40desoto Posted December 31, 2012 Report Posted December 31, 2012 I was wondering if splash aprons existed in a 1940 Desoto coupe? There seems to be quite a large space between the rear bumper and body in the rear. If so, does anybody know if a 40 or 41 plymouth splash apron fit? Quote
garbagestate 44 Posted December 31, 2012 Report Posted December 31, 2012 I did a quick google search and it looks like it should have one.I found a picture of a convertable which is probably the same. Quote
John Reddie Posted December 31, 2012 Report Posted December 31, 2012 If you need a splash pan, these guys may possibly have one. Good luck to you. John R http://mooresautosalvage.com/parts.asp?division=2&make=Desoto Quote
40desoto Posted January 23, 2013 Author Report Posted January 23, 2013 So I ended up buying a 41 Plymouth apron. Same curves and width but about 2.5 inches too short. The part that goes behind the rear fenders and wraps around them see to be the correct size and angle. Right in the center of the apron there are 5 lines. I like those and ads some style to the apron. What I think Im going to do is extend the appron about 1.25 in on each side of these lines. I think this area is where theres less curve and this would make everything else fit well. Quote
thrashingcows Posted January 23, 2013 Report Posted January 23, 2013 Do you have apic of the Plymouth apron on your Desoto? Quote
desoto1939 Posted January 24, 2013 Report Posted January 24, 2013 I have one on my 39 Desoto. In 39 These were an option and not part of the regular delivery of the car. I got mine off a gentleman that had a lot of 39 Mopar cars and collected 39 Mopar parts and accessories. He had a 39 Sedan delivery and also a 39 Plymouth that had the rear gravel guard on the car. He had another one in his parts and I purchased the second one for 75 dollars NOS. I was at a major car show and a gentleman from Canada had a 39 Chrysler and these also used the same rear gravel guard. We took mine off and he then made a copy of mine. So the parts are out there to be found. Just have to look harder for them. I have never seen another 39 Desoto with the rear gravel guard. Contact me me with any question about your 40 Desoto. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote
40desoto Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Posted January 24, 2013 Hey Rich, thank you for your offer on the help. I might just pick your brain on a few items.. Yeah, I need to learn to be more patient. I saw the 41 Plymouth on ebay and just went for it.. Im gonna try my hands on fabricating. I think at least I will not loose any of the nice corner shapes and the design in the middle. I will post some pics of it later Quote
40desoto Posted January 24, 2013 Author Report Posted January 24, 2013 I have one on my 39 Desoto. In 39 These were an option and not part of the regular delivery of the car. I got mine off a gentleman that had a lot of 39 Mopar cars and collected 39 Mopar parts and accessories. He had a 39 Sedan delivery and also a 39 Plymouth that had the rear gravel guard on the car. He had another one in his parts and I purchased the second one for 75 dollars NOS. I was at a major car show and a gentleman from Canada had a 39 Chrysler and these also used the same rear gravel guard. We took mine off and he then made a copy of mine. So the parts are out there to be found. Just have to look harder for them. I have never seen another 39 Desoto with the rear gravel guard. Contact me me with any question about your 40 Desoto. I cant believe these where an option. Looking at the car from the rear it really seems to be a large void in that area. I'll post some pics of the rear of the car and the splash guard I purchased Rich HArtungDesoto1939@aol.com Quote
52b3b Joe Posted January 25, 2013 Report Posted January 25, 2013 I have a 41 DeSoto, and I always thought the rears were standard on 41s. I know that the front bumper filler panel was optional though. I agree on the 39s being optional. As far as the 40's go, I'm not sure. I don't know if they started it standard in 41 with the new body because the 41's had a lower body and a newly designed frame or what. It had to be 40 or 41 it started standard. Looking at picture on google images, it looks like all of them have them but that doesn't mean it was standard. Here's the best picture I have on the computer of my 41's. Quote
Desotodav Posted January 25, 2013 Report Posted January 25, 2013 I found a 39 Desoto on Ebay here in Oz that I thought you guys might like a look at - I have no connection to the vehicle or seller... http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1939-Chrysler-De-Soto-/230917627474?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item35c3c35e52&_uhb=1#ht_500wt_1414 Desotodav Quote
40desoto Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Posted January 25, 2013 Rear 1940 Desoto Coupe . Looks like quite a large void to not have a factory splash apron? Quote
RobertKB Posted January 25, 2013 Report Posted January 25, 2013 I cant believe these where an option. Looking at the car from the rear it really seems to be a large void in that area. I'll post some pics of the rear of the car and the splash guard I purchased It's just what you are used to. Splash guards have been around a long time but lots of cars came without them. My '38 Chrysler never had a gravel guard at the rear, and it was not an option. I don't even think about it when I look at the back of the car as I am so used to it. Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 25, 2013 Report Posted January 25, 2013 Rear 1940 Desoto Coupe . Looks like quite a large void to not have a factory splash apron?desoto rear.jpg U are missing the rear valance......not the gravel guard which is horizontal and tucked in the bumper. Quote
desoto1939 Posted January 25, 2013 Report Posted January 25, 2013 I have just opened up my 39 Desoto parts manual. In the Accessories and Miscellaneous section Group 1_n Gravel Deflector ( rear Bumper ) is how this is listed for the 39 Desoto. The Chrysler/Dodge/Desoto would have used the same package. Thanks for the picture of the down-under 39 Desoto. But this is a combination of a 39 Plymouth headlights and grill. The hood side pieces are different as compared to the chrome vent holes style. It does have the 39 Desoto hood ornament. Very interesting to look at how these cars were sold to European markets. I do know that these car for export had 12 volt systems as compared to our 6 volt systems here in the states. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote
40desoto Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Posted January 25, 2013 (edited) U are missing the rear valance......not the gravel guard which is horizontal and tucked in the bumper. So do you think the car had a Valance to cover the vertical void and also a gravel guard to cover the horizontal section between Valance and the rear bumper? When I lay the 'Gravel Guard' on there it seems to align pretty well without a Valance... Edited January 25, 2013 by 40desoto Quote
Frank Elder Posted January 25, 2013 Report Posted January 25, 2013 No, I was wrong, the first picture is a vertical custom piece.....the second one is the gravel guard like it should be.....crs is kickin' in. Quote
40desoto Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Posted January 25, 2013 It's just what you are used to. Splash guards have been around a long time but lots of cars came without them. My '38 Chrysler never had a gravel guard at the rear, and it was not an option. I don't even think about it when I look at the back of the car as I am so used to it. Beautiful Car!! I just found this 1940 article that states that 1940 Plymouths came with standard Rear Bumper gravel deflector http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1946&dat=19100120&id=M38uAAAAIBAJ&sjid=75gFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2645,3297999 Quote
40desoto Posted January 25, 2013 Author Report Posted January 25, 2013 No, I was wrong, the first picture is a vertical custom piece.....the second one is the gravel guard like it should be.....crs is kickin' in. No prob.. Thanks for the info and thanks for the pictures.. I'll post some pics once I get it cut and extended and fit into my 40 desoto. Thank you Quote
52b3b Joe Posted January 30, 2013 Report Posted January 30, 2013 I saw this today to give a defined answer to this. 40' was the first year for the "streamlined rear deck". Hope this helps. Quote
40desoto Posted January 30, 2013 Author Report Posted January 30, 2013 Thanks for sharing! that's exactly how the rear bumper and gravel deflector of my 40 coupe is. The Gravel deflector off of a 41 Plymouth looks the same but its a bit narrower. about 2.5 inches Quote
40desoto Posted February 26, 2013 Author Report Posted February 26, 2013 Found this picture of gravel deflector on a 1940 Desoto Quote
ferdball Posted July 5, 2013 Report Posted July 5, 2013 Here's a photo of a stock 40 desoto business coupe rear end for reference, holler if you need any other info "40desoto". Quote
40desoto Posted January 14, 2014 Author Report Posted January 14, 2014 I know this is an old post, but does anyone have a good reference ? Im still looking for the garvel deflector for my 1940 desoto coupe Quote
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