Any 1942 car is indeed rare, very limited production, if you wish to restore it or rod it, keep this in mind. Google p15d24 and click on forum display for resto information, your'e already on a great site for any rodding ideas you might need!
I'm for getting the brakes done well, by a pro if you aren't terribly experienced, and as said before, take Grandpa for a few rides in it. When my Dad was getting near the end, he would just talk and talk about all the hemis we had, and he always loved his first one, I think a '55, but might have been a '56 Dodge. My brother and I tried to find one so we could take him for a ride in one but just couldn't get it done. That's what I'd do anyway; make it something very special for you and your Grandpa.
Great story, great car. Not sure if your Gramps lives close to you or not but I would try and involve him, his health permitting, in what your doing with the car not wait until it's ready to take him for a ride. And when it is ready take him for lots of rides if he wants to go. I'm sure he would beam as you tell folks the story of the car and how it was passed on to you. As has already been said, you need to register here: http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/index.php The P-15/D-24 early Mopar forum. There's a wealth of Mopar knowledge over there - how to fix um, where to get parts, etc. I'm over there also, have a '53 Plymouth Belvedere. I know the guys will love the car and the story and help you along the way getting her back on the road. Lee
It is rare to see a 42 with the front under bumper sheetmetal intact. Usually got knocked about by curbing in town as angle parking was the deal back then, or torn up on the rough gravel back roads. Engine is a 201 cubic inch maybe 218 depending on date of manufacture, with 90 or so hp. Lots of low rpm torque. The front breaks are a pain to get right but once right work well. If your are going to go through them you might just as well spend the same money and go to disc brakes as mnetioned before. For the rears you need a real heavy duty hub puller as they are tapered affairs and getting them off the axle can be a bear. Drivers side lug bolts ARE NOT LEFTY LOOSEY, they are left hand threaded. Car is 6V POSITIVE ground. As mentioned before there is a lot of knowlege and an active forum for flathead 6 powered plymouths dodges and desotos, over on P15 D25 site. Most of the P15 Stuff applys to your 42.
Congrats, Really nice car. Take your time. Make it safe and drive the heck out of it. Take Grandpa for a ride!
very cool. This is the place to get advice on how to do something. Guaranteed if someone here does not know something, they can point you to who does. DRIVE that thing !
I wouldnt hesitate getting it running. Dont take out a seciond or anything but giterdone. If failing health is an issue then now is the hour. Also action will edge out the loser faction. (sorry, its the truth, I have 2 in my family and they allways try to edge everyone out, then destroy the goodies) My Dad gave me his 69 VW van ,the only car (?) he bought new. I finished the resto about 2 weeks before he passed. Trust me bro, its important.
Restore it to almost original condition and wear it for your lifetime and your childrens lifetime. Cool car.
here's a side shot of 1 i found on carnut, only because for the life of me i could'nt remember what they looked like (i'm gettin old). they are pretty good lookin' cars stock or custom! great story and good luck with yours.
i did some checking on your 42 cp. in the condition it's in should be worth between $16000 to $17000 bucks! Hang unto it, update brake system and add dual carbs. split exhaust manifold and maybe finned alum. head. Some guys got all the luck, Hank37.
The Chrysler Plymouth debuted in 1928, at Madison Square Garden, with Amelia Earhart behind the wheel. The Plymouth was billed as "A New Zenith of Low Priced Car-Luxury and Performance." Walter Chrysler, head of the Chrysler Corporation, wanted to challenge the sales leaders, Ford and Chevrolet. The car was named Plymouth - a symbol of "the endurance and strength, the rugged honesty, enterprise, and determination of achievement and freedom from old limitations of the Pilgrim band who were the first American colonists," at Plymouth Rock, MA. The logo an obvious reference to Plymouth rock and the Mayflower. Lotsa stuff named Plymouth likely as a tribute to the colonists and their ability to perservere in face of challanges. Bailer twine, railroad switching engines for a couple. The Amelia Earhart story was not corraborated.
As an after thought when I had my 39 Ply. back in 56 the old timers would ask me , how many women come across in that Mayflower.
Registered but says I can't post until an admin reviews my profile (signed up using epix1718 as my username)
Cool car Attack the brakes as a system Rebuild or replace the master cylinder and all 4 wheel cylinders. Replace all the rubber brake hoses If metal lines look sketchy, replace those too. If you have a hard time sourcing components, ask around for a heavy truck "clutch & brake" shop in your area, they specialize in re-bonding asbestos brake & clutch linings on heavy equipment. Those guys end up as masters of obsolete clutch/brake repair. If there's somebody in town that can rebuild your master & slave cylinders, and re-line the shoes without much difficulty.....it's them. Now is probably an excellent time to consider changing to a dual-circuit master cylinder, you're going to own the car a long time and if you only make 2 changes, that should be one. The other being 12v conversion. good luck
big tip off of 42' is running boards,46'-48' dont have them as the doors cover them. last year of the real running boards. the lugs will have a L or R on them. snapped 3 off on my 36' plymouth before it was pointed out to me.
Keep everything you find in the car and in the garage.Especially the note your grandfather made about the brakes.You can look back on the little things and remember your grandfather. And cruise the pee out of it.
You can view the forum and other areas of the site, just not post yet. The site is a one guy show so be patient and read through the other areas till you get your email. Stay away from brake and rubber parts from Andy Burnbaum (oldmoparts) most folks refer to him as burned bomb. Not a customer friendly fellow. Roberts and Vintage pPower Wagon are more reliable sources for parts. You might be surprised what you can get at Advance, O Rieleys, and NAPA. Runing boards disappeared in 41, the moved under the door as a step up with a rubber mat.
that is the best kind of family heirloom, you can drive it, and enjoy it. it dosnt have to set on a shelf, and get dusty. your just a caretaker, one day you will get to pass it down, and make someone wee in their pants.
Great looking '42! That note is a classic... As everyone else has said, brakes shouldn't be a big deal...I frequently go to NAPA for my brake parts. Those adjusters can be a pain, though.
Man that's awesome!! I inherited my gramps '29 Coupe, from my dad, 'cause gramps passed before I was born: http://www.taylorstreetrods.com/currentprojects/1929fordmodelacoupe.html You gotta get that sucker going so you can take your grandpa for a ride!! Great story....thanks for sharing. -Jeremy
Enjoy your gift and besure to inclued your Grandpa as much as possable. Ask him about his life as you are working on the car and enjoy the stories. Write them down to share with future genarations. That is a awsome gift.
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