To some, the family station wagon is a goofy, unloved relic of their childhood, a reminder of forever-long road trips filled with sibling fights and frequent stops at boring roadside attractions. But to others, that wagon is a time machine that takes them back to fondly remembered times, a member of the family to be preserved and cherished. Care to guess which of those two descriptions fits our Pick of the Day, a one-family-owned 1950 DeSoto Custom Station Wagon posted on ClassicCars.com by a Virginia dealership?
It’s rare enough for a vehicle that was made 75 years ago to be more than a pile of scrap metal in an overgrown field these days. A car that old remaining in the same family that purchased it as a new car during the Truman administration? That’s the automotive equivalent of a unicorn—and this one has a hood ornament for a horn. Granted, this DeSoto wagon was restored at some point in the past, so it had some help staying alive, but that was somewhat offset by being stored for a long time after the owner died. Fortunately, their family held onto this handsome longroof until the selling dealer recently added it to its inventory.
Despite its age, this DeSoto appears to be in great shape. Thank goodness for that. There are a lot of woody wagons out there, but you don’t see DeSoto woodies all that often. Clearly, the combination of a restoration and time away from the elements and the hazards of the road served it well. All the burgundy paint is intact, and the wood trim is in remarkably good condition.
The same goes for the handsome tan vinyl interior, which comes equipped with two rows of bench seating and a rear cargo area floor with wood planks and metal dividers that will make any luggage or gear look more special than it is. However, the dealer notes this beauty will need a brake service to get it back on the road. Some new whitewalls probably wouldn’t hurt, either.
According to the dealer, the Powermaster 236ci inline-six is believed to be original to the car, and it “starts easily and runs smoothly.” A look at the brochure for the 1950 DeSoto lineup shows it was factory-rated at 112 horsepower at 3,600 rpm. The L-head six is connected to what DeSoto called a “Tip-Toe Shift transmission” with Fluid Drive, aka a four-speed semi-automatic.
This DeSoto wagon’s time with its original family has passed, but that means it can join your family now. The adoption fee is $59,900.
Click here to view this Pick of the Day on ClassicCars.com
