DeSoto Deluxe

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The DeSoto Deluxe (also known as the DeLuxe) was an automobile produced by the Chrysler Corporation and sold under its DeSoto brand from 1946 through the 1952 model year. While in production, the Deluxe was DeSoto's entry-level car, and was offered primarily as two and four-door sedans. The Deluxe range also included the extended wheelbase Suburban sedan.

The Deluxe differed from the up market Custom line by virtue of the traits found in base models, namely less trim, fewer standard features, and plainer interiors in fewer color combinations.

The Deluxe shared its engine with the Custom, and was powered by Chrysler's L-head 237 in³ six-cylinder engine, delivering 109 bhp at 3600 rpm.

Deluxes produced during the 1946, 1947, 1948 and first half of the 1949 model years used DeSoto's prewar bodies, slightly updated following the end of World War II. A fully redesigned DeSoto bowed in the second half of season, and these cars are referred to as "1949 Second Series" models.

In 1950, the Custom gained DeSoto's first consumer designed station wagon body style, however the body style was not offered as a Deluxe. The Custom also received DeSoto's first hardtop coupe, which featured pillarless door design and trimmed to convertible standards, and again, the Deluxe was excluded from the premium body style.

The Deluxe remained DeSoto's base model until it was replaced by the DeSoto Powermaster in 1953.

[edit] References

• Gunnell, John, Editor (1987). The Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946-1975. Kraus Publications. ISBN 0-87341-096-3.

DeSoto
1928-1960 Historic:
Adventurer | Airflow | Airstream | Custom | DeSoto (1961) | Diplomat (export) | Deluxe | Firedome | Fireflite | Firesweep | Powermaster | Series K - SA | SC - SD | DeSoto Series S1 – S10 | DeSoto Suburban
A product of the Chrysler Corporation

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