they were shipped. By the time the "real" 1949 models went into production sales of the first series models had softened considerably, thus the leftover cars. Chrysler was the last manufacturer to introduce a 'postwar' car.

In Canada it was worse. Chrysler of Canada never produced a 1949 version of the 1946-48 models and actually ended all production by the end of December, 1948. The assembly plant sat idle until the new models went into production in late February, 1949.