Lakermatt Posted March 19, 2014 Report Posted March 19, 2014 Hi All, Just did a trade for a 1947 Desoto 2 door. I know NOTHING about these cars. Just doing some research, and finding that these 2 doors are somewhat rare... the car is missing some stuff, and looking to find someone parting one out. traded the car for a pair of jetskis I had... so I guess I got the better deal if this car is rare. let me know what you think!! 2 Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted March 19, 2014 Report Posted March 19, 2014 its a starting point...at least they have not filled in the holes for the missing trim...you may have your work cut out for you locating it all but you start now identifying what you need, you may get lucky...thing are beginning to move a bit with swap meets on the horizon Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 19, 2014 Report Posted March 19, 2014 What is your goal? Does the car run? What engine? ETC? Quote
mrwrstory Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 I like the "Bud" hood ornament! Cool car. This group'll be a big help in getting it together. Quote
Lakermatt Posted March 20, 2014 Author Report Posted March 20, 2014 It actually runs great! I dont know what direction i want to go with it. I am going to "tinker"... thats for sure!! Quote
Tim Keith Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 If the grill is in good shape then you've got a good start. Lots of chrome up front. I've also got a '47 S11 De Soto club coupe. Its much like a Chrysler Windsor, different trim, dash and the 236 motor. I might update the motor with a 265 crankshaft. I wouldn't say that a '47 De Soto was rare but you probably won't see another S11 at a local show. Its unique enough that I prefer to see them kept stock looking. Quote
desoto1939 Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 Tim: Welocme to the forum. I have a 39 Desoto four door sedan. There are parts out there for the 46-48 Desotos. The Desoto is a harder model to find parts but if you know what yo0u are looking for you will find them. I have al ot of manuals and catalogs that will cover the various parts on your desoto. I have found that Ebay is a good starting point to get picutes of the parts so you have an idea of what they look like. Start checking the local swap meets and also local car shows. I have found that some of the Desoto pieces will be in your average sellers pile but they do not know what they fit so sometime s you can get a real good price on items. I live near valley Forge PA outside of Philadelphia pa. Send me your home email. Rich HArtung Desoto1939@aol.com Quote
ledfootslim Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 Sweeeet! Mine is a '48, but pretty much the same thing. The 236 is a great engine, I definetley wouldn't get rid of it- unless you have plans for a '50's Desoto Hemi. The Desoto's are very similar to the Chryslers of the same era- until you get a close look at them! The grill is so much more awesomer, the interior (especially the dash) is no comparison and all they need is to be lowered a little and driven! If you are on the hunt for trim, look for any mopars of the same era as your car, the fender trim, front and rear, and almost everything else is interchangeable, with a little finagleing! Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 all they need is to be lowered a little and driven! Why do they NEED to be lowered? Is there something wrong with the factory suspension? I have never lowered a car in my life and all the cars I have owned drove very well. Quote
knuckleharley Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 Hi All, Just did a trade for a 1947 Desoto 2 door. I know NOTHING about these cars. Just doing some research, and finding that these 2 doors are somewhat rare... the car is missing some stuff, and looking to find someone parting one out. traded the car for a pair of jetskis I had... so I guess I got the better deal if this car is rare. let me know what you think!! 20131225_134715.jpeg20131225_134727.jpeg20131225_134739.jpeg I think (know) it is a coupe,not a two door as in a sedan. Since I have zero use for jet skis and know less about them than I do nuclear power plants,I'd say you got a good deal. 1 Quote
40desoto Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 Are you in California? If so and ever want to swap that 236 for a V8 let me know. Quote
Dave72dt Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 Why do they NEED to be lowered? Is there something wrong with the factory suspension? I have never lowered a car in my life and all the cars I have owned drove very well. None of them NEED to be lowered. My truck didn't need to be lowered either . I WANTED it lower so I did 1 Quote
40desoto Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 Why do they NEED to be lowered? Is there something wrong with the factory suspension? I have never lowered a car in my life and all the cars I have owned drove very well. Don, in California and other parts of the world these late 30's and 40's mopars are begining to get more and more attention by so called Rod and Kustom entusiast. This is nothing new here in California but not as much attention to Mopars until 'recently. A new wave of younger 'Hot Rodders' are being influenced with the work of builders such as Harry Westergard of Sacramento which has been lowering and customizing cars since the 40's, http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Harry_Westergard George Barris and his his brother at Barris Kustoms in Los Angeles (remember the Batmobile) , Gene Garret of Oakland http://www.kustomrama.com/index.php?title=Gene_Garret%27s_1936_Ford and the list goes on and on.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnIQ2GRq4hw I know some people might not like this style but the reality is that its out there and spreading.. That is the beauty of this country..choice and the freedom for one to express themselves as they feel even it its through restoring a car to its original condition and style or Kustomizing a car to ones likes.. Like I say whatever floats your boat... Check out what made this guys boat float; A 1940 Desoto Coupe, with a 1936 Lincoln Zephyr rear section.. I wonder how he changes the back tire if he ever gets a flat.. Quote
deathbound Posted March 20, 2014 Report Posted March 20, 2014 ledfootslim, on 20 Mar 2014 - 07:27 AM, said: all they need is to be lowered a little and driven! Why do they NEED to be lowered? Is there something wrong with the factory suspension? I have never lowered a car in my life and all the cars I have owned drove very well. Don, you ask this question every time someone mentions lowering their car. It is a matter of preference & I think the poster of the quote you quoted meant in "his" opinion.....it NEEDED to be lowered for a better looking stance. Having a lowered car like these Plymouth's, Dodge's, etc is obviously not for road racing, but for looks/style......similar to why you chose to have your car painted Baby Blue (or kept is this color).....or why you chose chrome steelies when there was nothing wrong with the factory color of the car or original wheels. Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 21, 2014 Report Posted March 21, 2014 None of them NEED to be lowered. My truck didn't need to be lowered either . I WANTED it lower so I did There within is the answer. It does not need to be lowered. Want and need are two different things. Wanna talk fuzzy dice next? I have no use for fuzzy dice. I lived in California for 7 years. I did not like lowered cars when I lived there nor fuzzy dice. But that is my opinion and it is fair game for me and all others to state opinions. Quote
Mike Petersen Posted March 21, 2014 Report Posted March 21, 2014 My first job was sweeping the floors of Lil John Buttera's shop.He lived next door to us in So. Cal. I believe I was 12 or 13. His son Chris and I would spend 1/2 a day sweeping all the lathe and mill shavings and left over tube of his floors. Our payment was goin to the drags and getting to go anywhere we wanted. Pitts, crew trailers,the tower at OCIR was awsome. My dad was the prodution manager for Rockwells satilite division and his mind set was much like Don's. In that the engineers always design cars for the most practicle demands.For every day use. If you don't know who Lil John was look him up. He had a degree in engineering also.I asked him one day why he allways had his cars lowered and sitting with such a mean rake to them. He explained it this way. The design engineer drafts almost all cars on the scetch pad in the lowered stance. Then the mechanical engineer changes it to the most practicle universal design. Then he would bring them back to where he thought was best. The private owner is free to do as he wants. If you are in the So. Cal area or around the hotrod enviroment anywhere you are always going to see the rides lowered. If you like it stock thats fine. Just be glad they are kept on the road either way. My personal rides are most often lowered. They certainly handle better that way. If done corectly. Quote
mrwrstory Posted March 21, 2014 Report Posted March 21, 2014 Don, you ask this question every time someone mentions lowering their car. It is a matter of preference & I think the poster of the quote you quoted meant in "his" opinion.....it NEEDED to be lowered for a better looking stance. Having a lowered car like these Plymouth's, Dodge's, etc is obviously not for road racing, but for looks/style......similar to why you chose to have your car painted Baby Blue (or kept is this color).....or why you chose chrome steelies when there was nothing wrong with the factory color of the car or original wheels. or the stock displacement engine and 3 spd trans Quote
Don Coatney Posted March 21, 2014 Report Posted March 21, 2014 or the stock displacement engine and 3 spd trans Who has a stock displacement engine and 3spd transmission Quote
Young Ed Posted March 21, 2014 Report Posted March 21, 2014 Who has a stock displacement engine and 3spd transmission Not I...... Quote
deathbound Posted March 22, 2014 Report Posted March 22, 2014 or the stock displacement engine and 3 spd trans I know exactly what you're referring to, even though others don't. Now, back ON topic.....nice car Lakermatt. Quote
GlennCraven Posted March 22, 2014 Report Posted March 22, 2014 Hi All, Just did a trade for a 1947 Desoto 2 door. I know NOTHING about these cars. let me know what you think!! 20131225_134715.jpeg20131225_134727.jpeg20131225_134739.jpeg Fabulous trade, Matt! … I love the DeSotos and want one of my own someday. This is the right place to come for advice (and debate), so enjoy the ride! Quote
Lakermatt Posted March 24, 2014 Author Report Posted March 24, 2014 thanks guys for the compliments. now I am having one heck of a time trying to find the front windshield glass, the outer windshield trim, the inner windshield trim. I need the back glass, but no the outer or inner trim. can a 46-48 Chrysler work? I also need the wrap around drivers side moulding for the front fender. I am almost positive that wont interchange... let me know what works, and what doesn't. Quote
1940plymouth Posted March 24, 2014 Report Posted March 24, 2014 Check with Dave at Fat Fendered Relics, he may be able to help with the windshield trim and fender trim. If you can get a pattern for the windshield glass, any good automotive glass company can cut it for you. Good luck, Bob Quote
Lakermatt Posted March 24, 2014 Author Report Posted March 24, 2014 ok. I just sent him an email. ill see what he says!! Quote
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