Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).
For 1948, Dodge produced 170,986 examples of their Deluxe model and 479,013 Custom models. Power was from an L-head six-cylinder engine that displaced 230 cubic-inches and produced just over 100 horsepower. They had a three-speed manual gearbox or an optional Fluid-Drive automatic. The Custom Series was priced from $1775 through $2190. Body styles included a 6- or 7-passenger sedan, town sedan, club coupe or convertible.
The seven-passenger sedan rode on a 137.5 inch platform while the remaining vehicles had a 119.5-inch wheelbase.
This one-off coupe designed by Enos Derham and Donald Diskey and commissioned by Chrysler, was based on the five-window Club Coupe. Derham removed the original top, shorten the package tray and moved the rear seat backward by some four inches, installed a new interior and wraparound windows. The wraparound rear window was similar in design to the contemporary Studebaker Starlighter designed by Raymond Loewy.
The interior was completely restyled with all the trim from the beltline up was of Derham design. The cabin was outfitted with dual interior lamps, two-speed electric windshield wipers, a passenger-side tissue holder, an electric clock, a heater unit with defroster, a seven-button Mopar radio, a custom rearview mirror and an upholstered trunk that included a Derham-badged tool kit case.
The outside featured specially designed hubcaps, scripting and a striking two-tone color scheme.
The Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania, had built a peerless reputation for innovation and versatility that kept the firm in business until Enos Derham's death in March of 1974. This was a very impressive feat, considering that most American coachbuilders failed to survive the Depression years. In the years that followed World War II, Derham transformed factory production bodies into elegant customs for wealthy clients, industrial designers and major manufacturers.
This D24 Custom was built for promotional display in Dodge showrooms, and - like most other concepts - to gauge the market for production of custom-series D24s. The result was a remarkable, one-off automobile that was utterly unique in its appearance and design.
The car was displayed in various showrooms for a year or so before it sold to Gertrude V. Fisher of Brooklyn, NY on January 20th of 1950. In April of 1985, with its whereabouts a mystery for over three decades, the Derham coupe was re-discovered in Vermont with Gael Dondon. The car had survived in original condition even though it had been left out in the elements. It was in need of a complete restoration. Dr. Joseph Leir, owner of the Memorial Auto Collection in Moorpark, California, purchased the car and began a restoration. A section of the original paint (Forest Green) was discovered beneath the padded top material. Inside, enough of the original upholstery remained intact to allow an accurate presentation of the patterns and materials.
The restoration work was completed in October of 2009. It made its concours debut at the Western Region AACA meet in La Quinta, California, and won a First Junior award. Since then, the car has earned First Senior and First Place Grand National Awards in AACA competition, as well as the James Melton National Award for Excellent. In addition to AACA events, the car was displayed at the 2010 Santa Barbara Concours d'Elegance and received an award at the 2010 Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance.
In 2011, the car was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and participated in the tour d'Elegance.
In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It had a pre-auction estimated value of $ 75,000 - $125,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $60,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2012
The seven-passenger sedan rode on a 137.5 inch platform while the remaining vehicles had a 119.5-inch wheelbase.
This one-off coupe designed by Enos Derham and Donald Diskey and commissioned by Chrysler, was based on the five-window Club Coupe. Derham removed the original top, shorten the package tray and moved the rear seat backward by some four inches, installed a new interior and wraparound windows. The wraparound rear window was similar in design to the contemporary Studebaker Starlighter designed by Raymond Loewy.
The interior was completely restyled with all the trim from the beltline up was of Derham design. The cabin was outfitted with dual interior lamps, two-speed electric windshield wipers, a passenger-side tissue holder, an electric clock, a heater unit with defroster, a seven-button Mopar radio, a custom rearview mirror and an upholstered trunk that included a Derham-badged tool kit case.
The outside featured specially designed hubcaps, scripting and a striking two-tone color scheme.
The Derham Body Company of Rosemont, Pennsylvania, had built a peerless reputation for innovation and versatility that kept the firm in business until Enos Derham's death in March of 1974. This was a very impressive feat, considering that most American coachbuilders failed to survive the Depression years. In the years that followed World War II, Derham transformed factory production bodies into elegant customs for wealthy clients, industrial designers and major manufacturers.
This D24 Custom was built for promotional display in Dodge showrooms, and - like most other concepts - to gauge the market for production of custom-series D24s. The result was a remarkable, one-off automobile that was utterly unique in its appearance and design.
The car was displayed in various showrooms for a year or so before it sold to Gertrude V. Fisher of Brooklyn, NY on January 20th of 1950. In April of 1985, with its whereabouts a mystery for over three decades, the Derham coupe was re-discovered in Vermont with Gael Dondon. The car had survived in original condition even though it had been left out in the elements. It was in need of a complete restoration. Dr. Joseph Leir, owner of the Memorial Auto Collection in Moorpark, California, purchased the car and began a restoration. A section of the original paint (Forest Green) was discovered beneath the padded top material. Inside, enough of the original upholstery remained intact to allow an accurate presentation of the patterns and materials.
The restoration work was completed in October of 2009. It made its concours debut at the Western Region AACA meet in La Quinta, California, and won a First Junior award. Since then, the car has earned First Senior and First Place Grand National Awards in AACA competition, as well as the James Melton National Award for Excellent. In addition to AACA events, the car was displayed at the 2010 Santa Barbara Concours d'Elegance and received an award at the 2010 Palo Alto Concours d'Elegance.
In 2011, the car was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and participated in the tour d'Elegance.
In 2012, this car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Scottsdale, Arizona. It had a pre-auction estimated value of $ 75,000 - $125,000 and offered without reserve. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for the sum of $60,500 inclusive of buyer's premium.By Daniel Vaughan | Jan 2012
2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $75,000-USD $125,000
Sale Price :
USD $98,000
2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction
Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $75,000-USD $125,000
Sale Price :
USD $60,500
1948 Dodge Custom Series Auction Sales
Recent Sales of the Dodge Custom Series
(Data based on Model Year 1948 sales)
1948 Dodge Custom Sedan Chassis#: 31149008 Sold for USD$18,700 2023 Mecum : Kansas City | |
1948 Dodge D24 Custom Coupe Chassis#: 31138409 Sold for USD$98,000 2023 Bonhams : Scottsdale Auction | |
1948 Dodge Custom Sedan Sold for USD$3,850 2020 Mecum Auctions : Kissimmee | |
1948 DODGE RESTO MOD CUSTOM Sold for USD$12,250 2017 Leake Auction - OKC Fairgrounds | |
1948 Dodge Custom Sedan Sold for USD$15,000 2017 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1948 Dodge Sedan Sold for USD$4,400 2015 Leake Auction - Tulsa, OK | |
1948 Dodge Coupe 230/102 HP, 3-Speed Chassis#: D24488795 Sold for USD$11,500 2012 Mecum - Anaheim, CA | |
1948 Dodge Two-Door Custom Convertible Sold for USD$15,400 2012 Auctions America - Ft Lauderdale, Fl | |
1948 Dodge D24 Derham Coupe Chassis#: 31138409 Sold for USD$60,500 2012 Gooding and Company - The Scottsdale Auction | |
1948 Dodge Power Wagon Sold for USD$23,000 2011 Leake Auction - Dallas, Texas | |
1948 Dodge Custom Sold for USD$15,950 2009 The Old Car Heaven Museum Auction | |
1948 Dodge Custom Convertible Sold for USD$21,000 2009 Boca Raton, FL - Kruse | |
1948 Dodge Custom Sold for USD$6,500 2008 Mecum - St. Charles, IL Auction | |
1948 Dodge Custom Series Convertible Chassis#: 45022261 Sold for USD$49,500 2008 RM Auctions - The Astor Collection | |
1948 DODGE CLUB COUPE DELUXE Chassis#: 31218518 Sold for USD$7,600 2008 Silver Auction - Dallas | |
1948 Dodge 7 Passenger Limo - Taxi Sold for USD$3,025 2007 RM Auctions - The Fawcett Movie Cars | |
1948 DODGE CUSTOM STREET ROD PICKUP Sold for USD$8,250 2003 Barrett-Jackson - PALM BEACH 2003 | |
1948 Dodge Convertible Sold for USD$16,960 2002 Michigan Fall Classic Car Auction - The Kughn Collection |
Dodge Custom Seriess That Failed To Sell At Auction
1948 Dodge Custom Series's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1948 Dodge Deluxe Coupe | 2016 Collector Car Productions Toronto Spring Classic Car | $8,000 | |||
1948 Dodge Sedan | 2015 Leake Auction Tulsa, OK | $3,750 | |||
1948 Dodge Convertible | 2012 Auctions America Auburn Spring | ||||
1948 DODGE CLUB COUPE | D2457911 | 2006 Palm Springs Exotic Car Auctions November 1719, 2006 |
Vehicles With Comparable Market Values
Similar sales to the $21,744 range.
1966 Oldsmobile Toronado Chassis#:396876M530874 Sold for $21,816 2023 RM Sothebys : St. Moritz | |
1924 GWYNNE 8 BROOKLANDS Chassis#:00159 Sold for $21,846 2023 Gooding & Company : London Auction | |
1975 VOLKSWAGEN SUPER BEETLE Chassis#:1352234186 Sold for $21,840 2023 Gooding & Company : Amelia Island Auction | |
1999 Fiat 126 Bis cabriolet de plage Chassis#:ZFA126A0003127104 Sold for $21,945 2023 Artcurial : Retromobile | |
1950 Studebaker Starlight Sold for $21,560 2023 Mecum : Kissimmee | |
1962 Jaguar Mark II 3.8-Litre Saloon Chassis#:208784DN Sold for $21,818 2022 Bonhams : The Beaulieu Sale | |
1930 Ford Model A Panel Delivery Chassis#:A3858906 Sold for $21,840 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1958 Mercury Monterey Sold for $21,840 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction | |
1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible Chassis#:P5FH159388 Sold for $21,840 2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Enthusiast Auction | |
1960 Chevrolet Biscayne Chassis#:01111J189635 Sold for $21,750 2022 Carlisle Auctions : Spring Carlisle | |
1993 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur II Saloon Chassis#:SCAZN00D3PCX46633 Sold for $21,591 2022 Bonhams : Spring Motoring Online | |
2009 BMW 750Li Chassis#:WBAKB83599CY61548 Sold for $21,670 2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona | |
1912 PATERSON 30 HP TOURING CAR Sold for $21,547 2021 Gooding & Company : Geared Online | |
1973 BMW 2002 CABRIOLET Chassis#:2796017 Sold for $21,840 2021 Bonhams : Amelia Island Auction | |
1956 BENTLEY S-SERIES SALOON Chassis#:B55CM Sold for $21,702 2021 Bonhams MPH March Auction | |
1968 TRIUMPH TR250 Chassis#:CD1856L Sold for $21,702 2021 Bonhams MPH March Auction | |
1958 CITROEN 2CV FOURGONETTE Chassis#:556007 Sold for $21,702 2021 Bonhams MPH March Auction | |
1979 FIAT 131 Racing Sports Saloon Chassis#:0453372 Sold for $21,909 2021 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris | |
2004 Honda S2000 Sold for $21,750 2021 GAA : February 2021 | |
1956 Jaguar Mark VII M Berline Chassis#:BW729758 Sold for $21,728 2020 Artcurial : Automobiles sur les Champs |
1948 Dodge Custom Series
• Additional valuation insight and sales data• History
• Specifications
• Image gallery
• Other Dodge Custom Series model years