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DeSoto Custom 4-Door Sedan (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)
4-Door Sedan (Second Series) Overview:
DeSoto Custom (4-Door Sedan (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 6, it’s perfect for larger families.
3.9 (112 Hp) Tip-Toe Shift Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 3.9L inline-6 engine provided adequate power for its era, delivering 112 Hp for smooth cruising. Paired with the innovative Tip-Toe Shift automatic transmission, it offered a relaxed driving experience, though not built for speed.
Fuel Economy
As a large carbureted inline-6 from 1949, fuel economy was not a primary concern and would be considered poor by modern standards. Expect single-digit MPG figures.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Spacious and comfortable interior for its time
- • Smooth ride quality, ideal for cruising
- • Distinctive post-war American styling
- • Reliable inline-6 engine (for its era)
- • Innovative Tip-Toe Shift automatic transmission
Cons:
- • Poor fuel economy by modern standards
- • Limited safety features compared to contemporary vehicles
- • Performance is modest, not built for speed
- • Large turning circle (13m)
- • Maintenance can be challenging due to age and parts availability
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(Brougham: 1946 - 1949).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | DeSoto |
| Model: | Custom |
| Generation: | 4-Door Sedan (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: | 6 |
| 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: | 5253 mm mm [12mm less] |
| Width: | 1862 mm mm [61mm less] |
| Height: | 1687 mm mm [Same height.] |
| Wheelbase: | 3188 mm mm [102mm more] |
| Minimum turning circle (turning diameter): | 13 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, 279 mm [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Rear brakes | Drum, 279 mm [bad for performance and cooling.] |
| Front suspension | Independent coil spring |
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