Brown Bomber: 1951 DeSoto Custom Sportsman

As a Gen-Xer, I really don’t dig the American car of the 1950’s. They don’t really do much for me.  But, I think this next one would be really cool as a Rockabilly wreck in primer black with a little bit of red pin striping, white walls and some fuzzy dice.  Sacrilege?   Find this 1951 DeSoto Custom Sportsman for sale on Anderson Island, WA for $10,000 via craigslist.

Will you look at the size of the hooters on this thing (sorry, Vince, I couldn’t help it)!  Under the brown hood of this DeSoto is Chrysler’s 250 cubic inch six cylinder L head engine putting out around 115 hp.  I’d leave it alone, but maybe add some anti-social loud mufflers to broadcast that a hoodlum is approaching.

When you look inside, the first thing you notice is the third pedal.  This car is equipped with the Tip-Toe semi-automatic transmission, a strange fluid drive man-umatic predecessor.  I’m also digging the painted metal dash – no impact absorbing padding here daddy-o.  Plus it has a bench seat for your Betty Page to sit next to you.  I wonder if a switchblade would fit under the sun visors?

Besides the current color, I’m a little let down by the single exhaust.  I’d be adding duals or better yet lake pipes, then I’d be off with no particular place to go.

See a better car to drive to a local bar for a Pabst with your gang of delinquents? email us here: tips@dailyturismo.com

Gianni is Daily Turismo’s Pacific Northwest correspondent.  He likes rockabilly music, but isn’t really a rockabilly.