Classic Cars / DeSoto / Car for sale

Nostalgic Weekend Toy or AMAZING PROMOTIONAL TOOL!

Sale price: $9,888.00 make an offer

Seller's notes: "Full description in our auction text. Please email through eBay message board regarding any questions."

Sale type: Fixed price listing

Technical specifications, photos and description:

Year:
1947
Mileage:
96,910
Engine:
6
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Nostalgic Weekend Toy or AMAZING PROMOTIONAL TOOL! for sale

Current customer rating: current rating for this car(2.5) based on 381 votes
 


 1947 DeSoto Suburban

8-Passenger. Long-Wheelbase Sedan with Suicide Doors. An Unrestored Original!

Outfitted as a Sportsman's Dream! 18-Foot Cedar Canoe. and Vintage Fishing Tackle!  

We are offering this extremely original. solid. and well-known DeSoto for its owner. who claims it's“one of the most photographed cars in America!” It has been a famous attraction for years. parked outside his popular restaurant at the Minnesota State Fair every summer (which has a draw of nearly two million paid admissions annually). So who are we to dispute his claim? We know this: It draws crowds like a magnet. many of them taking selfies in front of his car and his business to post on social media. But we're better at evaluating old cars than knowing what's “trending”. so let's look at things this way:

The Suburban was a very special. top-of-the-line DeSoto. which sold in relatively small numbers. It used the longest wheelbase that Chrysler Corporation offered in those years. This allowed three rows of seats. the rear-most being folding jump-seats. The trunk opens to the passenger compartment. and with the jump-seats folded. it offered the utility of a station wagon. with a large. fully-finished cargo area. The Suburban model looks HUGE (just look at that profile!). with its long 139. 5” wheelbase and massive styling. The Suburban was not a high production car. with only about 7500 made over the three years of production of this body style -- how many were 1947 vintage is anyone's guess. as is how many are left. This car has its original factory-fitted. wood-slatted roof rack: Perfect for carrying things like…canoes to the Boundary Waters!

This car is in highly original condition. It does not appear to have been ‘restored' in any way. other than to have the worn paint (by all indications. the original two-tone finish applied at the factory) covered in clear-coat. everything looks perfect for the preservation classes which have become so prominent with concourse entrants and preservationists. Even the seat upholstery on the jump seats is original and good. The car is largely rust-free. other than a couple of holes in the floor. The frame is totally solid. along with all attachment points for suspension. The body is amazingly clean and straight. and we could detect no rust-through or repairs on it. Panel alignment is excellent (sometimes such long cars sag in the middle with age. making doors hang up a bit – not on this car!). The clear-coat is now weak in many spots. and cracking or peeling up in some areas (sort of adding “patina over the patina”). Chrome and all trim looks to be original and untouched. including the wood trimmed door liners.

Of course. it could all be restored to perfection. but it has so much more charm and history as it sits. It has sensational nostalgic value with whimsical fishing trip touches all around: Old tackle and lures abound. along with canoe paddles. antique thermador. picnic basket. old “church key” openers. an original 1950s Hamm's Beer can on the back bumper and more – even an old hornets nest on the back seat. We defy anyone to walk around this car without cracking a smile and wishing to head for the lake!

Car runs and drives. In recent years. it has been used primarily as a prop. and not driven on the road. but it started with some coaxing and settled into a very smooth idle. with no ugly smoke or steam or leaks evident. The throttle needed to be "feathered" to get going – classic sign of a bad accelerator pump. and we think this car would be roadworthy with only a carburetor rebuild and fresh fuel.  The engine compartment looks totally stock and undisturbed by anything other than normal maintenance  Brakes are firm and effective. Steering is as responsive as these ever were. The wide whitewall tires appear to have very few miles on them. The Fluid Drive turbine coupling worked fine. and the clutch bites well: I drove it as a typical “straight drive” through the gears using the clutch instead of relying on the fluid coupling. It was a hoot to hustle this big barge around. and I had a great time cruising the deserted MN State Fairgrounds with the owner's mechanic. It gives every indication that it could be a very majestic and usable road car again with a carb rebuild.

So many possibilities for this DeSoto for anyone with some imagination and a sense of fun! Advertising. promotions. film work. commercials. celebrity personal appearances. or amazing great escapes to quiet shores!        

90+ PHOTOS SHOWING DETAILS OVER. UNDER. SIDEWAYS. DOWN: eBay won't let us post the link here (thanks. eBay!) But I can send it directly to you if you leave an email address. Thanks.

Please email with any questions or comments! We will respond quickly and honestly.


The Fine Print:

 

GOOD LUCK! Please bid to the value this car may hold for you. Please feel free to ask questions or add comments. Please ask questions BEFORE you bid.  We will respond quickly and honestly. This car is located in St Paul. Minnesota 55108.  Inspections are invited and encouraged!

 

CONDITIONS: Winning this auction constitutes a legal and binding agreement between the Buyer and the Seller. Please bid sincerely and sensibly. Zero-feedback bidders must contact us first before bidding to establish some level of seriousness-of-intent; It's nothing personal. just business: We. and many others. have been stung on eBay Motors by too many dead-beat auction winners.

Vehicle is sold "As-Is and Where-Is". If the Buyer comes to pick up this car and is in any way dissatisfied. he or she will have the Option of walking away from the Deal with Full Refund of the Deposit and any Payments made to the Owner.  Otherwise. no warranty is expressed. implied or offered.  The Seller neither can nor will take any responsibility for this car after it leaves the premises.


PAYMENT: Buyer must make a $200 DEPOSIT by PayPal within 24 hours of the Auction Close. The Deposit will secure the Deal for all Parties involved. Failure to make Deposit within 24 hours will risk Cancellation of the Sale at Discretion of the Seller.  BALANCE MUST BE PAID within 5 BUSINESS DAYS of sale by SECURE PAYMENT or CASH at PICK-UP.  


TRANSPORT: Buyer is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs. We do not offer quotes on shipping. There are many vendors to choose from offering vehicle transport: DAS. and FedEx/Passport are two great places to start getting bids.  

 

STORAGE: While the Auction Winner sorts out pick-up or transport arrangements. nbsp;Owner can offer indoor parking for up to 30 days after auction termination. Longer periods can be arranged at cost if necessary. Seller cannot accept any liability during this storage period.

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Thank You for Looking! We are fluent in classic European and American cars. We are hobbyists. first and foremost. and happy to hear from you on the subject of cars or bikes. In addition to AUTOMOBILIA and PARTS. WE HAVE SOLD OVER 50 VEHICLES ON eBAY. EACH DEAL A HAPPY ONE FOR ALL INVOLVED! >>MM1000auto>> was created to auction the THINGS WE LOVE MOST: CARS. PARTS. and AUTOMOBILIA!

Also published at eBay.com

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Comments and questions to the seller:

from Tim benton, dated 10 february 2015
Do you still have the Desoto suburban? If so can you phone me or email? Thanks, Tim

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