Click on image to view the full photo gallery
DeSoto Custom 8-Passenger (Second Series) 3.9 (112 Hp) Tip-Toe Shift
Overall Rating
DeSoto Custom:
The DeSoto Series S-10 is an automobile produced by DeSoto from 1942 through to the 1952 model year. While in production, the Series S-10, which was sold with the trim package DeLuxe, was DeSoto's entry-level car, and was offered primarily as two-door and four-door sedans while the Custom offered upscale interiors and appearance including a 7-passenger sedan and the extended-wheelbase Suburban sedans. The body was claimed to be "rust proofed".
The DeLuxe differed from the more upmarket Custom line by having less trim, fewer standard features, and plainer interiors in fewer color combinations. A six-tube and an eight-tube radio were optional....(Read more on Wikipedia)
8-Passenger (Second Series) Overview:
DeSoto Custom (8-Passenger (Second Series)). With 264 Nm of torque, it offers ample pulling power. Rear‑wheel drive offers dynamic handling and sporty feedback. A four-door car with a separate trunk, ideal for families and daily commuting. With seating for 8, it’s perfect for larger families.
3.9 (112 Hp) Tip-Toe Shift Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 3.9L 112 Hp inline-six engine provided adequate power for the large 8-passenger sedan, offering smooth, unhurried acceleration suitable for comfortable cruising rather than spirited driving. The Tip-Toe Shift automatic transmission was a notable convenience for its era.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy was not a primary concern for vehicles of this size and era. The carbureted 3.9L engine would deliver modest MPG by modern standards, typical for large American cars of the late 1940s.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Classic post-war American styling
- • Exceptional passenger space and comfort for its era
- • Smooth ride quality, ideal for long journeys
- • Historical significance and unique Tip-Toe Shift transmission
- • Robust, straightforward mechanicals for its time
Cons:
- • Poor fuel economy by modern standards
- • Lack of modern safety features (e.g., airbags, ABS)
- • Performance is leisurely compared to contemporary vehicles
- • Parts availability can be challenging for specific components
- • Large turning circle makes city maneuvering difficult
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Brougham: 1946 - 1949).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | DeSoto |
| Model: | Custom |
| Generation: | 8-Passenger (Second Series) |
| Modification (Engine): | 3.9 (112 Hp) Tip-Toe Shift |
| Start of production: | 1949 |
| End of production: | 1950 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 8 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 112 Hp @ 3600 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 28.9 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 264 Nm @ 1600 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 3877 |
| Number of cylinders: | 6 |
| Engine configuration: | Inline |
| Number of valves per cylinder: | 2 |
| Fuel injection system: | Carburettor |
| Engine aspiration: | Naturally aspirated engine |
| Engine oil capacity: | 4.7 l |
| Coolant: | 16.1 l |
| Cylinder Bore: | 87.31 mm mm |
| Piston Stroke: | 107.95 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 7:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank capacity: | 64 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 5685 mm mm [420mm more] |
| Width: | 1867 mm mm [56mm less] |
| Height: | 1700 mm mm [13mm more] |
| Wheelbase: | 3543 mm mm [457mm more] |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 13.5 m [above average] |
| Powertrain: | |
|---|---|
| Drivetrain Architecture | The Internal combustion engine (ICE) drives the rear wheels of the vehicle. |
| Drive wheel | Rear wheel drive |
| Number of gears | 4 |
| Transmission type | Automatic |
| Gearbox type | Tip-Toe Shift |
| Front brakes | Drum, 305 mm [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum, 305 mm [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Front suspension | Independent coil spring |
Would you recommend the DeSoto Custom ? Tell us why or why not!