1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible

The Plymouth P-18 Special Deluxe was both sporty and utilitarian, with the highest trim level offered by the manufacturer in 1949. P-18 Special Deluxe Convertibles were equipped with standard power soft tops, leather interiors, and exclusive 'Special Deluxe' badges on the front fenders.

This Convertible was first owned by Mr. Pettit. It was given to him by his parents as a high school graduation gift in the Spring of 1949. The car was sold through the Pettit Brothers Plymouth-Chrysler dealership, and the young Mr. Pettit traveled to Detroit to take delivery of the new Plymouth off the assembly line.

A few years later, the P-18 was traded in to the family dealership. Mr. Pettit later realized his attraction to the car and began a search for his P-18. He eventually found it and traded a new IHC pickup truck in exchange for the red Plymouth Convertible in 1954. The car would remain a staple in Mr. Pettit's collection. It is currently equipped with Mopar fender skirts and a driver's-side spotlight.

The car is powered by a 218 cubic-inch L-head 6-cylinder engine with a Carter single-barrel carburetor. The engine produces nearly 100 horsepower and is mated to a three-speed manual gearbox. There are four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes and an independent front suspension.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at the Pebble Beach auction presented by Gooding & Company. The car was estimated to sell for $20,000 - $25,000 and was offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $22,000, inclusive of the buyer's premium.

By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2012