Spotted on Craigslist in Wisconsin, we bring to you another vintage find that has loads of potential. Feast your eyes on this rare black 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook.
Only in production from 1951 to 1953, the Cranbrook replaced Plymouth’s Special Deluxe and featured a more elegant exterior trim. The P-24 Series Cranbrook has body lines that are sleek and as straight as an arrow even with its 63-year-old allure. For its age, the body is in immaculate shape.
What was succeeded by the Belvedere, the Cranbrook has all the proportions to craft one cool custom. Although this Cranbrook doesn’t run, everything is accounted for, opening the possibility for a restoration project.
Under the hood is a 3.6-liter Flathead inline six cylinder mill that is weak compared to today’s counterparts. A new engine may be on the to-do list for this Cranbrook, but the body has minimal rust and the chrome is still shining.
However, it doesn’t look like it will take much to get this car running, even in its current condition. Equipped with a Hy-Drive tranny, this is essentially a cross between a manual and an automatic since the first automatic transmission was still in its development stages.
Diving in further, the Hy-Drive transmission on the Cranbrook has a manual configuration that utilizes a torque converter much like an automatic, but can be shifted without engaging the clutch pedal once the car is in motion.
The Hy-Drive is the early version of what evolved into the first fully operational automatic transmission, the PowerFlite that arrived in 1955. The only surface rust we could spot was along the bottom of the quarter panel. The car may be a sedan, which may steer people away, but the car looks great.
What may be considered a budget car, the minimal use of chrome on the Cranbrook gives it some subtle appeal. From the conservative curves and pull-out door handles, this car has the potential to become a sleeper.
Whether this becomes a restoration project or a full-blown custom, what would be your first order of business with this car? Let us know in the comments below.
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