1948 Dodge Custom Convertible

Description

After World War II there was a return to normal life — and normal life for victorious and hopeful Americans included new cars. Like other companies, Chrysler’s Dodge Division was forbidden from working on postwar car designs during the hostilities, so the “new” 1946 cars were virtually the same as ’42 cars, with very few changes.

Dodge, which ranked fourth in U.S. automotive sales (behind Ford, Chevrolet, and Plymouth), offered its Custom models in five versions — club coupe, convertible coupe, sedan, town sedan, and long-wheelbase seven-passenger sedan — and demand was so high that it didn’t change much about those cars in 1947 or ’48. Shortages, inflation, strikes, even riots began to erupt across the nation, but Dodge still managed to churn out more cars in 1947 (an estimated 243,000) than ’46 ... and more cars in 1948 (378,046) than in ’47.

This 1948 Custom Convertible was one of Dodge's last “new” cars based on pre-war designs. It is mostly original and is still powered by the 230-cubic-inch inline-six engine it was born with. With that said, the car has received numerous upgrades, including a new interior, new convertible top, and a rebuilt transmission.

Highlights 

• Highly original 1948 Dodge Custom Convertible 

• Finished in LaPlata Blue paint over maroon and tan Bedford Cord cloth/vinyl interior 

• Powered by original 230 cu-in L-head inline-six engine rated at 102 horsepower 

• Upgrades by a previous owner prior to purchase in 2022: 

  • Rebuilt Dodge Fluid Drive three-speed manual transmission (including new gaskets and synchro) 

  • New interior 

  • New Haartz convertible top  

  • New stainless-steel fuel lines 

  • New stainless-steel brake lines 

  • New fuel pump and auxiliary electric fuel pump 

  • New water pump, hoses, and clamps 

  • New upper and lower engine and transmission mounts 

  • High-temp ceramic coatings for the intake and exhaust manifolds 

  • New shock absorbers 

  • New anti-roll bar bushings 

  • New spring shackles 

  • New tie-rod ends 

  • New axle seals  

  • New pinion seal 

  • New battery 

  • Rebuilt carburetor, starter, and generator 

  • Refurbished unassisted hydraulic drum brakes with new linings and re-sleeved master and wheel cylinders 

• Rebuilt Dodge Fluid Drive three-speed manual transmission (including new gaskets and synchro) 

• New interior 

• New Haartz convertible top  

• New stainless-steel fuel lines 

• New stainless-steel brake lines 

• New fuel pump and auxiliary electric fuel pump 

• New water pump, hoses, and clamps 

• New upper and lower engine and transmission mounts 

• High-temp ceramic coatings for the intake and exhaust manifolds 

• New shock absorbers 

• New anti-roll bar bushings 

• New spring shackles 

• New tie-rod ends 

• New axle seals  

• New pinion seal 

• New battery 

• Rebuilt carburetor, starter, and generator 

• Refurbished unassisted hydraulic drum brakes with new linings and re-sleeved master and wheel cylinders 

Features 

• Rear-wheel-drive, two-door convertible (Body symbol D24) 

• Split windshield 

• Large front chrome bumper guard 

• Manual windows 

• Vent windows 

• Working heater 

• Three-spoke steering wheel with horn ring and center badge

• Dash instrumentation: 

  • 100 mph speedometer and odometer  

  • Heat (water temperature)  

  • Oil pressure 

  • Amps 

  • Fuel level  

• Original vertically mounted AM radio and speakers 

• Analog clock 

• Cigar/cigarette lighter 

• Locking glove box 

• Dome light 

• Sun visors 

• Courtesy lights 

• 15-inch, wide white wall tires  

Known Imperfections 

• Small crack at the corner of the windshield 

• Paint chips up front 

• Wear on hood paint in the center of Dodge lettering 

• Scrapes on passenger door sill 

• Scratches on front driver’s side fender 

• Paint scraped on passenger front fender 

• Paint imperfections on passenger door 

• Scratch on passenger rear fender 

• Clock does not work 

• Moderate surface corrosion on underside 

Included 

• Dodge shop manual 

• Steele Rubber Products catalog 

Ownership History

The consignor of this 1948 Dodge Custom Convertible bought the car from its longtime owner in December 2022.