If you’ve ever dreamed of being a conquistador, this black beauty could sort of scratch that itch. Named after the famous Spanish explorer, Hernando de Soto, the DeSoto line was a lower-priced version of the Chrysler and was originally supposed to compete with Oldsmobile, Studebaker, Hudson, and Willys when the first DeSotos went on sale in 1929. This great-looking 1949 Club Coupe is located in Quincy, Illinois for an asking price of $12,500. You can contact the seller here on Barn Finds Classifieds for more details.

“The Car Designed With You In Mind” was the promise of the restyled 1949 DeSoto. “More real beauty.  More real visibility. More real room.” blazed the pages of their sales brochure. I remember these cars as a kid. I thought they were stodgy but very stately in appearance and I remember my uncles talking about how well built and reliable Chrysler products were from this era. The seller doesn’t provide much information or history of this DeSoto. In fact, only 43 words are provided: “Very nice car. The body is super straight and rock solid. The interior is very nice and presentable. Runs and drives great. It is equipped with the 6-cylinder engine, fluid drive trans, radio, clock, grille guard, wheel covers, and wide whitewall tires.” Based on the 19 photos provided, I’d have to agree with the seller’s brief description. This 1-of-18,431 Club Coupes, finished in DeSoto Black, appears to be a solid, rust-free survivor that’s ready to buy and drive. It’s hard to tell the true condition of the car’s paint, chrome, trim, emblems (featuring a cool, stylized Hernando de Soto) and glass, but they all look presentable. I especially like the vertical grill and aftermarket grill guard, and the rear fender gravel guards on this DeSoto. No photos of the undercarriage were provided.

Photos of the roomy interior are kind of dark, but it looks “presentable,” as described. The front and rear seats and door panels were recovered at some point, but they don’t appear to be period-correct based on the sales brochure and other restored ’49 DeSotos images that I found online. The dashboard, with a large “Fluid Drive” above the glove box, looks good for its age but the black wrapped huge white steering wheel is discolored, and a crack is visible.

Under that long, rounded hood, you’ll find Chrysler’s reliable “Powermaster” 236-cubic-inch L-Head engine that cranked out 112 horses. DeSoto’s advertising for 1949 didn’t tout performance, but rather the practical benefits of “quiet smoothness and gas economy.” Although the seller say’s it “Runs and drives great.”, nothing is shared about the current mileage, if the motor and Fluid Drive transmission have ever been rebuilt, or if anything has been replaced or upgraded recently. Lots of questions for sure, but the seller does list a telephone number if you’d like to call.

All-in-all, this ’49 DeSoto appears to be a rock-solid survivor that could be a fun driver to own and enjoy. And with a $12,500 asking price, it appears to be priced right (Hagerty values a ’49 DeSoto Club Coupe in #3 Condition at $19,000). So, who wants to be the next owner/conquistador of this stately survivor and do some DeSoto-worthy road exploring of their own?