1950 Plymouth Special Deluxe Coupe
Plymouth’s first entirely new postwar design arrived in March 1949, with the 1950 model year bringing revised exterior details including a simplified three-bar grille, enlarged rear window, and raised rear fenders with relocated taillights.
President K.T. Keller’s insistence on “tall enough to get into while wearing a hat” proportions created practical, upright bodywork that maximized interior space despite criticism for its conservative styling.
Special Deluxe trim represented Plymouth’s top offering, featuring brightwork around windows, fender script badges, and upgraded interior appointments. Built on Plymouth’s standard 111-inch wheelbase, the club coupe offered comfortable seating and generous headroom.
Under the hood, Plymouth’s proven 218 cubic inch L-head inline-six produced 97 horsepower at 3,600 rpm, connected to a three-speed manual transmission. Independent front suspension with a live rear axle provided typical period handling characteristics, while four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes delivered dependable stopping power.
Among 610,954 total Plymouths built for 1950, approximately 350,290 carried the Special Deluxe designation. The model’s durability, value pricing, and conservative engineering reinforced Plymouth’s position as Chrysler Corporation’s volume-focused value leader during the early postwar years.
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