New member help. 1941 P12 Coupe

[scoobykvn]

Hello all, I am new to this forum and fairly new to Plymouths in general. About a year ago I inherited a 1941 Special Deluxe Coupe from my Grandpa. As far as I know it is mostly original and in pretty good condition. I know the interior has had some work done but I am not sure about everything else. I will get some pictures posted when I get a chance. My question is what is the best way to go about figuring out what is original and what is not? Are there good resources out there that describe how these cars looked from the factory, as far as interior (paint, upholstery, floor mats, etc...) and exterior (paint, wheels, accents on trim pieces, etc...)? I plan on refurbishing and repairing everything to bring it back to showroom condition. Each winter I will take on a new project that I can hopefully complete and still take the car to shows each season. I would rather not have the car taken apart for years. Sorry for such a long post, but it is my first and I have a lot information to share.

[1941Rick]

Welcome to the forum.

I too have a 41 P12...love it as it is a head turner and built to drive. Mostly stock with some minor mods. The only question I would ask is, Why do you want it in show room condition? Not knowing the condition of the car you could be spending an awful lot of money on the car. If this is what you want that is fine, go for it.

If you search this forum, there was a fellow who posted you-tube clips of the restoration he did on his P12. It is a very good restoration to follow.

Good luck and can't wait to see the pics..

Edited September 26, 2012 by 1941Rick

[Jim Yergin]

This might provide some information:

http://www.plymouthbulletin.com/guides/1940_1959.pdf

Jim Yergin

[scoobykvn]

Thank you for the help so fast. I am reading through that judging document and it is very informative. Also, I have been watching those videos for the last few days and they are very helpful. I plan on having this car in the family forever and enjoy taking it to shows. I know my grandpa would have loved to restore it to original condition and win a big show. The car is in very good condition for the age, but is not even close to winning on the big stage. Over the next few years I want to put it back to original and I don't mind spending the money or time to do so. I have 4 questions right now: Where is a good place to look for all of the interior knobs? (Choke, Headlight, Throttle, etc...) Where can I find information on what components are coated with which material? (Bumpers, door handles, trim pieces) My dash, steering wheel, and window surrounds are all painted the same color as the steering column. After watching the videos this appears to be wrong. Did all P12's have the wood grained finish and whiteish steering wheel? (How do you find this information for exact colors and style?) And last, how do I know what my original interior was as far as material and color? I know my seats were recovered with not original and the headliner was redone but looks original. I think the rest of the interior is original.

[Skrambler]

You may wish to "google" 1941 Plymouth parts. This may turn you towards some folks that have "been there, and done that", or at least find ou some of those hard to locate parts!

Good luck. Those 41's are a stunning ride! Welcome to the forum!

[Jim Yergin]

Thank you for the help so fast. I am reading through that judging document and it is very informative. Also, I have been watching those videos for the last few days and they are very helpful. I plan on having this car in the family forever and enjoy taking it to shows. I know my grandpa would have loved to restore it to original condition and win a big show. The car is in very good condition for the age, but is not even close to winning on the big stage. Over the next few years I want to put it back to original and I don't mind spending the money or time to do so. I have 4 questions right now: Where is a good place to look for all of the interior knobs? (Choke, Headlight, Throttle, etc...) Where can I find information on what components are coated with which material? (Bumpers, door handles, trim pieces) My dash, steering wheel, and window surrounds are all painted the same color as the steering column. After watching the videos this appears to be wrong. Did all P12's have the wood grained finish and whiteish steering wheel? (How do you find this information for exact colors and style?) And last, how do I know what my original interior was as far as material and color? I know my seats were recovered with not original and the headliner was redone but looks original. I think the rest of the interior is original.

I have a '41 wagon. You may want to purchase a factory parts book for '41 to help you identify original parts. They show up on eBay fairly regularly.

As far as I know, no one is presently reproducing the '41 knobs but you may want to check eBay. The knobs are different than the ones used on the P15s. I am not sure where you are located but I found my NOS heater,defrost and temperature knobs at Hershey. Maybe you can remove the paint from your knobs and see what is underneath.

It is my understanding that all of the '41's had the wood graining except the convertibles.

I can't advise you on the interior seat fabrics because the wagons have different seats and upholestry than the other '41's. As for the interior trim parts, years ago I was given the following information for paint color from the National Woodie Club 1941 tech advisor. I believe the same colors were used in all of the '41's:

Steering Wheel & Horn Button (Plastic)

PAINT: 1981 Ford Light Fawn 3285

Steering Column & Parking Brake Handle

PAINT: DIA 24806 - GM Interior

On the main section of this P15-D24 web site is information on how to order the original build card for your car from Chrysler. It should include information on the original exterior and interior colors.

Jim Yergin

[Andydodge]

Welcome to the best mopar forum around, I too have a 1941 Plymouth Coupe, a P11 factory RHD built in Sth Africa version, tho' I am in Oz..........but I'd suggest leaving the car in one piece to start with until you are certain what needs to be changed/updated/restored..................get hold of as much reading material as possible, ie, sales brochures are always listed on US ebay and try to checkout all the previous posts on here as there are quite a few relating to 1941 Plymouths..........as you can see mine is not stock...but its on the road and thats a big plus...........anyway welcome to the forum, Andy Douglas

[scoobykvn]

Thanks for all of the help everyone. I am actually looking forward to winter this year since that means I get to start my winter projects on this car. I am very anxious to start making improvements. Here are the only 2 pictures I have of it right now. I will get some more detailed pictures of it with interior shots this weekend.

[claybill]

the pics look so nice. as far as i can see it is in super condition as is..and all looks correct. wheels too.

interior;, dash and metal window trim should be woodgrained. steering column and handles etc were painted. all models had the same interior paint color on accessories.

easy to get woodgrained done..approx professional cost $1,000 for all pieces.

i recommend that you join the PLYMOUTH OWNERS CLUB (POC) they have a monthly magazine with several pages of classifiedds and sought after repo parts.. everything you talk about is mentioned there.!!

bill

my green 41

[1941Rick]

Nice....looks in great shape

[BobT-47P15]

I looked on the net for a good picture of an original interior to post for

him.......but could not find one. That might be helpful for determining

what it was when new.

[Andydodge]

Scooby, nice looking car,..........there was/is a guy on this forum from Ca. who restored a P11/12 coupe last yr and documented the restoration on here............I can't remember his name but someone else might..........I did a search but couldn't come up with anything...............anyway thats a nice car you have...........regards, andyd

[DCurrent]

It is my understanding that all of the '41's had the wood graining except the convertibles.

Is this a fact for 1948 P15 convertibles too?

Darren

[DCurrent]

Thanks for all of the help everyone. I am actually looking forward to winter this year since that means I get to start my winter projects on this car. I am very anxious to start making improvements. Here are the only 2 pictures I have of it right now. I will get some more detailed pictures of it with interior shots this weekend.

Welcome to the forum!! I too am very new to this group and the plymouth brand. You have come to the right place. These guys are a great group and very knowledgable. That is a beautiful little car that you have. Your Grandpaw would be proud that you are so intouch with it. Do you mind me asking what is your age?

Darren age 37:D

[claybill]

plymouth convertibles all had the dash PAINTED THE SAME AS BODY COLOR.

sedans were w-grained.

reasons..?? maybe sun contact on woodgraining would deteriorate..

and the convertible dash was integral to the frame/structure, maybe it was painted at the same time..etc ???

bill

[scoobykvn]

Welcome to the forum!! I too am very new to this group and the plymouth brand. You have come to the right place. These guys are a great group and very knowledgable. That is a beautiful little car that you have. Your Grandpaw would be proud that you are so intouch with it. Do you mind me asking what is your age?

Darren age 37:D

I am glad I found this place, I am sure I will have thousands of questions. I will be 31 in 2 weeks. My name is Kevin by the way.

[DCurrent]

Yes Kevin this is a good place to ask any questions. I don't get enough spare time to check this site day by day for topics, but I cathc them when I can. I learn something everyday such as about the dash on a convertible. Didn't know they were painted body color and that it was welded in. I had a hunch it was welded, but didn't know if someone had fiddeled with it at a later time. I like to see others of the younger generation that are interested in these old plymouths cime in once in a while.

Hang around for a while.

Darren

[Andydodge]

Darren & Kevin..........I too used to be young & silly............now am just silly...............lol..........seriously tho nice to have mopars guys of any age on the forum.............I've had my 1940 Dodge since I was 17, am now 58..........and I still learn a few new things on this forum ..........btw this is another pic of my 41 Plymouth, looks very similar to yours Kevin, tho in full sun the paints pearl shows thru.......also have attached a pic of the 1940 Dodge........regards, andyd.