1950 Desoto - Good car or bad car?

[Laughing Coyote]

Looking at a 1950 Desoto 2 door and wanted to know if these are any good. Any information or comments welcomed. May be a future project after the Merc is done. Who knows.

Thanks

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Looking at a 1950 Desoto 2 door and wanted to know if these are any good. Any information or comments welcomed. May be a future project after the Merc is done. Who knows.

Thanks

Martin,

Have you ever ventured outside of the General Forum? On the Home / Menu scroll down to the Domestic Makes forum and there is a Desoto site. You may be better served there for opinions.

Peter J.

[Rusty_OToole]

In 1950 if you wanted a big roomy reliable economical family car you couldn't beat a DeSoto. Depending how you look at it, they were either the biggest car in their price class, or the cheapest car in their size class.

On the other hand there was nothing the least bit thrilling or exciting about their looks or performance.

Since any 1950 car passed its best before date during the Eisenhower administration a lot depends on mileage, condition, how the car was maintained and stored.

Engines, trans, chassis etc. tough, simple and reliable. Practically all parts still available cheap. Things to watch out for, 6V + ground electrics (battery goes in backwards) left hand threads on the left side wheel bolts and brakes require more care in adjusting but are state of the art for the times. Rear hubs require a heavy duty puller, like many cars of the time.

I wouldn't be afraid of buying one if it was in decent shape.