Repaint for '39 Plymouth Sedan

[Roadkingcoupe]

Back to our original program.

The 1939 Plymouth has one of the most "rounded" body styles of the era.

In fact , the vertical side hood "drop in" panels and the fresh air opening vent are the only "flat" sheet metal on the whole car.

Translated.......the car is extremely "bulbous", which I find attractive.

So the paint color choice has a lot to do with either accentuating the "bulbous" look with a light color ( white, cream etc.) or using a dark color (black, dark blue etc.) to play down the rounded shape of the car.

Burgundy and Aviator Blue are really nice on a 1939 Plymouth as well. Especially with a tan interior.

Two tone paint jobs on these cars always remind me of a taxi cab.

[RobertKB]

Back to our original program.

The 1939 Plymouth has one of the most "rounded" body styles of the era.

In fact , the vertical side hood "drop in" panels and the fresh air opening vent are the only "flat" sheet metal on the whole car.

Translated.......the car is extremely "bulbous", which I find attractive.

So the paint color choice has a lot to do with either accentuating the "bulbous" look with a light color ( white, cream etc.) or using a dark color (black, dark blue etc.) to play down the rounded shape of the car.

Burgundy and Aviator Blue are really nice on a 1939 Plymouth as well. Especially with a tan interior.

Two tone paint jobs on these cars always remind me of a taxi cab.

 

Interesting. To me, dark colours accentuate the "bulbous" look whereas light colours play down the curves. Guess we have to agree to disagree. The world would be a dull place if we all thought the same. However, I do agree that the bulbous shape is extremely attractive like a nicely curvaceous lady.

[deathbound]

My '38 is two-tone....not by choice, the way I got it. Being a P6 Deluxe, stock would've been 1 color. Also, it is the opposite of a two-tone car, as mine is a black body with maroon fenders. Looks like the original color was a light to medium green (Garfield Green or Avon Green).

 

Found this on paint colors by manufacturer/year (1939 Plymouth for the O.P.....exports may have been different):

http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?model=Plymouth&con=o&year=1939&rows=50

[likaleica]

Just got back on the forum after a few busy working days - and hope you guys all stay friends in spite of some robust exchanges !

Some extremely useful contributions - notably the effect of two-tone on the shape of the 39 Plymouth, and especially the link to the original paint colors!

Thanks also to Plymouthy Adams for teh advice on re-coloring the vinyl.

Lots to chew over. I'm hoping to see my respray guy in a few days to discuss things with him. It may be that the extra effort (i.e. cost) of two tone paint will outweigh any advantages. I'll keep you posted!

[Roadkingcoupe]

light color

[jeffsunzeri]

Unless yours is a convertible, the interior would have been cloth, not vinyl or leather. The paint on the Plymouth was not cellulose originally, but enamel, probably supplied by DuPont. Inexpensive re-sprays would have used the lacquer type paints, and show the cracking you describe after a few years.

It's always a good idea to remain as close as practical to original with respect to materials on your old car. It is going to outlive you by a wide margin and should remain a messenger of the past.

[likaleica]

Thanks for the interior info Jeff - and the historical context is important.

The vinyl seat re-trim was the only thing I didn't like about the car when I bought it a year and a half ago - but here in the UK re-upholstery costs the equivalent of at least $5,000.  I don't suppose anyone in the US makes tailored cloth coverings for these seats that could go over the vinyl ?