Which is easier to find parts for and work on ???(newbie here)

[Mikec4193]

Hi Everyone

 

Being the new guy in town on here I am reading as much as I can on here but I gotta ask the pros a question or two.

 

I love the looks of the Dodge Pilothouse trucks and I even have some history with them. I also have some history with a 1939 Plymouth 4 door sedan. Not sure which way I want to go. I am thinking maybe you guys and gals and fill me in on some stuff...

 

I would love find a cool old Dodge truck but I also would love to find a 1939 Plymouth sedan too...which of these two are easier to procure parts for?

 

How do the prices compare also for parts and how are the aftermarket parts availability ?

 

Which is easier to convert to a decent practical driver??

 

My overall goal is something that I can use as a spare vehicle that I can and my wife also can drive on an occasional basis when the weather is decent....(where I Iive right now...winter driving would be on a very very limited basis)..

 

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

MikeC

 

(if I posted this in the wrong area please feel free to move it)

 

 

[pflaming]

I'm no authority on your question, yet from what I've observed, cars are more wife friendly than trucks and pre WWII vehicals are hard to find parts for. On Fresno calif craigs (Dinuba)  list there is a 39 Plymouth busy coupe for $8,500.00. I've seen the car, a good wax job and a good vacuum cleaning and it would be a head turner. It starts up nicely. I saw it  before this guy bought it and he has uped the price considerable.

 

 

post id: 4828448235

Edited February 12, 2015 by pflaming

[41/53dodges]

The trucks are pretty easy to work on, and if you have all the odd parts you have it made! Doesn't take much to make a decent daily driver out of one either. Rear end swaps, transmission swaps, the sky is the limit! However, Paul is correct in the idea that they aren't as wife friendly (however my grandma sure does look cute driving it!)

[Young Ed]

I'd say they are both about the same for parts finding. Dads 39 2dr was pretty complete but like the trucks had a few challenges. 39s are horrible for having rusted out tail light buckets. The whole time he had it never did find a good set. The biggest thing is a truck is 2 people or maybe 3 if you're really friendly. The car is 4-5. The 39 has IFS and the truck has a beam axle and well rides a little more like a truck.

[TodFitch]

In general, pre-WW2 Plymouth six cylinder cars are fairly easy to get mechanical parts for. They are actually very similar to early post war cars and trucks and many of those later parts are identical. For example, for my 1933 PD I get most the replacement parts for the wear and tear items (tune up, gaskets, etc.) from my local better auto supply. Some parts are tougher like brake drums for my car are one year only.

 

The issue is things like body and trim parts which are usually one year only and not reproduced and you may spend years looking for a usable replacement for a missing or non-repairable part.