Need help identifying this beauty. I'm told it's a '49 Special Deluxe...

[Weech]

[plymouth46coupe]

Body looks 46-48 but could be a carry over 48 sold in 49? 

[Weech]

Thanks Plymouth46coupe. My research tells me that very same thing, that the new '49 style didn't actually come out until the middle of the production year. So does that mean this is a P-15 and not a P-18, or how do I tell? Pardon my ignorance, as I'm new at this. Thanks!!

[plymouth46coupe]

Mine was stamped on the side of the motor. Might be on the firewall too but cant remember that off the top of my head for sure

[Booger]

thats a p17 Deluxe. and yes body production changed mid year

[MikeMalibu]

The Plymouth Service Manual for years 1946-1954 has illustrations of the various models in those years. Your car with the 4 doors and slopping rear trunk matches the illustration for a P-15, 1946-1948.

[Weech]

Thanks everyone. I took Plymouth46coupe's advice and found the number stamped on the engine block. The first three characters are P15. Makes me think it's a 1948 or early 1949 production model. 

[Doug&Deb]

It’s a P15. It’s not uncommon to find 49’s with the earlier body style. I had a 49 Dodge D24. Looks like a good project.

[Cary]

My vin was stamped on the frame behind the driver side rear tire. I had to use a wire brush to clean off some paint but it was there. 

[Eneto-55]

On 4/8/2026 at 4:16 PM, Weech said:

Thanks Plymouth46coupe. My research tells me that very same thing, that the new '49 style didn't actually come out until the middle of the production year. So does that mean this is a P-15 and not a P-18, or how do I tell? Pardon my ignorance, as I'm new at this. Thanks!!

The new 49 started in around February of that year. (Maybe late January?) But this is definitely a P15 body. (Unless it is a 42, with P15 rear fenders.) 
Look for the Serial Number plate on the A pillar. Most P15s have it on the left A pillar, but I saw a 47 that had it on the right side. The serial number will tell you what year it was manufactured, and in what plant. The number on the left frame rail above the rear axle is the engine number. MoPar manuals of that era make it plain that they intended for the SN to be the official identification code. (But some states and individual counties apparently thought they knew better, and used the engine number.)