1 of 1085/228.1ci I6/Power Top/Well Restored/Art Deco Styling/Wonderful Paint

1940 DeSoto Custom Series S7C Convertible Coupe Additional Info:

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!