Unregistered users may browse the website, but in order to participate in the forums and view select pages (such as "Club Contacts" and "Classified Ads") a user account is required. Click HERE to email the webmaster and request a free account. The National DeSoto Club uses real names rather than pseudonyms. Notify the webmaster of your user name preference (Johnathon Doe vs. John Doe, etc.), preferred email address, and password request.
Les's car is awesome! Thanks for taking the time to share!
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Thanks Brent for posting these pic's but I want to correct a couple of things. I am not sure "humble" is an accurate description as I am proud of the old De Soto but there are several '52's that are as nice or better.
As you pointed out, the lighted hood ornament and emblem are early '52 and original. Also, black is not a '52 color but the color chart says paint left from '51 models was used on early '52's and black was one of them.
The car only had 72,000 original miles when I bought it twenty years ago and has a lot of original features left on it. The steering wheel is nearly perfect and I believe it is original. I am proud of the gear shift knob I made out of Cycolac styrene that almost perfectly matches the original material. I was able to match the details close enough that it is difficult to tell from original. Not difficult to chuck up Brent, I started with a piece of 3/4" round stock that I put in a collet.
I believe the bumpers have been re-chromed but I believe the rest of the chrome is original.
Everything under the hood is original except the battery and one of the battery cables is not correct. The hose clamps are original. The inspection stamps on the firewall are original not reproductions. Wiring is original.
It still has the original wooden chock block in the trunk that you don't see very often.
I think it is one of the most original '52's out there but it has it's flaws that loses a lot of judging points. We consider it a driver and we enjoy driving it so we are happy with it as it is. Les
Dad was a DeSoto-Plymouth Dealer from 1946 till DeSoto was no more and then he got the Chrysler line.
The very first '52 Firedome he received from the factory was a black 4 door sedan like Les' - but that's all that I can recall. I'm not sure of what options were on the car but probably had a radio, heater, power steering and maybe power brakes, WSW tires and full wheel covers.
Super nice car Les and look forward to you having it in Branson next year. Hopefully there will be more pics from that show of other DeSotos coming soon.
"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
