1940 Plymouth PT105
Chrysler Corporation’s dealer network strategy drove Plymouth’s entry into the light-duty truck market in 1937. While Dodge/Plymouth dealers already had commercial vehicles, those paired with DeSoto or Chrysler lacked truck offerings for customers, creating a clear business opportunity.
Plymouth adapted Dodge’s existing light-duty truck chassis and offered four body styles under the PT series designation (Plymouth Truck). These included the Express pickup, cab-and-chassis, Commercial Sedan delivery, and wood-bodied station wagon variants.
The 1940 PT105 series received several updates that improved both appearance and functionality. New sealed-beam headlamps replaced older units, while the upper grille gained three horizontal strips for a more modern look. Engine output increased from 70 to 79 horsepower, though bore and stroke dimensions remained unchanged from previous years.
Mechanical improvements included a larger 35-amp generator to handle the sealed-beam headlamps and increased electrical demand. However, Plymouth’s decision to use left-hand and right-hand threaded wheel bolts proved unpopular with mechanics and owners alike.
Despite a $10 price increase, sales improved slightly with 6,879 pickups and 174 cab-and-chassis units produced.
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