5th Mar 2006, 09:14
"Who cares what kind of gas mileage he got?" Wow, written like a true Hummer owner. Apparently you are the only person these days who doesn't care about gas mileage. If you are unwilling to question big claims, then YOU need to get a life.
5th Mar 2006, 10:21
If you're willing to accept outrageous claims without proof, then you will be a sucker your whole life. Er... what I mean is, why don't you contact me if you're interested in some great beach front property in North Dakota? I've got a special deal just for you!
15th Mar 2006, 19:05
I remember the Cranbrook vividly. As a boy in the 1950's, my uncle had a 1952 two door sedan, emerald green in color, a six cylinder. I remember riding with him one day, he didn't get above 40 mph on the highway. He traded it and a 1948 Dodge truck for a 1961 Chevrolet Apache 10 truck. The dealer gave him $ 350 for both.
My Dad really wanted that car as a second car. It barely had 50K. But you know how relatives are. My Dad drove a 59 Biscayne at the time. He moved up to an 8 cylinder Polara in 1972. He thought that Dodge was the best car he ever owned.
DPC.
20th Mar 2006, 08:28
Hi guys.
I drive a '53 cranbrook four door as second car for 4 years. I'm currently installing a 318 auto from a 1978 lebaron in it cause the Hi drive was out of order and I wanted something hotter in it. In order to turn it into a more reliable car, I want to switch the electrical stuffs to 12 volts. Which parts should I replace to have a secure system? What are your advices?
Thanks a lot for helping me.
Matt.
20th Mar 2006, 11:03
Okay, this is a new one on me. Where does the name "Cranbrook" come from? Is it a racing circuit (like cars named Lemans) or a wealthy enclave (like cars named Malibu, Seville, Tahoe)?
It just seems so unusual since Chrysler, not to mention other auto manufacturers, have never resurrected the name as they have with others.
3rd Apr 2006, 16:32
Don't look further, Plymouth is a town on the seaside of the United Kingdom and cranbrook is a part of this town. As simple as that!
Anybody for helping me with the 12v convertion??
Matt.
7th Jul 2006, 15:42
I also own a Cranbrook that has served me well. It's interior and exterior styling still looks very fresh and modern, and my friends can't believe it is not a contemporary vehicle, rather than being 53 years old!
3rd Sep 2006, 09:58
Cranbrook is also the name of the homestead of George Booth (founder of the Detroit News), in Bloomfield Hills, MI. Bloomfield Hills was the location of many summer homes for Detroit auto barons in the early days of the automobile. Booth founded Cranbrook Educational Community. Cranbrook Academy of Art is world-renowned. James Scripps designed a car in the early 1900's called the Scripps-Booth.
15th Apr 2007, 11:25
It is most interesting to read about the Plymouth Cranbrook. I've had 2 of them, both 1951 versions. I believe that name was on the 1951 to 1953 models and then changed to Belvedere for that model line in 1954.
As for the gas mileage, they might well get 30 M.P.H. As it was said, they would never accelerate the fastest, but they were a simple and fun car to drive. My parents had a Canadian 1951 Dodge Regent, essentially a Plymouth Cranbrook with Dodge emblems and body script. I bought my first 1951 Cranbrook as a daily driver at age 19 and parked it 2 years later due to due to the engine needing a valve, piston and ring job and not enough money to pay for it. In the end I gave it away.
The second Plymouth I bought 3 years ago for heritage status from the original owner who had to give up her car and home. They as you say are fairly cheap cars to come by, simple to work on and a joy to drive. I'm glad that others share the same enthusiasm with them too.
Bruce Pettinger.
19th Nov 2007, 17:05
I need someone to tell me of a way to find the drums for the 1953 Plymouth Cranbook. (front and rear) Thanks.
25th Apr 2008, 17:47
Jack up the car and take the lug nuts off. Pull off the wheel and there they are!
26th Apr 2008, 13:14
In reply to
19th Nov 2007, 17:05.
and
1st Mar 2008, 20:09.
When in doubt, just go to Google and type in variations of what you're looking for --- 1953 Cranbook brake drums, classic car brakes, etc. You're bound to find someplace that sells whatever you need. Sometimes their website will show you what you need, but you'll probably have to call and order. I drive an old Charger, and have found that Advance Auto etc. just doesn't stock the original parts anymore, so I had to surf on-line a lot for places that sold original heater control valves, chrome pieces, etc. There are lots of places out there that specialize in antique car parts. Like as not you'll find your brake drums somewhere.
As for doing a brake job, are you just looking to change the brake shoes? Are the slave cylinders leaking? Just changing the shoes is no problem, but you'll want to make a drawing or take pictures of what it looks like when you take the shoes off, so you can put them back on in the right order.
The shoes are easy, just a matter of pushing in the spring-loaded retaining washers, rotating them, and letting them slide off the retaining pins. The shoes will come right off, but mind how the brackets and springs are held in. The shoe bottoms just rest against a yoke, and with new shoes, you'll have to shorten the length of the shaft to accommodate the new thickness; a slave cylinder piston pushes the tops of the shoes apart and just rest against little pins. If the slave cylinders are leaking, you should replace them, or hone out the cylinders and replace the seals.
On a car this old, you should also consider replacing the rubber brake lines on the front, and also check the metal lines for rust and consider replacing them.
6th Jul 2008, 08:05
Try www.oldmoparts.com for brake drums.
5th Aug 2008, 17:10
Hello, I have a '53 Cranbrook and I'm having a hell of a time trying to get parts for it. If there is someone out there that has info. on getting parts, please let me know. I need the running light lenses for the front, & one hub cap.
Thanks, Eric.
My e mail is ewalk420 @ yahoo.com
6th Aug 2008, 16:26
Try the website mentioned above (www.oldmoparts.com); they say they have "thousands" of lenses. A hubcap should be easy enough to find on eBay if you keep checking.
18th Aug 2008, 13:33
Hello and thanks for the tip on the parts. Now what I can't seem to find for the '53 Plymouth Cranbrook are lugnuts; they are both right and left threads, and oldmoparts.com does not have them. Anyone have info. on that?
Thanks again, Eric.
4th Mar 2006, 20:15
Who cares what kind of gas mileage the guy got. If he said he got 30 let him have 30. Get a life.