Established in 1925 on the bones of the Maxwell Motor Company, Chrysler evolved into a fully-fledged corporation in just a few years. In 1928, Chrysler purchased Dodge and introduced two new brands, Plymouth and DeSoto.
While Plymouth handled entry-level products, DeSoto went against brands like Pontiac, Studebaker, Hudson, and Willys. Dodge was originally slotted right under the premium Chrysler division but lost this position to DeSoto in 1933.
Despite being a successful mid-priced brand before and after World War 2, DeSoto went into the history books in 1961. Termination factors included a highly competitive segment and the introduction of the Chrysler Newport as an affordable stand-alone model.
It’s been more than 60 years since DeSoto was discontinued, and its legacy is largely forgotten. Moreover, you’re likelier to see DeSoto rigs in junkyards and barns rather than classic car shows. Fortunately, barns are just about derelict rigs. Some have soldiered on for decades as fully-fledged survivors. This 1951 Custom is one of those cars.
Parked since the early 1980s, this DeSoto spent more than enough time off the road to become a rust bucket. However, the vehicles emerged from storage in surprisingly good condition for a classic kept in a barn. Sure, the paint is weathered, and there’s a bit of surface rust here and there, but this DeSoto is in fantastic shape for a survivor.
That’s right, this Custom hasn’t been restored and the light green paint covering its body is the same it received before it rolled off the assembly line. Not bad for a coating that’s a whopping 73 years old as of 2024, right?
The interior looks even better. The seller describes it as “like new,” and I can’t see any notable flaws in the images provided. There are no cracks on the dash and steering wheel, all the gauges appear to be in place, and the seats are impeccable. But I guess it’s not as shocking when you notice the 19,010-mile (30,594-km) reading on the odometer. Apparently, this DeSoto was driven for less than 650 miles (1,046 km) per year on average before it was parked in the early 1980s.
Naturally, the four-door still has its original drivetrain under the shell. While Chrysler introduced the FirePower V8 in 1951, it did not make it available in the DeSoto Custom. This Mopar packs a 250-cubic-inch (4.1-liter) straight-six paired with a three-speed manual. When new, the unit delivered 116 horsepower and 208 pound-feet (282 Nm) of torque.
The Custom was part of the DeSoto Series S-10, which was introduced in 1942. Discontinued during WW2, the Custom returned in 1946 and remained in production through 1952.
Located in Clarks, Nebraska, this family-owned four-door has a $12,500 sticker. And despite being a fully-fledged survivor that’s pretty much 100% original, it will take a ton of luck to find someone willing to pay that much. Sadly, there’s not a lot of interest in early 1950s four-door classics unless we’re talking about nameplates with a significant following. How much do you think it’s worth?