Found somethind in China

[Guest Yunce Liang]

Hi everyone,I'm a classic car garage owner from China,this week a customer sent his DeSoto to me.

 

Due to the car is not complete,he don't know which model it is,and me don't either,

 

Does anyone can tell me which model on earth is this?That will help the restoration.

 

Very much appericate.

 

 

[JACK M]

_{46 thru 48 ?}

Edited June 21, 2015 by JACK M (see edit history)

[keiser31]

Clearly the upper area is 1946-48 Plymouth such as the hood and headlamp surrounds/bezels. The lower area and the rest of the car is 1946-48 DeSoto.

Edited June 21, 2015 by keiser31 (see edit history)

[61polara]

Keiser31

Look at the front fenders again. I think this is a Desoto converted to an export Plymouth.

[ply33]

Front door post, probably on the right side, should have a serial number plate which can identify what the vehicle is. It was not unusual for variants cars sold as Plymouth in the US to be sold as DeSotos or Chryslers overseas.

[Chrycoman]

This car is a 1946-1948 DeSoto, and not the smaller Plymouth-based Diplomat.  The export Dodges and DeSotos used the Plymouth body with Plymouth front ends modified with unique grilles and trim. 

 

The body is clearly a Dodge-DeSoto-Chrysler sedan, and not a Plymouth.  The front fender sweeps into the front door, which was not done on the Plymouth.   The rear has that chubby look of the 1941-48 Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler body, again a look Plymouth did not have.

 

The taillamp lenses are not Desoto, but interesting that someone found something that looks like it belongs there,.    The Plymouth hood would not fit on a DeSoto or Chrysler - too short.  But given the car looks like the front end had been pushed in, some owner may have used Plymouth trim on the front edge of the hood to replace the destroyed DeSoto pieces.  Same with the Plymouth headlamp rings.  The Plymouth grille would have been too small to fill the DeSoto cavity.

 

When parts are next to unobtainable, many car owners will use what they can to keep the car on the road.

 

This car actually looks to be in good condition.

 

Around the DeSoto are some interesting cars.  Right in front of the DeSoto is a 1959 Ford Fairlane 500, a VW beetle on the passenger side, and a few Russian cars as well.   The red car to right rear of the DeSoto is a 1950's1960's Volga and a Moskovitch is parked on the right of the DeSoto by the hood. .  

[Guest Yunce Liang]

This car is a 1946-1948 DeSoto, and not the smaller Plymouth-based Diplomat.  The export Dodges and DeSotos used the Plymouth body with Plymouth front ends modified with unique grilles and trim. 

 

The body is clearly a Dodge-DeSoto-Chrysler sedan, and not a Plymouth.  The front fender sweeps into the front door, which was not done on the Plymouth.   The rear has that chubby look of the 1941-48 Dodge, DeSoto and Chrysler body, again a look Plymouth did not have.

 

The taillamp lenses are not Desoto, but interesting that someone found something that looks like it belongs there,.    The Plymouth hood would not fit on a DeSoto or Chrysler - too short.  But given the car looks like the front end had been pushed in, some owner may have used Plymouth trim on the front edge of the hood to replace the destroyed DeSoto pieces.  Same with the Plymouth headlamp rings.  The Plymouth grille would have been too small to fill the DeSoto cavity.

 

When parts are next to unobtainable, many car owners will use what they can to keep the car on the road.

 

This car actually looks to be in good condition.

 

Around the DeSoto are some interesting cars.  Right in front of the DeSoto is a 1959 Ford Fairlane 500, a VW beetle on the passenger side, and a few Russian cars as well.   The red car to right rear of the DeSoto is a 1950's1960's Volga and a Moskovitch is parked on the right of the DeSoto by the hood. .  

 

So actually this is a 1946-1948 DeSoto custom ? This car was bring in China at 40s when it was new.

[Guest Yunce Liang]

Thank you all guys. There is no serial number plate on the body,I check it out. Almost 70 years past,it was lost.

 

And other question,what's the difference between 1946-1948 Custom and Dexlue?

[countrytravler]

Just bought a 46-48 Desoto 4 dr sedan. Will have it in August when we open our shop at our new location. We do ship to China. We shipped a lot of parts to a customer that was restoring a 38 Dodge for a Museum near Beijing China.

Thanks and good luck with your find

Dave

[Rusty_OToole]

Engine number is stamped on the engine block, on the left side, at the top of the block, near the front. Look at the top edge of the block behind the generator.  The first 3 digits tell you the model of engine.

 

S11 indicates that you have a DeSoto Model S11. This model was made in 1946, 1947 and 1948 with only minor changes.

 

Custom or Deluxe indicates trim level. Custom cost a little more money, but had nicer appointments and trim, possibly different upholstery material.