SOLD on Jun 25, 2026

Elite Dealer

1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe

$24,995

Vehicle Details

Make

Plymouth

Model

Special Deluxe

Year

1949

Mileage

84,849 miles

VIN

I229287

Body Type

Convertible

Transmission

Manual

Fuel Type

Gasoline

Engine

STRAIGHT SIX

Description

1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible For Sale
Single-Family Owned Since New
Finding a classic late-40s convertible is always a treat, but finding one with a pedigree like this is exceptionally rare. This 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible boasts an incredible history: it has been owned by the exact same family since it rolled off the showroom floor brand new! Treated to a comprehensive restoration approximately 18 years ago, this Plymouth has been cherished, beautifully maintained, and is ready for top-down weekend cruising. Under the hood sits Plymouth's famously reliable and robust Straight Six engine.

Mated to a classic manual transmission, this powertrain delivers a truly authentic and nostalgic driving experience. The mechanics on this Special Deluxe have been meticulously dialed in; it runs absolutely beautifully, delivering a ride that is exceptionally smooth, quiet, and a pure joy to drive. Finished in a deep, rich Burgundy, the exterior of this convertible commands attention.

The paint and bodywork from the older restoration have aged gracefully, showcasing the smooth, swooping lines and prominent chrome brightwork that define post-war Mopar styling. Whether the convertible top is up or down, this Plymouth has a majestic and elegant stance that looks right at home at a local car show or cruising down main street. Open the doors and you are greeted by a gorgeous, period-correct White and Burgundy two- tone interior that perfectly coordinates with the exterior paint.

The upholstery is spacious and inviting, offering plenty of room to bring family and friends along for the ride. The classic dashboard is a work of art in itself, featuring gorgeous vintage instrumentation and plenty of mid-century charm. This 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible is a fantastic opportunity to own a post- war American icon with an unbeatable, single-family history.

With its smooth-running Straight Six, gorgeous Burgundy color combination, and well-maintained older restoration, it is a proven, turn-key classic that is just waiting to make new memories. For Sale By Owner Located In Dix Hills, NY 11746
Trim: For Sale
Options: Premium Sound System

Plymouth Special Deluxe Buyer's Guide

Full guide

Jim Vasquez

Hot Rods

1939–1950

~3 min read

Updated Apr 2026

The Plymouth Special Deluxe was Chrysler's answer to the depression-era family car — honest, durable, and available with enough style that you didn't feel like you were settling. Today it represents the most accessible entry point into pre-war and early postwar American classics.

This guide covers

✓ 8-point inspection checklist

✓ Common issues & what to avoid

✓ In-person inspection guide

✓ Market pricing by year & condition

✓ 4 FAQs answered

✓ History & fun facts

Read the Full Special Deluxe Buyer's Guide

Plymouth Special Market Overview

Based on 22 Plymouth Special listings currently on ClassicCarsArena.com

Listed Now

$31,063

Avg. Asking Price

1941–1950

Year Range

Price Position on Our Site — Average Range

This car: $24,995

Low: $5,495 High: $86,495

Transmission Distribution

Automatic 23%

Manual 55% ◄

Condition Distribution

Excellent 9%

Good 18%

Fair 9%

Data from ClassicCarsArena.com listings Browse all 22 listings →

Plymouth Special Deluxe Buyer's Guide

Jim Vasquez here. The Plymouth Special Deluxe doesn't get the hot rod reverence of a Mercury Eight or the concours spotlight of a Lincoln Continental, but it has something neither of those cars can offer: accessibility. These were working-class cars when they were new, built to carry families rather than to impress, and they've aged into honest, affordable classics that reward the buyer who appreciates substance over status.

I have a specific appreciation for the Special Deluxe because the kustom culture that I love drew from every corner of early American cars — not just the premium brands. The Plymouth flathead six was tuned and customized by builders who didn't have Mercury money but had the same skills and the same dreams. Some of the most interesting early kustoms were built on Plymouths and DeSotos because the builders worked with what they had.

What to Check Before Buying

✓

Lower Door Rust — Probe lower door skins and rocker panels — these rust consistently on pre-war and early postwar Plymouths.

✓

Floor Pan Condition — Check floor pans from underneath and inside — corrosion at sill welds is common.

✓

Flathead Six Cold Start — Start cold and watch for white or blue exhaust smoke — white smoke indicates coolant in combustion.

✓

Head Gasket — Check oil for milky contamination and coolant for oil — head gasket integrity is the primary engine concern.

✓

Brake System — Identify whether original cable, hydraulic, or upgraded brakes are fitted — verify function carefully.

✓

Body Style Confirmation — Confirm the body style (Tudor, Fordor, club coupe, convertible) for accurate valuation.

✓

Convertible Top (if applicable) — On club coupe models, inspect the top fabric and mechanism — replacement is expensive and specialist work.

✓

Glass Completeness — Check all glass for cracks — curved pre-war glass is difficult and expensive to source.

Common Issues

Lower door skin and rocker panel rust on unrestored examples. Floor pan corrosion, especially at the door sill welds. Flathead six cracked heads from overheating events — replacement castings exist but require sourcing. Hydraulic brake system deterioration (pre-war cars may have cable brakes converted to hydraulic). Rubber seals and weatherstripping degradation. Convertible top mechanisms and fabric on club coupe models.

What to Look For

Inspect the lower body seams and door bottoms for rust — pre-war cars rust in these locations consistently. Check the floor pans and firewall area for corrosion. Verify the flathead six starts easily and runs without excessive smoke — a warm engine with white smoke from the exhaust suggests a cracked head or leaking gasket, which can be expensive on a 75+ year old casting. On convertible (club coupe) body styles, inspect the fabric top and the mechanism carefully. Verify the body style is correct — the pre-war Plymouth was available in multiple configurations.

Price Guide

1939–1942 Tudor sedan (pre-war): $6,000–$15,000 for drivers. Pre-war convertible/club coupe: $12,000–$28,000. 1946–1948 Special Deluxe: $5,000–$14,000. 1949–1950 sedan: $5,000–$13,000. Period-correct custom builds add significant premium depending on build quality. All-original, low-mileage examples command 25–40% premium.

Did You Know?

Plymouth was the third-best-selling car brand in America throughout most of the 1930s and 1940s, behind Ford and Chevrolet — a dominance most people don't remember because Plymouth faded dramatically in later decades. The 1939 Plymouth Special Deluxe was equipped with a "Safety-Rim" wheel design to prevent tire blowouts from causing immediate loss of control — Chrysler marketed this as a safety feature three decades before safety became a mainstream automotive selling point. The Plymouth flathead inline-six was so reliable that some taxi companies used these cars for over 500,000 miles on original engines.

Elite Dealer

$24,995