Frame Off Built Special Deluxe 318 V8 Torqueflite 8 3/4" A/C

SUMMARY

* $150K restoration completed in 2009
* 318 cubic inch MoPar V8
* A727 Torqueflite 3-speed automatic transmission
* 8.75-inch rear axle / Sure Grip differential / 3.23 gears
* Vintage Air climate control
* Power rack-and-pinion steering
* Power front disc and rear drum brakes
* Believed to be 1 of only 191 1941 Plymouth Special Deluxes in existence
* Our sale includes restoration receipts and an Automotive Information Clearinghouse letter

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While the phrase “pre-war classic” often conjures images of tired museum pieces that hang out with clueless volunteers, it can also stand for something great. The pre-war market is full of amazing design, impressive reliability and style in huge quantities. And with that in mind, this exclusive Plymouth is a living example of why, decades after their introduction, these cars still enjoy a dedicated fanbase. Combining 318 cubic inches of MoPar V8 with an A727 Torqueflite 3-speed, this sedan spent the better part of the last decade as a stylish showpiece used for family fun. And today, as a fully sorted road warrior, it's poised for the spotlight and destined for the cruise in. If you're ready to step up to the charm and class that made America great, take a closer look at this streamlined Special Deluxe!

BODYWORK/TRIM

Approaching this sedan, it's difficult not to be taken with its sleek profile. To achieve those striking good looks, the car had to be a solid starting point that benefitted from top-notch metalwork. And once that metalwork was complete, it had to be shot with some of the best black 2-stage on the market. Now, I know paint and bodywork is often questionable on traditional pre-war metal. But this Plymouth's enduring shine is a first rate testament to $150K worth of toil performed by Classic Performance LLC of Strasburg, Ohio. Reflections are straight and unbroken. Classy chrome and hand-painted trim provide the kind of detail that's sorely missing on anything post-1965. Tinted glass combines with a MoPar spotlight and yellow driving lamps to add both form and function. And overall, the car literally defines the term 'front row cruiser'.

ENGINE

In the early '40s, Auburn Hills used flathead 6-cylinders as their main form of motivation. But since this Plymouth's previous owner wanted to do a little more than putter down sleepy backroads, the car's 2009 reboot included 318 cubic inches of modern MoPar power. To finish that mill the builders added 12-volt wiring, a coated Holley carb, a painted Edelbrock intake, cast iron exhaust manifolds, a points distributor and a Griffin aluminum radiator that's backed by a big electric puller fan. And items like a Moroso air cleaner, a Lokar throttle linkage, billet brackets, Moroso valve covers, a chrome coil cover and stylized bolt covers add the kind of spice that promotes open hood discussion.

DRIVETRAIN/SUSPENSION

Park this Deluxe on a lift and you'll find solid floorpans that frame a mix of vintage and modern components in a subdued coat of Satin Black skin. A tough A727 Torqueflite 3-speed twists torque to an 8.75-inch Chrysler 3.23 Sure Grip that was donated by a 1970 Plymouth Barracuda. Beneath that drivetrain, a completely rebuilt suspension employs fresh shocks behind modern power rack-and-pinion steering. At the corners of that suspension, power front disc and rear drum brakes provide smooth and safe stops. Charred dinosaurs float in to a 2.5-inch, true-dual exhaust system, which creatively positions small turbo mufflers in front of traditional, polished tips. Power meets the pavement through painted, striped and trimmed steelies, which spin 6.50R16 Coker Classic whitewalls. And everything, from the car's small transmission cooler to its floor-mounted master cylinder, is clean, lucid and ready to roll.

INTERIOR

This sedan's thorough restoration included the installation of a mostly correct interior. Firm cloth seats hang modern belts between “Plymouth” branded floor mats and what appears to be a Lokar shifter. A gorgeous, wood-trimmed dash, equipped with rebuilt telemetry, is augmented by an AM/FM radio. Vintage Air climate control is present and accounted for. Modern conveniences, like small accessory gauges and billet foot pedals, blend perfectly with traditional items, like a tight headliner and factory door trim. In front of the driver, a “Plymouth” branded banjo wheel spins around a painted and tilting column. And behind the passengers, a fully restored trunk features a full-size spare tire.

OUR SALE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION AND ACCESSORIES

* A vintage dealer brochure
* A vintage Owner's Manual
* A 1941 Ohio license plate
* Miscellaneous 1941 literature
* A stack of restoration receipts
* An Automotive Information Clearinghouse letter that claims the car is 1 of 191 left in existence
* A bracketed tag that features a picture of the car
* A large showboard

With its elegant looks and proven running gear, this finely tuned classic deserves a future in the limelight. If you're ready to start taking home trophies and making tons of car show friends, it's time to park this awesome Special Deluxe in your garage!