While DeSoto’s cars were all-new in 1941, the threat of global war was already signaling material shortages that would become a reality in 1942. One of the many models that DeSoto built before WW2 that consumed the assembly lines was the Business Coupe in Deluxe and Custom trim. These cars had a huge trunk and no back seat, ideal for traveling salesmen. The seller’s example from 1941 is in a scrap yard, and you can either buy the whole car for $3,500 OBO or bring your own tools and part it out. The sad machine is in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and is available here on craigslist.
DeSoto was a long-standing Chrysler brand, lasting from 1928 to 1961. Too much in-house competition led to the car’s demise just as the 1960s were opening up. But things looked different 20 years earlier when the seller’s Business Coupe was built. It was a 3-window vehicle that rode on a long wheelbase (121.5 inches) and employed a semi-automatic transmission with a 228 cubic inch inline-6 (105 hp!).
In 1941, DeSoto produced 6,482 Business Coupes, split between two-thirds Deluxe and one-third Custom. Since so much of the seller’s car has already been picked or is broken, we don’t know which applies here (and does it matter now?). We’re told it’s a one-owner car that somehow found its way to the junkyard after 85 years. The body is rough and incomplete, and the bench seat is long gone. Whether there’s any life left in the 6-banger is unknown.
The seller describes this vehicle as a great project car. But also says bring your own tools and remove whatever parts you need yourself. So, the seller likely doesn’t care what the final disposition is for this once noble DeSoto; other than that, all or part of it disappears. Thanks for the way-cool tip, T.J.!
I would have to try to make it run. If I couldn’t I would repower it.
Albuquerque,,nyah, what’s up doc? Oh, if only this car could talk. Carried a lot of pamphlets and racked up the miles. Traveling salesmen, or salesPERSON, or “hawkers”, had quite a reputation. Think Newton Monroe( Don Rickles) on Andy Griffith. Other than the milkman, I don’t think there were more stories. Being a 1941, got in just under the wire, and even during the war, sales in rural areas was still big, and since it appears to be a southern car, has hundreds of thousands of miles. The fact that this car didn’t become a Powell, is equally amazing. I suppose one could still make a wicked resto-mod, if anyone still does that.
I am hoping somebody sees this post and rescues the car – how many of these exist at this point? Where the car presently resides is “Skrappit Auto Salvage,” a brutally frank name for this type of business. Save this from the crusher, I can’t do it!
I agree with you Todd J. I can imagine how sharp this one looked when new. Its a nice color too. Hopefully someone will.
The appetite for starting a project with a car from this era in this condition is rapidly evaporating. Prices for many cars from the 1940’s and earlier, except for a few highly sought after makes and models are dropping, it takes a big commitment in time and money to see a project like this through to completion, those in a position to undertake such a project are of an age that they rarely have a working memory of these cars, they are at least one generation removed from when cars like this were relevant. It appears the seller would is setting this up as a parts car if no buyer materializes, it might not take long to he starts selling it off in pieces.
Even at $3,500 asking price, what will shipping cost, that is often left out of the equation when considering the true acquisition cost.
Steve R
Turn it into a rat rod, and flip it
I grew up in the back seat of a 1941 DeSoto . Had it on the ranch on blocks for until the mid 1967’s. Sure wish it was still there !!!
That would be a gasser with a 409 Chevy with Hilborn injector tubes sticking up through the hood
This one would make such a good hot rod. I may go look at it.
Paul, save it, get it up and going and please keep us posted!
It’s literally right down the road from me. I’m doing a feasibility study now.
Let us know if you do look at it and how it is. Thanks
all ways thinka making these (& similar like FBs) into a ‘hatch’.
A circumferential steel band behinda the rear seat/in frnt of rear window all the way around the inside ‘skin’ (acc the fl boards’n roof) for reinforcement. Hinges on top above rear window sunk into the thick reinforcement band. Odd custom but worthy for me. Probably remove back seat, use a break to bend up a “bed” for loading platform/side/head boards…
Busimess coupes don’t have back seats.
Can more sleep in the trunk than can sit in the front seat?
I’ve had a thing for business coupes. since a 37 plymouth started coming here.
Sounds like you guys are talking about a Kaiser Treveller. I was thinking that a Ute inspired vehicle. Since it has that long trunk space going to waste. A retro-mod Ute, done correctly would be cool. GOT A HAVE HEMI IN IT! You could carry your slicks and floor jacket in the back for your trip to the 1/4 mile play pen!
A good friend from back in high school had a ’41 Plymouth business coupe that his parents gave him. He built a telescoping pickup bed in that space. When it wasn’t in use, it folded up and was hidden beneath the trunk lid. He was an extraordinary craftsman, and some others copied his idea.
I’ve got a jet black 41 Plymouth business coupe. It’s a nice car. If I didn’t have so many cars now, this would make a nice hot rod, all done in black.
The allure of a business coupe street rod is strong. After all you’re starting from scratch anyway.
It’s a neat specimen, but not $3500.00 worth.
Sorry days gone by lets do this lets do that not worth restoring.
Why the name”dogwater”?
Cut the trunk lid at the same height as the topof the tail light chrome for your tail gate. Make a very deep parcel shelf connected to a bulkhead behind the bench seat to extend the bed under the back window. It would work-out to at least a 6 foot bed? Too bad it’s not in my neighborhood AND my tow vehicle is in need of a fuel pump. Otherwise I might be on my way to pick it up. These are just cool! The bed would be the perfect place to haul cheerleaders in the local parade!
My guy has taken the 37 plymouth business coupe to air races. He said the trunk lid makes a lot of shade and is long enough to l a y down and stretch out and wait for the planes to come.
Those trunk lids made great toboggans too.
Now that’s what I call a big ass right there.
Repower it . Put in new glass, flat clear coat the patina . It would look lovely !
Cool old car, it’s in a junkyard not at some collectors house so you could probably get it for a lot less than $3500. Would make a cool rod.
I’m both a DeSoto and business coupe fan. I usually favor restoration but this one is missing too much for that to be a viable option. So hot rod or gasser seems like the way to go. But like Steve R points out; the younger car guys are less interested in this than we old people. I do hope that someone does rescue this.
I think you are right, modifying these cars is likely the only way many will be saved. Nicer, driver quality cars will probably be left stock, but full projects, like this one, won’t likely entice someone to put in their time, effort and money. The devotion to the idea that, every car needs to be restored to stock, will doom many cars from ever being brought back to life. It’s fast approaching a point where enthusiasts of cars from this era should be happy anyone is willing to take most of them on as a project, regardless of the direction the new owner takes it.
Steve R