In 1953, Joe and Beverly Smith were on top of the world. This video by Hagerty describes how the two just got married and how good life has been for them. In all of their happy times together, the beloved 1948 Plymouth was right.
The two left their wedding in Plymouth, with the streamers and foil cans behind them. On calm evenings, the two took a peaceful walk around the building, enjoying the beauty of the world.
All was well in the world until Joe was drafted in the Korean War and the couple had to sell the car.
Over time, Joe and Beverly made happy lives for themselves and their families, but they never forgot the car. The couple entertained their friends with beloved tales of the 1948 Plymouth as Beverly proclaimed it to be the best car they had ever owned.
Car tracking has become a huge task for Joel. Speaking to Hagerty, Joel talked about some of the 1948 Plymouth convertibles available online.
Taking a photo in the dark, Joel called an elderly man in Indiana about an expired Craigslist ad. The man said his 1948 Plymouth was still for sale and in good condition. After seeing pictures of the car, Joel immediately bought it and shipped it to New York.
Wanting to surprise his parents with the car, Joel turned to his father’s friend, Donnie, for help. Donnie worked with Joe when Joe owned the Chrysler-Plymouth franchise and offered to fix the car before Joel gave it to his parents. While working on the car, Donnie made sure to hide it from Joe, especially when he took it to a local retail store.
When the big day finally came to give Joel the car for his parents, his teenage son Colby helped him out.
Colby drove to his grandparents on base to go fishing with his grandfather, but he secretly recorded their reaction when they saw the car.
As Joel drove his parents’ 1948 Plymouth Convertible down the road, Colby’s video showed their disbelief. Looking at the car, Beverly couldn’t believe her eyes.
Meanwhile, Joe simply leaned against the driver’s side door and started crying. After recovering from the shock of Joel’s surprise, Joe and Beverly walk around the neighborhood as if they were newlyweds.
Looking back on the event, Joel said he was happy to have given back to his parents something they treasured so much. In his own interview with Hagerty, Joe said the car is like a godsend and he finds joy in the memories associated with it.
