1952 Plymouth Cranbrook Sedan

Part of the Chrysler group, Plymouth - like all American manufacturers - entered the post World War II market with a warmed over version of their 1942 model and little change took place until the launch of an all-new model in 1949. Built on a longer wheelbase and offering plenty of space inside, the Plymouths soon gained a reputation for practicality. For 1951, the range was further expanded with the Concord, Cambridge and Cranbrook names replacing the Deluxe and Super Deluxe models. Powering the Plymouth was a 218-cid L-head six-cylinder engine developing 97hp at 3,200rpm. With much of America focused on the outbreak of war in Korea, Plymouth kept its changes for 1952 to a minimum, with chrome model script on the front wings and a redesigned badge on the nose the only cues to distinguish the new models. The Cranbrook was again available in four body styles - sedan, club coupe, hardtop coupe and convertible - and the big news for the number three auto company in America in 1952 was the introduction of overdrive transmission. Chrysler Australia continued to market these automobiles in Australia under the Plymouth, Dodge and DeSoto brands, but stiff competition from Ford and General Motors meant sales languished in the early 1950s. Thus, the Plymouth Cranbrook is a rare, affordable and very appealing American Fifties sedan today.