1940 Plymouth Deluxe (P-10) Woodie (ORIGINAL RITZ CARLTON STATION WAGON)

ORIGINAL RITZ CARLTON STATION WAGON..1940 PlymouthDeluxe (P-10)Woodie

3126 total units produced - Only 13 remain

This Woodie is the only survivor of three wagons purchased new by the Ritz Carlton Hotel in 1940. When retired of service sometime after the war it remained in the underground parking for decades until the owners son acquired it from his dad during the high point of the California surfing culture around 1963. Stoked about moving to California with his Woodie he settled somewhere on the Southern California coast and raised a family. The car was always garaged when not in use and in 1986 they decided to sell the Woodie to make room for their new Maserati so it was driven to a corner lot in Corona Del Mar with a for sale sign in the window. Shortly thereafter, y friend and fellow classic car collector purchased the wagon.

Eventually I was able to strike a deal with my friend to purchase the car.During the first couple months of ownership, had the rust-free sheet metal professionally re-painted from the drab beige to another 1940 Plymouth color..."Charlotte Ivory" that is a actually a beautiful butter cream. The wheels were painted deep red, ccented with original hand painted cream pin striping and mounted on a set of Lester wide whitewalls. These upgrades uplifted the car from a somewhat utility looking station wagon to a classic-looking Woodie.

The original ash frame with maple panels are beautiful with its aged varnish amber color and patina. Finding any Woodie with its original wood still intact is few and far between and this character cannot be duplicated with new wood. It is a testament to the care this car has had.

The original flathead high torque 215 C.I. six was completely rebuilt in the early 90's and has only approximately 3500 miles on it. The ultra smooth, imple, eliable and quiet running Plymouth 6-cylinder is a joy to drive, specially when you get on the freeway and engage the factory Borg Warner Overdrive. This transmission is a smooth-shifting three-speed on the column with an extra .78 overdrive giving it a highway friendly 4th gear and the ability to split first and second gear ratios for mountain climbs.

Recent upgrades include replacing all the front steering rod ends and suspension bushings. The Plymouth suspension, onsisting of front independent coil springs with twin parallel rear leaf springs and aircraft style tube shocks were way ahead of its competition in both ride and stability. A four row high density brass radiator, -blade fan and full pressure cooling system insure the wagon never overheats, ven on the hottest days .

The dash is the original factory beige paint with nickel trim in amazing condition. The original gauges and steering wheel complete with a period correct Brody knob are all in excellent condition. The running boards still sport their original rubber in great solid shape .

The wiring and gauges are original and have always worked well and the only upgrade to the electrical system is to a modern alternator,'high torque starter and deep cycle battery.

Also highlighting this Woodie's beautiful exterior is a pair of extremely rare Auto-Lite "bullseye" sealed beam head lights and at the rear is a rare and unique accessory chrome fold down tailgate protector.

The interior wood is the original un-restored maple panels and mahogany belt line trim and shows very minor wear true to its originality and care. The elaborate un-restored wooden skeleton headliner with its ash crossbows and extra basswood roof slats is unique in design from the competition and hands down the most beautiful headliner of all the Woodies. In addition, oPar woodies all feature stunning oak floorboards running from behind the front seat all the way to the rear. You will not find any Ford or General Motors Woodies with this feature.

The three original seats were recently redone in a rich age-mottled brown soft-touch leatherette that looks and feels like leather without the worry of staining. The seat mountings allow either seat to be quickly interchanged.

This Woodie is solid, attle-free and mechanically sound. It runs like a Swiss watch and is truly a well preserved original. It's a classy looking Woodie that the whole family can have fun in with tons of charm and character with only minor patina. No need to ever worry about somebody approaching with kids. Just invite them to climb on the running boards, eel the wood and take a look inside at the gorgeous wood.

As a four time trophy winner, ncluding the Surf City trophy presented by Dean of Jan and Dean fame, his old Woodie receives lots of thumbs-ups from the crowd whenever you take it to a show or out for a Sunday drive.

Specifications: 1940 (P-10) Special Deluxe Station Wagon

1. Units produced: 3,126 (plus 80 built for export)

2. Base Price: $790.00

3. Engine: Flathead Straight 6-Cylinder

4. Displacement: 215 C.I.D.

5. Weight: 3144 lbs.

6. Wheelbase: 117 inches

Special Features

• Optional Borg-Warner Overdrive transmission

• Four row high density radiator

• Rare chrome steel accessory folding tail gate protector

• Registered un-restored 1940 plates

• Period correct accessory fog lamps

• Period correct brass Pyreen fire extinguisher

• Rare Trico vacuum operated accessory drivers fan