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.
I have a '48 DeSoto Taxicab and for years have been searching for an aftermarket, retractable bumper-mounted luggage rack that adorned so many of the NYC cabs back then. Anyone have or know of one? For that matter I could also use one for a 1950 DeSoto Taxicab. Thanks!
Peter,
My current project is a '40 sedan being converted to a NY Skyview taxi and I, too, would like to have a luggage rack.
Firstly, you may want to contact Russ Frank (des4us@ticon.net) to post a wanted ad in the DeSoto Adventures magazine that goes out to all of the NDC members. Only a small percentage of the membership utilizes this forum so you'll get much better coverage with the magazine. This is a free service for NDC members.
If you can come up with some pictures and specs, I can see about getting some reproductions made. I am connected with 6 local voced schools that are constantly looking for real life projects for their students.
Thnks Geoff to hear from you on this and for this suggestion which I'll pick up on. Great to hear you have a similar project yourself going on! Best of luck on it and I only regret having some not-too-very-close archival pictures of this luggage contraption which aren't enough to formulate a template or design guide for you to have a look at and take up with the class. I'll keep a look out for a schematic if one exists and be back with you on it if I do, OK? In the meantime all the best with yours and I'll keep going on mine. I can send pics of my '48 if you'd like and would love to see how yours is coming along too so let me know: peter@filmcars.com
Peter,
The car show season is just getting underway here in the midwest. I'll be scanning the cars and swap meets for a useable example and/or pertinent measurements.
Keep us posted on your progress.
Geoff
Thanks Geoff, much appreciated and likewise I hope you have success yourself for your car as well. It's been a long time I'm been searching & never expected it to be that way once I began looking for this item. It wasn't Mopar which slows things up considerably but nevertheless finding out just who manufactured these things would be a help. Anyway, all the best and let's stay in touch 
Something for you taxi lovers: http://cleveland.craigslist.org/ctd/2959884486.html
Peter,
Check out the '33 Buick ad for sale on Ebay under "vintage auto trunk rack". Is this what you have in mind?
This one is designed for a high opening trunk but it looks like something that may work.
It mounts to the bumper back bars and I'm sure that both of you cabs have gravel deflectors between the bumper and the body that would have to be modified to attach the carrier.
The other option would be to fabricate one that clamps onto the bumper. I wouldn't want to do that to my '47 after dropping half a g in plating!
Geoff
Thanks Geoff for this. Still on the hunt althouigh seeing this eBay ad is a scratch at the surface. Like you say, fabricating one would be a big undertaking and on a re-plated bumper would add to the apprehension! Will be in touch with you and hope this finds you well in the meantime! Peter
