42 DeSoto Fifth Avenue

At least for the 1942 Export DeSoto, Plymouth and Dodge, there is a factory issued Parts Book that often comes up for sale on EBay. Lee Exline of the National DeSoto Club has info on export DeSotos.

I was able to find in my collection factory memos about these" Special Trim Jobs' dating from October of 1941. Three different jobs are mentioned. 1. " Red, White and Blue Convertibles - 10 jobs (Chrysler Victory Model) Blue plastic cloth, Red leather, White leather, Red Carpet and Plastic Robe Cord" The convertible was painted white. At least one was produced as there are factory photos of it and it is mentioned in the same article in the Chrysler Picto-gram as the Navajo trim. I think it appears in the YouTube videos of Roosevelt's 1942 visit the Chrysler Tank Arsenal 2. " Chimayo Indian Trim – 100 jobs - Sedans: -10 with the Thunderbird Design. -20 with the Good Luck Design (similar to the late 1941 Special Trim Job =Navajo) . Convertibles: -40 with the Thunderbird Design. -30 with the Good Luck Design. At least two produced, both convertibles one in each pattern, as can be seen from the factory photographs. 3. 3. " Convertible Coupes – Plastic Cushion & Backs – 100 jobs (this is the ‘Saran’ fabric) Town & Country – Plastic Cushion and Backs – 100 jobs (this is the Saran fabric) Breakdown as follows: Red & Ivory Combinations -80%. Ecru & Blue Combinations -20%" The memos during October highlighted the challenge of getting the fabric orders from the suppliers filled so production could begin. An October 20th memo indicated that all the fabric for the 100 Chimayo cars was in hand and it was up to Sales to schedule production. The Victory models and the Saran interiors were more of a challenge as the plastic thread was produced by Dow Chemical, then shipped to one supplier, Haywood-Wakefield in Mass. At that plant there was only one loom for the three colors which slowed things way down. Another supplier was brought on, Ypsilanti Reed Company of Ionia, MI and production of the Victory model fabric was shifted there. production who wove it into fabric and then shipped back to Chrysler Detroit. From this information I think that by the end of October, 1941 all the necessary upholstery supplies were in hand and the anticipated production of the 310 Special Trim Jobs depended on the number of orders from Chrysler Distributors and Direct Dealers. All of this was subject to demand. On September 22, 1941 the Office of Price Management order a curtailment of December 41 production of 48.3% over 1940 levels. It looks like mid-October to the end of November would have been the prime time for these cars to be built. Who knows, maybe one of the 'Chimayo Indian Trim' jobs will emerge from a barn!

I would like to buy at least one, preferably two, 54 DeSoto Coronado Roof Panel emblems. It is part number 1300 293, "DeSoto Bust'. This is the round plastic emblem/medallion with the bust of good ole Hernando that was mounted on the roof panel behind the rear doors. It is similar to the plastic medallion inserts that were used in the 1949 interior window moldings and the plastic insert in the S13 Custom hood ornament. My parts books interestingly enough also show this part as being used as the radio grille ornament on the 49-52 RHD DeSotos. I'd like to find good to excellent emblems that are not cracked or sun crazed to the point of Hernando being unrecognizable. I'm also looking to buy 1494 036 which is the plastic crest insert in the hood ornament that was used on the 53/54 Firedome. Would like to find one with clear plastic and good to vivid colors. Last, but not least, if you have information on decoding the firewall tag on a 54 and/or factory press release or factory to dealer correspondence about the 54 Coronado spring debut I'd like to hear form you. Thanks, Ed

On the 1942 DeSoto 'Black Out' models chrome bumpers and windshield wiper arms (!) were the only chrome parts allowed. Trim was painted over if was chromed and painted if it came primed. Interior trim that had been chromed was sometimes sometimes painted and sometimes replaced with plastic.

Found one in Phoenix in 2019. Been looking for many years. It works!

Unfortunately not. If Ray ever told me I've forgotten.

The second owner of this car painted it red. Ray Reis 'Mr DeSoto' is the 1942 DeSoto Tech advisor for the National DeSoto Club. He liked the red color of convertible on the cover of the big 1942 showroom catalog. He also owned a Custom 3 passenger coupe which he called a 'gentleman's coupe' rather than a business coupe. Those of us who track the 1942 DeSoto think there are 4, maybe 5, known convertibles and this is the only 5th Avenue. As to the total of 5th Avenue's produced, 500, I've yet to see any written/printed evidence to support that figure and would welcome the source. The only sure way would be to go through the 'build sheets' that still exist on microfilm in what remains of Chrysler Historical. I own six 42s and one is a Fifth Avenue 4dr Sedan. Many years ago I saw at a car show what I'm pretty sure was a cloned 5th Avenue coupe. 42s are still out there and keep emerging from barns and garages!

You can use the Fluid Drive and TipToe shift from a 46-48 DeSoto, Chrysler or Dodge 6 cylinder but you will need the floorboard from the 46-48. The access panels for the TipToe are different from the Simplimatic. I've seen a 42 DeSoto where the owner got tired of messing with the Simplimatic and went ahead and installed the TipToe unit. I don't remember if he had any problems with the linkage for the shift lever or not.

Hi Marc, Please post a note if you find someone who has the film strip that goes with your record. These accessories would be most of what was also available for the 1942 MoPars. I have one of the Ross Roy record player/projectors but I need to check if it still works. Ed in Albuquerque

They were offered as an accessory on Mopars from at least 1941 on.

my 1 and 1/2 cents. The button on the dash 'may' refer to the push button starter that was part of the Fifth Avenue Ensemble package. This was the first for DeSoto since the Airflow. It was also available as a separate option. My DeLuxe Town Sedan has one. Ed K

I have a 1942 S10 "Blackout" 4door-sedan. The build sheet doesn't indicate the transmission installed, only that the rear-end is 3.5/1. This is what the parts book says is for the underdrive. The standard ratio was 3.9/1. The car was last used in Cheyenne, WY, where I got it, as a taxi. It now has a standard transmission and clutch - no fluid drive. Probably replaced at least once over it's lifetime. ` The paint code was 611 This is Regal Maroon. The "Blackout" moldings where painted 'Ash Gray" and the stripping on the moldings was painted "Havana Red". The wheel rim was "Regal Maroon' and hubcap was 'Havana Red'. The interior trim code was was 155 (penciled in) which isn't included in Sept 1941 parts book. The car had the 'Group 1', 'Group 2' and RW. Shields as factory installed options. It came off the line on Jan 20, 1942. and was the 938th 'BO" produced. The last 'BO" came off the line 10 days later on Jan 30th according to its build record. I remember a conversation with Ray Reis (owner of the red 5th Avenue convertible) in which he told me that on the 42 Chrysler 8 Vacumatic, it was discovered that by removing a 'blocking bar?' it was possible to have four speeds in reverse!. Anybody else hear of this? Ed K

Did you ever find what you needed?

If you haven't found one yet, I came across this today on CL https://cosprings.craigslist.org/pts/d/penrose-3-window-business-coupe-1941/6931030939.html