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Last weekend I drove a rusted out 49 merc on a trailer for 12 hours to trade for a 1951 desoto carryall and then drove 12 hours back. It was the worst trip of my life but I brought home a very complete great shape car. I will be cleaning the car up this week and will post more pics. It does have the complete grill laying in the trunk. Body is in great shape but has a mediocre paint job. I have alot of work to do but I'm very happy most everything is still there. I will probably have alot of questions so I apologize in advance. I wasn't able to find much info on the carryall.
I will try to post some pics.
Is this a harder to find Desoto than some of the others? What is different about the carryall over other models. Thanks
Congrats on your new DeSoto! There's a lot of helpful people here. With your membership, you'll get a copy of the roster, and you will find other '51 owners listed there ready to help as well.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Jason,
As far as I know, the main difference between a De Soto DeLuxe Carry-All sedan and a regular De Soto sedan is that the back seat of a Carry-All folds down to give you more cargo space. Your trunk and the back of your back seat should have wood flooring and guide rails. All of the rest of the car should be the same. (But I'm sure that if I'm wrong on this, one or more of the NDC members, especially those with Carry-Alls, will correct me!)
De Soto made Carry-Alls only four model years - 1949 to 1952. So you have a pretty rare car, even for a De Soto.
Bill Noble
Thanks for the comments. Luckily the wood flooring and guide rails and rear seat are all there. I'm not missing too much, so far a few pieces of glass, air filter for carb, bumpers. I'm sure some more stuff will turn up missing.
Couple more questions.
Does anyone make carpets kits, headliners, seat covers, door panels, visors and such?
If I keep the current engine is this car going to be super slow? Would a hemi be a better choice?
I know where a 55 dodge royal with Red Ram V8. Would that be a better engine choice? Will it fit in the car without too much modification? If so will I need the transmission as well?
Any reasonable places that rebuild desoto engines? I live in Huntsville Alabama.
Jason,
There were 99,837 1951 DeSotos produced. There were 16,348 classified as Deluxe models and 83,489 as Custom models. The Deluxe was the lower level model. There were very few differences between them, mostly differences in the trim. With the exception of the long wheel base models most of the cars had the 125.5" wheelbase with the 250.5 c.i. 116 hp six cylinder engine. The Carry-All model was counted in the Deluxe production numbers and there is no record of exactly how many were produced. These are somewhat rare.
The main difference between the Carry-All and the other 4 door sedans was the fold flat rear seat. There was no partition between the trunk and the rear seat and with the rear seat folded down, there was a flat cargo space from the trunk all the way to the back of the front seat. This surface was covered with wood with steel runners. This model was popular with salesmen who needed to transport their wares.
The Carry-All also had seat trim which was unique to the model. There was a choice between all tan Delon (vinyl) or tan Delon and cloth.
Good luck with your project.
Mac
Update. Got the car cleaned up on the outside. Removed the seats and the crappy shag carpet and cleaned out the inside. I fixed all the doors, trunk lid and hood opening and closing properly. Cleaned up the motor, removed the plugs, poured a couple tablespoons of marvel mystery oil into the cylinders. After sitting with the oil in the cylinders for a day I tried to turn the motor over by hand. It was free as can be.
