Chrysler Windsor Quality
This 1952 Plymouth Cranbrook is special to its owner, my old friend Jeff, whom I grew up with on Pelissier street in the ’70s. The reason it is so special is that it rolled off the line at the Windsor Assembly Plant some fifty-seven years ago, built by the hands of UAW Local 195. With some TLC it is once again a daily driver. This is not a professional restoration destined for a life behind a rope in a snooty museum. It’s simply a well made car hailing from a forgotten era. Only one part (in the 6v electrical system) has been replaced with a modern solid state equivelant. Some other parts were harvested from a 2nd “parts” Cranbrook. The rest is original, including the 95hp flathead straight 6 and smooth-shifting “three on the tree” manual transmission. No on-board computer here to tether you to a dealer mechanic, nor any $500 motors for rolling windows up/down. But this is still the best way to take a summer drive out to Amherstburg and back, hands down.
July 7th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
I was just thinking the other day how people are paying 6 figures for cars from the 60s at auctions. What about the future though? Will any cars made in recent years be worthy of being called a ‘Classic’? I don’t think so. The past cars I’ve had, transmissions died due to cheap manufacturing. Cars are so disposable these days.
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Only nitpick is that it isn’t a V6, its a straight-6.
April 22nd, 2010 at 8:32 pm
Good catch, Steve. And that’s not a nitpick – it’s a valid observation. Thanks for pointing that error out. I don’t know why I typed V6 in the original post except possibly by force of habit. I had a straight 6 in my first car – a Chevy Nova.