1949 Plymouth Special De Luxe Convertible

The Plymouth De Luxe and Special De Luxe were full-sized automobiles which were produced during the 1941-42 and 1946-50 model years. They were produced at the Lynch Road Assembly facility in Highland Park, Michigan. This 1949 Plymouth Special De Luxe convertible is one of 15,240 built that year, evidence of its popularity.

The 1949 Plymouth Special Deluxe Convertible was part of Plymouth’s first truly new postwar lineup, introduced in March 1949 as part of the P-18 series. This model marked a significant shift from the prewar designs that had lingered through the immediate postwar years, featuring a restyled body with smoother, less pronounced front fenders that blended into the overall design. The Special Deluxe was the top-tier trim level of the Deluxe line, built on a 118.5-inch wheelbase, distinguishing it from the shorter 111-inch wheelbase P-17 series.

The convertible was one of four body styles offered in the Special Deluxe range, alongside the four-door sedan, two-door club coupe, and four-door station wagon. It was powered by a 217.8-cubic-inch inline-six flathead engine, producing 97 horsepower at 3,600 RPM—a modest but reliable powerplant typical of the era’s economy cars. The design prioritized practicality and durability over flash, reflecting Chrysler’s conservative approach under the influence of president K.T. Keller, who favored upright, boxy styling to accommodate passengers wearing hats.