ORIGINAL RITZ CARLTON STATION WAGON..1940 PlymouthDeluxe (P-10)Woodie

3126 total units produced - Only 13 remain

This car is the only survivor of three wagons purchased new by the Ritz Carlton Hotel in 1940. When retired of service sometime after the war it remained in the underground parking for decades until the owners son acquired it from his dad at the high point of the California surfing culture in 1963. Stoked about moving to California with his Woodie he settled somewhere on the Southern California coast and raised a family. The car was always garaged when not in use and in 1986 they decided to sell the Woodie to make room for their new Maserati so it was driven to a corner lot in Corona Del Mar with a for sale sign in the window. Shortly after a friend of mine purchased the wagon.

When I first saw this Woodie, loved it. In 1986, y friend and I struck a deal and finally after decades of wishing I owned a Woodie, he dream came true.I immediately started collecting Woodie toys and Woodie literature and learned all I could on all makes and models. I attended practically all the Southern California Woodie events for well over twenty years.

During that time I re-painted the exterior from the original beige with another '40Plymouth color..."Charlotte Ivory". The wheels were painted red, ccented with original hand painted pin striping and mounted on a set of Lester wide whitewalls. These upgradesuplifted the wagon from somewhat plain looking to a classic looking Woodie.

The original ash frame with maple panels is beautiful with its aged amber color and patina.The interior wood is original maple panels and mahogany trim with the elaborate ash crossbows and basswood skeleton roof slats that only came in station wagons built by U.S. Body and Forging.The wood on the wagon really stands out due to it's age and beauty.

The original side valve, traight 6-cylinder, 15 C.I.D, 4 hp engine was completely rebuilt in the early 90's and has only approximately 3500 miles on it. The ultra smooth, uiet and torquey 6-cylinder is a joy to drive, specially when you get on the freeway and engage the factory Borg Warner Overdrive. The transmission is a smooth-shifting three-speed on the column.

Recently, he front suspension and steering was rebuilt. The suspension, onsisting of front independent coil spring suspension, win parallel rear leaf springs and aircraft style tube shocks were way ahead of its competition in ride and stability.

The dash is all original paint with nickel trim and original steering wheel with a Brodyknob. The running boards still sport their original rubber in great shape for a 75 year old car.

The wiring, auges and 6 volt system are original and have always worked well. The only upgrade to the electrical system is to a modern 6 volt alternator and high torque starter.Also highlighting the Woodie's beautiful exterior is a pair of extremely rare 6V Autolite "bullseye" seal beam head lights .

The three seats were recently redone in a rich age- mottled brown soft-touch vinyl that feels like leather without the worry of staining. The configuration of this model year Woodie set of seats is that one is narrower than the other, llowing for an aisle along the right side of the vehicle for rear most seat passengers to gain access to their seat--however the seat mountings allow either seat to be interchanged.

This Woodie is solid and rattle free. It is not the typical over-restored, ver-varnished Woodie that are all too common these days. Instead you have a nice, lassy, riginal- lookingWoodie you can have fun in with lots of character and minor patina. No need to ever worry about somebody approaching with kids, ust invite them to touch and take a look inside.

$69,950.00 OBO

Specifications: 1940 (P-10) Special Deluxe Station Wagon

1. Units produced: 3,126 (plus 80 built for export)

2. Base Price: $790.00

3. Engine: Side Valve, traight 6-Cylinder

4. Displacement: 215 C.I.D.

5. Horsepower: 84 HP

6. Weight: 3144 lbs.

7. Wheelbase: 117 inches