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Talked to a man about a '49 Carryall and he said the only issue with the car is a shifting problem. As he explained it to me he can either shift between reverse and 2nd or 1st and third. That is, if it goes into 1st it will not shift into reverse later (and vice versa). Alternatively, if it will shift into first then it will only shift into 3rd (not 2nd or reverse). He says it's a linkage problem.
Now, I've never owned a '49 but I've read quite a bit of literature on them. I understand on the fluid drive there is reverse, park, low (1st and 2nd), and high (2nd and 3rd). Not sure if there's a neutral.
My questions would be: did these cars come with manual transmissions? Anyone experienced an issue like this? Quick fix or expensive hell on Earth ordeal?
Justin, it sounds like the car must be a standard transmission if there is a first, second and third gear. Fluid drive you can't shift into what would be first gear on a standard. What is second gear on a standard is low range or first and second. What would be third gear on a standard is high range or third and fourth. It sounds like a linkage problem that is just out of adjustment.
Fluid drive doesn't have park. Reverse, low range, high range and neutral. You have to have a working parking brake or carry a 2x4 to put under the wheels.
Thanks for the info!
I've emailed him to ask about the writing on the dash. Sounded like a manual to me, too (he didn't mention park, though). If the dash says Fluiddrive and it's a manual then it's been replaced. I also asked him whether he can push the car when it's in gear with the engine off.
Justin, if you are seriously looking for a Desoto check out that 53 I posted the lead on. That is a very nice original car.
I am searching but it'd have to be a real "bargain". Just this past Sunday I'd resigned myself to simply fixing up my '76 Nova Concours and driving that. It just needs some transmission cooler lines replaced, and the body panels are pretty ate up from rust, but it drives good and will get me where I need to go. I could afford a $5000 car BUT... well, I just moved back to the USA, got married, bought a house. I do not want to spend all of my savings on a vehicle, you know? Bad things happen and it would be financially irresponsible of me to do so. This car is only about three grand which I can afford with some left over for rainy days.
The Nova is fair and drives extremely well. It's also paid for. It doesn't quell the Desoto Desire(tm), though, and this particular car I'm asking about is priced around three grand. Three grand for a car that has a good body, very little rust, and runs/drives good? It seems I've found the only sane online-classifieds Desoto seller in the US of A... OR I've found a car that's been lipstick and rouged wayyy too much. An inspection will tell, at least, and the owner (who owns a shop) offered to let the inspector take it up on the stand so can thoroughly inspect it so there's that.
Last, I'm kind of specific on which era I'd like. Specifically, 1946-1949 is really what does it for me. Just something about those cars that draws me like no other automobile has. I LOVE the stying, I love the uniqueness, I love the quirks. I enjoy waiting for a tube radio to warm up, vacuum wipers, visors, and waterfall grills. I'd like having a transmission that is so... different.I know the 50s are the most popular, most desirable, and by far the most reasonable financial investment. They just don't do it for me like the '46-'49 ones do. The '53 sounds lovely but it's a blonde and I dig brunettes
After thinking it over, it doesn't really matter. Hurts to say but I can't even afford a $3000 car. Not responsibly, at least. I mean, I've got the money in the bank but that money would be better spent elsewhere. I think I'm just going to have to stop looking at Desoto stuff for a few years until I can get on top of things financially. I've got a new house payment, an obscene student loan, a long list of property things to fix, and an immigrant wife that majored in English to put through nursing school so she can get a good job in the land of opportunity. I've wanted a Desoto from this era for almost a decade now, another couple years won't kill me. They'll still be around, right? hah
I'll just have to swallow my pride and continue using the old extra cars my parents gave to us. I'd really wanted to get my own car so that I could give theirs back, having to use their resources really bugs me, but it'll have to wait. I really have the best parents. If I'm ever going to take care of them the way I want to, I need to get ahead and I won't do it by spending much-needed money on non-essentials. As an aside, I'd like to give the guidance counselors that said being a mechanical engineer was a one-way high-speed ticket to easy street a good punch in the jaw.
I appreciate all of your help, guys. You're the best and your expert knowledge is invaluable. One day I'll have one and I'll bug the hell out of you with (even more) questions but probably not in the near future.
Justin, I think you are being very reasonable and responsible. The discussion comes up all of the time in the Desoto Club, and others, about how we get younger people involved in old car collecting. I believe the biggest reason is just what you are saying. Younger families have other priorities and car collecting is put off until they have more time and money to be able to do it. But, don't give up your dream of having a Desoto. If you haven't done it yet, I suggest joining the NDC. We have a very good magazine that comes out every other month with articles and info on our cars. If you can attend an NDC convention I think you would enjoy seeing the cars and talking with the owners. You don't have to own a Desoto to join just an interest in the cars. In the meantime, keep looking you might come across a deal that works for you.
Not just car collecting but buying cars in general. I'm an avid reader of Jalopnik and other automotive websites and it seems everyone thinks young people just don't like cars. That's not true! We just can't afford to go out buying new cars. We have more important things to spend our money on.
Yes, I'm already a NDC member even though I don't own one. I enjoy the magazine, calendar, and I want to support the club. I will have a Desoto some day but I don't know when I'll be able to afford one (couple years, most likely, once my wife gets into and finishes nursing school). It's disappointing to not feed my impulse but them's the breaks. There's a reason most collector car enthusiasts are usually middle aged and older: they put in the time, paid their dues, and are finally able to enjoy the fruits of their hard work. I haven't done my time, yet, no biggy. Didn't help that I didn't finish college until I was almost 30, haha. I'll get there!
I'll stay around, for sure. I love learning about them, looking at pictures, etc. I just need to stay away from classifieds!