1951 Plymouth Cranbrook

The 1951 Plymouth model lineup included the base-level Concord, the new Cambridge, and the top-of-the-line Cranbrook. All were powered by an L-head, inline six-cylinder engine with four main bearings, a Carter one-barrel carburetor, a 217.8 cubic-inch displacement, and delivering nearly 100 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was standard, and various rear axle gear ratios were available.

The Plymouth Cranbrook replaced the former Special Deluxe line and body styles, including a sedan, club coupe, hardtop coupe, and convertible. A rolling-chassis was also available and accounted for 4,171 sales. The club coupe had a base price of $1,795 and accounted for 126,735 sales. Next in the price pecking order was the sedan with a factory price of $1,830. This was the most popular body style and accounted for the lion's share of Plymouth's 1951 sales, with 388,735 units sold. The 2-door hardtop coupe was priced at $2,115 and found 51,266 willing buyers. This was a new body style, called the Belvedere two-door convertible hardtop, and had a pillarless 'hardtop convertible' appearance. The top-of-the-line convertible listed for $2,220 and 4,171 were sold. The Cranbrook convertible was the only convertible in the Plymouth lineup.

Both the Cambridge and the Cranbrook rested on a 118.5-inch wheelbase platform and had a length of just over 193 inches. Both had similar styling, distinguishable by block letters that spelled out model designation at the upper, trailing front fender area.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2020