1939 Plymouth Sedan - First time Hotrodder

[kgard]

Guys,

I have an opportunity to buy this 39 Plymouth 2dr sedan pretty cheap. Hoever, I've never built a street rod to this degree before. I used to build aircooled VWs which is very easy compared to what you guys do. I'm kind of lost about replacing the rear end and the front suspension stuff or switching to Chevrolet drivetrain components. Is this stuff bolt on or does it involve fabrication and welding. (which I have no experience). I'm use to being able to do everything myself except the body work. Any advice would be much appreciated.

thanks.

1939_Plymouth.bmp

[Itoldyouso]

Welcome to the forum. You should get up from your chair right now and go pay for that sedan...........it looks pretty solid and well worth building.

I'll let the Mopar guys and others steer you on the ins and outs of doing one of these, but I have to say, you are the first person who has come on here with an honest appraisal of your skills and ability to complete a project. Most people come on with all these hopes and dreams, and nothing to back it up. You have taken a realistic look at your ability to actually get this car on the road, and that is cool that you are able to do this objectively.

If it were me in those circumstances, I would buy the car, but go easy on it at first. I would clean it up underneath and rebuild the stock suspension and mechanicals, and then get it running if possible. Later Chrysler engines are out there that will adapt pretty easily I think (the flathead 6 cylinder variety) and would allow you to enjoy the car while learning and planning the next steps.

I love the looks of this car, and if you can pick it up as cheap as you say, it makes it even more attractive. Just make sure it has a title or that one can be gotten before you lay out any money for the car or on fixing it up.

Good luck,

Don

[falconvan]

Welcome to the forum. You should get up from your chair right now and go pay for that sedan...........it looks pretty solid and well worth building.

I'll let the Mopar guys and others steer you on the ins and outs of doing one of these, but I have to say, you are the first person who has come on here with an honest appraisal of your skills and ability to complete a project. Most people come on with all these hopes and dreams, and nothing to back it up. You have taken a realistic look at your ability to actually get this car on the road, and that is cool that you are able to do this objectively.

If it were me in those circumstances, I would buy the car, but go easy on it at first. I would clean it up underneath and rebuild the stock suspension and mechanicals, and then get it running if possible. Later Chrysler engines are out there that will adapt pretty easily I think (the flathead 6 cylinder variety) and would allow you to enjoy the car while learning and planning the next steps.

I love the looks of this car, and if you can pick it up as cheap as you say, it makes it even more attractive. Just make sure it has a title or that one can be gotten before you lay out any money for the car or on fixing it up.

Good luck,

Don

Yeah, what he said!

[Oldf100fordman]

Hey, Falconvan, would your 48 Dodge drive train work for his 39 Ply? Just a thought. I was going to post your for sale thread for him. Also I think your Chassis work would work for first time hotrodder, too.

First time hotrodder, you can find Falconvan's chassis on this page:http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...t=6440&page=62

Just adding my 2 centovos.

[LarryH]

Welcome to street rodding. That Plymouth looks solid; I would take the other guys advice and jump on it. As I am a MOPAR rodder I can tell you from experience that you will have a more difficult time then the Ford and Chevy guys locating parts. It will be more difficult to keep it all MOPAR but I think that you will be happier with the results. Good Luck!

[falconvan]

Hey, Falconvan, would your 48 Dodge drive train work for his 39 Ply? Just a thought. I was going to post your for sale thread for him. Also I think your Chassis work would work for first time hotrodder, too.

First time hotrodder, you can find Falconvan's chassis on this page:http://www.clubhotrod.com/forums/sho...t=6440&page=62

Just adding my 2 centovos.

It might, he'd have to measure the wheelbase. I still have to take the body off, clean up the frame and get the old flathead six running but I will consider sellin it if the price is right. Here's a picture of what it looks like now. Truth be told, his looks pretty good. If it's as clean underneath, he's probably better off working with the stocker and updating like I did my Plymouth frame.

[Oldf100fordman]

It might, he'd have to measure the wheelbase. I still have to take the body off, clean up the frame and get the old flathead six running but I will consider sellin it if the price is right. Here's a picture of what it looks like now. Truth be told, his looks pretty good. If it's as clean underneath, he's probably better off working with the stocker and updating like I did my Plymouth frame.

I here ya. The main reason I didn't post your for sale thread was I remembered seeing your rat rod (oh, no, did I use that term) thread this morning and thought you were on to a good idea there.

[moparjack44]

Welcome to HotRodding. I also am a MoPar HotRodder, and it is more chagelling, but you will have something different, unless you decide to go with the Chevy power. Try to keep it all MoPar, its not quite as tough as it used to be.

Buy it, start the project and keep us posted, and oh yeah, we just love pictures.

Jack

[Henry Rifle]

KGARD,

Hey, welcome - to another VA Beach rodder. I live down by the VA Beach courthouse.

If you haven't bought that car yet, get to it, man. Fat-fenders make great hot rods, and Mopars are rare. This is a tudor, to boot.

Mopars are a little harder to upgrade because of their rarity and lack of aftermarket parts, but it can be done. If it were mine, I would clean it up real well to start with, and take an assessment of what it needed. By the late 30's, most of the car frames were pretty solid, and a few modifications will make them very stable and streetable. I wouldn't even think about a frame swap based on what you said about your abilities.

It is going to take some welding/fabrication to get to a good chassis/suspension setup. I'd think about a Mustang II clone for the front. The simplest rear would probably be parallel leaf springs, although coil-overs with a trianulated 4-bar wouldn't be too hard to set up. Also, motor and transmission mounts are going to take some fabrication, no matter what drivetrain you use. Bolt-on setups for Mopars are really hard to find.

You also might think about taking a TIG or MIG welding class at Tidewater Community College. You can't buy many bolt-on parts, and you can easily spend the cost of a decent welder having someone else do the work.

Bear this in mind . . . it's going to cost more than you think, and it will take much longer than you guessed. No kidding.

Don't let that stop you, though. We didn't . . .

[HOTRODPAINT]

You might shop the area for a talented fabricator that works reasonable, and have him update the front and rear suspension. Once you have acquired an engine and trans, he could help fab the mounts.

[mopar34]

Kgard, welcome to CHR! That is a nice looking 39 with a great deal worth of potential. Have seen several 39's made in to very nice looking rods. That one looks to have most of the parts and a pretty complete body. Could be a winner.

Plenty of help available to you here, all you have to do is ask.

[mopar34]

I live down by the VA Beach courthouse

Jack, shame you don't live next to the DMV, might have been useful.

[Henry Rifle]

Bob,

If I did, I'd be in jail by now . . .

[kgard]

Well guys I might be out of luck. After getting the response to my question I went on my lunch hour to pay for the car but it might be sold. The guy said that someone is suppose to pick it up on Friday morning. If he doesn't then the car is mine. I guess that's what I get for not knowing about this level of car building but I guess it's better for me to lose out on a deal than to buy something I shouldn't have. And who knows, the guy might not come back on Friday morning and it'll be mines.

Thanks for all your help and if I don't get this one I'll keep looking. I'll keep you guys up to date on the outcome.

[Itoldyouso]

Bummer. Well, if it is meant to be it will happen, that's the way I always look at things.

Hope it works out for you though, that car is pretty cool.

Don