Playboy Car (Mar, 1948)
Nothing says Playboy like a 40hp engine. Also, wouldn’t you think that an ad for a car called “Playboy” would have a man driving it?
it’s NEW… it’s TERRIFIC!
The Playboy
PLAYBOY FEATURES
• The only car now being displayed with an all-steel convertible disappearing top.
• Combining the essentia! features of 3 body styles: business coupe, club coupe, and convertible car, all in one.
• All steel body and frame welded into one piece.
• 4 independent coil springs guaranteeing smooth comfortable ride, and 4 wheel hydraulic brakes.
• Powered by a 4 cylinder, 40 horsepower Continental or Hercules engine.
• Gives 30 to 35 miles on the gallon.
• Equipped with quality standard automotive parts.
• Priced at $985 f.o.b. factory.DEALER AND DISTRIBUTOR FRANCHISES NOW BEING AWARDED,
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION WRITE . . .
Playboy Motor Car Corporation988 ELLICOTT STREET • BUFFALO 8, NEW YORK
The Playboy was made to be a second car when most families only had one.
When the men returned from WW II, the wife now had to give up having a car to drive. That is the reason it was marketed to women. How do I know this?
The Playboy was made by my family in Buffalo NY, that is my Aunt Helen in the ad, and I have a Playboy in my garage.
That’s cool Dennis. How long did they make them? Do you have a picture of yours? I’d love to see it.
WOW! That’s a fantastic insight Dennis! Thanks for contributing that. How long were they manufactured for?
Very cool having you here for the info, Dennis.
How many Playboys are still on the road?
I found this article aboout the history of the car at http://www.canadiandriv…. The article makes mention of the Mechanix Illustrated feature mentioned here. According to the linked article 97 were built.
Try this link instead (there’s a period on the end of yours that’s throwing things off) http://www.canadiandriv…
My bad. I’m sorry about putting that period at the end of the link. I also found by googling the NADA Guides priceing guide. It shows the value to be between $6,000 to $17,675 for the 1948 model. Pretty neat looking car, I wouldn’t mind owning one.
Mike, no sweat. Thanks for finding the link in the first place.
By the way I used an on-line cost of living calculator, and $985.00 in 1948 is equivalent to $8,407.24 today. Still a bargain!
Going back to Charlie’s comments: I would suspect that 90% of Playboys were driven by women and 10% by men.
Of course, some may have been driven by both 🙂
Out of the 97 Playboys reportedly built, we can currently account for 41 still in existence. Of those, only about 15-20 are in roadworthy condition. Please check out my website for Playboy cars: http://www.playboymotor…
I own Playboy car #34
Saw this the other day, hopefully this car can be restored to original (ie: Playboy body with GMC Jimmy(!?) mechanicals):
http://jalopnik.com/car…
My brother had one with 5000 miles on it, it was two tone . dark Brown with a cream fenders. It had the hard top with it. in like new condition. I have some nice pictures of it. He sold it to a museum before he died about 6 years ago.
This is a real long shot. I knew a Dennis Warren Spiegelman in LA in the Mid 60s. I recall he was originally from New York State.
We worked on Wilshire Blvd at AFCO.
Is that you???
Fred
Interesting car! I saw this today in the LA Times, A Playboy in a Oklahoma junkyard.
DUH! forgot to put the address, sorry. Here it is,
http://www.latimes.com/…
Fred
Yes, I am one and the same. I assume this is Fred Tucker. Contact me if you read this dennis@spieglemanentert…
I saw a red, roadworthy Playboy Car today at a car consignment /antique auto building today near Springfield, Mo. I had never heard of one before and thought it might be a kitcar or fabricated one-of -a-kind. This one looked near new. WOW–what an interesting vehicle. It was for sale, but no price was listed on the For Sale sign.
Can you provide some information helpful to find the car for sale. Perhaps a phone # or email?
Thanks
Dennis
My wife and I just saw a beautiful Playboy at the auto museum in Saratoga Springs, NY
Hef should have purchased a few as company cars.
This car is the mystery car this week 5/14/10 on USA Today Drive On section!
i just bought a house here in ohio and there is one of these cars in the garage it is #44 i was wondering what it is worth
Charles B: A car collector’s forum would be a better place to ask. Cool find, though.
Charles
Please contact me regarding Playboy # 44
I am curious as to whether this is a missing Playboy, and its condition.
Thanks
Dennis
dwshmoo@aol.com
For some information about the Playboy there is a story written by David Kaplan whose grandfather, Lou Horowitz started the company, in The Buffalo History Gazette. There is also a video interviewing David Kaplan done by local TV station in Buffalo, WGRZ and reporter Dave Kellerman, at the end of the story. You can find it at: http://www.buffalohisto…
What does a playboy sell for and do you know of any for sale?