Cars from the 1940s are quickly losing steam as far as interest goes. Car collectors are getting older and younger folks typically prefer vehicles from recent decades. There are always exceptions, of course. This 1948 Dodge D-24 Custom can be found here on craigslist somewhere 90 miles from the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota area, according to the seller. They’re asking $4,000 for this Dodge.
Other than the surface rust, this looks like a solid car. The seller does mention that it needs floor pans and they’re available, which they are, I just looked. Actually, I was surprised at how many NOS and reproduction parts are still available for the D-24 Dodges. The car looks complete for the most part and I don’t even see any broken glass or taillights or marker lights, that’s got to be rare.
A good way to tell a Dodge D-24 Custom – the top trim level – from a D-24 Deluxe would be the side spear trim on the rear fenders and chrome around the windows, according to Dodge forums such as P15-D24.com. The suicide doors are great and other than the hood being tied down for some reason, the shut lines look almost perfect on this 72-year-old car.
There are no trunk, back seat, or underside photos, but that they have included a front seat and partial-dash photo is great, and they even included an engine photo! I know, stop the presses! A rare craigslist seller for sure. The seller purchased this car nine years ago and they list the transmission as “other”, but they came with a standard a 3-speed manual with a Fluid-Drive option available.
The engine looks appropriately dusty but there are new parts in there! It would have been Dodge’s 230 cubic-inch L-head six with 102 hp and 184 ft-lb of torque. They say that it hasn’t run since 1971 which is incredible given the new parts visible, someone must have tried it since then? Maybe not, but I’m sure that most Barn Finds readers would have it running great in no time. Are any of you into cars from the 1940s or is that era too old for you?
The author is right, interest is waning for post WWII cars, especially projects. If someone wants a car from this era and doesn’t have their heart set on this particular model, it’s best to wait for something better to come along, there are plenty out there. Even before the current financial meltdown projects cars like this, needing an unknown amount of rust repair and mechanical work to get running didn’t make financial sense, as of today, this is a $1,000, at best.
Steve R
I agree, $1K seems about right. It’s one thing to get a car running, another to get it roadworthy. An in-depth examination may prove this to be better suited as a parts car for someone’s restoration.
The worst investment, a new car.
If you have a young child able to do a hands on with you, that is a great accomplishment.
This is a cheap learning tool. Make a mistake teaching welding, body work, engine rebuild, etc, no loss. Cheaper than college, the wallet, and you will be rewarded with that one on one.
That is the real investment.
When I was 9 years old neighbors working on an old car, I was there. That college was real world free.
Follow your heart, not your greed for money.
To me, an ugly no power era. Perfect for teaching the young.
Remember, even ugly people have hobbies. Look at me.
Ugly cars need love too. And the ugly car will put a smile on your face when the both of you get to drive it. Have that youngin be the first driver. A memory forever.
Stay safe, its free.
Oh, I’ve seen MUCH uglier cars from around this era. Not a bad price, but not great for a car that was sitting around almost 50 years.
Regarding the Datsun 1600; it was preceded by the 1500 Fairlady. The Datsun dealers marketed as the Fairlady, proof that somethings don’t translate easily from Japanese.
One unusual feature of the 1500 was that it had a third seat facing sideways behind the driver’s and passenger’s seats.
That issue produced some humorous translations in ham radio tech manuals in the 1970s. Somehow “all-mode” translated into “almighty”.
Wrong front seat
Back to the Dodge. I can just barely see the familiar (to me) red script “Fluid Drive” on the rear bumper. Comfort/performance-wise, these seemed like borderline luxury cars. With the Fluid Drive they would silently steel away from a stoplight, engine churning all of about 250 rpm(!!) – well behind everything at the intersection – including bicyclists and pedestrians.
I never thought of these cars as “ugly”! “Handsome”, “dignified”, “formal”, maybe even “elegant”, never “ugly”. I was 8 years old when this car was built and I loved cars. I impressed my parents by correctly identifying year, make, and model, for just about every vehicle on the road. Not any more! They all look alike to me now. But then, my dad said the same thing in 1950.
‘ Still love ’em all – especially the Chrysler products.
Hi Allen
Hey Steve! You staying home and safe? I’m either home or in my shop these days.
I had a Dodge just like this one – even same “color” – back in 1979. ‘ Bought it for $50 without an engine. ‘ Never did anything with it…
My late aunt had a coupe version of this car purchased in the early 1950s that she kept until 1963. Though it said “Fluid Drive” on the rear bumper, it was a regular 3-speed manual. My parents had a ’48 Chrysler with Fluid Drive, so I did know the difference, even back then.
There were two of these left on my dads farm after wearing them out. My dads was a forest green 4 door just like this one, the other was a lighter green that had been my oldest brothers car. Dads had two major problems; 1. The emergency brake was on the driveshaft and caught on fire at least three times that I recall. 2. The gas cap was electric release that didn’t always release. Besides that, I don’t remember any other major problems until the engines just wore out. My dad always had his oil changed at regular intervals, but working as a union carpenter out of five counties in Northern California he put a lot of miles on his cars and or pickups. Engines were meant to be rebuilt every 25,000 miles at that time, but many went over 100,000 miles.
God bless America
This featured car should be worth something after all it is a look alike of the car Mr. Cunningham drove in the series “Happy Days”. Like the “Fonz” would say, Heyyyyy
Howard’s car was a DeSoto.
Floor pans have eluded me for my ’48 DeSoto two doors. Where did you find floor pans available? Thx for any leads. I did find the tranny cover bolt in part of the floorboard. I need the rest of the floor.
Alan, I just did a quick internet search and came up with a few sources for ’48 Dodge floor pans including the following link.
https://www.c2cfabrication.com/products/1942-48-dodge-d-24-front-floor-pan-18-from-toeboards-rh
In 1961, when I was fourteen, I decided this vintage Dodge, or Chrysler, was the most modern looking (due to the square edges on the grille) car that an unemployed enthusiast could buy for about $15. I had a metal box labeled “Chrysler Fund” that sadly failed to reach that goal. I had seen sailors packed into these cars in large numbers carpooling to the base, and a movie with four men wearing business suits in a then new Dodge, looking very smart. Not really a dream car, but a realistic goal. I didn’t know that you can’t kill them, and they were often abandoned because the owners just got tired of them. NYC cabbies loved the fluid drive 3spd. Put it in 2nd and drive all day without touching the clutch or shift lever.
Thx. Dodge parts may fit DeSoto. Appreciate the lead. I will call them.
I won’t sell you my 1948 Dodge Custom original spare tire for $1000.
$1K?!!!
You need rehab dude