Vehicle Description
1940 DeSoto Custom Series S7C Convertible Coupe
"The key to my smart new DeSoto convertible is it unlocks the
biggest thrill of my life. Driving with the top down relaxed on the
smart Oxblood red seat I feel just like a Paris Creation! And
praise be, the top is power operated! Come rain, flip a switch and
it goes up and down by itself. No gearshift cluttering the floor,
it's under the wheel. Fact is that this beauty is way ahead of the
clunker I traded in. The DeSoto is the smartest, most satisfying
car I ever owned!" From a 1940 Ad featuring the housewife.
I can only imagine what her husband thinks of that satisfying
comment, but I digress. For consignment, 1 of only 1085 Custom S7C
series convertibles produced in 1940. This rare beauty was restored
in the late 1980's with a body off technique, covering all aspects.
It still holds its shine as it resided in California. Our consignor
may shed a tear or two once it goes, but it will turn to a smile
for the next potential owner of this hen's tooth.
Exterior
Emblazoned with a plethora of chrome plated trimmings as are seen
accenting on the protuberant hood, belt line, headlight bezels,
bumpers, running board edges, deco styled tail light trimmings and
handles. Beautifully rounded fenders looking like they were born on
an English wheel cozy up to straight steel door panels and trunk
and hood lids. All bathed in deep space black which is retaining
its shine very nicely, a flying goddess hood ornament peers ahead
and floats above the curved dual horizontal ribbed grille openings
which undulate with the front of the car's lines, and flank either
side of the central hood spear downward V it forms. The hood makes
its way back to a split windshield also framed in chrome, that has
a driver's side spotlight and glass wing windows on either side. On
the bottom of the side panels is a wide strip of running board edge
chrome which works with the flared out body, (Early Coke bottle?),
and door panels, and the ending of the front fenders and beginnings
of the rears. A nicely preserved black canvas top which is new with
the resto has a glass chrome encircled small oval rear window. On
the back a rounded trunk lid is framed on the bottom with a wide
chromed rear bumper donning a DeSoto badge in red. Vertical tail
lighting and ribbed styled tail light bezels curve with the ends of
the rear quarters. Wide whites are on all 4 corners and shiny moon
caps can also serve as mirrors, they are that shiny. Is there
anything in my teeth!?
Interior
A swing of the wide doors reveals oxblood vinyl uppers and a wide
vertical ribbed center panel. Shiny handles and the actuator have
red bakelite knobs. This motif continues to the bench seats which
are bathed in smooth oxblood vinyl. The front bench has a split
back for easy access to the rear fold up and down jump seats also
in oxblood vinyl. Up front a large red bakelite steering wheel with
a chromed horn ring and massive center fronts an art deco inspired
dash with more chrome, a warm cream rectangular gauge cluster panel
and brown gauge backgrounds. Just bleeding with Art Deco design
right down to the dual single shafts of wheat on either side. This
dash is AWESOME! In the center is more vertical chromed ribs for
the vertically mounted on the drivers side radio. A few more white
knobbed bakelite pulls are smattered about, and below is a crank
with a red knob for the cowl vent. Wonderfully clean red deep pile
carpeting floods the floors and just above on the passenger's side
is a heater unit hanging below the dash. The rest of the metal dash
is bathed in black taking from the exterior and just setting off
the red interior motif.
Drivetrain
Under the hood reveals a showroom quality 228.1ci inline-6 cylinder
mill that sports solid lifters. Underneath the oil bath cleaner is
a 1-barrel carburetor and on the back is a 3 speed manual
transmission with overdrive. Waaaay back is a 4.10 rear wheel
driving the axle on the back. A really long horn is atop this mill
so get over in your own lane ASAP!! Clean as a whistle for all
these components and the actual engine. Just hand the trophy over
now!
Undercarriage
Black resprayed steel creates the X frame and stamped steel
structure of the floor boards, trunk panels and rockers.
Independent coil springs form the front ride assist and leaf
springs are on the back. Drum brakes are all around and a like new
exhaust system is attached. Breathe out... we're hopping in
kids!
Drive-Ability
She fires right up and unfortunately the top down procedure was
foiled due to it being non functional. Driving is a pleasure, and I
noticed the horn, radio, and wipers were still, and not unlike the
top... inoperable. Brakes are good and acceleration is surprisingly
snappy and cruising along with modern traffic is a breeze with the
overdrive transmission.
A fine example of an upscale car loaded with chrome and dripping
with Art Deco styling with the rounded front fenders and flared out
rockers. Wide whites and moon caps, a searchlight and fog lights,
and the convertible which is power when working are just a few of
the many plusses on this well preserved car. Just DeLiteful!
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale
with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle
barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia
on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is
www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914.
Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the
vehicle in person.
