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Econofin

Posted 2008-07-17 12:25 AM (#137962)
Subject: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 25

Location: Kennesaw, Ga.

Hi, I am new to the boards. My name is Brian......anyway...So I am a big Mopar fan..had few (or more). I've had only one vintage model, which I really liked. It was a 1960 Dodge Pioneer Wagon. After I sold it, I always wanted something similar.

While endlessly looking for a 72 Satellite / Roadrunner parts car locally, I found an ad for this car. I actually gasped out loud as I opened it up and read it. 1959 Plymouth Perkins diesel. needs full restoration. That's about it. Being a diesel fan, and a Mopar fan, it was right up my ally....It was also stored about eight miles from my house. Two of my friends and I researched what we could find about Perkins powered Plymouths online. Not much to be found. Seems like they were fitted with the engines when they arrived overseas. I really think this car never left the US. I hope to perhaps reseach the past owners before the mid-90s.

I bought this car from a fellow who had inherited it from his father's estate, as well as several other vintage Mopars. His father had bought it from someone in the mid-90s. The story was told that it was a prototype model. That I'd love to believe, but it'd be a big longshot. It is odd that it has no model identification. The car only has Plymouth emblems. No model emblems at all. Original paint, so no holes filled. That's odd too. Just the big Perkins emblems on the fins.

It is very solid. Tagged last in 1977, in Georgia. It appears to have had an emblem from a car dealer on the trunk which is now missing. I can make out that the dealership was in Atlanta by looking at the paint fade around it. I don't know if it was a new or used car dealership.

I know these were fitted in Europe with this drivetrain for use as Taxis and such. This four door post model fits that description. I wonder if this model was fitted with the engine here and utilized for market research before commiting to the overseas product line. Otherwise, I don't know why it was here.

I do know it was owned by a Delta employee and I saw a name and address in glovebox. It's a longshot, but I'll pursure any leads I can on this car's history.

If anyone knows anything about this car, or any info about Perkins Plymouths...Vintage print media would be a joy to see! I'd love to learn everything I can about these models.

I love Finned Mopars. I love diesels. I couldn't be happier.

I am going to try to upload pics. I'm new to the forum, so I hope I can.

Any info is very helpful!

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1955Coronado

Posted 2008-07-17 12:55 AM (#137965 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona

Wow - so this is actually a Georgia car. And absolutely no model name script (looks like Savoy stainless on the sides). A foreign job that's spent its entire life in the US.

Can't wait to see what you're able to dig up on such a unique car!

Chrycoman

Posted 2008-07-17 1:02 AM (#137968 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Vancouver, BC

Write Chrysler Historical to see if they have a build record for your car. They should if it started out at an American plant, fully assembled or CKD. The lack of series nameplate is not unusual as many markets only sold one level of trim and even one body style.

Chrome58

Posted 2008-07-17 1:18 AM (#137971 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels

Strange because AFAIK the Perkins engines were only fitted in overseas Chrysler plants ...
Maybe it got reimported to the US very early in its life, which could lead to think that it spent all its life there.

roadkillontheweb

Posted 2008-07-17 6:58 AM (#137988 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Iowa USA

I have been able to find information on foreign built Plymouths and Desotos with perkins powerplants but nothing stateside.
I would suggest that you check the DMV records or title search to determine past ownership. Most likely this was purcahsed overseas and brought to the states by a returning service member then traded in as a used car at the dealership in Atlanta. There is a 1958 Desoto Diplomat Convertible here in Iowa that came from Hawaii that way

Edited by roadkillontheweb 2008-07-17 7:00 AM

roadkillontheweb

Posted 2008-07-17 7:04 AM (#137989 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Iowa USA

Is the speedo MPH or KPH?
Under the heater box on the firewall there may be a tag from the plant of origin
What is the vin number sequence?
That is the correct perkins P4 C motor used in foreign production

Econofin

Posted 2008-07-17 12:07 PM (#138005 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 25

Location: Kennesaw, Ga.

I did reference a pic of the instrument cluster, which I'll attach. It appears to be MPH.....I didn't make a point to look at it previously...thanks goodness took as many pics as I could.

As far as the VIN goes, would it be in the left front door jamb on the body mounted sideways and held by two fasteners?
If so, I did not see one there.

Under the hood on the driver's side or the body toward the windshield was the data plate. I think it just showed trim options and sequence number maybe the build date. I don't have those codes on me right now. Would that tag contain the VIN too, like later model Mopars? Do these cars have build sheets stashed in them somewhere? I know my 60s and 70s cars have had them often times.

I'll look for that tag on the heater box. As far as the model of engine goes, the 4PC motor is what my friend's research determined it to probably be. I have a pic of a tag on the motor, which say P Series, but not the model number.

I am going to keep this car stored in the facility that's it's currently in for a few months, but I'm sure I am going to pull it out to give it a keen look over, and clean up all the dust.....I am curious as to what may be in the trunk...gotta run it by a locksmith.

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1955Coronado

Posted 2008-07-17 12:40 PM (#138012 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Hell's Outhouse - a.k.a. Buckeye, Arizona

That's a standard domestic 120 mph speedo, alright.

Wonder what that small silver button high on the auto tranny delete plate is?

Edited by 1955Coronado 2008-07-17 12:41 PM

Fins/413

Posted 2008-07-17 1:17 PM (#138017 - in reply to #138012)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Wake Forest, NC

It cuts in the N2O when you are trying to pass a Moped. Neat car, I wonder what kind of fuel economy it gets? That has got to be one of the rarest around.

sparky7

Posted 2008-07-17 4:42 PM (#138046 - in reply to #138017)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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That is quite a find . . . congratulations!

Sparky

TexasDart

Posted 2008-07-17 5:04 PM (#138050 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Posts: 133
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Just saw a perkins diesel on Dallas Craig's list for sale....it's for a sale boat.

http://dallas.craigslist.org/sdf/boa/758745515.html

nice strange car...probably wouldn't take much to swap in a real motor...:)

Edited by TexasDart 2008-07-17 5:06 PM

roadkillontheweb

Posted 2008-07-17 8:06 PM (#138087 - in reply to #138050)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Iowa USA

The button on the left side of the speedo cluster is probably for the glow plugs to start the motor.
I will try to attach a picture that shows the plate under the heater box that I am talking about. I could not find a digital image of the plate on the 58 Diplomat but I found this one on a 56 Desoto is the same plate but yours would say Plymouth. I highly suspect that it is not there because I doubt it was built in the states. The VIN number will be a clue on it's origin. If it is built in the states you will want to get a Chrysler historical copy of the build sheet.

Edited by roadkillontheweb 2008-07-17 8:19 PM

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Econofin

Posted 2008-07-17 10:47 PM (#138104 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 25

Location: Kennesaw, Ga.

Wow, I can't wait to at least look at this some this weekend. I may have to go get my trailer and bring it home for a CLOSE look, and clean. I sure hope to find the Plant of Origin tag. The fellow I got it from is going to bring what paperwork he has on the car. He said that he has a tag reciept. I want to see the VIN.

I have enough friends wanting to see it that it shouldn't be too much to push her out and then winch onto the trailer. That may have to happen this weekend. Of course I'll take a lot of pics.

I hope the motor is not locked, but even if it is, that's okay. It seems from what I've been told and directed to, that there's so much out there for these engines.

Thanks for the pics Roadkill....pretty neat to see a spec sheet on the 4PC......And of course the tag!

I think the red light to the right of the cluster is probably the glow plug heater light. It sure is big...I'd think the toggles are for the glow plugs and maybe the fuel cut off unless they ran it though the ignition. I'd imagine most of the wiring is dry rotted. I'll have too look it over...along with everything else.

I had to put a couple projects up for sale to make room for this car....bye-bye to my 68 Fury Convertible, 66 Mercury Monterey Breezeway. I was downsizing when this appeared. But by all means, well worth it!!!

Thanks everyone so far with answers, comments, and support!

57plymouth

Posted 2008-07-18 6:39 AM (#138128 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Blythewood, SC

I'm jealous! That's a super rare car. Add in a turbo and run it on veggie oil for free. And it's a quatroport as well for family friendly fun!

What's not to love?

Rob

Posted 2008-07-18 9:00 PM (#138193 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Write Chrysler and get the build sheet as ChryCoMan suggests.

Econofin

Posted 2008-07-18 11:36 PM (#138205 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 25

Location: Kennesaw, Ga.

I'm all for writing Chrysler for the build sheet...Man, I can't wait....I am going to meet the previous owner at the storage facility tomorrow to change out the lease on the unit. He called me this evening and left me a mesage on my cell stating that he'd been to his Dad's house and had collected what papers he had on the car. He was real excited to speak with me. He has bills of sales and some tag reciepts going all the way back to 1964! So, I should get some names to try and track down. Also, I get to see the registered VIN...as I did not see one in the door jamb. All the paperwork he has shows it to be in the Atlanta area the whole time (since 1964). Maybe I can track down a previous owner. That'd be a hoot!

I hope to bring it out of the unit sometime this weekend and put it on my trailer to look it over at home. I should know a lot more in the next couple of days. Hope to get some cool pics up too.

Econofin

Posted 2008-07-19 1:31 PM (#138252 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 25

Location: Kennesaw, Ga.

Got the VIN this morning...Only from the paperwork...It is as follows:

N186130418

N-Year
1-Line-Plymouth 6 cylinder
8-Class-Taxi
6-Plant-Plymouth Detriot

Last six numbers 130418 build sequence

I read some more today, I think the VIN is on the A pillar on non-LA built cars....It definitly is not on the body tag under the hood...I looked again...

I am going to get this car out of storage this afternoon for a couple of days.

Edited by Econofin 2008-07-19 1:32 PM

Chrycoman

Posted 2008-07-20 5:03 AM (#138341 - in reply to #138252)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Econofin - 2008-07-19 10:31 AM

Got the VIN this morning...Only from the paperwork...It is as follows:

N186130418

N-Year
1-Line-Plymouth 6 cylinder
8-Class-Taxi
6-Plant-Plymouth Detriot

Last six numbers 130418 build sequence

I read some more today, I think the VIN is on the A pillar on non-LA built cars....It definitly is not on the body tag under the hood...I looked again...

I am going to get this car out of storage this afternoon for a couple of days.

Are you sure the first letter is "N" and not "M"? Chrysler never used the letter "N" in its engineering department model year codes. 1959 was "M". I suspect you will find that when you see the serial number tag.

BigBlockHead

Posted 2008-07-20 5:32 AM (#138343 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Posts: 11

Location: Espoo / Finland

Have you read the book "Plymouth 1946-1959" by Jim Benjaminson. There are four pages about Perkins plymouths and it states that the diesel powered plymouths are mentioned in Motor Life magazine october 1959 issue : "Plymouth diesels are being seen more and more in taxicab fleets from coast to coast. Under-hood unit is the perkins diesel. While they may be successful in cab operations, where continuous running factor, they are unlikely to be worthwhile as a private vehicle. The added cost of diesel installation could not be offset by fuel savings in life of the engine." See if you can find that issue of motor life from ebay for example. There could be also some other magazines of that time writing about diesel plymouths. I'm not sure how this works in United States, but in my country you can find all sorts of old magazines from library and read them there. It's a lot of work, but might be useful!

This book also states that the only known surviving Perkins diesel-plymouth is 1956 Savoy in Canada.

So according to VIN your car could have been used as a Taxi ?
What is the original color of the car, is the fender tag there?

Anyhow, You have found something very unique. Can't say anything about the price of the car, but at least historically it's very valuable and worth saving!

Markku

Edited by BigBlockHead 2008-07-20 5:42 AM

Econofin

Posted 2008-07-21 10:10 PM (#138503 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 25

Location: Kennesaw, Ga.

Okay...so had a fun time (I've had "funner") pushing the car out of the storage unit..hot hot Georgia day...got sunburned through my shirt! Anyway winched it up on my trailer and headed home...didn't get a chance to do much else Saturday. Peeked out the window at it a number of times..LOL.

I looked over the tag reciepts and such. The old man who sold it in the mid 90s bough it in 64, I believe it was. I did find record of his death certificate online. He died almost a year after selling it. I hold his memory in high regard, what little I know of him. He was the Delta employee, hence the stickers. Hope to find out more. He was local. The owner previous to him, nothing yet. Interesting to look at the chain of ownership. I've never really cared much with other cars. This one's so odd, I'd like to hear more from a previous owner if possible. That was Saturday.

Sunday...Yes, Bill, you're right, the VIN starts with M..That must have been a typo..the sequence number was off too. I cleaned the data plate with a toothbrush to find an M..I'll post a pic with the data plate, but the M is not legible.
Took her out to the carwash for the first bath since Jimmy Carter was President. Vacuumed years of disgusting blah off of the floors and seats. I brought her home and cleaned up the glass, door panels etc. Being a Taxi designation, she's pretty east to clean..I love the rubber floor mat, simple door panels and basic seats.

Today at work we got the rear seat out. We were able to fashon a broomstick with needlenose pliers duct taped to the end to open the trunk from the inside. Fun! We found what looks to be a rebuild kit in the trunk. Also a transmission, clutch, a couple of filters, wheels, and hubcaps. Looks like the trans is some type of overdrive unit. I don't know about the hubcaps...Never seen that style. There is a set of dog dish style in the rear seat area. Anybody know what these caps are?

We're going to pull the front seat out tomorrow, and clean the floors..they seem real, real solid. Then treat any rust with Por-15 the reinstall the big rubber floor mat later on in the week.

Does anyone know if a NOS or repro floor mat is availible? Also the heavy vinyl plain jane seat material? I can get them restitched to look the same. I doubt if there's any repro of that style...anyone got a line on an NOS?

I think the color is original..I've not tried to decode the rest of the tag. It looks aqua under the floormat and everywhere, but the inside of the trunk area looks kinda silver all over?

Markku, I did find that issue of Motor LIfe on ebay, and did a buy it now, so that'll be interesting to have. I'll try to find other similar publications too.

Well since I have the correct VIN, I'm going to pursue Chrysler Historical...hope they can tell me something more.

Until then, I'm going to tinker with it a bit more...I want to get the injectors out and soak the cylinders before trying to turn the engine by hand...maybe pull the oil pan and clean it and the pick up tube.

Thanks agian everyone.
Brian

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Chrycoman

Posted 2008-07-21 11:15 PM (#138509 - in reply to #138343)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Vancouver, BC

From what I can see on the tag -

183 01450 : Body Number -
1 - Plymouth 6
8 - Taxi
3 - 4-door sedan

TRM - 553 : Interior Trim
Have no info on 1959 models

PNT - EE : Exterior Paint : Mint Green

It looks like "SCHEDULE" on the bottom left. Which would make the scheduled build date -
0421 - April 21 (1959)

The bottom right has the serial number - M186 100418.

Actually, 100418 would be correct for a taxi - the 418th Plymouth 6 taxi built. 130418 is rather high as taxi production rarely went beyond 2,000, never mind 30,000, in a year.

1959 was the last year Chrysler started every S/N prefix with 100001. The first 6 cylinder taxi was M186-100001 while the first V8 taxi was M286-100001. Starting with 1960, the first car off each assembly line was 100001.

At the St.Louis plant, which built Plymouths and Dodges, if the first car off the line was a Plymouth followed by a Dodge, the Plymouth would be 100001 and the Dodge would be 100002.

It looks like a pretty solid car. Coupled with the Perkins diesel, it is one rare vehicle.

56royaldodge

Posted 2008-07-22 10:52 AM (#138556 - in reply to #138503)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Account deactivated by owner's request

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Location: On this barrel

The hubcaps shown in your picture are from a 56 Dodge.

hemidenis

Posted 2008-07-22 5:48 PM (#138610 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Northen Virginia

i remember those engines back in Argentina, the vibration produced can loose any bolt from the body, but they had great torque.

vedette

Posted 2008-07-22 7:44 PM (#138621 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Scotland

I only ever saw one a 1958 Dodge Perkins Taxi in Greece ,still in service in the early '80s.Still have a photo of it somewhere,i'll try and find it.

Chrome58

Posted 2008-07-23 1:13 AM (#138653 - in reply to #138621)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels

I know about two '59 Dodge Kingsway with a diesel Perkins engine.
One is located in Luxemburg, the other one in France.

Benji

Posted 2009-03-15 6:11 PM (#167105 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Posts: 101
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Location: Walhalla, ND

Add one more to the known Perkins diesel powered Plymouths - a 1960 Belvedere 4 door was recently found in a junkyard in Indiana

57burb

Posted 2009-03-16 10:47 AM (#167167 - in reply to #167105)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Here are Jim's pictures! Very unusual...

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60dodgedart

Posted 2009-03-16 12:41 PM (#167174 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Middletown CT

Brian Great find! Welcome! I have a 59 Plymouth 4 door hardtop in a body shop currently, and a 60 Dodge Dart
Pioneer 2 door hardtop. Question for the diesel experts-- when did Chrysler start putting these diesels in export cars- and was it just taxis? I hadn't known Ma Mopar did that!WOW! Beth Harris.

Benji

Posted 2009-03-17 11:14 PM (#167361 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Posts: 101
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Location: Walhalla, ND

If you search Perkins Diesel (if I remember correctly the Hunter NV site from the Netherlands) you will see a photo of a 50 Chrysler with a Perkins diesel. I've seen photos of '53-54-55 Plymouths and now this 60 shown above and the '59 that started this thread. If there were any later versions I don't know but Hunter NV's general manager, in a letter to me some years ago, stated they had put diesels in Valiants....

vedette

Posted 2010-01-03 7:02 PM (#203646 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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found this interesting article on the Perkins Plymouths http://www.allpar.com/mopar/perkins.html

(PlyDieselTaxiBaltimore.jpg)

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vedette

Posted 2010-01-03 7:44 PM (#203650 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Scotland

and another feature on the Diesel Plymouths http://www.allpar.com/history/plymouth/1946-1959/diesels.html

suburban61

Posted 2010-01-03 7:52 PM (#203651 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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i have a popular mechanics magazine here with an article in it on a 1961 plymouth perkins diesel checker cab taxi... adriana

Handygun

Posted 2010-01-03 8:09 PM (#203652 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: STL, MO

Would these cars have thier own rear gear ratio to make up for the slow spinning diesel?

vedette

Posted 2010-01-03 8:10 PM (#203653 - in reply to #203651)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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suburban61 - 2010-01-03 7:52 PM

i have a popular mechanics magazine here with an article in it on a 1961 plymouth perkins diesel checker cab taxi... adriana :)

I would never have guessed it would've been for a 1961 Plymouth,Adriana.

suburban61

Posted 2010-01-04 12:25 AM (#203687 - in reply to #203653)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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vedette - 2010-01-03 8:10 PM

suburban61 - 2010-01-03 7:52 PM

i have a popular mechanics magazine here with an article in it on a 1961 plymouth perkins diesel checker cab taxi... adriana :)

I would never have guessed it would've been for a 1961 Plymouth,Adriana.

i thought id better clarify it

i have lots and lots of magazines and other vintage things here, not just 1961 plymouth things... adriana

56fireflite

Posted 2010-01-04 7:59 AM (#203703 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Posts: 186
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Here Adriana...
http://books.google.nl/books?id=f98DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54&dq=plymouth...

) courtesy of googlebooks...

neil_statz

Posted 2012-03-14 9:23 AM (#312049 - in reply to #203703)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Regular

Posts: 73

Location: Vilseck Germany

yeah, I figured it'd be a poor idea - just that at $10 a gallon for gas here in Europe, I probably won't be able to afford to drive it with the V8 that's in there -
with a cracked block that was repaired, I just don't have the "faith" that'll it'll run much - I've been told to get rid of my car and get a "good" oldie - like a Mercedes - can we ring a few bells here? - how come there aren't any German Regions on this site so I'd have someone to share my misery with?

1960DesotoAdventurer

Posted 2012-03-14 6:41 PM (#312128 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Plymouth Spaceport

Until I saw this thread I had no idea there was such a thing as a Forward Look car with a diesel engine...you learn something new every day!

That article on the 1961 Plymouth cab is very interesting...according them it was at the time America's only diesel powered production vehicle.The 204 ci engine was rated at only 72hp,but supposedly had 170ftlbs of torque at 1000 rpm and at a speed of 55mph got between 28-33mpg! I wonder how many diesel equipped Forward Looks still exist.

The Perkins emblem on the '59 is pretty cool looking too...neat car!

Edited by 1960DesotoAdventurer 2012-03-14 6:42 PM

Chrispy

Posted 2012-03-14 7:52 PM (#312143 - in reply to #312128)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado

Any idea what happened to this car? did it run again?

Rebels-59

Posted 2012-03-14 8:48 PM (#312154 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

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Brians Profile shows

Date registered 2008-07-16 10:45 PM
Last logon 2009-03-09 11:31 PM

So he hasnt Logged in for 3 years,, Shame as i would also like to read a update on this ..

.

BarnFind57

Posted 2012-03-15 7:59 AM (#312199 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

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Posts: 957
500

Location: Signal Mountain, TN

^^^^ I was gonna ask the same thing. I was reading through this thread for the first time, but I always go back and look at the dates of the posts....

Shame. I too would like to know what ever happened with this car....

Econofin

Posted 2013-10-07 5:02 PM (#402023 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 25

Location: Kennesaw, Ga.

Hello all,

To those wondering, I do still have this car. It is awaiting attention, and restoration. The injection pump and injectors are in need of rebuild. I have found a very notable Perkins mechanic who I may send the car to and get it up and running correctly. The engine does have compression.
We did a little bit of floor work and por-15'd them a while back. Hope to be getting back on the project soon.

SavoyPlaza

Posted 2013-10-08 6:01 AM (#402114 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Elite Veteran

Posts: 1172
1000

Location: Georgia

Thanks for the update, Brian! Glad you still have this rare beast.
Pete

highduster

Posted 2019-02-13 12:33 PM (#578152 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 17

My name is Ed and I purchased this car from Brian last year. It is currently running after lots of work. I will update with some pics when I find an editor to shrink them down to acceptable size. There are some posted on the 59Plymouth board.
I am currently looking for a front valance and some rubber flooring. Does anyone repop the rubber floor material?

jboymechanic

Posted 2019-02-13 12:49 PM (#578153 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Expert

Posts: 2196
2000

Location: Muskego, WI

Ed, welcome to the forum and congratulations on getting that diesel running. Is the car driving or just running? Did the car come with the Borg Warner overdrive transmission pictured by Brian earlier in this thread? Can't wait to see some pictures of this thing today, any chance you could post a video of it running on youtube?

highduster

Posted 2019-02-13 1:03 PM (#578155 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 17

It is driving, but not long distances (not too far to walk home!) I rebuilt the brakes, but the manual steering is sloppy. The overdrive tranny is still in the trunk as pictured. I am hesitant to try installation, at least until the bugs are worked out. Not sure if it would require a shorter driveshaft and/or different length shift linkage.
BTW, I also have a 60 Belvedere 2dr ht. Drove it here from Washington state a few years ago. Also a 58 Dodge Coronet 4dr low mileage project. Looking for a pic editor.

jboymechanic

Posted 2019-02-13 2:20 PM (#578161 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Expert

Posts: 2196
2000

Location: Muskego, WI

Do you know what gear ratio your rear axle is and whether it is a 8 1/4? Is the 3 speed in the car the standard 3 speed that would have been behind a straight 6 gas engine? I wonder if this car was basically built as a straight 6 car with just the engine replaced with the diesel. The car could benefit greatly from the OD if it's in good working order. What is the cruising RPM of that engine? What is its current comfortable cruising speed?

highduster

Posted 2019-02-13 2:47 PM (#578164 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 17

It looks like the standard 6 cyl transmission and clutch, but mated to the Perkins heavyweight flywheel. They called this P4 engine their "high speed" engine and it's governed (by vacuum to the fuel pump) at 2500 rpm. The fastest I have gotten it to go is about 47 MPH in 3rd on level ground. The rear looks standard, I thought these old ones were 8 3/4, but I've never had one apart. For sure it's got the old tapered axels. I haven't attempted to determine the ratio. It's definitely a city car. I have talked with a Perkins diesel guy in England and he says he may be able to hook me up with a mechanical tach and some pointers on getting a few more rpm out of it. He said the red line is about 3100. They have a super long stroke...5 inches. I think I finally uploaded 1 pic.

(IMG_20190207_120204933ss.jpg)

Attachments
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IMG_20190207_120204933ss.jpg (70KB - 195 downloads)

highduster

Posted 2019-02-13 3:24 PM (#578169 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: RE: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Member

Posts: 17

Perkins P4 Engine in the 59.

(IMG_20190202_123955310ss.jpg)

Attachments
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IMG_20190202_123955310ss.jpg (68KB - 176 downloads)

ABloch

Posted 2019-02-13 3:24 PM (#578170 - in reply to #137962)
Subject: Re: 1959 Plymouth with Perkins Diesel

Expert

Posts: 1476
1000

Location: Pacific Northwest

I've seen NOS rubber "carpet" come up on eBay every now and then. I bought a set from Auto Custom Carpets through one of their vendors off the eBay and it fit fine. It was missing the heel of course until an NOS front came available and I bought it right quick!

Like this.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Replacement-Vinyl-Flooring-Set-Complete-for...

Edited by ABloch 2019-02-13 3:25 PM

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