1937 Plymouth Sedan
1937 Plymouth sedan
In the spring of 2018, D.J. Freeman saw a car advertised in CPPC's newsletter, and ended up taking it home.
It was a 1937 Plymouth sedan. As advertised, it was complete except for the right-hand windshield motor. It had been driven into a garage 20 years ago and left there with the intention of getting to it soon.
D. J. kept CPPC members up-to-date on his progress with frequent posts to the club newsletter.
May, 2018
"Last night I got my ‘37 running. After doing everything I could think of to the motor, she started and ran last night. I was happy, I figured I would let it run for an hour or so, just to get all the parts used to moving again.
"I found the Oil, Amp, and Temp gauges are still working. (Fuel gauge still shows empty) The water pump makes a hell of a racket (New one on order) but it runs.
"While checking for leaks I noticed there was a clear liquid, with a pulsating drip under the intake/exhaust header. Tracing out the leak I found the fuel pump was shooting gas out the vent hole. This can also mean it is putting gas into the crank case.
So, weighing the chance of burning it and the shop down, or letting it run for an hour. I shut it off. I’ll be replacing the fuel pump today and hopefully do the hour run-in today."
June 2018
“Some of the things I have found, 3 of the wheel cylinders had Mopar logos, one had “Warner, Lock, Heed” embossed on it.
"The third member had a tag saying, “Filled with SUNOCO HYPOID LUBE do not mix with any other lubrication”. The engine had no factory markings, I did find there were small “S”s stamped on the side of the block and the top of the pistons. It appears it was a Sears replacement.
"The piston rings (I’m told) have the 236 configuration. I did find a date hand stamped on the top of the engine block “01-24-47”. If it had been 09, instead of 01, it would have been my birthday.
"All the fluids have been changed, the car is running and the brakes are working. All the gauges work. I’m planning to drive it to DMV Friday and see if I can get an Oregon title.”
Philomath Frolic Parade, July 14, Philomath, Oregon
ABOVE: D. J. Freeman entered both of his Plymouths in the Philomath Frolic Parade on July 4. The 1938 business coupe is familar to CPPC members; the 1937 sedan, a fairly recent garage find, will be less so. Drivers were: daughter Anna Freeman, at the wheel of the ‘37, above, with grandson Jon in the back seat (start them in the hobby while they’re young!), and Laura Freeman, below, driving the family’s familiar blue ‘38 coupe. Both cars needed help on the parade route – the ‘37 overheated and stopped (sounds like vapor lock), and the ‘38 required a jump start midway. In each case, the cars were able to rejoin and finish what was a fairly long parade, and the Freemans took home a blue ribbon for their entry.
