Vehicle Description
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 amp; 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 amp; 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: 5891198Quality restoration
finished in desirable Butterfly Blue1 of only 8,100 Custom
Convertibles built from 1946-1948Resident of two long-term
collectionsWell-accessorized236 cid inline six-cylinder engine4
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 brakesRear-wheel driveWheelbase: 121.5A 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.
