There are plenty of jokes about touring salesmen, however as immediately’s Nice Price or No Dice Plymouth proves, the automobiles designed for such work had been critical enterprise. Let’s see if this traditional business coupe is priced to chop a deal.
The relating of any fantastical — or maybe simply doubtful — story could be countered with the demand of “pics or it didn’t happen!” Such tangible receipts are essential in lots of features of life, particularly so when used as proof of labor accomplished on any costly automotive one is making an attempt to promote. That proved to be a difficulty for the vendor of final Friday’s 2001 BMW M5, as not solely did they admit to not conserving the receipts for the work they claimed to have accomplished on the automotive, however that loss prolonged to their reminiscence of what all precisely had been accomplished. That wasn’t working for almost all of you and, at $23,500, the M5 went down in a 75 p.c No Dice loss.
Speaking of labor, plenty of us are doing it from dwelling as of late. That’s a current phenomenon born out of the pandemic, however in accordance with information experiences, it’s a development that few need to see reversed. Not everybody can work at home, in fact. There was a time, the truth is, when working meant packing up a automotive and heading out on the street. Traveling salesmen have been round eternally, however their heyday right here within the U.S. appears to have been in the Forties and Fifties.
It was proper round WWII {that a} particular sort of automotive was created particularly for this entrepreneurial enclave — the “Businessman’s Coupe.” With this mannequin, automakers created a extra commodious trunk by eliminating the again seat and lengthening the rear house ahead as a substitute. This provided house for wares, shows, and samples in a automotive that was far more snug and economical to function than a equally capacious truck or van. If Del Griffith had been born a few a long time earlier, he would have jonesed for such a automotive.
This 1948 Plymouth P-15 is a major instance of a Businessman’s Coupe. From the surface, it seems to be like a regular five-light two-door, however a look both within the cabin or below the trunk lid reveals off its distinctive nature. That trunk house is completely huge, though a few of that house would usually be taken up by the vertically-mounted spare which appears to have gone lacking on this automotive. Also absent is any type of weatherstripping on the trunk opening so it’s most likely greatest to not drive the automotive in monsoon season.
The paint is one other situation. That has patinated to the purpose that it seems to be prefer it’s reflecting a partly cloudy sky. Of course, in a automotive of this classic, that may truly enhance the automotive’s visible allure so take it as you’ll.
Mechanically, the automotive is a blended bag. Under the hood, the Floating Power” L-head straight-six is alleged to have been rebuilt and to run “extremely well.” With 4 mains and a modest 6.6:1 compression ratio, the 217.8 cubic inch engine is each pretty stout and assuredly under-stressed in providing its 95 (gross) horsepower. That’s backed up by a three-on-the-tree handbook with synchromesh discovered solely on the highest two gears. A more moderen clutch makes positive each the engine and transmission stay on talking phrases. On the draw back, whereas the brakes — drums throughout — are mentioned to have been labored on a number of years in the past, the vendor warns that they want consideration as soon as once more earlier than being trusted.
Other points embrace a cracked window within the driver’s door, a non-working radio, and the failure of a number of of the gauges. There’s additionally some ballooning of the headliner above the seats. On the surface, there’s a little bit of rust creepy-crawling across the backside of the passenger door, one thing the vendor says a brand new proprietor would possibly need to deal with. It’s not all niggling little points although, as the vendor says the automotive comes with simply slightly over 75,000 on the clock and to carry a clear title.
What would possibly so attention-grabbing and serviceable a traditional akin to this be value? The asking is $10,499, and it’s now incumbent upon you to weigh in on whether or not or not that’s a discount.
What do you say, is that this outdated Plymouth a deal at that value? Or, does the value put this Businessman’s Coupe out of enterprise?
You determine!
Portland, Oregon, Craigslist, or go right here if the advert disappears.
H/T to John M. for the hookup!
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Source: jalopnik.com
