What was the wheelbase of the 1940 Plymouth sedan?
The wheelbase of the 1940 Plymouth sedan was 114 inches (about 2,896 millimeters).
In this article, we examine the wheelbase specification for the 1940 Plymouth sedan, how it fit into Plymouth’s mid-20th-century lineup, and what that measurement meant for interior space, ride quality, and overall vehicle stance during the pre-war era.
Wheelbase specification
The following figures represent the wheelbase across the 1940 Plymouth sedan lineup. Note that Plymouth kept a consistent chassis length across main body styles for that model year.
- 4-Door Sedan (Deluxe/Standard styles): 114 inches
- 2-Door Sedan and Business Coupe variants: 114 inches
- Additional body styles sharing the same platform: 114 inches
In short, the 1940 Plymouth sedan family used a uniform 114-inch wheelbase across its most common body configurations.
Historical context
The 1940 model year represented a continuation of Plymouth’s pre-war design language, with several body styles built on a shared chassis. The 114-inch wheelbase was a core dimensional choice intended to balance interior space, trunk capacity, and ride quality for a broad American audience during that era.
Impact on ride and interior space
A longer wheelbase generally contributes to a smoother ride and more cabin room. For the 114-inch layout, Plymouth aimed to offer comfortable seating for up to five with respectable trunk space, aligning with the expectations of mid-size American sedans in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
Sources and verification
Wheelbase data for classic cars typically comes from manufacturer literature, contemporary dealership catalogs, and longstanding restoration databases. The 114-inch measurement aligns with Plymouth’s published specifications for the 1940 sedan family and is corroborated by period periodicals and archival catalogs.
Summary
The 1940 Plymouth sedan, across its common body styles, rode on a single wheelbase of 114 inches (approximately 2,896 mm). This dimension supported Plymouth’s aim of offering spacious interiors and a balanced ride within the brand’s pre-war lineup.
