1just4don Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 This was in a previous thread as a great car to restore. How many of these were ever made? Anybody know? Its a 48 Desoto Suburban Custom.(three seater) (with suicide doors) I dont think I have EVER seen anything like that around here,,,is it really rare?? http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/48-DeSoto-Suburban-RARE-EARLY-WAGON-LOOK_W0QQitemZ330078989487QQihZ014QQcategoryZ6190QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem Thanks for the find,,,BUT its a 'LONG' way from my house!!! Thx for any info --don-- Quote
Guest Nile Limbaugh Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 One of these had a small part in the TV series 'Happy Days'. It was driven by Howard Cunningham, Richie's son. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 I think that was Richie's dad............ James Douglas probably knows the answer as he has one. I don't think all that many were built. They definitely are neat. Quote
Don Coatney Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 This is the Desoto owned by James Douglas. Quote
bob westphal Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 There were thousands of these used a taxi cabs. Almost every movie from the 40s through 60s has them in the background somewhere. Quote
thedahmer Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 LWB mopars are the BEST!!!! plenty of room, big trunk area, engine compartment big enough to get a small block into pretty easy.. the list goes on and on.... Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 That's right.....they did use a lot of those longer ones for taxis......but where are they now. Are there a lot of people in New York City restoring them?? Sure can't find one around here in MO. I believe the cabs were called the "skyview" model....due to sunroof. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 Found this list while surfing. Maybe it will be helpful to someone. http://www.duricy.com/~desoto/desoto_serial_numbers.shtml Also a list of DeSoto carb repair kits. http://www.thecarburetorshop.com/Kdesoto.htm One comment in an article I read says many of the taxis were destroyed, and a lot of those that weren't were sold in South America. Wonder how many still chugging around there. Story indicated this one belongs to Dick DeLuna of San Mateo, CA...... click link to view... ftp://ftp.team.net/ktud/pictures/Hillsborough/hills13.jpg Quote
Young Ed Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 Maybe they are taxis in cuba right now! Quote
1just4don Posted January 25, 2007 Author Report Posted January 25, 2007 I was thinking of getting seriously involved in this bay auction. "MY" problem is the age old one of transportation to my house. Map query said 1660 miles one way.. Thats a LONG pull from here, would love the site- seeing trip tho. I have a 'car' trailer BUT it has NO brakes on it(we arent required to have them in our state,,,and NOBODY does). A neighboring state DOES have that requirement,,,and IF you get caught over there without brakes, you owe them BIG TIME. I imagine between Nebraska and California(home of this car) some of those states require brakes also. I have NEVER traveled I-80 west that far,,,how steep are the mountain crossings??? Can you find flat bed trucks from there to here running empty for backhauls,,,or reefer trailers?? This car is in a small town that doesnt show in my atlas book,,,a short distance south of Modesto California(Home of the 'Happy' cows)(what cute TV ads those are). Any brain storming ideas on how to "getter done"???(I live in the 'home' state of Larry the Cable Guy) My history says I need a plan first, then buy second!!! Any info appreciated --Thx--don-- Quote
Guest Nelsons Ply Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 The car is about 3 miles from my home. Went and took a look it is all there but needs some work. Would make a good project. The guy has six other cars mostly chyslers . Forty dodge One Hudson. I have lived here for over 50 years aaaaaand did not know about this barn full of old cars. Quote
1just4don Posted January 25, 2007 Author Report Posted January 25, 2007 I have heard of houses for sale that said"It needs a little work" Turned out the bathroom tub foot was sticking down thru the kitchen ceiling... AND needed polishing!!! PLEASE!!!! define-needs work!! Thx--don Quote
RobertKB Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 Cool looking old beast. Would be a blast to restore. Long wheel base Chrysler products were also used as ambulances as well as taxis. Picture shows 47 Chrysler limousine that four of us from the local car club are restoring for the local firefighters union charity. Used to be the City of Lethbridge amublance and is being restored as such. Quote
JerseyHarold Posted January 25, 2007 Report Posted January 25, 2007 My father was a cab driver in New York City in the 1940's and 1950's and drove many 7-passenger DeSoto taxis. The cabbies referred to them as 'Big Berthas'. NYC had its own set of taxi specifications which made these cars unique. I don't think the Skyview sunroof was allowed. The company he worked for used to send us yearly fliers offering great deals on their used cabs, but buying one would have been a poor choice due to the abuse they got. The last one I saw was in the early-eighties sinking in a field in Sullivan County, NY. Quote
Guest Nelsons Ply Posted January 26, 2007 Report Posted January 26, 2007 I have heard of houses for sale that said"It needs a little work" Turned out the bathroom tub foot was sticking down thru the kitchen ceiling... AND needed polishing!!! PLEASE!!!! define-needs work!! Thx--don Define work Ok [some loving care][Restore] It will have to be gone through pretty good. Car is complete but like I said it needs a lot of work done to it. Quote
1just4don Posted January 26, 2007 Author Report Posted January 26, 2007 ...that the car is basicly "rust free". "Nelsons ply," whose opinion I ask of, is that a 'pretty' accurate statement or is it looked at only thru (typical OWNER'S ) rose colored glasses??? Surface rust? floors rusted thru?? Etc as for example??? thx--don-- Quote
thedahmer Posted January 26, 2007 Report Posted January 26, 2007 no no no the RUST is FREE... I would like to have that here to tear into it but it is 2100 miles away!! RobertKB- we have our windsor limo ready for exhaust and interior.. it is on air ride and grey in color.. I will get some new pics and post them.. Quote
greg g Posted January 27, 2007 Report Posted January 27, 2007 So how rare can they be if they show up chopped and slamed in the Netherlands???? This shot pirated from Fred Marse's Photobucket album. Quote
James_Douglas Posted January 27, 2007 Report Posted January 27, 2007 Don, Send me an email and I will reply with my phone number. Give me a call if you are serious about this car and i will give you the details on the Suburbans. Best, James Quote
junkyardjeff Posted January 27, 2007 Report Posted January 27, 2007 I wish I kept my 50 windsor 8 pass sedan but it had to sit outside and it was getting a little rough,it went to repair one owned by a famous person so hopefully it lives on in some form. Jeff Quote
Brendan D25 Posted January 27, 2007 Report Posted January 27, 2007 Looking at the picture of James Douglas's car I noticed that the back seat is adjustable. In the early fifties, when I was a little boy, there were about four taxis that ran regular runs from the U.S. Naval base at Argentia to the city (St. John's). One was a DeSoto and the others were Chryslers and all were seven passenger models and if I remember correctly they had some kind of jump seats. It's been about 50 years and I could be wrong but was wondering if any of those cars did have the jump seats. Quote
junkyardjeff Posted January 28, 2007 Report Posted January 28, 2007 I wished my 50 8 pass had the full seat behind the front as mine had jump seats. Jeff Quote
DonaldSmith Posted January 28, 2007 Report Posted January 28, 2007 I also have the July-August 1974 issue of Special-Interest Autos. (James Douglas posted pages from this some time ago.) The article goes into the history of the Suburban's development, to meet the needs of the station wagon crowd, using the long wheelbase model which Chrysler already had. Typically, long wheelbase sedans and limousines had a full back seat like a conventional sedan, and jump seats in the middle. The suburban has a smaller third seat, moved back from the normal location, that folds vertically, and with the middle seat forward, horizontally, extending the cargo floor. Oh, the trunk area is open to the cabin, and is lined with the synthetic wood panels. which the SIA article says were manufactured by Bakelite. The Suburbans from mid-49 on had a wider body, and the third seat was full size, with a back that folded forward. With the back up, the trunk was closed. The Suburban provided a cargo floor and plenty of space inside, but leoading was restricted by the typical trunk lid opening. No 4 x 8 sheets of plywood like the monster station wagons to follow years later. But you could always use the roof rack. Quote
James_Douglas Posted January 28, 2007 Report Posted January 28, 2007 I just moved 3 sheets of 1/2 plywood with the roof rack last week... I love it! James Quote
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