Wonderful Son Surprises Parents On Their Anniversary With The First Car They Had: A '48 Plymouth Convertible

Mar 06, 2020 by apost team

In an inspiring story out of Delevan, New York, a man helped reconnect his elderly parents the same kind one of their most prized possessions: a 1948 Plymouth convertible, which they had driven through the early years of their marriage with so many special memories.

The bond between a parent and child is indomitable. Children love their parents and will do anything to gain their approval. Likewise, parents do everything for their kids, putting their hopes and their dreams in their children. In this case, it was all for love and the chance to get one over on his father in this heartwarming video.

Back in 1953, Joe and Beverly Smith were on top of the world. This video from Hagerty describes how the two had just gotten married and life was good to them. In all of their happy times together, their beloved 1948 Plymouth was right by them. The two left their wedding ceremony in the Plymouth, with streamers and aluminum cans trailing back behind them. On calm evenings, the two would go for a peaceful drive around the block, taking in the beauty of the world.

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All was right with the world until Joe was drafted into service in the Korean War and the couple had to sell the car. As time went by, Joe and Beverly made a happy life for themselves and their family, but never forgot about the car. The couple would regale their friends with stories of their beloved 1948 Plymouth as Beverly declared that it was the best car they ever had.

When Joe and Beverly’s 60th wedding anniversary came in 2013, one of the family’s friends showed a video of Joe and Beverly at the ceremony all those years ago with the Plymouth in the background. Sitting there and watching the video, Joe and Beverly’s son, Joel Smith, thought that it would be amazing to buy his parents another 1948 Plymouth to celebrate their anniversary.

Tracking down the car became a monumental task for Joel. Speaking with Hagerty, Joel told of how few 1948 Plymouth convertibles were available online.

Taking a shot in the dark, Joel called an elderly man in Indiana about an expired Craigslist ad. The man said that his 1948 Plymouth was still for sale and was in great shape. After seeing photos of the car, Joel immediately bought it and had it shipped to New York.

Wanting to surprise his parents with the vehicle, Joel turned to his dad’s friend Donnie for help. Donnie had worked with Joe when Joe owned a Chrysler-Plymouth franchise and offered to fix up the car before Joel presented it to his parents. In working on the car, Donnie made sure to keep it hidden from Joe, particularly when he brought it to a local detail shop.

When the big day finally came for Joel to give the car to his parents, he was assisted by his teenage son, Colby. Colby traveled to his grandparents’ house on the premise of going fishing with his grandfather, but secretly recorded their reaction when they saw the car.

As Joel drove the 1948 Plymouth convertible up his parents’ driveway, Colby’s video showed their disbelief. Looking at the car, Beverly couldn’t believe her eyes. Meanwhile, Joe simply leaned on the driver’s side door and began weeping. Recovering from the shock of Joel’s surprise, Joe and Beverly drove around the neighborhood just like when they were newlyweds.

Looking back at the event, Joel says that he is happy to have given his parents back something that they once cherished so much. In his own interview with Hagerty, Joe says that the car is akin to a gift from heaven and that he finds joy in the memories attached to it.

What do you think of how Joel bought his parents the same type of car that they drove when they were newlyweds? How did you celebrate your parents' most recent anniversary?