1951 DeSoto Convertible

DeSoto Convertible

6 - Cyl.

Automatic

50156899

Gasoline

1951 DeSoto Blue 2-dr Convertible, 82,438, 1 of 5 Registered in US, Needs Restoration Finished, Local DriverIt has a clear South Carolina title. I am helping a neighbor sell his beloved DeSoto. He has too many projects going, and after 10 years, has decided to sell it. He is a very resourceful tractor mechanic, who made occasional house calls to keep my tractor going. He bought the car from a minister in a nearby town, who drove it, you guessed it, mostly on Sunday, so the mileage is believed to be correct. It is a nice big car, but like any car that is 60 years old it has some issues. I have pictured them in the photo gallery, with the exception of the following. The transmission and an electric combo auto/3 speed on the tree. It locks in gear and will need to be repaired. While the car has no rust issues, the gas tank did rust out and needs to be replaced or repaired. You will see the new tank in one of the pictures. The interior, mostly the front seat will need repair as well as the sun visors and the steering wheel. The top will need new fabric. The top frame has been restored and the electric motor that operates it works fine. The radio works fine as well, it just needs a few minutes to warm up the "tubes." The clock works and keeps time, and the light in the glove box works as well. The most interesting item that still works is Mr. DeSoto's head in the hood ornament lights up when you turn on the lights so it glows in the dark as you drive down the road. The flathead 6 engine runs fine and is still on the original 6 volt system. It was given a recent tuneup. It has the rare backup light option. It has almost new period correct tires with full wheel covers. The paint is good, but not concours quality. It has a small dent in the right rear quarter panel. I have more pictures, so if I missed something, please let me know and I'll get it to you, or if there is something specific you need, please ask, and be sure to give me an email address, as ebay has a two picture limit through their email system. The car is for pick only. It is a local driver and until the gas tank and transmission issues are cared for it will need to be transported. With that noted we often use a local guy who is an expert in moving classic cars, as he transports cars for TomMackClassics all the time. Or you can make your own arrangements. I can also help you make arrangements to ship the car overseas. I have sent cars to the UK & Europe, and I am in the process of sending a Corvette to France. If you are going to import the car it is best you make arrangement at the port of entry. They know all the ins and outs of the process, as we know how to get them to the right dock on our side. The DeSoto make was founded by Walter Chrysler on August 4, 1928, and introduced for the 1929 model year. It was named after the Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto. Chrysler wanted to enter the brand in competition with its arch-rivals General Motors, Studebaker, and Willys-Knight, in the mid-price class. Shortly after DeSoto was introduced, however, Chrysler completed its purchase of the Dodge Brothers, giving the company two mid-priced makes. Had the transaction been completed sooner, DeSoto never would have been introduced. Initially, the two-make strategy was relatively successful, with DeSoto priced below Dodge models. Despite the economic times, DeSoto sales were relatively healthy, pacing Dodge at around 25,000 units in 1932. However, in 1933, Chrysler reversed the market positions of the two marques in hopes of boosting Dodge sales. By elevating DeSoto, it received Chrysler's streamlined 1934 Airflow bodies. After wartime restrictions on automotive production were ended, DeSoto returned to civilian car production when it reissued its 1942 models as 1946 models, but without the hidden-headlight feature, and with fender lines extending into the doors, like other Chrysler products of the immediate postwar period.Until 1952, DeSoto used the Deluxe and Custom model designations. In 1952 DeSoto added the Firedome with its 276-cid hemi engine. However, in 1953, DeSoto dropped the Deluxe and Custom names and designated its six-cylinder cars the 'Powermaster' and its V8 car remained the 'Firedome'.At its height, DeSoto's more popular models included the Firesweep, Firedome, and Fireflite. The DeSoto Adventurer, introduced for 1956 as a high-performance hard-top coupe (similar to Chrysler's 300), became a full-range model in 1960.In 1955,[2] along with all Chrysler models, De Sotos were redesigned with Virgil Exner's "Forward Look". DeSotos sold well through the 1956 model year. That year, for the first, and only, time in the marque's history, it served as Pace Car at the Indianapolis 500.[3] For the 1956 update Exner gave the DeSoto soaring tailfins fitted with triple taillights, and consumers responded by buying record numbers. The 1957 had a well integrated design, with two variations: the smaller Firesweep, the Firedome/Fireflite body placed on the concurrent Dodge 122" wheelbase chassis with Dodge front fenders; and the Firedome and Fireflite (and its halo model Adventurer sub-series), based on the larger 126" wheelbase chassis shared with Chrysler. As was conventional in the era, subsequent years within the typical three year model block were distinguished by trim, bumper, and other low cost modifications, typically by adding bulk to bumpers and grilles, taillight changes, color choices, instrumentation and interior design changes and often additional external trim. The 1958 economic downturn hurt sales of mid-priced makes across the board, and DeSoto sales were 60 percent lower than those of 1957 in what would be DeSoto's worst year since 1938. The sales slide continued for 1959 and 1960 (down 40 percent from the already low 1959 figures), and rumors began to circulate DeSoto was going to be discontinued.