Thanks to Barn Finds reader Drew V for the tip on the absolutely beautiful 1941 DeSoto. For being 75 years old, it’s as solid a survivor as you will ever find. In fact, if I am in as good condition when I hit that age, I will be extremely happy (cue the jokes about wheels and gas tank).

This car is a Custom Series Model S8C Club Coupe, of which 6,726 were manufactured in 1941, a year in which DeSoto production overall was almost 90,000 units, putting the marque in a solid 10th place in the industry (by comparison, Chevy sold over a million cars that year).

This was a five passenger car, powered by a 228 cubic inch L-head six cylinder engine, and usually a three speed manual transmission, with fluid drive optional.

This particular car comes with a wonderful story. It is up for auction in Pennsylvania (where it has been since it was purchased new from R.C. Keller Motor Cars in York). Interestingly, the auction company is called Keller also, though there is evidently no connection with the original selling DeSoto dealer.

The car was originally owned by a Mr. Clarence Conley. It is now in the hands of his niece, Darlene, who is ready for it to be purchased by someone who will give it the same level of care and attention it has received for its already long life.

Here is some of the story from the auction website, which is accompanied by 139 photos. As you will see from the auction site, this car is in remarkably original condition, has been driven very little, and should be prized by DeS0to lovers everywhere.

(Clarence) only drove it when the weather was nice and often walked to work everyday. He kept it protected from the elements by storing it in his garage. The 44,000 miles were mostly from drives through the countryside with his parents on beautiful days. Darlene remembers riding in the back seat as a child with her mother and grandparents on the way to picnics to Apple Country in Adams County, PA…. Darlene has many great memories of this car and her uncle together. She inherited the car in 1980 and it has been stored it in her garage since 1979 when it was driven to her home in Lititz. When it arrived to her home, it was set on blocks with the wheels off the ground until February of 2016 when it was taken to Steffy’s Garage in Leola, PA for servicing. Scott Steffy has collected and worked on antique cars over the years and was able to get the brakes working as they should, and got the car in running and driving condition. Very little work was done to get this antique car into its current condition. The gas tank was just replaced as the original had a hole rusted through on the top. Seat covers have protected the seats since Clarence bought it and appear to be in great shape. The covers have been removed to show the condition, but are being sold with the car. All of the gauges on the dash are known to be working along with the lights, wipers and horns. 

This DeSoto is terrifically attractive, has a great history, and displays wonderful detail and originality throughout. I would be thrilled – and proud –  to own this car, but I’d probably also be nervous about being able to give it the care it deserves, and have to wonder if it would not be better off in a museum somewhere, so that as many people as possible get a chance to see a pre-WWII original car in almost as-built condition.

It’s definitely fun to scroll through the pictures of this car on the auction site. Take a look. If one of our readers ends up buying this car, please let us know. I’d be willing to drive a long way to have a chance to see this car in person.