1949 Desoto's

1949 DESOTO CARS DESCRIBED

1949 DESOTO - GENERAL: The 1949 DeSoto line featured an all-new body shell. Short wheelbase cars now rode on a 125.5" wheelbase, rather than the old 121.5" spread. With the new body came a new marketing campaign "The Car Designed with You in Mind". Styling was characterized by sheet metal panels with shorter overhangs front and rear. When coupled with the new, taller roof structure, this gave these 1949 models a shorter look. A tooth-like grille theme was adopted and was not straight across, but rather had a noticeable peak that fell in line with the front of the hood. Though mostly new, the body still had a conventional "bustle-back" contour where the roofline ended at the deck lid. The rear license plate holder was mounted in a slightly recessed housing on the deck lid. Taillamps were set into long, narrow housings attached atop the rear fenders. The convertible was all new as well and it came with full-width vinyl rear windows.

INNOVATIONS: The DeSoto DeLuxe Carry-All, with fold flat rear seats, allowed for station wagon-like loads with the convenience of a 4-door sedan.

1949 DELUXE SERIES S13-1 (6-Cylinder): The new Custom line was identified by extra chrome trim, and the model descriptor was found on the upper rear sides of the front fenders, where "Custom" was inscribed in script. The special Custom trim consisted of two short strips mounted low on front fenders, behind the wheel opening. The interior included all Deluxe equipment plus the trim was richer, with a rear center arm rest as on option. Fluid Drive and Tip-Toe shift transmission were standard features. Standard equipment on DeLuxes included dual sun visors, dual two-speed electric wipers, directional signals with parking brake light, cigar lighter, stainless steel trim rings, illuminated glove box with lock, dual outside door locks, map light, counter balanced luggage compartment lid, illuminated luggage compartment, right and left front door arm rests, interior door locks and bumper guards front and rear.

1949 CUSTOM SERIES S13-2 (6-Cylinder): There were virtually no differences, externally, between 1946-1947 DeSoto Custom models and their 1949 counterparts. Low-pressure tires were adopted for standard wheelbase models only. Custom models were indiscernible from their 1946 counterparts. Custom models were for the most part, DeLuxes with upgraded trim and interior appointments. Just like 1947, Custom models were identified by the "Custom" nameplates on the sides of the hood. Standard equipment on Customs included plastic steering wheel, foam rubber seat cushions and tailored front carpets. Three colors of broadcloth upholstery were available: green, blue and tan. The convertible coupe had Bedford cord and leather in various colors. Standard equipment on Customs included all DeLuxe standard equipment plus a plastic steering wheel, foam rubber seat cushions and tailored front carpets. Three colors of broadcloth upholstery were available: green, blue and tan. The convertible coupe had Bedford cord and leather in various colors. The 9-passenger Suburbans and 8-passenger Sedans still sat on the special 139.5" wheelbase chassis. Interior trim and seating varied in each of these models. The Suburban Sedan had a roof mounted luggage rack as standard equipment.

MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA:

 DeLuxe serial numbers. Detroit card had serial numbers ran that from 6212001 to 6232740. Cars built in Los Angeles ran from 60002001 to 600004755. Taxis were numbered from 5115001 to 5115680. Motor numbers began with S13-1001 and ran through S13-93581 and were interspersed with Custom engines, as built.  Custom serial numbers. Cars built in Detroit had serial numbers from 50000101 to 50061189. Cars built in Los Angeles used numbers from 620004001 to 62011187. Motor numbers began with S13-1001 and ran through S13- 93581 and were interspersed with Deluxe engines, as built. Serial number codes were on the left front door hinge pillar post. Motor numbers were located on the left side of the block below cylinder head between first and second cylinders. No code numbers were provided for positive identification of body style type.

BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS:

 301 Black  305 Salvador Blue  306 Regal Blue  307 Midnight Blue  320 Glade Green  321 Andante Green  335 Thunder Gray  336 Dawn Gray  345 Desert Tan  346 Briar Brown  360 Imperial Maroon

DESOTO ENGINES:  DeLuxe and Custom Series Standard Engine. Cast iron block. Displacement: 236.7 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.438" x 4.25". Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Horsepower: 112 @ 3600 RPM. Torque: 209 @ 1600 RPM. Four main bearings. Solid valve lifters. Carburetor: Standard shift): Ball and Ball model B-B EX1R or B-B EX2R; Fluid Drive or M-6 transmission: Ball and Ball model B-B E7L1-L2.

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CHASSIS:  Wheelbase: Long wheelbase models - 139.5". Standard wheelbase models - 125.5".  Overall length: Long wheelbase models - 223.75” Standard models - 207.0".  Overall width: All models – 73.219".  Tires: Long wheelbase cars 8.20 x 15 thereafter. Short wheelbase cars 7.60 x 15.

POWERTRAIN OPTIONS:

 DeLuxe: Three-speed manual transmission standard. "Tip Toe Hydraulic Shift" with "Gyrol Fluid Drive" was optional on DeLuxes.  Custom: "Tip Toe Hydraulic Shift" with "Gyrol Fluid Drive" was standard.

SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS:

 Gyrol Fluid Drive (Optional DeLuxe)  Heater  Heater/Defroster  Tip Toe Shift (Optional DeLuxe)  Whitewall tires

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The first new body shell since 1942 was introduced this model year. 1949 production began late, due to a strike affecting tooling plants in mid-1948, not production facilities.

PRODUCTION: Early 1949 cars were the older 1948 models with 1949 serial numbers. Thus, totals for this year's production are mixed new and old series cars. Total production for 1949 was 94,371, down slightly from the 1948 numbers, due to the newly designed 1949 models' late introduction.

See attached chart for detailed production numbers.

CAR IMAGES

The 1949 DeSoto Carry-All was available in the DeLuxe line only. It was outwardly a 125.5" wheelbase 4-Door Sedan, but it's fold-flat rear seats gave it tremendous cargo capacity.

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CAR IMAGES Continued

Except for the Suburban, the 1949 DeSoto Custom convertible was the highest priced model at $2,578. 2,900 were produced

The 1949 Custom 8-passenger Sedan was the Limousine of the line and sat on the 139.5” wheelbase. 342 were delivered.

1949 DeSoto Suburbans were the yeoman equivalent of the 8-passenger sedan but carried the highest price in the DeSoto line. Many were used as taxis or airport limousines. Only 129 were sold.

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CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1949 DeSoto 4-Door Sedan was the bread and butter model selling 48,589 Customs and 13,148 DeLuxe units.

The 1949 Club Coupe were the second-best seller in the Custom line with 18,431 delivered. The DeLuxe version produced another 6,807 units.

The 1949 DeSoto Station Wagon was the new kid on the block, yet and managed to sell 850 units.