Robin (UK)

That picture was taken with the car running on choke. Idle is set to about 600rpm when warm. I run a tach because my car's hopped up with vintage speed equipment... and I race it.

The tach was custom made by Westach. It's 2" diameter, 6v, 0-5000 RPM. I specified it with their 'bullet case' and a stainless surround. Plus a lighting kit. And with a white pointer, to match the original Plymouth gauges. It's sits really nicely on the column, and is wired into the distributor. Here's a link to the gauge: https://www.westach.com/product-page/2ct53-6v Bullet mount: https://www.westach.com/product-page/692b-714 Lighting kit: https://www.westach.com/product-page/186-6a2

And here are the other parts in the factory set-up...

The pictures above show a D24 bezel. The Plymouth bezel is angled. The under-dash set up is similar, but the bracket for the bulb-holders has a different profile.

The car was painted by previous owners. I think the dash was last done in the 1970s.

This is a factory option turn signal indicator bezel which I've had sitting around for many years. I recently got it fitted when my car was re-wired and I'm really pleased with it. Video here: IMG_0451.mov

To clarify, my OD is wired though a push button which activates a latchable relay. This could be replaced by a switch, so for this answer I'll call it a switch. Assuming you're in 3rd gear with overdrive engaged, the handle will be pushed in and the switch will be on. To come out of overdrive: Turn the switch off (to cut the electrical supply) Release the gas pedal, to allow freewheeling You'll now be out of overdrive, in 3rd, but the transmission will freewheel when not under load To get back to direct drive Press the gas pedal to load the gearbox Pull the lockout handle out I hope this helps. Robin

George's description is correct. When the transmission is under load (not freewheeling) you can pull the OD handle to lock out the overdrive. I use mine like this regularly.

That's a fabulous looking car and it's great to see another 46-48 MoPar in the UK. There are a whole bunch of these great cars over here (although not many DeSotos). We have a facebook group for UK owners and hold an annual meet-up in the middle of the country (The P-15 Picnic) - You'll be very welcome to join us online and in person. Please drop me a DM with your email address and I'll send info over and keep you in touch with what we're doing. This year's P15 Picnic will be on 20th and 21st April. Welcome to this great Forum - you'll get lots of great advice here. And it's good to hear you talking about Race The Waves. Dean and I race our Plymouths at Pendine Sands. Look forward to catching up, Robin

I'm certain that's a US-built body, Greg. Locally built cars would not have been able to match that construction. So my guess is that it was shipped to Europe complete.

It's an SP15 DeSoto, which is effectively a badge-engineered Plymouth produced for export markets. Here's a French car with a good view of the front end, hood ornament and badging.

Has anyone ever seen another picture of a DeSoto SP15 Wagon? This one was in Switzerland.

I've always enjoyed driving my P15, and I'm having even more fun now that my son's old enough to get behind the wheel. We worked the car hard at a recent Speed Hill Climb at historic Prescott Hill. The wet course was super slippery, so we got some sideways action on the hairpins!

I'm also in the UK and have benefitted from the generosity of several owners who have sent me items and asked only for a 'thank you' or payment of shipping costs. And I've repaid the favor by doing the same for others. This P15-D24 community is a great space. Thank you all for your enthusiasm, advice and help over the past 20+ years.

Thanks for the info on the splines. The rear end swap is all about marginal gains. I have a hotter motor that'll be fitted soon. It'll definitely pull the higher gear, so I'm aiming to move that sweet spot a little bit and gain some more top end speed. 17% is enough as I already run an R10 OD.