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On the cover of the Feb 2015 issue of Collectible Automobile is a photo of Pete McNicholl's 1953 Powermaster club coupe; there are more photos of this car in the article. This car has been to 10 of our conventions, but hasn't made it to one since the St. Joseph show in 2009. Hopefully it will make it to our convention in Kalamazoo in 2015, especially since Pete lives in Michigan and also wouldn't have to pay for registration since this car has been to 10 of our conventions.
The article is about the 1953-1954 De Sotos, and is by former-NDC member Dave Duricy. Once again, Dave has done a great job of writing up the details and highlights of these De Sotos, not only explaining the standard and options available but comparing these cars to other makes of those years and showing how De Soto was better than they were, even the ones that cost more. At one point, Dave tells about how the power steering was compared to being easier than dailing a telephone - I wonder if the younger readers understand that he's not talking about a telephone that has push-buttons.
There are also a few photos of Andrew MacFarland's 1953 FireDome 8-passenger "sedanbulance", with one of the photos showing the B-pillar removed. This was an option in case you planned on using this car as an ambulance so that a stretcher could be more easily loaded or unloaded. I remember watching Andrew remove the B-pillar on his car at our conventions to show people how it was done. This car has also been to 10 of our conventions, but, like Pete's, has not been to one since 2009. Again, since the MacFarlands also live in Michigan, hopefully we'll see this car at our 2015 covnetion too. (That is if they still have this car - the 2014 club roster doesn't list this car with their names.)
There are other photos of 1953 and 1954 De Sotos in the article, but unfortunately none of those cars belong to any NDC members - at least, not yet. There's even a photo of a 1954 Coronado with a factory air conditioner.
Within Dave's article is a smaller article, with several photos, by a Mr. Biel about the 1953-1954 De Soto show cars: Adventurer and Adventurer II. I think it's a shame that the 1953 Adventurer never went into production - I think it would have given the Corvette and the Thunderbird a run for their money, even though the Adventurer seated four in bucket seats!
So if you don't already have a copy of this magazine, you may want to go out and get one to add to your De Soto literature collection.
Bill Noble
Congrats to Pete! It's a well-deserved honor!
Bill, as an aside, what's that about not paying after having a car at 10 conventions? I'd never heard that before. Pardon me if it's been plainly said, but somehow I've missed it. (It doesn't pertain to me -- I think I'm only at 6 or 7, but am curious...)
Hi Ed, I know you directed your question to Bill but I can answer it for you. The Club has created a "Loyal Order Of De Soto's" for cars that have attended at least 10 conventions. They wave the registration fee for those cars at future conventions. Les
Thanks, Les! You answered that as well as Bill would have, I'm sure. Is that something I missed or is it something new, and a "secret". I never knew that!
It started at the 2013 convention in Minnesota. Some of us were asked to bring our De Soto's around behind the hotel on Fri. evening. I didn't have a clue as to what this was about and I don't think the others did either. Alan Ralston explained the "Order of Loyal Desoto's" and honored us with a plaque for having brought the Desoto's to at least 10 conventions. I think it was a well guarded secret until then with only a few knowing about it. Alan or Bill could probably give more accurate details and better explain how it was started.
Here is a scan of the magazine cover showing the '53 in all its glory! Enjoy!!
Mark
Here are a couple of photos of the three cars and owners who were celebrated at the 2013 NDC Convention for attending NDC Conventions.
(photos taken behind the hotel near St. Paul)
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