Gentlemen,
Recently I found a far less than perfect example of a winged radiator cap on ebay. Luckily for me the seller did not even know what it fit on. However I did know what it belonged on, only after hours of looking at a perfect example that I took photos of at the Walter P. Chrysler museum! I realise what I purchased could probibly only be used as a casting but I still feel fortunate to have it. It really shows the rareity of our cars and the even scarcer parts!
Now for my question: Did the winged cap only come on the De Luxe Coupe Model or was this an option on any Plymouth? Could someone educate me on this topic?
I am reasonably sure that these caps were used on all models 1928/29. I think the new style 1930 U had a different mascot.
Chet...
Chet,
Thanks for the info. I always learn something from this site!
Dan
I have here just from an old car
I found one like that in Paris some years ago.
regards
Sebastiano
Sebastiano,
Nice find!!!!! The cloisonne radiator badge is in decent shape as well...
Take care
The '28 and '29 Plymouths used the same winged Viking Helmet cap. It was an option but I suspect every car came with one. They were usually about $2. The 30U had a plain cap with a single wing in the center. The '31s had the Flying Lady or Mermaid which remained on until the 1934 used the chrome ship in profile. Both these '28/'29 caps in the photos have the same problem that they all eventually had, the wings are broken off. Repros are available and I would hustle and get one before the guys making them aren't around anymore. The rad medallion is in good shape and I would just like to point out that the medallion is NOT chromed.They are plain copper or brass and stayed that way until the end of '33 as far as I know. Many owners are chroming these medallions because they think the chrome has worn off. It has not. If you think about it,a chromed medallion would visually disappear into chrome of the rad shell. Something Chrysler would not want. This includes the side mount medallions and rear tire cover medallions. All were plain copper or brass. They appear to have changed to brass in 1931 as the base metal. But I'm not certain.
30U also had a had a 2 wing cap
As far as I know this is the only cap for a 30 U. Unfortunetly the Plymouth Master Parts List only discusses rad medallions and the rad ornament for the '33 PC. The photos I have in my source are very poor b+w. But the 28s and 29s 'appear' to all have the Viking Helmet cap and the 30Us all have some kind of lower design. Which I assume is this cap. Does someone have a source of Plymouth rad caps?
I'm no expert, but the only cap that I have ever seen as "correct" for the 30 is that one that OLD MAN shows in the brouchure picture.
Gary R - Happy Motoring
The two wing cap was on an UN restored early 30U and still owned by the same family that purchased it new. I have seen some others, Do not know if Plymouth offered different caps. I do know there are several differences in Early 30U and later ones. If I found a cap like that for sell I would use it.
Quote from: Doug on October 15, 2012, 03:00:40 PM
30U also had a had a 2 wing cap
This is definitely a 29/30 Dodge DA rad cap as well. Don't know anything about it being a Plymouth cap but I know very little about Plymouth
There is a 30U Roadster on ebay. It has the double wing radiator cap. That is the third one I have seen on 30Us. If it was aftermarket, must have been a popular item to have lasted this long.
Doug, from the pictures, that is a nice looking roadster and nice price, too.
Old Man, caps for sale: Don Summer, 105 Kinross, Clawson MI, 48017. 248.435.6115 or 435.2916 no web or email. From "The Plymouth Bulletin" Parts Reproducers section.
Advertising 28-29, 31-32 parking cap; 31-32 goddess; 33 goddess (lock-on) and hood ornament; 34 & 35 ship. Did not list a 30, but might be worth a call. I bought one for 29. Very nice, and you pay for it!
frank
I agree with old man all the Australian 30U Plymouths had the single wing !
Not to say that if there is a better looking cap available when car was new the owners could have easily changed it , still think that single wing is 100% original for 30U.
When the cars were knew you could have purchased any accessory or ordered any item that you would have wanted. The double wing is a Dodge item.
Quote from: frankp on February 13, 2013, 05:06:23 PM
Doug, from the pictures, that is a nice looking roadster and nice price, too.
Old Man, caps for sale: Don Summer, 105 Kinross, Clawson MI, 48017. 248.435.6115 or 435.2916 no web or email. From "The Plymouth Bulletin" Parts Reproducers section.
Advertising 28-29, 31-32 parking cap; 31-32 goddess; 33 goddess (lock-on) and hood ornament; 34 & 35 ship. Did not list a 30, but might be worth a call. I bought one for 29. Very nice, and you pay for it!
frank
I've got a repro by Don that I've had for 10 years that is beautiful...not cheap, but well worth it and it looks better on the car than my "repaired" original!
If you need a cap, I would definitely invest in one!
The parts book lists caps as follows:
Raditor filler cap assembly --- Q, U, part number 43137
30-U, part number 314253
PA (optional equipment) up to 1670001 U. S. built , PB, part number 392919
PA (standard equipment) -- PA after 1670001 U.S. built, PB, part number 380375
The Q and U had the winged cap. The 30U had the flat, what I call the bat wing cap. The reason the 30U cap is so hard to find is that people simply disposed of the plain flat cap and replaced it with the winged version.
Just my thoughts.
Gary R., Happy Motoring