grey beard Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 I am contemplating the purchase of a 1951 DeSoto custom sedan. It is in unbelievably nice original conduition. My question to those of you who know these things is this; What is different between this car and a Dodge? Are all drive train components about the same? Are DeSoto parts even more difficult to find than Dodge/Plymouth parts? Is there a DeSoto forum or club? Thanks for any llight you can shed on my questions. Quote
greg g Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 Desoto shares it engine with the Chrysler, its a 25 inch block. Probably has one of those fluid drive whatchamacallits as a drive train. See what happens when you clean out your garage. Quote
billwillard Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 These are very good riding cars. Buy it. Bill Quote
PatS.... Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 Other than grille, dash and tail lights...identical to a Chrysler. The DeSpatch forum http://www.duricy.com/~desoto/despatch.shtml Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 These are very good riding cars. Buy it.Bill If it's got a perfect plastic steering wheel and a light up hood ornament buy it! Quote
grey beard Posted July 19, 2009 Author Report Posted July 19, 2009 Plastic white steering wheel is perfect, dash wood grain is perfect, everything works, lotsa' chrome on dash, speedometer says 53K, windows and doors work like new, paint is original but so thin as to show primer on hood and fender tops. Runs very nice with an IV bottle, but needs tank and fuel line cleaned/replaced. Big ole' four door sedan. No light-up hood ornament. Has this guy's head with a helmet on it instead. Is all this good or bad? Quote
Andydodge Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 That guy with the helmet on his head is Mr De Soto........Walter P Chrysler's mate......lol.......actually a Spanish Conquistador from the 16th century......upmarket mopars........andyd Quote
Dodgeb4ya Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 How is the Die Cast -Potmetal chrome? 1951-2 MoCars had very poor quality Korean war chrome. The DeSoto grille would be huge$$$$$$$$$$ to replate. Really goodDeSoto grille teeth are worth a lot to the Hot Rodders! If perfect chrome you might want to insure them with Hagarty! Has the car got a clock and radio? How many miles on it? It's sounding like a pretty good car for a 51-2 DeSoto! Quote
grey beard Posted July 19, 2009 Author Report Posted July 19, 2009 Car has a working clock and radio. Speedo says 53K. Left side of center grille bar beyond the teeth has some pits along with the same side of the front bumper. Teeth and balance of front chrome are perfect as is all rear chrome. Looks from the chrome and paint like the nose stuck out of a shed for many years cause the back end is much less faded/weathered. Interior is all original and carpets are pretty decent. Absolutely no rust. Windows and weatherstrips are incredible. Haven't yet been underneath to look for leaks but to my best knowledge the only thing this one needs is a fuel system rehabilitation. And, it'll likely need a new set of radials. So I can see spending a grand plus the bad pieces of chrome that need fixin' just going into this thing, before it gets warmed up and driven. Anyone wanna' venture a ballpark value for such a beastie? Nicest DeSoto I've ever seen. Quote
wills 51 Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 I have to agree with billwillard on this one, I have a 50 and It's definitely a nice riding car.. Quote
PatS.... Posted July 19, 2009 Report Posted July 19, 2009 The value is up to you, but you will sure like it. If you can afford it, buy it. Quote
James_Douglas Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 The only thing to be aware of is that the Long Wheel Base (LWB -139.5") cars did use a different chassis. Everything is different on these chassis and they only shared parts with the largest Chrysler Straight 8. The Desoto Suburban and some of the Dodge/Plymouth limousines fall into this category. My '47 Desoto Suburban has this chassis and it stayed the same until 1954. As long as it is a regular sedan, parts are easy. Best, James Quote
stellarrestorations Posted July 20, 2009 Report Posted July 20, 2009 Also information, forum, and club membership with the National DeSoto Club www.desoto.org Quote
moparjack44 Posted July 22, 2009 Report Posted July 22, 2009 Has that thing got a Hemi in it? Jackie Quote
wayfarer Posted July 22, 2009 Report Posted July 22, 2009 First year for the 276 Hemi was 1952. Quote
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