1948 DeSoto Custom Convertible S11 One Family Owned for 73 Years Nice Survivor!

Vehicle Description

This is a 1948 DeSoto Custom Convertible. It is a beautiful and mostly original, unmolested car that was owned by one California family for 73 years. Originally bought by a woman in Modesto, California in 1948, it was handed down to her granddaughter, then her great-grandson and was in the family until I purchased the car in 2021. It has been in California its entire life until her great-grandson obtained the car in recent years and kept it in Portland, Oregon. I have photos of the car with the original owner and her family, showing the black California license plates that were the last plates on the car when she owned it. The plates are included. The car is currently in non-op status and just driven around my rural property occasionally. I have a clear California title in my name. It was repainted in the original Andante Green in 1985. It looks great but there are some small chips and flaws here and there. At some point the front seat lower cushion was reupholstered in a material close to the original. Otherwise the interior is original as is the top boot. The original chrome is shiny and looks nice but there are some areas that have light pitting. The doors and trunk fit perfectly and open and close well. The windows roll up and down nicely and the original window and door handles are in great condition. The only items I have replaced are new old stock gearshift and turn signal knobs.This car starts easily and runs smoothly and quietly. It drives, steers and stops as it should. A new battery was just installed. The top works well as do the headlights, turn signals, wipers, horn, etc. Clock and radio do not work. The original owner's great-grandson told me that the engine was rebuilt in the late 1970's. The engine runs great but it does smoke when you are on a downhill grade with your foot off the gas. The four speed semi-automatic Fluid Drive transmission works very well, shifting smoothly and automatically up and down in each range as it should. A manual choke has been added which is operational.The prior owner said the odometer stopped working at 53K miles and he estimated that it now has about 65K miles. Recently the speedometer made noise and may be inoperable. Not sure if it's the speedometer or cable or both. Included is a new old stock speedometer cable. Also included are a new old stock headlight switch since the switch in the car was sticky, and a new old stock gas sending unit since the gauge is not working.

I have described the car to the best of my ability. But I strongly encourage buyers to inspect the car to be satisfied as to its condition prior to bidding. And please ask any questions before bidding. If you wish to speak on the phone or want more photos, then please email me well before close of auction.

TERMS: A $300 deposit is due within 48 hours of the end of the auction, and you have a 7 day grace period from close of auction to inspect the car and pay the remaining full balance. If, after a timely inspection within the 7 day period, you find the car not to your liking, we will refund your deposit. Otherwise, the full balance is due within 7 days of the end of the auction, in either cash or wire transfer. The $300 deposit becomes non-refundable after the 7 day inspection period expires.

PAYMENT: For payment of balance beyond the $300 deposit, I prefer bank wire-transfer, or Cash in-person.

This is an as-is sale with no warranties whatsoever.

Shipping costs and arrangements are the responsibility of the buyer. The car is located in Northern California in the town of Rough and Ready, about an hour north of Sacramento.