1951 Plymouth Cranbrook 218
Summary:
Solid, high quality, easily repairable car
Faults:
Brakes.
Speedometer cable.
Starter dragged.
Charging System was Questionable.
Carb needed a rebuild.
General Comments:
I bought the car for 500 bucks. It was in alright shape, but it needed brakes (very typical for an old car). I got it running after tearing apart the starter and cleaning it up. The starter kept kicking out before the car would start.
When I got the car to run it ran pretty good. It had plenty of pickup for an old beater, and I'd say it averaged right around 20-21 mpg.
The speedometer did go out on me after a few hundred miles. I disconnected the cable because the speedo was making so much noise.
The charging system was iffy, I kept adjusting and filing the points in the voltage regulator. It kept working, although I don't think it ever charged right.
The best part is most of the problems were fixable without spending money. Unlike a modern car, parts are made to be repaired or rebuilt. I wound up selling it, and doubled my money.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 1st July, 2011
20th Feb 2006, 17:48
I love old cars, and fully support your enjoyment of driving this. Although I love Dodge/Chrysler/Plymouth, I have to admit I've never heard of the Cranbrook (my favorites are the 1960s and 1970s). I am pretty surprised--okay, let's just say skeptical--of your reported 30 mpg out of this 258 straight six. I had a 1950 Chevy DeLuxe with a straight six, three speed manual, essentially a contemporary of your car. I had that thing running smooth as silk, but no way was it ever close to 30 mpg. Do you have an extreme high-ratio gearing in the differential or something? Even under the most ideal conditions, such as rolling downhill I-80 West from Truckee to Sacramento, I would still have to see it to believe it.