1948 DeSoto Custom Series Navigation
The DeSoto Company resumed civilian automobile production following World War II using its pre-war product with mild updating that included new front fenders with exposed headlights, new bumpers, slight changes to the ornamentation and trim, a redesigned grille, and modifications to the doors. The basic styling, body styles, and mechanical components would continue with minor changes through 1948 when they were replaced by models wearing all-new styling for 1949, advertised as 'The Car With You in Mind.' 
Sedan
Chassis #: 5886717
View info and history
Auction entries : 1The 1946 through 1948 DeSoto models included the entry-level Deluxe and the upscale Custom. Body styles on the Deluxe included a coupe, club coupe, and two- and four-door sedan with prices that ranged from $1,315 to $1,445. The wheelbase measured 121.5 inches and was shared with the standard Custom Series. The long-wheelbase version of the Custom measured 139.5 inches. Both the Deluxe and Custom were powered by an L-head six-cylinder unit with a 236.7 cubic-inch displacement, solid valve lifters, four main bearings, and delivering 109 horsepower at 3,600 RPM. A three-speed manual transmission was standard in Deluxes, and the Customs came standard with a Gyrol Fluid Drive with Tip-Toe Shift. The Gyrol Fluid Drive was optional in the Deluxes. The Customs were offered with similar body styles to its Deluxe siblings, including a two- and four-door sedan, convertible coupe, and a club coupe, with approximately $50 higher prices. The Convertible Coupe was the highest in the standard Custom range, priced at $1,745. Body styles on the long-wheelbase included a suburban priced at $2,175 (it arrived in November of 1946), an eight-passenger sedan at $1,875, and a limousine at nearly $2,000.Like most other manufacturers, DeSoto scrambled to meet the immediate post-war demand and focused its engineering efforts on developing new models. Thus, the changes for 1947 and 1948 were minimal. 
Sedan
Chassis #: 5886717
View info and history
Auction entries : 1The 1947 Deluxe models were given a slight increase in price by approximately $15, and whitewall tires became optional. The Custom Series followed suit, essentially identical to its 1946 counterparts sans a slight price increase. More drastic price increases occurred in 1948, climbing by nearly $370 on the Deluxe Series and approximately $390 on the Custom. DeSoto produced 62,368 in 1946, earning them the 13th spot in United States car production. They slipped to the 14th spot in 1947 with 82,232 examples built, and for 1948 they were ranked 15th with 93,369 units built. The unsold cars of 1948 were carried over into 1949. The all-new models were introduced around the 1st of March in 1949. The Deluxe and Custom names continued, with the standard wheelbase now measuring 125.5 inches (long wheelbase of 139.5 inches). The engine continued to be the 236.7 CID six, now rated at 112 horsepower and backed by either the three-speed manual or Gyrol Fluid Drive. The Deluxe and Custom were the sole DeSoto models through 1952 when they were joined by the top-of-the-range Firedome. The Deluxe and Custom model names were not used in 1953, replaced by the Powermaster and Firedome.
by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020

Sedan
Chassis #: 5886717
View info and history
Auction entries : 1

Sedan
Chassis #: 5886717
View info and history
Auction entries : 1
by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020
- 1948 DeSoto Custom Series Menu
- Article
- Image gallery
- Valuation
- Specifications
- Profiles
DeSoto
Similar Vehicles
Similar Automakers
Similarly Priced Vehicles
- Tucker 48 ($2,450-$2,450)
- Packard Eight ($2,125-$3,350)
- Buick Series 70 Roadmaster ($2,300-$3,430)
- MG TC ($2,240-$2,240)
- Chrysler Town and Country ($2,450-$3,415)
- Oldsmobile Dynamic Sixty Series ($1,600-$2,620)
- Singer 9AB ($2,200-$2,200)
- Chrysler New Yorker ($2,065-$3,415)
- Plymouth Special Deluxe ($1,445-$2,070)
Average Auction Sale: $22,024
1948 DeSoto Custom Series Vehicle Profiles
Recent Vehicle Additions
Performance and Specification Comparison
Price Comparison
S-11 Series Specification Comparison by Year
Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
Related Automotive News

Barrett-Jackson and TV Host and Executive Producer Mike Rowe Unveil Dodge 4WD Power Wagon at 2024 SEMA Show to Sell for Charity During January Scottsdale Auction
Barrett-Jackson Chairman and CEO Craig Jackson, Emmy award-winning TV host, executive producer, and CEO Mike Rowe, TV personality Colby Donaldson and Ohio-based SugarCreek builders today unveiled a custom 1962 Dodge Power Wagon that will cross the block...

The Prestigious Best Of The Best Award Announces Eight Finalists And Debuts At The Quail Lodge & Golf Club
The Peninsula Hotels, whose global hospitality brand has epitomized glamour and luxury for nearly a century, recently announced its eight finalists for its preeminent honor, The Peninsula Classics 2021 Best of the Best Award. In its seventh year, the...

SEAT Set To Unveil Ateca FR And 600 Concept Car At Automobile Barcelona 2017
The new SEAT Ateca FR will make its international debut at Automobile Barcelona 2017
Home city event will also be venue of choice for a new experiment in design by SEAT, the Concept Car SEAT 600
Technology, connectivity, digitalisation and smart m...

Scion to Show Evolution of Youth-Oriented Brand in Display at 2015 New York Auto Show
New iM and iA Models Start New Wave of Momentum
NEW YORK (March 27, 2015) – Bright lights, big city, tremendous new products. At this years New York International Auto Show, visitors will see the evolution of Scion through two new models...

Scion Scores with SEMA Entries
Early Look at Targa Top FR-S, Slayer tC, Riley Hawk xB and Tuner Challenge Cars
TORRANCE, Calif. (Oct. 30, 2014) – Demonstrating a range from retro to ruthless, Scion unveiled its lineup for the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA)...