Fenderless Plymouth hot rod is far from perfect, still looks like a blast
Barnfinds.com has once again found an interesting car for sale on eBay, this time a 1937 Plymouth coupe built with a more modern powertrain. Located in Dixon, Illinois, the hoodless, fenderless ride uses a four-link in the rear, rack-and-pinion steering up front, disc brakes all around, and has a Mopar 360 small-block linked to a Dodge Dakota five-speed manual providing ample power.
Hiding under the small, round air cleaner atop the 360 is a Holley Sniper fuel injection system that does a decent job of looking like a four-barrel carburetor. Overall, the rusty coupe has a decent stance and sort of reminds us of our 1937 Ford project that was once a dirt track race car.
This stripped-down Plymouth has received some knocks from the Barnfinds.com commenters due to its “rat rod” looks, but at least this coupe wears what looks like genuine sheet metal, and it hasn’t been thrown together purely for the sake of looking ratty. There’s nothing tacked on unnecessarily, and it seems to fit the spirit of a true hot rod that favors performance over appearance. The interior, (un)finished in bare metal, features bead-rolled door panels, a simple Hurst shifter, and a six-point roll cage that appears to tie into the front of the frame.
Of course, there are a few things that might need to be addressed if authenticity is a concern. The high-back aluminum racing seats are not a great fit for the overall look of the car, and the throttle-body-injected LA small-block, while stealthy, is also an anachronism. An early Hemi would be perfect, but pricey. Perhaps a 318 Poly instead? The shrunken head hanging from the mirror? That can stay.
With three days remaining, the price for this car has crept up past $5000, but the reserve still has not been met. What do you think the final price will be when the hammer drops?
