New to Forums

Gordon,

Welcome to the Forum! There are a couple links to the left of this site to which you should navigate. First is the "RENEW-JOIN THE CLUB" link. You will get much more out of your DeSoto experience if you join the Club. There is much more to learn by joining and receiving the Club Magazine, DeSoto Adventures.

The second link to visit is the "Resources" link. Once there, you will find a listing of Model Year Coordinators. Look for the 1949 Coordinator and contact him with your questions.

Finally, there are many knowledgeable folks who regularly visit this forum including one (James Douglas) who is currently restoring a family member's 1949 convertible. It's best to list your specific questions and you'll likely get several responses and some good advice.

Again, welcome and good luck with your '49!

Mark K.

Thank you so much. I will be reading up on all the links and post.

Gorden

Welcome to The De Soto Club's Site.

Your 1949 ( and 1950 ) De Soto is much equal to The Olds 76 Series or Mercury's
if you look at to whom they were marketed to, the aminities and items of this
nature.

When new it was not a "common" Dock Worker or Farmer's Car.

In Chrysler lanuage it is very near its first cousin - The 1949 ( and 1950 ) Windsor.

The entry level 1949 ( and 1950 ) De Soto is The De Luxe ( Chrysler Royal ) and the not so entry level is The Custom ( Chrysler Windsor ).

Most of the time the hardest two things for a new owner to adjust to is it has
a Positive Grounded Electrical System and the M-6 Transmission with The Fluid
Drive.

************************
The Transmission uses 10 Weight Motor Oil and The Fluid Drive never never uses
any modern type of transmission fluid.
************************

Please do as already said and have fun.

Rodger & Gabby
COS

Welcome Gordon. Jump into this forum since there has been a lot of info going back and forth lately on the 49s. Good luck. Post some photos - we really like them.

Welcome, Gordon!

Congratulations on obtaining your great, '49 Custom!

Post some pic's of your car when you have some time on your hands!

Here is one shot of it.

very cool

Welcome to the family! We are just to your east in the Beaumont area.

Hi Gordon, welcome to the forum. Houston is a nice area. We lived in Texas for a few years, but didn't get to make it out that way often. The Lonestar Roundup is a show in Austin every spring and should be coming up soon. It's worth checking out if you have a chance. There are lots of rods and customs, but you can find some neat things including parts at the swap meet.

Thank you for the photo of your stately, blue beauty, Gordon!

Love those wheels!

Thank you. Working on the rewire of the car and switching over to a 12 volt system. I bought 18 circuit from painless wiring. Next is finding the upgraded version of the distributor so I can remove the points. The big change will be the upgrade to a 318 v8 that was given to me for free .

The upgrade to 12V and a 318 V8 will make for a very nice "Driver". However, you may find the the engine bay, designed for a straight engine rather than a V engine, will give you a few problems...steering shaft location being the biggest one. The 318 with an overdrive type automatic transmission would be the ideal...if you DON'T abuse the Stock rear axle, and drive normally...

Yeah the engine bay will be slightly snug. The rear end will be upgraded to a ford 9 inch and the front will be upgraded to a Mustang II suspension with air bags and the rear will also be air bagged. Before all this happens I will be taking it down to a frame off restoration. Early next week the car will be ready to have the body off. Then down to cleaning and repainting the frame fixing anything that needs fixed under the body.