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1942 was the year of automobile manufacturing that was never completed. The declaration of war in December 1941 curtailed all civilian automobile manufacturing months into the new model year. Desoto’s shortened production year ran from August 1941 to February 9, 1942 with just 24,771 cars produced.
Before the winds of World War II blew away the manufacturing of automobiles, Desoto released their most daring design ever. Advertising touted it as “Tomorrow’s Style Today” and in one respect, it was. The year’s big new feature was “Airfoil” headlamps, concealed behind fully retractable doors, only the second American-made production car to do this. The curvaceous grille stretched almost across the front of the car. Running boards were now integrated into the body, completely covered by the doors. Although the design is officially credited to Chrysler head stylist Robert Cadwallader, the influence of the Desoto Cyclone concept car, executed by Alex Tremulis, is unmistakable.
When it came to convenience and comfort, Desoto put it all on the table with such features as interior lighting that came on automatically when the right side doors opened and outside locks in both front doors. Custom sedans had vent windows in all four doors. Two-tone paint became a common option, while interiors boasted better appointments than the average living room of the time, with a choice of broadcloth or rich pile fabrics.
Under the hood of all 1942 models could be found the “Powermaster” 115 horsepower inline 6-cylinder engine. The engine was coupled to either a 3-speed synchromesh transmission or a Fluid Drive Simpli-Matic Transmission for effortless smoothness.
Like all automobile manufacturers in 1942, Desoto made the quick changeover to war manufacturing without being certain of the future for civilian automobile production. In the words of Bryon C. Foy, president of Desoto Motor Corporation, “We do not know how many of these great Desoto cars we will produce in the coming year, for with us the building of materials for the defense of our country will always come first. But, we do know that every car we build (within the limits of our curtailed schedule) will be the finest we know how to produce…finest in engineering…finest in workmanship…finest in materials…finest in design.” -
Company
Chrysler Corporation
Make
Desoto
Model
Deluxe S-10
Body Style
Sedan, 4-dr, 5-pass.
Body Manufacture
N/A
Model year
1942
Wheelbase
121.5 inches
Length
N/A
Engine
inline-six, L-head, 236.7 cid
Horsepower
115 @ 3800 rpm
Transmission
Fluid Drive “Simplimatic” transmission
Original Base Price
$1,103
Brand Production
24,771 model year
This Car Production
6,463 -
Although the early life of this car remains unknown, the later years of its existence are well documented. Chris and Bonnie Binder of Spencer, Iowa acquired it as part of their effort to collect one example of every year of DeSoto. In October 2007, the Binder collection was dispersed by Vanderbrink Auctions to settle the Binder estate.
The car was purchased at the auction by Jay Van Houten of Cedar Rapids, Iowa for $3,500. Van Houten intended to make the car drivable while maintaining its original car patina. But life has a way of changing plans. Van Houten soon found himself changing jobs and moving to Arizona. He brought the car with him with the continued intention of preserving it and driving it “as-is”.
But with no space to store the car when he arrived in Arizona, Van Houten parked it in the back yard of AACA Board Member Roger Irland, a good friend of the NB Center. Irland realized the car would be better served by being restored by the NB Center and convinced Van Houten to sell the car. In August 2015, a deal was made at the established price of $3,500.
Restoration commenced in December 2015 and was completed in time for the October 2017 Fall National Meet of the AACA in Hershey, Pa.
The S10 Deluxe Four-Door Sedan had a base price of $1103 when new. This car has the optional two-tone paint - Navajo Brown over Palomino Beige plus the radio, antennae, heater and dual horns, which increased the sticker price.