PE Deluxe Sedan

Plymouth PE Deluxe Sedan

National Warplane Museum

1936 Plymouth PE Deluxe Sedan

While not originally designed for military service, vehicles like the Plymouth PE Deluxe Sedan were commonly adapted for military use before and during the early years of World War II. Painted in drab colors and pressed into service as staff cars, vehicles of this type served an important role in the day-to-day operations of military bases and command posts.

Background

The Plymouth PE Deluxe, produced by Chrysler Corporation, was part of Plymouth’s successful mid-1930s lineup, offering affordable, reliable transportation with elegant styling for its time. Featuring a six-cylinder engine and smooth handling, the PE Deluxe became a popular choice among both private citizens and government agencies during the pre-war period. As the U.S. military rapidly expanded in the late 1930s, many civilian vehicles were requisitioned or repurposed as interim staff cars prior to full-scale military production.

Use & Purpose

During the early stages of WWII, vehicles like the Plymouth PE were used by military officers and base commanders for transportation on and around military installations. Their comfort, reliability, and availability made them ideal for administrative and personnel transport duties. While not suited for frontline service, staff cars were essential for maintaining the command and logistics structure that supported combat operations.

Museum Example

• 1936 Plymouth PE Deluxe Sedan

This 1936 Plymouth, privately owned by Museum President Austin Wadsworth, has been painted in a period-correct military staff car scheme to represent the types of vehicles used by U.S. military leadership during WWII. Though not currently operational, it remains a valuable part of the Museum’s ground vehicle collection, providing visitors with a visual representation of the support vehicles that played a quiet but essential role behind the front lines. It was last driven in the early 2000s and remains on static display today.