I’ll come right out and say it: I’ve never owned a car from the 1940s. It’s a shame, really, because it’s an important decade in the history of our country, and on top of that, it’s a decade apart stylistically: Nothing looks like those fat-fendered cruisers. While my ’40s tastes runs toward Buicks and Lincoln Continental Cabriolets, this DeSoto Custom Club Coupe makes strong arguments on its own behalf, the strongest being price. This is a No Reserve auction here on eBay, and the high bid currently sits at only $2,550. The seller has been featured several times here on Barn Finds; located in Cincinnati, Ohio, they seem to specialize in solid, affordable light projects with no reserve. This DeSoto continues that trend.
It takes a very sharp eye to differentiate between any DeSoto produced between the 1946 and early-1949 model years; all the automakers were pumping out as much volume as they could, and there was no need yet to worry about reviving the annual model year styling changes. The powerplant was static, as well; all DeSotos were powered by a 236-cubic-inch flathead six, which produced 109 horsepower. There is something, however, that makes me wonder about the engine in this example; it seems to say “Spitfire” on the cylinder head, which probably means one of two things: the engine is out of a Chrysler, or someone, at some point, installed a Chrysler cylinder head. Maybe our experts on flathead Mopars can illuminate the possibilities in the comments.
The DeSoto has a “Fluid Drive” badge on the dashboard, so the new owner, if they haven’t ever owned a car so-equipped, will be able to learn a new skill. The interior has been reupholstered fairly poorly, and is “showing some wear and tear,” but if that doesn’t bother you, you’re ready to go, except for one thing: the brakes don’t work. On the other hand, the seller pulled the car out of the garage where it had been sitting for ten years, drained the gas tank, installed a new battery, and the DeSoto started right up. Apparently, it “runs and drives great around the property.”
The car is being presented as a nice, solid, straight original with the typical dings and bruises one might expect from a 78-year-old car that hasn’t been restored. It would be an inexpensive, fun project for those who are either looking for their first 1940s car, or those who have owned a hundred. The seller “reserves the right to sell the car early,” and he’s left a phone number to talk directly to him and set up an appointment to see the little coupe, so if you’re interested, you may want to make that call.
She’s a lovely old gal with an equally lovely rear end. She would make someone a nice companion. Not much work needed and just some TLC and she’ll be ready for the next adventure. I do love those American cars from the 40’s.
Aaron, I’ve owned two 1940’s cars and they were both Oldsmobiles, but the “holdover” styling of the Chrysler products always appealed to me with their big trunks and long snouts and I always keep an eye out for a nice late ’40’s business coupe from the Chrysler family. This DeSoto is a club coupe of course and not quite up my alley but it would make a great project for somebody. As a buyer, the first thing I would address after the brakes would be that upholstery – yikes!
I had a ’41 Olds 2-door, flathead 6 back in the late 80s.. I agree about the business coupe Chryslers. Though this DeSoto is the next best thing.
It’s certainly an unusually styled car, big toothy grins were apparently “in” after the war, perhaps to offset the post-war depression going on. This was “pre-Groucho Marx”( 1952) and they called it, “bold, stylish, exciting”, not sure about that,, like most post-war cars, they were warmed over pre-war models. The “Spitfire” head, I found, was actually named BEFORE the war,( 1940) and I think was a slightly higher compression. That extra 6hp. got you over the hill? Nah, pure marketing. The fluid drive is going to confuse most that don’t know about a stick to begin with, push the clutch in? Don’t push the clutch? And will certainly come hobbling back from the test drive in reverse. And black just enhances it’s “ugly” position, but for originality, I bet most cars were just like this. Up to $4grand, which I think is probably all they are going to get.
I like these 40s era Chrysler products and a two door coupe even more so! This looks very solid and I think with minimal work she could make the rounds at Karz and Kokane! (just kidding about the Kokane). It would be a head turner at any meet. I believe with the fluid drive, you shifted but didn’t use the clutch pedal, just let off the gas, move the lever, step on the gas..