RM Auto Restoration is known for its Pebble Beach-winning performances, including six Best of Show awards at the world’s most important concours d’elegance. The Pick of the Day is a 1939 Plymouth P8 that the dealership advertising the car on ClassicCars.com says was “dismantled, restored, painted, and re-assembled to better than new condition” at RM, and has been driven only 133 miles since the project was completed.
“All the mechanicals, engine, transmission and rear end have been rebuilt,” according to the Sudbury, Canada, dealership, which like RM is located in the province of Ontario.
The dealership notes that the 201cid inline 6-cylinder engine with Carter single downdraft carburetor is original to the car, although the interior is new, done to original factory specifications.
The glass also is new. Stainless and brightwork have been restored to new condition, as have the 6.00 x 16-inch factory wheels, the seller says.
“The chassis is a highly detailed, better than factory, concours chassis,” the seller adds. “Runs and drives perfect.”
The P8 was Plymouth’s new deluxe model for 1939. It featured a split, veed two-piece windshield and roof that gave the car an elongated look. It also got a new “prow-shaped front end with headlamps mounted in the fenders,” the Standard Catalog of American Cars reports, adding that such changes disguised the fact that the car’s underpinnings had been carried over from the 1937-38 model years.
The restored P8 is being offered for $29,000 (U.S., not Canadian dollars), which may be a bargain price for an RM restoration.
To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.
I bought a 2 owner 1939 Plymouth roadking business coupe in 1982. The original owner was a highschool teacher who sold it to one of his students as her first car in the1960s. The car was kept after she married and had children and had strong sentimental value to her even though it didn’t run. The car traveled on a trailer throughout the years as part of the family unit. When I acquired it she had the car in the garage in an upscale neighborhood and made her husband park his vehicle outside in the driveway. She turned down several buyers because she didn’t want them customizing it or turning it into a street rod.
I’d like to know a bit more about the car directly behind it, the Merc convertible.
i would some info on merc convert be hind the 39 plymounth
I forgot to add when I brought a trailer to pick up the car it was an emotional moment for the wife as the entire family was standing in the driveway and I’m sure the husband was happy to finally have a spot to park his vehicle
Maybe interested in your ‘39 Plymouth
Is "better than new" really a restoration? I recently saw on this site a ’69 Mustang Mach 1, in non-factory red, with a gloss(!) black painted hood described as a "restoration". Really? Go to the mid-’70’s, highschool time. My cousin Cindy dated a guy who wished his 351 ’69 Mach 4spd could touch my ’69 Charger R/T-SE 4spd. I loved my cousin, I liked the boyfriend, and always thought that 1969 was the pinnacle of design for the ponycar- but his factory shaker hood was a matte black vinyl applique. As were they all.
How then, is a gloss painted hood a restoration?
So, a classic Plymouth is "restored" to "better than new"? Isn’t that an oxymoron? Or a lie?
Just sayin’.
I certainly understand and can relate to your confusion. Restored doesn’t necessarily mean to original specifications. Original color doesn’t mean original paint. Old cars circa 1900s from what I was told were brush painted then sanded (someone correct me if I’m misinformed) so modern day painting would not duplicate the finish. I personally am not a fan of full matte finish paint jobs on many cars you see running around. To me it looks like primer that never made it to the paint booth. So to call this a restoration is a contradiction in terms.
I did it
What color is on your 39 Plymouth p8 ? I have one that I am restoreing . and trying to pick a color that fits the car.
I do not want a hot rod just a nice old car.
If you can may I get the color number ? It looks great on yours.
Henry
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