1949 DeSoto Custom

Limousine

6

Manual

50058943

Clear

Gasoline

This car is one of 342 8 passenger limos built by Desoto in 1949. A handful of these were converted for use as ambulances and hearses. These are often called Sedanbulance, the right door post between the right side doors is removable so that a streatcher or coffin could be loaded. Only a handful were converted, this could be the only one. Coachbuilt.com talks about these - By 1949 Superior had abandoned their Pontiac chassis and decided to switch to the easily adaptable Chrysler Corporation 9-passenger limousine chassis. Badged as either Chrysler, Desoto or Dodge coaches they were available with 6 or 8 cylinder engines and featured a distinctive arched steel body frame that featured forward-sloping C-pillars and rear quarter-windows that closely resembled A.J. Miller's "Torpedo" all-steel body introduced in 1941. Because of Chrysler's shorter wheelbase, the rear side doors were too narrow to allow for side-loading although the radically sloped C-pillars gave these short-lived coaches a more modern-look than their Cadillac siblings. Unfortunately Chrysler discontinued the limousine chassis early in the 1949 model year so production of the Chrysler, Desoto and Dodge chassied coaches came to an abrupt end so very few were produced and none are known to exist today. This car starts and runs, I've driven it locally, tires are weather checked so I would recommend towing it home. The title has been lost, I have the last registration though. This car was bought by a funeral home in Marshalltown Iowa, and was used until 1962, then it was used as a family car until 1978. I have the registrations from 1962-1977. Located in Zearing Iowa the car will be sold as-is on a bill of sale. We can assist in loading the car.