1950 DeSoto Deluxe Carryall

1950 DeSoto Deluxe Carryall

We've gotten used to seeing pickup trucks, sports utility vehicles and \"crossovers\" filling the roads today when our ancestors thought of a truck as a work vehicle and not something everyday families would own. Yes, there were station wagons but not everyone wanted to be seen in one. What to do? DeSoto had an option with their DeSoto Carry-All that offered sedan seating or a fold down the rear seat for a long load floor through the trunk.

The DeSoto Carry-All Sedan for consignment, was based on their Custom Four Door Sedan. On the outside they were nearly identical. But the secret was in the fold down rear seat, not unlike a station wagon, but in 1949 a wagon was not part of the DeSoto lineup. With the rear seat down, a flush load floor was created, and 62 cubic feet of load space opened up. With only 2 examples known to exist registered in the NDC (National DeSoto Club) this fully restored, wearing all the original body parts, and engine which was rebuilt about 1,000 miles ago.

Exterior
With a body by coach builder Kercheval we note straight steel panels and well minded gaps. An A, B, and C pillar car, it is draped in Andante Green Metallic paint that presents in excellent condition. With a massive wonderfully chromed tooth front grille which is centered by a pristine cloisonne Desoto badge and lower massive curved bumper on which all surfaces appear to be still wet with the chrome plating, it is that good! Even the glass bust of our famed explorer the Mississippi river hood ornament is just pristine. Also, dueling trim spears one on the front quarter running half way through the door panels in front, and another starting on the rear fender just prior to the wheel well and running to the rear as well as a lower rocker trimming, belt line trim and split windshield trim and this car is really nice. On back our puffed-out fenders curve downward to house vertical oval taillights and a rounded trunk lid. Another \"wet\" look bumper is on the bottom. Black sidewall tires with white painted wheels and large DeSoto moon caps finish off the car on all 4 corners.

Interior
Within the walls of this car is where the secrets lie, and it does not take too long to discover them. By opening the trunk you'll notice that it is beautifully lined in northern pine with chromed mounting strips separating the pine. This is all glossed to the hilt and mysteriously heads vertically at the front of the trunk. By opening the rear doors a large armed bench seat is present, but with some more noodling around, you'll discover that you can fold this bench down, and continue the rear bed under the trunk lid hinge panel, and right up to the front bench seat. A hidden gem of a station wagon, only making its prowess known after you figure out the seat. All this lacquered wood and chrome is excellent with nary a mark on it. The front bench has tan with vertical striped broadcloth and faux leather surrounding bolsters. The dash picks up on this faux leather look, but it is indeed painted on faux leather looking metal. Gauges are all buttoned up and looking great and are all functioning. Door panels are working it as well and appear nearly new in condition. A white headliner is looking good above and nice clean brown carpet abounds on the floors.

Drivetrain
Of course, what would one expect but an all original engine with a clean engine bay. This is a 256ci L-head Inline 6-cylinder which is original to this car but has been rebuilt less than 1K miles ago. It is topped by a 1bbl carb and has a Gyro-Matic fluid drive 4-speed semi-automatic transmission attached to the back of the car.

Undercarriage
Underneath is literally like new with no rust, slight road dirt, and jet black frame and floorpans. Body hangers have nice supple rubber washers within them and there is no rust in sight. Drum brakes are all around, and the fuel tank looks like new, and it may very be such.

Drive-Ability
One has to love these late 40's early 50's behemoths and this one is no lost for such love. It cranked a bit but started and ran smooth. It has nice pickup, and cruises effortlessly. All functions were on track, as was our handling section of the test drive which met all our driving expectations without a hitch.

Let's have a station wagon, but hide it? Who knows what thoughts were running through the minds of builders and consumers back then, but now we are left with a time piece of history, there are not many examples that survive. And this condition is really pristine on every level. Sort of a yesteryear hatchback, this folding down rear cargo area you could live in, but don't...use it to haul the goods.