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Things I should look for on a 47' desoto coupe.

8K views 35 replies 15 participants last post by  pepi 
#1 ·
I have found locally a 47' desoto coupe and am planning on going to take a look at it some time this week. What should I look for the guy says it turns over the grill glass engine tranny is all there and it is 98% complete only missing the radiator and ashtray .But it is in a barn find condition.

Are these cars very desirable the guy says only 500 of the business coupe models were made that year is this right? What would be a reasonable asking price?
 
#2 ·
Any car is only as desirable as the person who wants it! Anytime you look at a rare/off the beaten path car or make, you want the most complete car with all the trim and parts intact as you can get. Don't assume that you can get: patch panels, trim,glass,suspension pieces,...ect. unless you research them in advance, and have reputable sources! The rare cars are the neatest sometimes of any cars, but the headaches finding parts has made many project cars sit abandoned! :pain:
 
#3 ·
Unlike Chevys and Fords of that vintage a lot of stuff is not available for the DeSotos. That said, what you need to make sure is there and in decent condition are things like trim pieces, bumpers and grill. Also check the condition of the fenders and rocker panels. If the rockers are shot they can probably be fabed but fenders are going to be another story. No one is making them so if they're gone you'll have some hunting to do.

Over all, if its a pretty solid car and the important stuff is there then it's probably something you can work with without too much trouble.

Good luck.
 
#4 ·
I agree with the above posts. Congratulations on your find. Hopefully it will work out fine. Just the fact that it is a DeSoto makes it rare. That fact also means replacement parts are going to be hard to find, so make sure what's there is as complete as possible.

If you have patience, and some fabrication/body work skills, this would probably be a neat thing....or give you the opportunity to learn these skills.

I'd be real tempted.........
 
#5 ·
I feel really lucky because my grandfather my uncle my cousin and now I (my cousin and I are still in training) Are body men and have been around cars since we could turn a wrench so I do feel blessed.

As far as parts it shouldnt be to hard because crysler plymouth dodges used the same parts and preformance parts can be found on boats because the flat head six was popular to put in boats back in the sixties and seventies.(or at least from what I have read)

Does any one know what lug pattern this car is I might have some wheels with decent tires on them and They could stay on until I get new rubbers.

My plan if I get it is to get it running get the rust stopped and a temporary paint job on it and use it to get around with until I get my other car running and then finish the resto on it.
 
#8 ·


They are fairly rare. They are not all that much in demand. They are 6 volt. They are considered by some to be troublesome if daily drivers. It is 61 years old so parts will not be at Advance, Auto Zone and O'Reily's. It should have a 236 ci engine with a whopping 109 HP. The ones with " fluid drive " leaves a lot to be desired.

If you are not a good mechanic now ... you will BECOME one if you keep the Desoto running long.
 
#11 ·
345 desoto said:
That would be a 6 volt POSITIVE (+) ground system and yes, they can be converted to 12 volt negative (-) ground with a minimum of work. Chrysler parts of that era will interchange...for the most part, but not Plymouth/Dodge...
As so they are like british cars with a positive ground eh? What does it take to convert one to neg 12v ground?
 
#21 ·
The picture of the white DeSoto Coupe a few Posts back is actually the Business Coupe and has no back seat. The picture of the Coupe you attached is known by various names such as an Opera Coupe, etc., by different Mfgrs, and does have a back seat. PERSONALLY, I would much rather have the Coupe with the back seat. Keep after the guy!...
 
#23 ·
PERSONALLY speaking, I wouldn't own the Business coupe, because it looks out of proportion. However, the '32 Ford Murray body (3 window) was considered an early business coupe, as were the '40 Willys coupes (mid sixties "Gasser Wars" coupes) that are being repoped in fiberglass. To me they are both beautiful and timeless designs. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. That being said, I believe the 5 window you're trying to score is way nicer than the "Business Coupe" and is the more desirable of the two...being better proportioned...
 
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