Last week, I covered this 1950 DeSoto coupe and received many interesting comments. With that thought in mind, today, I thought I’d wind it back a bit and take a look at this 1941 DeSoto S8 Custom. It’s in excellent condition, and the seller claims, “ONLY ONE IN THE US!” Hmmm, really? That’s quite a claim; let’s take a closer look and see if we can verify that. Curvette gets the nod for this Fife, Washington, find, and it’s available here on craigslist for $15,000, OBO.

DeSotos were offered in two different trim levels in ’41, Deluxe and Custom. Body styles included coupes, convertibles, four-door sedans (five and seven-passenger), and two-door sedans (Deluxe line). Our Custom four-door sedan is one of 30K assembled in ’41, and both Custom and Deluxe trims were identified with the S8 designation. Original or not, it is unknown regarding this car. The two-tone finish is in excellent condition, as is the chrome and trim. It could pass for restored, as it seems too nice to be original. The mileage recording is 77K, but there’s no authentication of that reading. Not noticed on the first pass is this DeSoto’s lack of side windows. The seller adds, “Windows need to be installed on all 4 doors. I have the windows and tracks, and mounting hardware just needs installation.”

The interior looks like new, and that’s because the upholstery is. I’d venture that the carpet is, too, though the dash is revealing some wear, and the rear driver’s side door panel is missing. Beyond that, the environment’s layout is typical for a car of this era, in particular, the large center-mounted chrome-plated speaker grille. I find the horizontal speedometer to be a surprise; I guess I was expecting a circular unit. Regardless, it’s a very period-looking piece with its Art Deco font.

The engine compartment is not that well photographed, but what is revealed is a 105 HP, 228 CI, in-line, flathead six-cylinder powerplant that is overshadowed by two enormous horns. The seller advises, “Was a great runner for the last two seasons…Running flat 6 very smooth engine.” Once again, a Fluid Drive transmission makes the rear wheel connection. The seller figures this DeSoto is 80% complete and adds, along with the previously mentioned matter of the windows, “Brakes: Just diagnosed the issue of brakes and just needs (a) new brake master cylinder.”

In summation, the seller states, “I hate to let it go, almost complete, but the right person and love and attention will take advantage of this deal. I have a ton of random parts as pictured in the trunk.” This DeSoto is in fabulous condition and doesn’t appear to need any heavy lifting performed. The trick will be finding a buyer who is interested in a car of this era. As we’ve discussed here before, old sedans of this vintage aren’t a hot collectible these days. But, this isn’t a Ford, Chevy, Buick, etc., it’s a DeSoto, and that may help with the cause. As for that “only one in the U.S.” business, I don’t know about that. I found a ’41 S8 Custom Coupe for sale on Hemmings, and with over 30K four-door sedans assembled, that claim may be a stretch. This car, may however, be the nicest one that’s available in the U.S. – I could buy that, how about you?