1941 Plymouth Staff Car- U. S. Army, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Fort Eustis, Virginia, U. S. Army Transportation Museum
The vehicle in the photograph- or one like it- at the U. S. Army Transportation Museum was found in the jungle of New Guinea during World War II. What follows is the story of the car as presented in a 1944 Plymouth advertisement in Life Magazine.
"She's Back Among Friends Again"
They came smashing through the Japanese lines and there it was- a 1941 Plymouth De Luxe Sedan in the heart of New Guinea jungle.
On its side was painted the enemy's rising sun insignia. American bullets had drilled the machine so full of holes that the entire top had to be removed. But the motor, according to Staff Sgt. Kenneth B. Schooley, who described the incident, was "in excellent condition, despite having a few large caliber bullets bounce off it."
After the usual rough jungle travel, he writes, "It's riding on air." At last report, the sedan was no long "De Luxe" but it was doing a real job on New Guinea. The medical detachment requisitioned it, took out the back seat, put in a floor, and was using the Plymouth to transport wounded troops from the front.
Plymouth records show that this historic car went from the factory to a dealer on Guam. Probably the Japanese seized it there and took it with them to New Guinea. The full story won't be known until after the war - if then.
But there's no mystery about the reason why Plymouth is a great car on New Guinea or on Main Street. Plymouths were designed and manufactured to do their job under the worst conditions and the best. That quality is now going into Bofors anti-aircraft guns assembles for Helldivers, many other war needs. Meanwhile, these millions of Plymouths are proving their stamina on the roads. They may have to last a long time. They're built to do that when serviced by experienced Plymouth dealers.
1941 Plymouth Staff Car- U. S. Army, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Fort Eustis, Virginia, U. S. Army Transportation Museum
The vehicle in the photograph- or one like it- at the U. S. Army Transportation Museum was found in the jungle of New Guinea during World War II. What follows is the story of the car as presented in a 1944 Plymouth advertisement in Life Magazine.
"She's Back Among Friends Again"
They came smashing through the Japanese lines and there it was- a 1941 Plymouth De Luxe Sedan in the heart of New Guinea jungle.
On its side was painted the enemy's rising sun insignia. American bullets had drilled the machine so full of holes that the entire top had to be removed. But the motor, according to Staff Sgt. Kenneth B. Schooley, who described the incident, was "in excellent condition, despite having a few large caliber bullets bounce off it."
After the usual rough jungle travel, he writes, "It's riding on air." At last report, the sedan was no long "De Luxe" but it was doing a real job on New Guinea. The medical detachment requisitioned it, took out the back seat, put in a floor, and was using the Plymouth to transport wounded troops from the front.
Plymouth records show that this historic car went from the factory to a dealer on Guam. Probably the Japanese seized it there and took it with them to New Guinea. The full story won't be known until after the war - if then.
But there's no mystery about the reason why Plymouth is a great car on New Guinea or on Main Street. Plymouths were designed and manufactured to do their job under the worst conditions and the best. That quality is now going into Bofors anti-aircraft guns assembles for Helldivers, many other war needs. Meanwhile, these millions of Plymouths are proving their stamina on the roads. They may have to last a long time. They're built to do that when serviced by experienced Plymouth dealers.