1948 Desoto S10 Deluxe Convertible

This 1948 DeSoto S10 Deluxe Convertible is finished in white over a two-tone brown and cream interior and a cream convertible top, powered by a 3.9-liter flathead 6-cylinder paired to a 3-speed manual transmission. The seller states the car received a full frame-off restoration approximately seven years ago and seller has owned the car for one year. This DeSoto S10 Deluxe Convertible has 29k miles and is now offered with a clean California title in the selling dealer’s name. 

This vehicle was repainted Alabaster White during the frame-off restoration.  The DeSoto features rear-wheel skirts, chrome bumpers, and a cream-colored cloth convertible roof with a vinyl rear window and matching cream tonneau cover. During the restoration, all chrome and brightwork was straightened and polished or replated. Seller states that all rubber and glass is said to be in good condition and the power convertible top is in good working order.

Factory 15” wheels are powder-coated in red with chrome “DeSoto” hubcaps and wrapped in 193/90-15 whitewall tires. A matching spare wheel and tire is included in the trunk.  

The interior is fitted with correct "Hogshair" brown carpeting and two-tone brown and cream seats. The bench seats feature vinyl covers with corduroy style cloth inserts. The age of all interior trimmings is unconfirmed but is believed to have been done at the time of restoration. The windows are hand-crank operated and the rear passenger seat features auxiliary lighting and pop out ash trays.

Instrumentation is anchored by a 100-mph speedometer and smaller gauges for oil pressure, amperage, fuel level, and engine temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 29k miles, about 100 of which have been added by the selling dealer.  The center of the dash houses the radio, clock, and heater controls, with a center speaker hidden behind the "waterfall" style trim piece. The two-spoke wheel is painted white with a brown center insert featuring polished trim pieces to match the dashboard.

All DeSoto S10 Deluxe models used a Chrysler 3,878cc flathead six-cylinder engine, which was factory-rated at 109 horsepower. This DeSoto has had the engine replaced with that of a 1950 model, which is factory-rated to produce four more horsepower, for a total of 112. The carburetor was rebuilt and an ignition tune-up was performed within the last six months.

This DeSoto S10 Deluxe Convertible was restored approximately seven years ago and the selling dealer has owned it for approximately one year.