It is not commonly recognized by automotive enthusiasts, but Plymouth entered the light truck field in 1937. This seemed especially aggressive considering the fact that Plymouth also spent considerable money on tooling and production of two almost totally new lines of passenger cars. Parent Chrysler made the commitment to take additional market share from others with the growing popularity of the Plymouth brand. This combination of factors worked, as the marque’s reputation for economy, durability, and reliability rocketed Plymouth to third in the industry in passenger car sales for 1937.

The addition of the commercial car line was buoyed by the PT-50 Pickup, the most popular offering. Others included a ½-ton chassis able to be fitted with special bodies up to one ton in capacity, the Commercial Sedan (a panel delivery), and the Westchester Suburban, which offered station-wagon utility in a more robust size and capacity. Passenger car sheet metal was not shared with the commercials.

The PT-50 featured safety glass all around, along with a front bumper and right front side-mounted spare tire as standard, all for $525.00 before options. The rear bumper was optional. The six-foot long box had a width of 47.5 inches, and power was supplied by an 82-horsepower L-head six-cylinder engine with a bore of 3⅛ inches and a stroke of 4⅜ inches, along with a compression ratio of 6.7:1. The standard three-speed manual transmission featured silent helical gears in second speed. A total of 10,709 were built for the model year. Plymouth’s commercial car line did not return when production resumed following WWII.

With its limited production and the use of most trucks of the period as work vehicles, it is unusual to see a Plymouth pickup surviving today, let alone one restored to the condition of this rare vehicle. The consigner describes it as a “show quality” restoration that starts easily and drives very well. The restoration in all-black has been completed within the last three years, and less than 100 miles have been accumulated since that time. The engine bay, chassis, and interior are neat and tidy, just as you would expect on a recent restoration with limited miles. Plymouths of 1937 were quite stylish, and this example with wide whitewall tires is certainly no exception.

This vehicle affords an excellent opportunity for its new owner to promote his/her business or an excellent foray into the antique car hobby by purchasing a unique and rare vehicle, freshly restored, that has yet to be shown. Perfect for AACA, marque, WPC, or orphan manufacturer events, it will no doubt be a subject of curiosity for those who are seeing their first Plymouth pickup truck.