While we all dream of big block muscle car survivors, this 1949 Desoto is a great condition survivor that is a runner, but needs brakes to be a driver once again. The odometer shows 20,000 miles, and the seller feels that there is a strong possibility that the mileage could be authentic. With a day remaining in the auction, bidding has reached $2,850.00. Take a look at this beauty here on eBay out of Tinley Park, Illinois.
Appearing reasonably clean under the hood for its age, this Desoto is in great running condition, and features a semi-automatic transmission. The car was a solid driver before the brake system failed likely from a long time sitting. In need of a complete overhaul, the brake system is completely dead leaving test drives, and a drive home out of the question.
What seems to be so magical about this Desoto is its interior. Having aged wonderfully, the interior shows only a few flaws from its 69 years of life. The driver side of the bench seat has a ripped and worn hole where it would appear that the padding failed causing a bit of a sinkhole scenario. The driver side door pull is worn but looks as if it could be recovered or at least tidied up a bit. Also, there is some minor wear to the headliner and a small rip as well. Getting these details out of the way, take a close look at this interior! The dash and steering wheel appear as new. The back seat and all of the interior trim is in fabulous condition. I would likely repair the driver door pull, and try to reinforce the driver seat a bit to prevent further damage to the seat. As a whole, the interior really is very nice.
Featuring a worn and weathered appearance, this Desoto offers great looks in a solid platform. It would seem that any rust associated with this Desoto is in surface rust form, but that doesn’t mean that there couldn’t be something more serious lurking somewhere on this machine. All of the glass appears clean and clear, and the all of the brightwork appears to be accounted for. With a brake system rebuild and some fine tuning, this Desoto would be the perfect preservation project, as a full restoration would likely go over the value of the car. The interior is a really a gem, and the running engine is an added bonus to this solid classic. What would you do with this Desoto?
That grille is amazing. If I saw that car pass by me, I would applaud the driver. Cool.
Makes think of a chrome comb. Good platform for a Zippo lighter car for those who have the money to do something silly.
It’s known as the waterfall grille.
Sweet! Unfortunately, the high cost of auto transport puts cars in this price range out of reach if you live more than one or two states away.
I’ve seen more than a few cars posted here on BF that checked all the boxes for me, including selling price. Alas, all have been too far distant, and the shipping costs make the deal unrealistic. Maybe that’s a good thing .. the neighbors wouldn’t take too kindly to keeping a dozen or so cars on my property!
Nor mine unfortunately 🍻
That “Patina” on the hood and fenders has the look of many years of dedicated polishing causing wear through. I suspect this is a diamond in the rough.
Howard Cunningham called. He wants his car back.
That is our 1947 Desoto. This photo comes up on the internet all the time.
It has been our daily driver since 2003. It now has about 170K miles on it. I also have a ’49 Convertible.
The 1947 (long wheelbase Desoto Suburban with three rows of seats and a 140 inch wheelbase) drives like a dream. Although for the weight, the flathead 6 is just not enough.
Chrysler did not start production of the 1949 Model until well into 1949. So for 1949 Desoto’s could be a carried over 1946 to 1949 (March) model or the true new post war design starting in March 1949. The ’48 to early ’49 models were just warmed over 1942 models.
JD
What would I do with it? Wash it, wax it, and drive it!
Love this car. Think 20 grand mileage is original. Would love to have it but too far away
What a smile! I don’t remember what year it was, but Desoto made one much like this that had hide a way headlamps. That was a real looker. Not a lot of value here, but I hope someone saves it.
The hideaway, headlights, called “airfoil lights” were a 1942 one year only item. As you might assume 1942 car production ended soon after Pearl Harbor so there weren’t many made and most were used up during the war.
John,In 1942 Chrysler had the motto at the time of ‘out of sight except at night’
This is one to get roadworthy and just drive and enjoy…
1942 desota had flip-away headlights
Eventually someone is going to say it, so it may as well be me: The 48 doesn’t ring my bell but the ’57 adventurer next to it does. Any info on whether seller plans to move that one, if he does?
Firedome, not Adventurer
There’s a guy in our club that came home with a ’47 DeSoto club coupe that he thought would be little more than a cosmetic restoration. He first noticed that it wanted to dog-track down the road and there was a noticeable driveline vibration. Well, he started to sand down the body and found that some time in its past it had been T-boned. The frame still had a heavy kink in it and it was actually an inch shorter on the passenger side. The guy simply made up his mind that it was going to be a full restoration. He found a good frame and then set about the arduous task of stretching the body back out (it had been bondo’d over) to its original glory. He spent 6 years doing a superlative restoration, and then over the next 30 years put over 50K enjoyable miles on it. Like I’ve said numerous times before, it’s the journey and a labor of love. You can’t take on a restoration thinking it’s a lucrative investment.
I agree Geomechs I have been on that journey for 7 1/2 years now and I’m getting close that car has given me something to look forward to while I’ve gone through a list of medical problems. There are still guys out there that probably get more enjoyment out of the restoration than actually driving. Guys that are forever looking for a project. Cars for the most part have always been money pits and a risky envestment pron to the high and lows of current trends. As for this car it is a score for someone, if it were mine I’d fix the brakes and the few small items in the interior and repaint to original colour.
The first car of my father’s, that I remember was his 1948 Desoto convertible. He bought in used in 1949. In Decmber of 1950, the Korean War was heating up and he wanted a new car, as he remembered WWII shortages. He bought a 1951 Dodge Wayfarer convertible (first year of real side windows) off the showroom floor. That was the best day of my 5 year old life.
Something tells me this is maybe a late ’48 Desoto & not a ’49 at all . Basing this on my memories of my Dads ’49 Chrysler Highlander and Uncle Paul’s ’49 Plymouth Deluxe. Body shape is a lot like a ’47-’48 Chrysler that a friend had ?
Chrysler was late getting the restyled cars out for 1949, so they continued the previous models through (I think) March of ‘49. They were called 49s and in many cases titled as such.
It’s a 49. Look at the tail-lights . My Dad had a 48.
Maybe for others as well but definitely for Chrysler Corp, there are many 46-48 of their cars that were carried over and truly are registered as 49 models. I can’t remember the history maybe a late showing or production relay of some type, but I have had several of these year body style that I found out to be legal 49’s in both Plymouth, Dodge and Desoto. The last was a Dodge Business Coupe I originally thought was a48 but was a true registered 49. Lots of strange happenings in those days.
Chrysler carried over the 48 bodies as 49’s until the 2nd 49’s were ready about spring of 49.
And it sold. $4,700.00
Looks like someone found a bargin.
owned a 51 Dodge at same time bro owned 49 Desoto both great daily drivers.
Desoto was just beneath a Chrysler as to furnishings and to this day still want to Kick bros butt as he bought out from under me a real low mileage 51, he paid 130,5 bucks over my offer(late 50’s), and sold his other for 50.
Always thought one of these with restored, but fenders leaded in ,with rear suicide doors back to original with newer paint and modern drive brakes tranny , slant 6 would be nice.
NOT A rad rod.
LOTS of backseat room.
A luxo interior, air, stereo, bar, full length console, , fold down lap top and cocktail tray and small bar in console or seatbacks.
NOT bad price for an easily up and running auto.
Wonder if they still make replaceable riveted brake pads know you can buy full custom bent lines, rubber lines and brake wheel cylinder and master (rebuilt).
TWO men toolbox in pu, 8 hours for brake , tranny and engine, rearend oils and wheel bearing repacks, tune up, well maybe 24 hours later, both rigs on the road homeward bound.
The adventure is where I used to thrive, the autos, the treasure.
Not everyone dreams of big block muscle car survivors. Personally, I prefer unmolested survivors of all types. This car is a perfect example.
When my first wife and I were still dating, she had one of these, same color. She and her older sister took it from Cheyenne, Wy. to Lad Vegas, NM. They got to Raton Pass and threw 2 rods. It took 3 days for them to get back home with 3 kids, all pre-schoolers. Ah, the young life.
I learned to drive on my brother’s 1947 Desoto. It was a Flathead 6 with what was called Fluid Drive on column. Ran pretty good. Was built like a tank. Had rear suicide doors. Loved driving it. You couldn’t put a dent in it just bu leaning on it. Strong car. Wish they were built like that today, you wouldn’t need airbags. Thanks, Barry
Oh yeah, 20K original miles. No chance.