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DeSoto Deluxe II 8-Passenger 4.1 (116 Hp) Tip-Toe Shift
Overall Rating
DeSoto Deluxe:
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)
II 8-Passenger Overview:
DeSoto Deluxe (II 8-Passenger). With 282 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.
4.1 (116 Hp) Tip-Toe Shift Verdict:
Performance Verdict
The 4.1L engine provides smooth, unhurried acceleration, complemented by the 'Tip-Toe Shift' semi-automatic transmission for enhanced driving convenience. Performance remains adequate for its class.
Fuel Economy
Similar to the manual version, fuel economy is characteristic of a large 1950s engine. The semi-automatic might slightly vary efficiency, but overall remains a thirsty classic.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- • Spacious 8-passenger interior, ideal for families or group travel
- • Classic American styling and historical significance
- • Smooth and comfortable ride quality for its era
- • Robust and relatively simple inline-six engine design
- • Distinctive 'Tip-Toe Shift' semi-automatic option for convenience
Cons:
- • High fuel consumption by modern standards
- • Lack of modern safety features (e.g., airbags, ABS)
- • Performance is modest compared to contemporary vehicles
- • Maintenance can be challenging due to age and parts availability
- • Large dimensions can make maneuvering in tight spaces difficult
Specifications:
Specifications are compared to those of the previous generation(8-Passenger (Second Series): 1950 - December, 1950).
| General: | |
|---|---|
| Brand: | DeSoto |
| Model: | Deluxe |
| Generation: | II 8-Passenger |
| Modification (Engine): | 4.1 (116 Hp) Tip-Toe Shift |
| Start of production: | 1951 |
| End of production: | 1952 |
| Powertrain Architecture: | Internal Combustion engine |
| Body type: | Sedan |
| Seats: | 8 |
| Doors: | 4 |
| Engine: | |
|---|---|
| Power: | 116 Hp @ 3600 rpm. |
| Power per litre: | 28.3 Hp/l |
| Torque: | 282 Nm @ 1600 rpm. |
| Engine displacement: | 4106 |
| 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: | 114.3 mm mm |
| Compression ratio: | 7:1 |
| Performance: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel Type: | Petrol (Gasoline) |
| Space: | |
|---|---|
| Fuel tank capacity: | 64 l |
| Size: | |
|---|---|
| Length: | 5699 mm mm [14mm more] |
| Width: | 1934 mm mm [67mm more] |
| Height: | 1680 mm mm [20mm less] |
| Wheelbase: | 3543 mm mm [Same wheelbase.] |
| Front track: | 1430 mm |
| Rear (Back) track: | 1512 mm |
| Ride height (ground clearance): | 210 mm |
| 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 |
| Rear suspension | Leaf spring |
If you could change one thing about the DeSoto Deluxe, what would it be?