1948 Dodge Special Deluxe

D-25C Sedan Sedan

6 - Cyl.

Manual

9854024

Gasoline

OVERVIEW: This is a very original, complete, and well optioned Canadian built Dodge D-25C Special Deluxe Sedan. These cars rode on a 117” wheelbase and were powered by a 95 horse, 218 ci. 6-cylinder engine. Throughout the 1946-48 model years the D-25C was the most popular car Dodge offered in Canada. A total of 31,259 of the Series 25C or Special Deluxe models of all body styles were built by Chrysler Canada in the 1946-48 period. Compared to their cousin American Dodges, the D-25 series cars utilized a Plymouth body shell, interior appointments and drive train. Trim and grilles were Dodge but they carried Plymouth taillights and center trunk mounted stoplight with Dodge insignia. This particular 1948 Dodge has been a dry southern Alberta vehicle its entire life. The Johanson brothers of Kathryn, Alberta traveled to the Chrysler plant in Windsor, Ontario to purchase this car. They watched it being built, and then drove it home to Kathryn. The car was eventually sold to Alan Anderson, also of Kathryn, who later passed it on to its third owner in Calgary in 1973. Although it was a low miles car, some body work and a fresh black paint job were carried out at a shop in Calgary. It was then driven out to the Johanson family farm to show it to them, at which time Gunnar Johanson proudly confided that “One Sunday, we even drove it all the way to Banff.” The car was acquired by its fourth and current owner in July of 2004. It carries serial # 9854024, and the odometer shows 96,241 original miles. Other information from the body data tag is Body #20812, Paint code 4001, Trim code BAB. Apart from having a rebuilt replacement engine and running on radial tires, there have been no modifications from original done to this vehicle. It starts easily, runs smooth, and drives well. It has proven its reliability over the years by having been on numerous tours and club outings with its last 2 owners. The car has always been garage stored and never left out in the elements. This is a good, roadworthy car which has a combination of older restoration and nice original aspects. It has always been in the hands of caring and respectful owners, all of whom took immense pride and joy from owning it. DRIVETRAIN: The engine is a rebuilt T-112 replacement 265 ci. 6 cylinder flathead with approximately 50K on it. The engine starts easily, runs smooth, and sounds good. It is equipped with an original optional by-pass oil filter, and still sports its original oil bath air cleaner. All other components on and around the engine are correct originals and operate as required, having been maintained and serviced over the years to keep the car roadworthy and reliable. The engine compartment is not detailed, but is relatively clean showing only the light grime and wear of its use. All hoses and belts appear in good condition. The radiator is original and in good condition and there are no overheating problems with the 6-blade fan. It has an original 3 speed standard transmission and shifts as it should. It is equipped with overdrive but it is unclear if the OD operational. The original OD activation knob is located under the dash to the left of the steering column. The rear axle is original with no problems, other than the usual signs of a leaking pinion seal. CHASSIS: The chassis is all original and unrestored, showing the road dirt and grime of its miles. There is no heavy rust on the frame, it is very solid and still shows original paint in most areas. The underside sheet metal also appears solid with no major rust issues. The car has thick original undercoating still covering a large portion of the underside floors and so on. In some areas it has peeled and exposed sheet metal that is either solid and clean or simply surface rusted. A couple of outboard body braces have suffered some rust out, not overly serious, repairable. Front end, suspension components, brake system, and exhaust have all been maintained and appear to be in serviceable condition. The suspension has been previously rebuilt with new springs having been installed. The steering system was rebuilt with a new steering box. The complete brake system was also rebuilt with a new master cylinder installed. The gas tank does not appear to have any issues. The running tires are a matched set of Kumho 795 A/S, P215/75R15 white wall radials. They are in good condition with very good tread remaining, and are mounted on a set of original wheels sporting correct original Dodge hubcaps. The spare is a fairly worn bias ply on original rim. The trailer hitch was for pulling a small, lightweight Trillium (Boler type) travel trailer. That trailer is also available on its own, but is not part of this auction. BODY & PAINT: This was a very original and rust free body with original paint prior to its only repaint back in the mid 1970s. It remains a very solid and straight car with no signs of collision damage. Given the years that have passed since body and paint work was done, I believe there are no hidden surprises with this car. Overall a very good original car with older restoration of body and paint. The older restoration of body and paint is typical of a good average job of the 70’s. It shows some blemishes in the prep and paint, but no signs of excess filler, and no rust is showing after many years. The paint still has good shine overall, and shows the minor stone chips and touch ups of its use and miles. The panels and doors are quite straight, the doors shut nicely, the hinges are tight, and the exterior handles don’t droop. The door bottoms are clean and rust free. There are no dents in the roof or trunk lid. The rockers and sill steps all appear very solid. The hood does have a few small pings, and paint chips along the rear edge. The original trunk area still has original undercoat and there is no rot or holes. Basically it is original and solid. New trunk weatherstrip was installed. The car sports an original and correct exterior sun visor with dash mounted viewfinder. Most of the rubber pads and grommets on the body are originals. ELECTRICAL: The car retains its original 6-volt electrical system and there is a battery disconnect switch on the battery. The wiring harness is original in good condition. The original gauge cluster is in excellent condition and the instrument faces are very nice. This car was well optioned when originally purchased. It is equipped with twin trumpet horns, original Mopar fog lights with amber lenses, and original dual Unity Mopar spotlights mounted on the cowl. Also has the original ‘Comfort Master’ heater with defroster. The beautiful dash is also home to an original clock and factory Motorola radio, condition of both is unknown. There is also a cigarette lighter, although the knob is color mismatched. Turn signals have been added. INTERIOR: The interior is a very special aspect of this car. For the most part the upholstery is original and in very nice condition, and the interior retains that wonderful ‘original antique car smell’. The most outstanding feature is the original wood graining on the dash and window garnish moldings. It is in fantastic original condition and truly beautiful. It has survived free of any defects, scratches, peeling, fading, etc…and is a joy to behold. The steering wheel has survived very well, there are no cracks but it does have some minor rub wear from use. It sports a nice horn ring and button with a beautiful original plastic emblem. The seats are original gray cloth with light gray and maroon pinstripes, as are the door panels. They also have maroon vinyl trim. All this original cloth is in good to very good condition, and shows very little wear or fading. The front door armrests have minor tears, and there is a small rip on the upper drivers door panel behind the door handle. The left rear armrest also has a small rip. The door weatherstrips, window channels and glass sweepers are original and in serviceable condition. The door sills have nice original rubber sill covers in good shape. The door and window crank handles are very nice, and all the plastic knobs and escutcheons are in good condition, except one on the left rear door which has a split. The headliner, door windlacing, and kick panels have been replaced with correct original type and color material. The fit of the headliner is very nice. The sun visors were also redone. The assist straps are good originals. The front floor is covered by a fitted replacement rubber mat, and the rear floor still has its original carpeting in good survivor condition. All glass on the car is good. BRIGHTWORK: All chrome and stainless bright work on the car ranges from good, mostly very good to excellent original, with some new chrome. Front and rear bumpers along with the guards have been rechromed and are excellent. Another wonderful original aspect of this car is all the pot metal chrome items. They are in very good to excellent original condition with no pitting. These include the large grille, hood emblem and ornament, park light housings, headlamp doors, trunk and tail light housings. Some items appear as new chrome. The enamel hood emblem has some minor chips, barely noticeable. The front fender stainless trim moldings are very good. The other stainless side trim moldings are in good condition with some minor pings, all repairable. The stainless rocker moldings and rear fender stone guards are also good with no added screws or holes. Other accessory stainless items include wind deflectors mounted ahead of the vent windows, twin door edge mirrors, curb feelers on the right side, and a locking gas cap. Hubcaps are correct originals, in solid condition with decent shine but have dings and pings. The chrome frames around the vent and rear quarter windows are very good with no rust. Interior chrome and emblems are also very good to excellent. All lighting lenses on the car are glass and in excellent condition. SUMMARY: The car is registered with an Alberta year of manufacture license plate, which will go with the car. There is also a large quantity of spare parts of all kinds that was accumulated over the years by the third owner. These parts can go with the car if the buyer chooses, but there are too many to list here. This Dodge is well optioned, and has some very nice original attributes. It has only had restoration work done to keep it presentable, roadworthy, and comfortable. As an older, partial restoration, it has proven itself reliable throughout its life and remains very dependable, straight, and clean, with very presentable body and paint. This is an affordable and easy car to maintain and keep roadworthy, and is ideal for family outings and touring, which is what it has always done. This black sedan is turnkey ready to cruise and enjoy, and is a nice driver that one can be proud of. There are no hidden secrets or horrors with this car. If you are considering a roomy and curvy styled sedan from the ‘40s, then this could be it! This is a great car to get into the hobby with, and be able to enjoy with family and friends. You won’t need to spend a bunch of money on restoration parts and labor, nor several years in the garage restoring it. After 7 years of owning and enjoying this car, the gentleman who most recently cared for it is no longer with us, and his wife has decided to make this Special Deluxe available. In April of 2009 the car was appraised at $15,000. by a well known and respected long time appraiser of collectible vehicles in Calgary. It is being offered with a reasonable reserve far below that appraised value. PAYMENT TERMS: This fine collectible is being listed on behalf of the owner, and I have personally known this car for the last 31 years, as well as its last 2 owners. Please email ‘carsgoneby@telus.net’ or phone Rick at (403)534-2222 for additional honest and accurate information from a professional auto restorer. All information listed has been gathered from discussions with the owner, and visual inspection by myself. Additional specific pictures are available upon request. No warranties expressed or implied. Successful bidder to make a minimum payment of 50% of closing bid amount (US funds) within 5 days of auction closing, with the balance payable upon vehicle pick up within 21 days (international) or 14 days (US/Canada). Payment must be in certifiable form such as cash or wire transfer. Other forms of payment only acceptable with time allowance for instrument to clear bank prior to vehicle being released. Any deviation from, or changes to the preceding terms must be reasonable, and should be requested, discussed, and agreed to prior to bidding and auction closing. IMPORTANT OTHER: Please submit all inquiries prior to bidding, and please only bid if you are able and willing to conclude the transaction should you be the winning bidder. This vehicle is being sold with a clear Alberta registration (title) and bill of sale. The car is located in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, about 3 hours north of the Montana border. Please be aware of your shipping costs before bidding, quotes can be provided upon request if necessary. We can help make this a smooth, hassle free experience by arranging all inclusive international transportation and brokerage for you. References relating to similar transactions are available. Cars Gone By has sold and shipped numerous collector vehicles to the USA and worldwide, the majority through Ebay transactions. Please do not ask us to disclose the reserve price. In fairness to all bidders we will not do so and request that you simply place a bid that is comfortable for you. Thanks for looking!