Originally Posted by strelnik

I'm looking for a 46-48 DeSoto Surburban, if you come across any.

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

I'll wager it has the M-6 semi-automatic tranny. I know them well. The most bullet proof tranny ever made from a durability standpoint.

I've always had old Chryslers, a 49 Royal, 51 Windsor and New Yorker, 52 Imperial and a 52 Saratoga. All with the semi-auto. Fun to drive. You can start the car in gear, when you're ready to upshift lift your foot off the accelerator and a second later you're in high. You don't even need to use the clutch when stopping, only to go into reverse or to shift between high and low ranges. but 99 percent of the time you just leave it in high.

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Craigslist has yielded fruit for me once again. A 68,000 original mile barn find that the previous owner fixed up to make a nice driver. Valve job, all seals, rebuilt brakes, cooling system completely gone through, and the suspension sorted out. Has a straight eight called the spitfire (nothing British in the car that I know of). Only thing not stock is the carburetor and an add on electric fuel pump to make starting easier. Unlike my 1941 Buick this car is much easier and comfortable to drive. Has less trouble getting around in traffic than a 240D automatic.

The body is as rust free as you can get, floors and trunk are rock solid too. Has some granny marks and various imperfections. Not the original paint, but a nice old laquer job; door jambs and under hood are original, sporting all the factory quality stamps and oil change stickers. Interior is totally original and has held up pretty well, especially the cluster and steering wheel, but the seats do have some tears in the front and sun damage in the back. Rather than spoil this car's originality with some cheap upholstery, I bought some 1950s wool picnic blankets on ebay and put them over the effected areas. I'm not sure what to say with the dash. The way the leather has deteriorated is pretty interesting.

I'm looking forward to taking her to a few shows or cruise ins.

Originally Posted by Xlimodriver

I'd think the 2-door DeSoto is even rarer than the big airport limo type Suburbans. My buddy used to steal the keys to his dad's big 4-door Desoto and we'd go joyriding till 3 in the morning back in the 50's.

Pic of a 2-door.

Originally Posted by Carleton Hughes

I've always had old Chryslers, a 49 Royal, 51 Windsor and New Yorker, 52 Imperial and a 52 Saratoga. All with the semi-auto. Fun to drive. You can start the car in gear, when you're ready to upshift lift your foot off the accelerator and a second later you're in high. You don't even need to use the clutch when stopping, only to go into reverse or to shift between high and low ranges. but 99 percent of the time you just leave it in high.

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Originally Posted by Jorn

Nice find. My first car after I moved to the States was a '64 New Yorker wagon, longer then a Suburban and crushing like a drunken sailor.

Originally Posted by LaRondo

No B-pillar on this one? Nice!
My 2door Imperial was actually just a few inches longer than a Ford Excursion.

Originally Posted by layback40

X2
Thats why they had such big back seats !!!!

Originally Posted by PaulC

The last gasp of Chrysler quality. A decade later, they had the worst body integrity of any of the Big Three, although the Imperial appeared to be an exception.

Originally Posted by Thirdem

Looks similar to our 1947 Pontiac 2-door project. Except that is finished. Ours just needs an interior, drivetrain, the chrome trimmings, and new paint.