Plymouth Cranbrook Reviews

Brakes.

Speedometer cable.

Starter dragged.

Charging System was Questionable.

Carb needed a rebuild.

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.

Replaced muffler, battery and tires.

The 1953 Plymouth Cranbrook 4-Door sedan was my first car.

I purchased it (used) for $895 from Lone

Star Olds-Cadillac in Dallas, Texas.

Color was Monterrey (light) Green.

Car was equipped with radio, heater, standard transmission with overdrive, white sidewall tires and full wheel covers.

I drove this car to college to finish up a term in a course I had started, and which was interrupted by service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict.

It was a very comfortable and fairly roomy car.

My gas mileage averaged from about 28 to 30 miles per gallon on highway cruising.

I traveled from Dallas to Poughkeepsie, New York, and while there for a brief time, traded it on a 1956 Plymouth Savoy 2-Door Club Sedan with similar equipment from the Arthur L. Fried, Jr. Chrysler-Plymouth dealer in Poughkeepsie.

The total price on the 1956 Plymouth was $2583.30 with a trade-in allowance for the 1953 Plymouth of $1189.00 for a difference of $1394.30. Of course, this was in the days before "sticker prices", "dealer invoices", etc. and the price on the new car might have been inflated to make the trade-in look better.

Coil, brake pressure switch, points.

For a car that is over a half century old, I would say it rides and drives pretty well.

Plenty of room.

Gas mileage has been pretty decent. I got 30 mpg in the summer.

The engine runs very smooth and has sufficient power for modern day driving, although you aren't gonna win any stoplight drags.

I have been very surprised and pleased with the parts availability. All the mechanical parts are avalible through just about any auto parts store and the prices are very reasonable. Also the car is very easy to work on. Any one can work on this thing.

One thing that went out was the coil, so I changed it to 12 volt. I would not have done it had I known how much of a problem it would be. The 12 volt current burned up some wiring, and the brake switch started on fire one day when I was going to work and burnt up the plastic portion of it, leaving me with no brakes!

I would recommend this car to anyone who wants to get into the old car hobby with a budget. Plymouth Cranbrooks seem to be pretty cheap on the old car market. I picked up mine for 500 bucks and it ran and drove.