Six decades ago, a young Clayton Miller saw a 1948 Plymouth Special Deluxe Club Coupe and remembers thinking, “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Virtually everything about the 16-foot, 4.75-inch-long car was pleasing to the youth - from the clear plastic hood ornament featuring the famous ships emblem to the small cabin and bulbous fenders, each trimmed with a strip of stainless steel.
“One of these days,” he thought, “I’m going to own one.”
The 1940s were soon relegated to the history books, as were the 1950s, the 1960s and 1970s. The 1980s were nearing the end in 1988 when Mr. Miller finally located the Plymouth of his dreams in Edgewood, Md. “It only took 40 years, that’s all,” he says.
After purchasing the Plymouth he settled into the driver’s seat, turned the key in the ignition and pushed the starter button. The trusty 217.8-cubic-inch, L-head, six-cylinder engine came to life and a happy Mr. Miller drove his long-sought prize to his Woodbine, Md., home.
“I drove the car regularly for four or five years,” he says. The 95-horsepower club coupe was so reliable, Mr. Miller had no qualms about being left stranded by the side of the road.
Eventually the six-foot, 1.5-inch-wide car needed some cosmetic attention which Mr. Miller was happy to provide.
He wanted to have the appearance of his 3,005-pound Plymouth equal to that when it was new with a base price of $1,409.
The maroon Special Deluxe Club Coupe still has the original interior, Mr. Miller reports. Both bumpers have been replated with chrome and at the center of each hub cap is the familiar ship emblem.
A pair of authentic amber fog lamps are mounted on the gravel pan between the grille and the bumper.
Beneath the hood an oil bath air cleaner sits atop the engine, which is kept lubricated with five quarts of oil.
The coolant capacity of the car is 15 quarts while the gas tank holds 17 gallons of regular grade fuel.
Mr. Miller says his Plymouth averages about 18.5 miles per gallon of gas as it cruises along on a 117-inch wheelbase rolling on four 6.70x15-inch wide white sidewall tires.
A six-volt electrical system still operates the separate brake light in the middle of the trunk lid.
Sixty years after first seeing a car like his, Mr. Miller remains enthralled with his Plymouth.
From behind the shoulder-wide steering wheel he admires the unique wood graining on the dashboard and the window frames.
He admits that he has no intention of returning his car to a single exhaust system. Not only do the dual exhaust tips look good peeking out from under the rear bumper, Mr. Miller also likes the throaty sound.
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