1933 DeLuxe Plymouth Six
(Engineering Code PD)

Unless otherwise noted, price, engine numbers and body type production data is from [Bowman 1988b]. Specifications are from [Chrysler 1975] and serial numbers are from [Chrysler 1973]. Production dates are from [benj 2007]. Paint specifications are from [DuPont 1935] and [Chrylser n.d.a].

Highlights and commentary
Production and serial numbers
Specifications
Paint Codes
Trim Codes
Original Literature
Identifying Trim
“Compare All Three!”
Four Door Sedan
Business Coupe
Two Door Sedan
Rumble Seat Coupe
Convertible Coupe
Chassis
Export and Custom Bodies

Highlights

With the poor sales of the PC model the PCXX and PD models were rushed to market. The PD used the same body and engine but used the larger Dodge frame to extend the wheel base. New front fenders, hood and radiator shell were then used to finish off the design. This front sheet metal redesign moved the radiator filler cap to outside the hood. This was the last year that Plymouth had an external radiator cap.

The PD's grill was more vertical than the PC and it was plated. The radiator shell was painted (except for a small plated bead around the grill) while the earlier PC had a plated radiator shell. In the photo linked to by this thumbnail the PC in the foreground has incorrect wheels and tires and the PD behind it has an incorrectly plated radiator shell. But you can see the difference in the slope of the radiator shell and grill and the slant of the hood louvers.

The "De Luxe Six" (PD) model had the same engine as the Standard Six (PCXX). Like the earlier PC, the PD was equipped with a 4.375:1 rear end while the PCXX was equipped with a 4.11:1 rear. I presume that this was to give the PD better acceleration for the performance conscious and the PCXX better fuel economy for the thrift minded buyer.

The PD was the most popular model for Plymouth in 1933. At least one source indicates that near the end of 1933 Plymouth was out selling both Ford and Chevrolet. The only time this has ever happened.

Special orders could include any of the colors which were available on any other body type.

Production

Model Name	Production		Serial Number			Engine Number
Model Name	Begin	End	Plant	Begin	End	Begin	End
6 (DeLuxe)	March 17, 1933	January 27, 1934	Detroit	2,000,001	2,186,951	PD1001	PD195997
6 (DeLuxe)	March 17, 1933	January 27, 1934	Los Angeles	3,002,501	3,007,678	PD1001	PD195997

Specifications

Wheel base	Num Cylinders	Bore and Stroke	Cu. In.	Compression		BHP		Torque
Wheel base	Num Cylinders	Bore and Stroke	Cu. In.	Std.	Opt.	Std.	Opt.	Std.	Opt.
112	6	3-1/8 x 4-1/8	189.8	5.5	6.5	70 @ 3600	76 @ 3600	130 @ 1200	136 @ 1200

For download speed reasons, Detailed Specifications and Standards of Adjustment are found on a separate page.

Paint Codes

See note about paint and trim. Items tagged with ^* are from [Davis 2004]

Code	Body	Fenders & Sheet Metal	Stripe	Wheels
258	Limousine Blue No. 4 (IM-949)	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
351^*	Radio Blue (IM-89)	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
355^*	Chrysler Light Gray (246-30355)	Chrysler Light Gray	Packard Ivory	Black
530	Durode Gray (246-30349)	Durode Gray	Vermilion	Red

Trim Codes

See note about paint and trim.

Code	Description
260	Pile (Mohair)
301	Broadcloth

Original Literature

Public Domain¹
(7.5 MB scan)

Public Domain¹
(3.3 MB scan)

Public Domain¹
(1.2 MB scan)

Identifying Trim

Radiator Cap	Hubcap	Tail light

“Compare All Three!”

Ford and Chevrolet data from [Kimes 1996]

	Plymouth DeLuxe Six	Chevrolet Master Eagle	Ford Model 40
Cylinders	6	6	8
Displacement	189.8 cu. in.	194 cu. in.	221 cu. in.
Compression	5.5:1	5.2:1	6.3:1
Brake Horsepower	70 @ 3600	65 @ 2800	75 @ 3800
Main Bearings	4	3	3
Oil	Full pressure with filter	Splash
Wheelbase	112 in.	110 in.	112 in.
Brakes	Hydraulic	Mechanical	Mechanical
Body	All Steel	Wood/steel composite	All Steel
Price (Four Door Sedan)	$575	$565	$610

Four Door Sedan

Price	Number Built	Weight
$575	88,404	2645

Body	Ditz-Lac Intermix System	Du Pont	Fenders & Sheet Metal	Stripe	Wheels
Limousine Blue #4	IM-949	246-30295	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Chrysler Light Gray	IM-680	246-30355	Chrysler Light Gray	Packard Ivory	Black
Radio Blue	IM-89	246-30351	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Black	LE-30VV		Black	Vermilion	Black
Bahama Green	IM-1287	246-30362	Bahama Green	Clear Water Green	Green
Durode Gray	IM-924	246-30349	Durode Gray	Vermilion	Red
Plymouth Blue	IM-1283	246-30361	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Verona Maroon	IM-429	246-30353	Black	Casino Red	Red

Photograph copyright Jim Benjaminson, used with permission.
Photographs copyright Rob Root, used with permission.

The plane in the background is a Boeing 247. The plane and the car in the pictures were built within three months of each other in 1933.

The 247 was the plane that initiated modern airline travel. Unfortunately, at that time Boeing and United Airlines were owned by the same company and a decision was made to restrict sales to competitors of United Airlines. This lead Transcontental and Western Airlines (TWA) to contract with Douglas for a passenger transport plane. Douglas at the time had only built military planes. The TWA contract lead to the first of the famous Douglas Commercial (DC) series of aircraft.

Photographs copyright David Boyd, used with permission.
Photographs copyright Olaf Aberg, used with permission. This car was built during the first couple of days of PD production. The engine number indicates that it is the 180th PD engine built.

Business Coupe

Price	Number Built	Weight
$495	30,728	2485

Body	Ditz-Lac Intermix System	Du Pont	Fenders & Sheet Metal	Stripe	Wheels
Radio Blue	IM-89	246-30351	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Black	LE-30VV		Black	Vermilion	Black
Bahama Green	IM-1287	246-30362	Bahama Green	Clear Water Green	Green
Durode Gray	IM-924	246-30349	Durode Gray	Vermilion	Red
Plymouth Blue	IM-1283	246-30361	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Verona Maroon	IM-429	246-30353	Black	Casino Red	Red

Photographs copyright Dick Brelloch, used with permission.

Photographs copyright Lance Turner, used with permission.

Two Door Sedan

Price	Number Built	Weight
$525	49,826	2560

Paint Codes	Trim Codes
258	260, 301

Body	Ditz-Lac Intermix System	Du Pont	Fenders & Sheet Metal	Stripe	Wheels
Limousine Blue #4	IM-949	246-30295	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Chrysler Light Gray	IM-680	246-30355	Chrysler Light Gray	Packard Ivory	Black
Radio Blue	IM-89	246-30351	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Black	LE-30VV		Black	Vermilion	Black
Bahama Green	IM-1287	246-30362	Bahama Green	Clear Water Green	Green
Durode Gray	IM-924	246-30349	Durode Gray	Vermilion	Red
Plymouth Blue	IM-1283	246-30361	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Verona Maroon	IM-429	246-30353	Black	Casino Red	Red

1933 Plymouth Model PD two door sedan interior

Photographs by Steve Langis. Exclusive copyrights apply. Permission granted for use on this web site by Steve Langis, June 1, 2002.

This car still has its original Limousine Blue paint. The build card shows the paint/trim code to be 258/260.

Photograph copyright Tod Fitch, used with permission.

The author's car. The color is fairly close to “Radio Blue”.

Rumble Seat Coupe

Price	Number Built	Weight
$545	20,821	2524

Body	Ditz-Lac Intermix System	Du Pont	Fenders & Sheet Metal	Stripe	Wheels
Radio Blue	IM-89	246-30351	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Black	LE-30VV		Black	Vermilion	Black
Bahama Green	IM-1287	246-30362	Bahama Green	Clear Water Green	Green
Durode Gray	IM-924	246-30349	Durode Gray	Vermilion	Red
Plymouth Blue	IM-1283	246-30361	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Verona Maroon	IM-429	246-30353	Black	Casino Red	Red

Photographs copyright Richard Cardeccia, used with permission.

Photographs copyright Dave Branchick, used with permission.

Convertible Coupe

Price	Number Built	Weight
$595	4,596	2530

Body	Ditz-Lac Intermix System	Du Pont	Fenders & Sheet Metal	Stripe	Wheels
Radio Blue	IM-89	246-30351	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Black	LE-30VV		Black	Vermilion	Black
Bahama Green	IM-1287	246-30362	Bahama Green	Clear Water Green	Green
Durode Gray	IM-924	246-30349	Durode Gray	Vermilion	Red
Plymouth Blue	IM-1283	246-30361	Black	Packard Ivory	Black
Verona Maroon	IM-429	246-30353	Black	Casino Red	Red

Photographs copyright Jim Benjaminson, used with permission.
Photographs copyright Tod Fitch, used with permission.

Chassis

Price	Number Built	Weight
n/a	779	n/a



	Photographs copyright David Boyd, used with permission.

Export and Custom Bodies

Photographs copyright Simon Frazier, used with permission.

In 1933 Plymouth models were sold under the Chrysler brand in England as the Kew Six. They were fitted with a small bore version of the engine used in the United States. The February 28th issue of the British magazine The Motor lists the displacement for the Chrysler Kew 6 as 2,720cc (166 cu. in.) with a 73 mm (2 7/8") bore (1/4" smaller than the U.S. version) and 104.5 mm (4 1/8") stroke.

This custom 1933 Chrysler Kew 6 roadster is recorded as being registered in September 1933. It is said that the body was by John Charles and Co of London now better known for their work on Rolls Royce, Lagonda and many other british cars (there are two makers plates on the car). The body is aluminium over a wood frame while the four fenders are factory steel. Headlamps are Lucas and fitted with an electro-mechanical dipping system. Hubcaps are marked with Chryslers 'C' emblem.

Note 1: Public Domain due to lack off copyright information required by law at the time originally published.

Plymouth: The First Decade

1933 DeLuxe Plymouth Six(Engineering Code PD)