The rarest of the rare?

[Robin (UK)]

Has anyone ever seen another picture of a DeSoto SP15 Wagon?
This one was in Switzerland.

[Doug&Deb]

I’m assuming that’s an export model. It looks like a Plymouth with different trim. I’d like to see the grille. 

[greg g]

Lots of P15 chassis and sheet metal went overseas badged as DeSotos.  More prevallently to S America as Diplomat branded units.  Wonder if the woodwork came from US?  US Body and Forging in Indiana made Plymouth wooden bodies from 1936 through 1949. The cowls were shared with convertibles. 

 

The Forging part was referring to the associated steel pieces like hinges, latches, gussets, other attachment pieces.  These were made in Buffalo, NY. 

The cowl was shared by convertibles.

[Robin (UK)]

5 hours ago, Doug&Deb said:

I’m assuming that’s an export model. It looks like a Plymouth with different trim. I’d like to see the grille. 

It's an SP15 DeSoto, which is effectively a badge-engineered Plymouth produced for export markets.
Here's a French car with a good view of the front end, hood ornament and badging.

[Robin (UK)]

4 hours ago, greg g said:

Wonder if the woodwork came from US?

I'm certain that's a US-built body, Greg.
Locally built cars would not have been able to match that construction.
So my guess is that it was shipped to Europe complete.

[greg g]

Just noticed the Woody does not have suicide doors.  Never noticed that before.

[andyd]

Here in Oz all 1946-48 Mopars, ie Plymouth, Dodge & DeSoto were T J Richards built Plymouth style bodies & wheelbase length chassis with either Plymouth, Dodge or DeSoto front clips.

             However there were some Dodge & DeSotos sold that had the Fluid Drive option.......these were imported RHD 4dr sedans from Nth America and were easy to spot as they had the longer front fenders that extended into the front doors & "Fluid Drive" stamped into their bumpers ......no Richards built cars had this feature and all Richards bodies used external front & rear door hinges which was a tell tale sign of an Oz body together with a tapered trunk lid .......all 46-48 Mopars sold here were 4dr sedans tho' there were a couple, like 1 or 2 modified/hand made wagons made by Richards for specific orders......andyd  

[hansen]

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/made-for-export-1947-de-soto

[maok]

My '37 MC Dodge touring is relatively rare, apparently 12 were commissioned by Austral Motors, the bodies were built by Hope builders here in Brisbane, Aust.

 

Previous owner believes there are two other survivors.

[andyd]

Maok.........have always wondered about those 1937 Dodge Tourers as they seem to have bodies that sit higher than the normal sedans.....were they built on the standard 1937 passenger car chassis or the light commercial chassis.....what size wheels does it use?...........regards, andyd  

[greg g]

That is a beauty.   There was a similar design by a Swiss coach builder but I remember it on a 39 chassis.

[maok]

11 hours ago, andyd said:

Maok.........have always wondered about those 1937 Dodge Tourers as they seem to have bodies that sit higher than the normal sedans.....were they built on the standard 1937 passenger car chassis or the light commercial chassis.....what size wheels does it use?...........regards, andyd  

 

Hey Andy, it's based on a MC truck chassis and running gear. Mine has the usual 16" wheels, but the flyer says that there was the option for 20" wheels, it was marketed to farmers.

[tom'sB2B]

Not same year or model, but a nice woodie DeSoto