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1951 Desoto Custom


Tim Larson

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I found a 1951 Desoto for sale a few hours south of me. The pics speak for themselves.

 

Radio Restored

Heater, turn signals, back up lights, lighted hood ornament all work. 

New shocks, carb, battery, starter, exhaust, tires.

Correct carpet. 

Great original interior. 

Does not leak fluids or smoke.

Fluid Drive

Brake work being done presently.

$6600

 

Please talk me down from this.

 

I'm going to call the seller this evening. 

 

 

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3 minutes ago, Doug&Deb said:

Looks good. Check underneath for any rust and take it for a drive. The price seems a bit high but I’m out of the loop on this stuff anymore. I’d certainly drive it!

 

Like the advertising said "Drive a Desoto before you decide" 

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Make sure the "Tip-Toe Shift" transmission up-shifts and downshifts smoothly. Floor the gas pedal doing 25 and the trans should auto downshift...let up on the gas pedal and once again it should shift smoothly back into high gear.

 

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Ok don't buy it. Is that what you needed?

Looks good to me but the steer column looks to be a much newer type?  And engine bay and motor need paint and that alone is a deal breaker! Only a specialist can fix that??? ??

You married? Wife out of town long enough to build a hiding spot?

Easier to buy it and ask permission later.?

I would heed what others have said about things to check also.

 

If it is rust free or very close to it-buy it and enjoy.

 

Up to you brother.

Best to you

DJ

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28 minutes ago, DJ194950 said:

Ok don't buy it. Is that what you needed?

Looks good to me but the steer column looks to be a much newer type?  And engine bay and motor need paint and that alone is a deal breaker! Only a specialist can fix that??? ??

You married? Wife out of town long enough to build a hiding spot?

Easier to buy it and ask permission later.?

I would heed what others have said about things to check also.

 

If it is rust free or very close to it-buy it and enjoy.

 

Up to you brother.

Best to you

DJ

 

Haha!

 

Not married so no one to answer to there. 

 

I have a list of things to ask the seller. 

 

I am about 4-5 hours north of where it is, so we will have to see!

 

Thanks

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If you don't know you want it when you saw it..why waste time even thinking about it now....you may be better off passing as it seems this thing did not capture your heart.....I am not sure the forum could persuade me one way or the other if I saw something I liked and wanted....

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1 minute ago, Plymouthy Adams said:

If you don't know you want it when you saw it..why waste time even thinking about it now....you may be better off passing as it seems this thing did not capture your heart.....I am not sure the forum could persuade me one way or the other if I saw something I liked and wanted....

 

The problem is I knew I wanted it when I first opened the ad - ha!

 

I do appreciate any advice about what to lookout for. 

Edited by tjlarson88
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after getting the car then join the national Desoto club.  the 2020 National Convention will be held in Milwaukie Wis.

 

Here is the link to the NDC webpage.  https://desoto.org/

 

Also if you will be in the area of Hershey Pa during October 9-12 the Antique automobile Club will be hosting their annual swap meet. They have over 8-10000 venders.

 

I will be having two sites I will be located in the Orange field row OAD7 & 8

 

Stop by a chat.  I own a 1939 Desoto.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

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2 hours ago, desoto1939 said:

after getting the car then join the national Desoto club.  the 2020 National Convention will be held in Milwaukie Wis.

 

Here is the link to the NDC webpage.  https://desoto.org/

 

Also if you will be in the area of Hershey Pa during October 9-12 the Antique automobile Club will be hosting their annual swap meet. They have over 8-10000 venders.

 

I will be having two sites I will be located in the Orange field row OAD7 & 8

 

Stop by a chat.  I own a 1939 Desoto.

 

Rich Hartung

Desoto1939@aol.com

 

That sounds great! Had a nice chat with the seller after work. The car is currently getting some brake work done and a couple of other repair pieces. Might get to go see it sometime next week.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Well, the car came to its new home last night! A neighbor of mine bought it and I got to drive it home nearly 300 miles. It did stall on me just twice when coming up to a stop, but was able to start again with no trouble. The car is absolutely terrific and original other than new paint at some point and new carpet. 

 

This was my first experience driving fluid drive - because of this forum I understood how to drive it with no problem. I'll post a bunch of photos when I get a chance.

 

 

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Looks like a great Desoto!

..except I would guess  the steering wheel is badly cracked.the cover fixed that.

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9 minutes ago, Dodgeb4ya said:

Looks like a great Desoto!

..except I would guess  the steering wheel is badly cracked.the cover fixed that.

 

It's possible the steering wheel doesn't look great under the cover, but the cover fits in with the rest of the interior nicely. 

Edited by tjlarson88
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I love the 51 to 52 DeSoto's 

Probably because they don't get the love they deserve and are not very common.

If it's hard to come by I want it!

I Never did find a nice enough 1951 or 52 Sportsman hardtop..ended up with a couple Chrysler Newport hardtops.

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10 minutes ago, Dodgeb4ya said:

I love the 51 to 52 DeSoto's 

Probably because they don't get the love they deserve and are not very common.

 

I don't understand why they aren't desired as much, but it is a fantastic piece of history. Also, I personally don't understand the allure of two door cars - four doors are much more practical in my book, but to each his own! Although the classic cars I have are two door cars - that isn't what drew me to them. I might be buying my neighbors four door Plymouth now that he bought this Desoto. 

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Something that was noticed yesterday on the drive home. The car seemed to put out white smoke while accelerating. I know the seller had the cooling system worked on recently and he mentioned that the system had been pressurized which he didn't really want to have happen. Is the white smoke possibly a coolant leak? How would this be diagnosed? I'll probably go check the car today to see if the coolant level is visible in the radiator. The car never overheated or got hot. 

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