Edited to add (5-29-23): I'd drive it (with it looking more or less as-is). The estate sale ad calls it a 1949 Plymouth. I was able to figure out that it's a "Fluid Drive" ... What's the actual year and model? https://fresno.craigslist.org/gms/d/fresno-merlins-estate-sale-at-152/7621609680.html
'46-'48 Dodge Business Coupe But be aware that Plymouth sold some of their leftover 1948 models as 1949s. And they're titled that way. Dodge may have done the same. Definitely a Dodge rather than a Plymouth, though.
You gonna buy it, maybe? As far as good hot rod projects, I'm convinced that that particular model and era you're showing could be one of the best deals going. - It's not such an early model that the chassis needs major modifications. - It's not a later model with a curved windshield that's hard to replace or chop. - It's an old Mopar, which are often less expensive than other makes. But it's cool. - It's a business Coupe. Looks like a hot rod already. That one looks reasonably straight and solid.
That is just like the 47 Dodge, Model D-24 3 window business coupe, I sold to my good friend Matt Field AKA @Hitchhiker. @Cody Walls has a great build thread of one of those that is kick ass. This was my old car, which now belong's to Matt.
I might go look at it, for the fun of it. If it were three or four hundred bucks, and if I had a bigger backyard, I'd have it in my own personal junkyard. It looks more like a nice and crusty custom to me.
No doubt that some of the valves are stuck. They had a flathead 6 cylinder and it's common for some of the valves to stick in an open position after sitting for a few years. I bought one like that from H.A.M.B. member a couple years ago. I worked on it a little, got it running and the brakes working.
I used to have one. There are shock relocation and disc brake kits available. A rear sump 318 out of a van or pick up drops right in. The driver's side ex-man from the boxy early 70s Valiant/dart curles around the steering like it was made for it. Or a front clip from a Camaro, Chevelle, Cutlass works nicely also.
Yup, would make a good custom or a hot rod. Some people wouldn't consider this type of car as being good hot rod material... thinking it might be a bit heavy. But that car doesn't weigh any more than a first generation Camaro. There's more air than metal under those panels.
The hood sides opening like that is very nice. Does the whole hood open from the front, or back, also?
What purposes does this third rear light perform, besides looking good? Surely all of the lenses on this car are glass.
Hood opens from the sides only. I'm not 100%, but I think Mopars of that era were the first to have a third tail light. And until recent decades, one of the only cars to have them. Not sure if it works with the brake light. That would kind of indicate intention as far as aesthetics versus safety concerns.
I had one many years ago. I think it was a 1947 Dodge Coupe. Any way the third tail light did work with the brake light. I thought it was cool at the time.
The "third brake light" was thee brake light. The outside lights are running/park lights and turn signals. At least that's the way they are on my DeSoto. Any other Mopar guys want to chime in. BTW a late good friend used to do up a board to get the outboard lights to also be brake lights. He had a Chrysler T&C and a "Woody" Suburban. DoUg
Hmm, did this person disagree with that? https://barnfinds.com/business-101-1948-dodge-deluxe-business-coupe/
Well, they got Dodge correct, this time, but the year (1946-1948), model (D24), and especially the price are all wrong. They also had $4200 on it.
They weren’t the only one with that arrangement. Lincoln also had the center brake light with the outer lights as turn and tails. With the later GM column, I was able to wire all three as brakes while keeping the outer as turn and tail.
There used to be a real nice one of those floating around the PNW about 30 years ago. Keeping it clean and simple body wise is the best way to go on those. I sure do like J Hansen's car though. Nice chop, some of the unneed chrome removed and simple frenched lights and it is a very nice custom.
I add sockets for dual-filament bulbs to the outboard lights on these, so they leave my shop with three brake lights.
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