West Coast Classics are proud to present and exceptional example of this 1948 De Soto S11 Custom Convertible 2 Door Coupe in its original 'Butterfly Blue' color paint with a matching and correct specification two tone Bedford cord & leather interior trim with tailored front floor carpets, power top, all weather air control system, Comfort master heater, 8 tube radio, electric clock, directional signals & White sidewall tires! The top-of-the-line model of the De Soto line in 1948 and one of the most unique post war DeSotos ever built.
CHASSIS NO: 5891198
Quality restoration finished in desirable Butterfly Blue
1 of only 8,100 Custom Convertibles built from 1946-1948
Resident of two long-term collections
Well-accessorized
236 cid inline six-cylinder engine
4 speed (semi) automatic transmission, the clutch is only to select a range - Low, Drive, Reverse - there is no shift dial. Low is up and toward the dash, like 2nd gear in a manual trans, Drive is down and toward the dash, like 3rd in a manual transmission. There is no intermediate position. You drive the car as a 2 speed automatic,
Drum brakes
Rear-wheel drive
Wheelbase: 121.5
A sub-series of the American automotive giant the Chrysler Corporation, the DeSoto nameplate was in production from 1928 till 1961. Like all of Chryslers post-war marques, the 1946-1948 models were considered one series. The post-war demand kept the company busy for three straight years, with 8,100 of these Custom Convertibles leaving the factory. Since only about 2,500 were built per year, the Custom Convertibles are positioned as one of the rarest American Convertibles of its era. The design was one of the newest among the automotive titans, keeping the basic shape of the 1942 models but with numerous changes. Most notably, returning the design aspect to fixed, open headlights, rather than the hidden air oil lights. In total, DeSoto produced over 93,000 units for 1948, meaning this Custom Convertible only accounted for approximately two percent of total production.
Offered here is a nicely restored example that has been a resident of two long-term collections. Originally part of the Lloyd Needham Collection located in Canada, The Rockhound Collection would take ownership in 2018 with the restoration having already been completed many years before. The exterior is finished in its original color of Butterfly Blue with a blue canvas convertible top and lovely blue leather and tan cloth upholstery. The restorations attention to detail has held very well with fine chrome trim throughout. The interior's bakelite dashboard and gauges are in wonderful order, as well as the central radio, a feature that Chrysler boasted about. Additional accessories on this 48 DeSoto Custom Convertible include the fluid-drive transmission, a drivers mirror, dual remote spotlights, and a correct full-size spare tucked away in the trunk. A charming presentation thanks to its quality restoration and color choice, this rare Custom Convertible would make a nice addition to any collection of post-war American automobiles.
