Radio Flyer

The first buyer of this bare-bones ’38 Plymouth Road King couldn’t stand the silence so a “day two” Motorolla radio set was installed. Watch as Steve examines the “bygone Bluetooth” system in this ancient relic.

[@gregkellow4723]

My Great Grandfather started his repair garage in the 1930's . Through the depression, he would keep dented fenders he had replaced from the "well to do" people's cars. He'd fix them and save them for people who didn't have money. He also had a stack of used, but "usable" head gaskets, for the same reason. Just to keep cars on the road in tough times. Some of those parts still hang in the garage today.

[@sombra6153]

Cudos to your great granddad! My dad remembers his grandparents had a pair of 36 Plymouths, a sedan and pickup, and in WWII were lining the inside of the tires with old inner tubes to keep driving on them. They lived in the country and probably seldom saw paved roads or much over 35 mph - at least until grandsons started getting tasked to drive them around (at 9-10 years old). It was Midwest farm country and nobody cared because everyone else was doing similar. People did what they had to do to keep cars running during the depression and then the consumer shortages of the war.

[@kenttalsma7906]

@@sombra6153 sounds a little like Cuba. Do what must be done to keep the Havana hoopdie on the road. For the "youngsters" amongst us, Cuba used to be a "destination" with all the amenities of a resort of that era. That meant cars made in Detroit. When the US cut ties with Cuba they cut everything including replacement parts for their American made cars.

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

I' still reusing head gaskets in 2023 Lol

[@kmath50]

Thanks for sharing that story. I am amazed how resourceful folks were back then. My mother often told me how they rarely threw anything away. They would always try to find a way to fix it. My friend's dad did car repairs back then. Buying a new part was mostly out of the question, so they would make a new one, or fix the broken one,

[@ddellwo]

Yes - lessons my Depression-era parents learned in the 1930’s died very hard - even in prosperous times……😐

[@michaelwisner4941]

My first car was a 37 DeSoto , with overdrive and free wheeling, it would do a little over 100 mph, if the was a 2 mile straight away, in 1st year it would get rubber, what a boat,, I'd get it flying down the road at 70 or 80 , and it was swimming, my buddies were, literally begging me to let up, priceless to see these tough guys , grovelling , old-school !!!

[@salogel88]

I wonder if Steve won't leave Bernardston junkyard or if they won't let him leave :D Nevertheless I really enjoy all of these episodes, super interesting, especially for a man who had never seen these automobiles (not an US guy) Thank you.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Welcome to the US. ! From Mr. B . !

[@googleusergp]

Mr. Magnante has a handshake agreement with Mr. Hastings, the owner of the yard. Mr. Magnante is documenting history and Mr. Hastings is an ace for letting him do that. Consequently, I'm sure a few parts have been sold. One You Tuber even bought the "Silent Malibu" featured on this channel a few months ago and is fixing it up. I helped him decode what it was originally. He's already made great progress on it, and got it to run and drive.

[@charlesdalton985]

I’ve never seen one of those radios before - awesome find and thank you for sharing. Tuner, without a tuner - lol’d at a great “dad joke”. Thanks as always ~ Chuck

[@Mercmad]

I had a '39 two door Plymouth ,with the 170 power house and a Motorola radio.But mine had the radio control where the ash tray is and was huge. That was 50 years ago. That example isn't as rusty mine was.😊

[@gregwddriver]

I occasionally run across these old hulks in the yards I visit, and pause to thank them for they're service. This car was a mere three years old for Pearl Harbor. Did the owner go off to war? I see the kids sitting on the hood for the Fourth of July parade, mom getting rushed to the hospital when her water broke, and this car getting the family home in the small hours of the morning after New Years with friends. It was once shiny and new with that new car smell and the pride of the new owners. This car is America. So, yeah. Thank you for your service.

[@googleusergp]

I believe they were assembled in a few places back then: Windsor Ontario, Canada which still operates today, San Leandro, CA (also called Maywood, CA which closed in 1971), Evansville, IN which closed in 1959, with production moving to St. Louis, MO (also called Fenton), and Lynch Road in Detroit, MI which closed in April 1981. This would have been the "P5" series of cars in 1938. Assuming it's a 1938 and it's a P5 or a P5X model, the serial numbers for that year ran like this: Detroit (Lynch Road) started at 1,240,001 and went through 1,296,615 for a total of 56,615 vehicles, Evansville started at 9,097,601 and went through 9,107,725 for a total of 10,125 vehicles, Los Angeles (San Leandro/Maywood) started at 3,105,301 and went through 3,109,407 for a total of 4,107 vehicles and Windsor, Ontario Canada started at 9,381,161 and went through 9,385,097 for a total of 3,937 vehicles. Hard to tell the original color, so I'm going to guess at code 201 or 202 Silverwing Gray exterior paint. No "VIN" (actually serial number back then), can't win and no tag, can't brag. My parents bought a 1941 Plymouth Deluxe in 1978 out of the local paper. It said something like "Runs, needs work. extra parts included, $550". We bought it and it came with another half of a car in parts which we put in our shed. Over the course of time, we fixed it up, drove it and enjoyed it from 1978 to 1988 when my father passed and we gave it to his brother, my uncle. He kept it for a number of years. We had it painted "Candlelight Cream" in 1981 which was I believe an AMC or Chrysler color from the 1970s (we think it was gray or green originally, we never looked to see) and in 1985, my father drove my grandparents to the church as the "chauffeur" for their 50th wedding anniversary (we have photos of the car at the event). It was two tone primer and barely running when we got it, but it was in nice condition when we gave it to my uncle and ran well. It was easy to work on and my job as a kid was to gap the plugs and open the oil cans. It still had the original owner's manual in the glovebox when we got in 1978 and it spent time in NJ as it had an expired 1976 NJ inspection sticker on it when we got it. We had it registered historically when we got it in 1978. I might still have the VIN # somewhere for it in our records. I'd have to look. It was stored for the winters with our patio furniture in the back seat in my grandparents' garage. Today that garage is my workshop, as I bought part of their property from their estate. It was a family project. We all cleaned, polished and assembled the car. My father and grandfather did the interior over with a basic JC Whitney kit and back in 1978, you could still get most parts at a parts store for it, and the rest came from the Whitney catalog. After my uncle had it for a time, he painted it a Ford burgundy color (from I believe an F Series truck) and then he drove it for several years. It then got the name "The General" because it was a 1941 and made around the time of WWII. The car always started and it ran very well. The back bumper said "Keep on Antiquing" when we first got it, but I think we took that off. There's a photo of my dad sitting on the rear bumper pan and my sister and I sticking our heads out of each window. It's in front of our house (which is now my house). On Monday, my dad will be gone 35 years, so it's nice to remember the good times like that. After my uncle had it, he gave it to his son who during a snow storm one year, drove it while all of the "modern" cars were stuck. It truly lived up to "The General" name. It had a massive frame and cross members and there wasn't much plastic used on the entire car. After my cousin had it, the car was sold to a local couple that ran a local newspaper in TX. It is believed that they still have it last we checked.

[@JamesBond-hu9rg]

I was reading a book. 🤔. Great story ! Lynch rd was also Cadillac. Basically Hamtramck .Mich

[@googleusergp]

Sure thing. Cadillac was Clark Street in Detroit.

[@Jeffgordonfan24hesthegoat]

Wouldn’t cha guess it San Leandro is my home town born and raised and never knew a old Plymouth factory once was there but been inside the build (now drakes brewery) 😂

[@jeffclark2725]

Great video,too bad that wasn't put in a barn about 50 or 60 years ago,that would be cool to salvage the radio kit and see if it could be fixed, thumbs up

[@o.c.smithiii2626]

That stuff was built to be abused- I have no doubt that it could be repaired, and made functional again and it would not be that expensive.

[@jeffclark2725]

@@o.c.smithiii2626 Take the radio to Mr Carlsons Lab for evaluation ??

[@xfactorautomotive1496]

My current mild hotrod is a 1931 Plymouth model "U". It's amazing how far they came in only a couple years. A radical change in body styling, my 31 had plate glass (I replaced that with safety), etc. Mine didn't have a radio when I got it, but it did have a "Wards" aftermarket heater and a little "trico" vacuum operated fan mounted on the windshield pillar. Cool stuff. I was afraid Lockjaw lost his voice, but we finally got a woof woof out of him. I love this KZbin channel!!

[@jeffclark2725]

Aftermarket heaters,and I thought they all had them

[@xfactorautomotive1496]

@@jeffclark2725 nope! What's crazy is the car was in storage since 1953 when I bought it from the family of the original owner about 5 years ago. The original owners name was Blanche Mendl, and the starter crank hole was worn to about twice it's original size. Can you imagine how many times that woman cranked that car over by hand! ( What do you think a lady would tell you today if you told her she had to crank start her car and drive it with no heater. Words that couldn't be written here, I'm sure). My car even came with the original title issued in 1931 and it's the size of a credit card. So cool. I, of course named my car Blanche after that special old woman. 🙂

[@BigMikesHooptyBarn]

I would love to see your 31 Model U. I recently acquired a 31 Model PA that has been passed around in my family since the early 1950s. I'm planning to build it for the 2023 #nonamenationals. If you're interested in the story you can see it on my channel in video and on my community page.

[@patrickwayne3701]

@@xfactorautomotive1496 do you post about the model U anywhere? It would be cool to see.

[@xfactorautomotive1496]

@@patrickwayne3701 I'm not too computer literate! Lol! So, no. But I can give you my email address and we can communicate. The body is stock, but the drivetrain is not. It's got BMW X5 independent rear suspension with rear disc brakes, corvair front suspension with modified control arms to accept G body ball joints and drop spindles and S-10 disc brakes. Engine is a Mercury marine 3.0 liter (basically a Chevy II 153 4 cylinder) with a 4 barrel intake and header I built, 700R4 automatic, tilt steering, AC, etc. Drives and rides like a new car but looks 92 years old. I drive it alot in the summer.

[@seed_drill7135]

I know these were recorded months ago, but here’s hoping you did that 64 or 65 Studebaker sitting next to it.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello Seed_drill, today's video was recorded on December 30, 2022. Last week! I do have an "emergency stash" of pre-recorded videos (the Vermont series) for times when it is WET at Bernardston and we can't make the videos work. But I do them usually a week before they run. Anyhoo, if you like that Studebaker, go to this channel's Playlist and you'll see the video there for FREE. There are also about FOUR HUNDRED Junkyard Crawl videos there for your enjoyment! Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@seed_drill7135]

@@SteveMagnante Lord, do you not feel cold? I can't go without a jacket if it's below 70 degrees!

[@vettekid3326]

Since radio's and heaters along with things like armrests and sun visors were all extra cost items in "popular priced" cars and trucks it was common for people to buy the cheapest without all the "doodads" as my father used to say and add them later buying them thru places like Sears Allstate and Western auto stores. Interesting that that 1938 had a solid axle. I had a 1934 Plymouth Deluxe sedan 45 years ago that had independent front suspension for that boulevard ride as they advertised.

[@youtubecarspottersguide1]

@5:30 the dash also was designed for right hand drive markets just move the speedo to the right and dual Glove boxes is cool

[@zzzoo2]

Thanks Steve - Fascinating video! Even for a basic model, such nice styling with the dash logo, hood ornament, etc. And, that radio was a great find. Personally, I love the styling of that era, and the simplicity is just another part of the beauty.

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you liked it!

[@oldschooltamiya]

I would like to go there and buy that complete radio unit, awesome video Steve👌

[@marklarson9436]

My OCD would have to organize that place. Makes, eras, something, anything. Even having the cars parked in every direction would drive me crazy. Great place though. Great channel.

[@1967davethewave]

The owner of that car back in the day was probably a real trendy person. Having that cool radio in their basic Plymouth. I can see a racoon tail hanging from the mirror, a straight pipe belching exhaust and Spike Jones blaring out of that speaker. Those must have been great times!!

[@SteveMagnante]

Twenty Three Skidoo! Thanks for writing. -Steve Magnante

[@javierdenardo2607]

The oil bath is for the amount of dirt roads there were at the time..those were in use in Ford vehicles in Argentina all the way through the 80s, when it would have been easy to have adapted an air cleaner.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Morning Mags ! Morning Steve ! Very informative class today !

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

that little Plymouth with a 230 and a BW OD trans would be the funnest little driver.

[@joshuagibson2520]

I got the shit smacked out of me last time I said "potato body style". I'll never learn. 😂😂😂

[@Drmcclung]

It's alright, I've called the low-buck 30's Chrysler's a "rolling Pringles can" at car shows lol (they usually didn't get the joke; potato chip)

[@bruceprentice6441]

I liked this styling. Never heard the term “potato “ styled body before

[@TheHelado36]

Totally have to give credit to Mr. Magnante for his tenacity and knowledge !

[@madmike2624]

A tuner without a tuner, you go Steve! Great video and I must say, I never thought a add on radio would be available way back then! Truly a classroom lesson right there!!!

[@hemibreath]

Man The cars and trucks in that auto wrecker is Awesome One of everything Wish I had that near me !

[@jamesmisener3006]

That radio was new to me. Cool conversation piece. Cheers 🇨🇦

[@Tmrfe0962]

What a beautiful car. Love that ornament…as always thank you Steve for doing this series. Lots of fun…which is what our hobby is all about.

[@garylangley4502]

About the replaceable rear fender, the 1965 or so Studebaker behind Steve had bolt on rear fenders. It looked like a weld on quarter panel, but those were also bolt on fenders. Studebaker used this as a sales point.

[@mjg263]

That Motorola radio is fascinating, I had no idea such a concept existed back in those days. Seems way ahead of it’s time!

[@bigrigbutterz9920]

That El Camino in the background looks CLEAN and complete. Me gusta!

[@howardscott7521]

That radio is cool. I would have to find one of those if I was restoring one of those cars.

[@Aprilseahorse]

I have a 1940 Road King. It is a great car. Bare bones, but reliable and fun to actually road trip in. Same engine, but the Dodge engine is actually a different casting. It has longer block. Hard to tell by just looking at it, but try putting in one in a 40 Plymouth without moving the radar...... My 1940 still has the original engine and trans, but with a 1950 Plymouth overdrive.

[@edwardbianchi192]

Great looking car for to do a rat rod! In the 80’s Blaupunct (sp) had head units on a flexible neck with the guts mounted elsewhere. Good stuff Steve. Never saw that radio but in ads.

[@SteveMagnante]

Very cool!

[@brandonford8092]

That elco looks pretty clean

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Wow! Very interesting that rare radio with the speaker still in the car! Very collectible piece I think. Great video Steve!

[@rescuedandrestoredgarage]

I have to admit I do injoy those body styles.

[@jimh8644]

Always interesting to see your presentations.

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you like them!

[@michaelwisner4941]

The other thing Steve, is these front fenders were the best for hauling deer, and we'd drive them way back in the woods, rite over small trees to recover deer , which was great ,vs dragging them, lol

[@aaron71]

What an awesome looking car.

[@donchandler755]

Immense knowledge you have even for cars in the 30's.

[@jimfry3]

Awesome junkyard content! Thank you Steve

[@willhorting5317]

Steve... Not sure if you know of him, but a car fabricator from Nova Scotia named "Bad Chad" Hiltz, turned a '35 Dodge/Plymouth 4-door car into a standard 2-door pickup, back in November and early December. Fabricated with basic tools. Maybe not everyone's cup of tea. But I thought it was interesting.

[@chrisscearce]

Chad is cool. I'm not a huge fan of some of his work, but some are absolutely genius. It's kinda like watching Bob Ross paint at some point you're thinking anymore, and it's ruined and then goes a "happy little tree can live here" and it works. Chad, the same he takes away or adds more metal, and you start thinking that's going be ugly but in the end it all comes together. You don't get to see the best part of the show now he that hes only on KZbin she's always behind the camera. LOL, Namaste 🙏🏼

[@darrenfrauenfelder5997]

basic tools and 30 gallons of bondo

[@chrisscearce]

@darrenfrauenfelder5997 that's the part I'm not a fan of... Bondo should sponsor him.

[@MichaelandCathy1999]

I watch Chad and Queen Jolene as well. 🇨🇦

[@willhorting5317]

@@chrisscearce yeah, I don't always agree with what he does. But even though I have never met him, I respect what he does with metal fabricating. His way of fabrication reminds me of things my grandpa used to do back in the '50s and '60s.

[@duncanmacrae6384]

Yes 38 was the last year for the floor shift, except for the 39 Road King which still retained the floor shifter for one last year.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

Cool old Plymouth. The radio is really neat.

[@michaelwillett7442]

I just wanted to say Steve you are full of information on every car you must realy do your reserch love your videos i have watchedjust about every one keep up the good work .keep them great videos coming thankyou Steve.

[@dja1353]

My dad’s parents had a ‘36 Plymouth during wwii. Even with fuel rationing he, my aunt and uncle learned to drive and went out on dates in it. It was an old car for the time but the war and the great depression made it so.

[@gthomer1231]

Humphrey bogart drove a 1937 model with the trunk back in the movie High Seirra

[@paulboone44444]

Thanks again for a wonderful educational experience, Mags...

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon

[@georgeparker7409]

Note the semetrical dash so it could be used in right hand drive. Also note aftermarket heater.

[@chuckwhitson654]

That would be an awesome street rod / rat rod. I'm pretty knowledgeable on cars and a great mechanic, but I just learned a new one

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve Get well soon

[@garryhatchett775]

Cool hood ornament.

[@AlanG58]

I think the body style of these cars is pretty nice actually. Hopefully someone buys and restores that slick radio unit!

[@t.s.racing]

A tuner without a tuner. Remember you can tune a piano, buy you can't tune a fish.

[@SteveMagnante]

Good points. On a socially conscious note, I always sign up to be an Organ Donor on my drivers license. But stay the hell away from MY PIANO! Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@o.c.smithiii2626]

I have to wonder if that heater wasn’t also an aftermarket addition. My understanding was that The ultra-budget priced cars would also leave the factory without a heater.

[@o.c.smithiii2626]

Also- there is the hole thru the front chin valence for a hand crank.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Good questions ! In News reels you almost see vehicle with blankets .

[@seed_drill7135]

That looks pretty standard for car heaters of the era. Everything was in the cabin with you.

[@GT-fi4sk]

That would make such a cool looking rod.

[@oldgysgt]

That air filter is an Oil Bath type. You would put oil on that brass "wool" ever once in a while, and hopefully some of the dust in the air would be caught on the oil soaked metal. Most older oil bath filters use a course spun fiber or even steel wool soaked in oil, but this car used brass. I guess, every so often you could clean the "wool" in gasoline, and then re-saturate it with clean oil, but few people ever bothered. You will note the bottom plate of the air filter housing has a trough around the lower edge to keep excess oil from dripping off the brass "wool" and into the intake. Like my Auto Shop teacher told us, "oil bath air filters are very good at keeping chicken feathers and cotton bolls out of your engine".

[@chuckb9867]

Boy Steve is so good I love this channel I wonder what's happening with his police car

[@rixkafer56]

Cool car Steve ! I like the bare bones cars... i own three vehicles with radio delete.. 64 malibu 74 c10 65 bug... and ive owned several bugs that never had a radio.. i was just telling a friend im king of the radio delete ... not really but they have a way of finding me or visa versa... good day sir

[@SteveMagnante]

Less can be more! Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Oh wow, very cool Steve!!!! 😍👍

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you liked it!!

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

@@SteveMagnante 👍👍

[@patdesrosiers6423]

Nice video. Plymouth changed a lot in the 30 years until the 68 Satellite and Road Runners came out. I have a 53 Cranbrook club coupe, sort of in between. First year one piece quarter panels and hood, but elements of older cars. Flathead six, cowl vent with the under dash panel and wheel bolts rather than studs and lugs. Fun car

[@ryurc3033]

It's so funny you mentioned the kr Shelby. I did overhear just recently that people can make the gone in 60 seconds Eleanor clones without getting sued. The relics man! That Motorola radio has to be one of the coolest finds.....well besides the Honda radio delete plate. I bet it there is a tuner kid who is just drooling over that tiny piece of plastic.

[@garydesbois5415]

Always enjoy having you teaching auto history Steve !! 👍👍

[@blkft]

Interestingly, it has the same hood and passenger door opening system like my current car. This car was ahead of it's time.

[@davezul4396]

As a kid, dad used to bring me to visit his uncle at his “Body and Fender” shop...

[@danielc5205]

I like the black 1977 Ford pickup in the background.

[@rickcentore2801]

My family had a 1936 Plymouth coupe. I believe the windshield cranked out for cabin ventilation. It appears that was done away with by 1938.

[@raythackston1960]

Fisrt for me on this video...a Motarola aftermarket radio. I love these kind of finds that you make Steve. Looking forward to you reporting on your cop car.

[@santaclause2875]

Cool video, Steve. Thanks for producing and posting!! I hope your new year is going great, all the way up there in Mass-A-Too-Sits !!!

[@ExUSSailor]

The first new car my grandparents bought when they got married was a '38 Plymouth 4 door.

[@jayswartzbaugh8553]

Interesting fact. Pierce-Arrow patented headlights integrated into the fenders in 1913. Thus any U.S. auto manufacturer with such a feature would have had to obtain a license from Pierce-Arrow. This is why most manufacturers did not adopt this feature prior to 1939, although there were a few notable exceptions such as the 1937 Ford. Henry didn’t mind stepping on toes when he wanted to, as he did with the Selden patent. Pierce-Arrow went out of business in 1938, any thus, almost immediately most manufactures started placing headlights in fenders as the patent issue was now gone, and giving cars a more modern look in the process.

[@scatpackbob3707]

Nice black Studebaker in the background 👍🏼

[@ramblingsadrift6477]

This era Plymouth had some really graceful lines.Other than the obvious floors the old gal looks pretty solid and appears pretty complete. About 20 years onward the car may have had the 45 under the dash record changer...??

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

Love these old Mopars my Grandfather had a 38 Dodge Dad had a48 Plymouth an A 55 Plymouth all Flat heads an never let us down .Thanks Ma MOPAR .

[@joe6096]

Too bad that grille is so damaged - that's a beauty, if no one would want it to restore another car it would look great simply as wall art or automobilia hanging in your garage. That Motorola aftermarket radio kit is probably worth more than the rest of the car. It would be awesome for someone with good electric knowledge to just buy the radio kit and restore it.

[@marygott66]

I think that's the Canadian Studebaker behind you that you did video on that one also has rear quarter panels that unbolt up until 66 when they obviously stop producing cars

[@RDEnduro]

Another great commentary and video, it seems like there is no limit to the stuff I don't know lol

[@Iowa599]

That Civic block-off plate looked like a 1984-1991 factory equipped blank, from a Civic base model. (the models were base, Dx, Lx, Ex, Si, and a radio was standard on all but the base trim model) Those weren't "ordered", they were what you got, unless the radio option was checked.

[@monroe7403]

I know it's too far gone for anyone to save, but still I didn't like Steve dropping that door and then walking on it later. That's a very old girl, deserves some respect. Hope he at least put all the parts back.

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

Reviewed this video a second time. Love it.

[@daviddennison4201]

Radio set up is cool

[@donmears4090]

Once again I learned from this. How about a look at the Studebaker in the background.

[@JustMe-pc2ii]

Love it. It would be sweet to bring that body style back in appearance with a small V-8 and some updated brakes, suspension and technology.

[@ChaChiVooDoo]

My dads very first car he owned was a 1937 Plymouth 2dr in medium blue with a trunk back he bought in the late 1940's. All Chrysler products of that era used what they called " Floating Power " engine mounts that complimented the smoothness of that 6 cylinder engine. His car looked like that except for the trunk and grille which resembled the 1938 Dodge as well. Not bad looking cars and pretty impressive quality for a low priced car as lots of old promo films on here of the time show. He drove his until 1953 when he came out of the Army and bought a new Buick Roadmaster 4dr with his military pay. His future mother in law bought it and used it a few years before handing it down to her son who destroyed it. Of all those upside down late 30's bathtubs I think Ford pulled it off best in 1936-37. A funny story dad always told was when him and his gf now my mom were heading to the beach one day the battery fell out of the car from under the floor and got smashed and they were stuck until his friend came to get them with a battery in his Model T Ford truck after he walked to a store to use their phone to call him. Those were the days!

[@bradwilliams4921]

Fascinating. Thanks for the video.

[@joshuagibson2520]

Some will call me crazy, but that car isn't too far gone. Yet. Not saying it would be easy or cheap, but anything can be saved. I'd go restomod though. Would probably take another 90 years to find the proper parts for that model.

[@rjoetting7594]

That car would make a really cool rat rod, I'm talking about high performance. Find a compatible chassis, modern engine and transmission, comfortable seats. (Something that you can daily drive I really like the line's and shape of the body and fenders.) Then go cruise, it would probably cost way too much to restore to original.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Ag

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Agree!

[@davemckolanis4683]

The Latest Trick To Do With These Oldies, (And I Was Also Tempted To Do With The 38 Plymouth Coupe That I Have); Is To Take The Entire Body OFF Of The Original Framework, And Plop It On Top Of A Chevy S-10 Pickup Framework That Has The Same Wheel Base. That Way You Have All The Later Suspension, Drivetrain, Brakes And Steering Components That You Can Go To An Auto Parts Store To Get Repair Items More Easily. However With The Two Older Plymouth Parts Outlets Able To Supply Original Replacements, Doing The Frame Swap And Messing With Some Floor Cutting To Accommodate Frame Contour DIFFERANCES, Wasn't Worth The Extensive Bother...

[@Bbbuddy]

Love those “potato era” cars, as you call them.

[@Drmcclung]

I do too, always thought I was alone in that lol

[@davemckolanis4683]

I OWN A 1938 P-5 Coupe That I Got Off My 87-Year Old Grandfather In 1970, And Restored It On My Limited Budget After High School. With A New Interior, Red Paint Job And Sport Wheels That I Still Have Today. My Uncle Bought Him A Water Heater As A Christmas Present That Was Installed AFTER He Purchased The Car. AMAZINGLY, I Was Able To Replace The Original 201 Flat Head 6 With The Last Generation 1957 Flat Head 230-6, (That Bolted In Perfectly With No Alterations), And Found A 1936 Chrysler Overdrive Transmission To Bolt In Behind It As Well, Only Having To Shorten The Driveshaft. Fortunately For Us Classic Plymouth Owners, There Are TWO Outlets Where You Can Purchase LOTS Of Older Plymouth Replacement Parts. As Mine Needed A Complete NEW Braking System And Related Small Parts. NO, They Don't Have "Alligator" Hoods That Open With The Hinges At The Firewall, As Most All Cars Do Today. But Rather Called "WINGED" Hoods With The Hinges At A Center Rail That Extends From The Firewall To The Grille. And NO, It Doesn't Have A Solid "BEAM" Axle In The Front, But Rather A Solid Curved "TUBE" Axle Instead. Being Called "Potato Bodies" Must Be Something New That Somebody Made Up Attempting To Degrade Those Later 1930's Styles Of Car Body Designs. Because They Are Better Known As "FAT FENDER " Classics Instead. The 1950 Mercury That I Also Own Is Known As Having A "Bathtub" Body Style. And Because Of It Being Painted Green, It Looks Like You Would Be Following A Watermelon If Driving Behind it. Perhaps It Would Be Better To Be Describing Stock Vehicles A LITTLE SLOWER At A Car Show, So Viewers Could Have A Better Idea Of How Much NICER They Look Being Road Ready. Instead Of Rotting Away In A Junk Yard With The Parts Of The Cars Carelessly Falling Off Of Them...

[@chrisscearce]

Hi Steve, another great video. How cool was that, Motorola radio and who could blame them with no V8 to listen you gotta have your big band jams and catch the Amos 'n' Andy show or battle of the sexes or maybe some Eddie Cantor. Need to get you a merch a store Steve. Namaste 🙏🏼

[@daveridgeway2639]

Hi Steve, good video! Bronze wool air filters and bronze wool crankcase breathers where not uncommon back then. The idea was that when the car came in for an oil change and/or a tune-up, the mechanic was supposed to wash the filter(s) in the parts washer, blow them out with compressed air and then add a few drops of motor oil to the bronze wool element(s) to collect the dirt, but that was not always the case. Motorola back in the 1930s and 1940s was the leading brand of aftermarket car radios. Motorola became more popular with two way radios in cars and trucks, i.e. Police/Fire later on. Motorola, meaning "motoring along with music". Please reply. Dave...

[@brianbloom1799]

Steve I can't stand the Trunk back car's I love the style of the flat Back, Always reminded of the Willy's. Great Video

[@Drmcclung]

Ditto, never cared for the trunk hump myself. Some call it a bustleback. The old joke was "save the hump for the back seat"

[@theophilhist6455]

Looks like so many of the sedans that wound up being modified stock cars in the 1960s at places like Flemington and East Windsor speedways

[@michaelduncan232]

Steve nice video. How about doing a video on the Lark next to the '38 Plymouth

[@moyadapne968]

My export '58 Plymouth-bodied Dodge Kingsway had a 265 cu in flathead with manual trans. It'd keep up with my 318 '62 Dart to 30 mph.

[@feelinfine1973]

Looks like an extra Silvertone speaker to the right of the tube speaker? 1930s equivalent to a sub!! 🤣 Oh how times have changed!! Great vid as always Steve!! ✌️ from Iowa

[@jimc3688]

Optional heater.

[@feelinfine1973]

@@jimc3688 thanks Jim! I was just guessing since the grill cover looked almost identical to some of the old Silvertone guitar amps/speakers i have? That old technology is intriguing

[@SteveMagnante]

And lets not forger the UNDER SEAT heater mounted to the passenger side of the floor. I totally forgot to mention it in the video but you can see it on the floor of the interior while I'm discussing the "safety glass". That must have been one warm Plymouth with the under-dash unit and the under seat floor unit! Thanks again for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@rondpert5167]

Wasn't that an optional heater, under the dash next to the radio? In the 70's, a buddy picked up a '46 Dodge from the original owner who was a nurse. Military people got the first chance at post war cars.

[@darrellasmith77]

I got to ask what’s with the dog statue in all the cars ?

[@SteveMagnante]

What dog? I don't see a dog. Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@DeadInsideButStillSmiling]

Is that a '76 Ford back behind you Steve? My birth year and one of my favorite FoMoCo's but can't get a good enough look at the grill with the plow attachment in the way.

[@savedin87ify]

Wow how cool is that. Would of loved to see one on the road.

[@don66hotrod94]

Interesting....a cheap car still had a fancy grille and hood ornament. When I was a kid a few old-timers were still running cars like this. Hard to believe they were only about 20 years old at that time, but seemed much older.