1942 DeSoto Custom Business Coupe original custom

[@MrNorthernRed]

The '42 was the only year with the hidden headlights- they were eliminated when production resumed after the war. First hidden lights after the Cord too- thanks so much for posting this, great looking car!

[@TOBYH]

ONE OF THE COOLEST GRILLS EVER DESIGNED!

[@kleverich]

Headlight covers are interesting. I was expected something along the lines of a vacuum actuator, but I guess that came later. Makes sense it was fully manual.

[@VictrolaJazz]

It's got a very hypnotic face with the headlight doors open! Rare in two dimensions--business coupe and '42!

[@lalvarado63]

DeSotos were very cool cars!. I wish that we still made automobiles of that quality today especially in our country like before.

[@coolrides]

I LOVE this car! Thanks for demonstrating those hidden headlights...I never saw the actuator before! There's a 42 white convertible in "The Strange Case of Laura Mars" a Hollywood movie of the time..you HAVE to see it...includes a contemporary Chrysler too! :) Jack

[@voxer99]

No such movie on Imdb. I think you mean the The Strange Love of Martha Ivers.

[@trevorstevens2889]

@@voxer99 May also be referencing the 1944 movie "Laura" with Gene Tierney and Vincent Price.

[@voxer99]

@@trevorstevens2889 And Dana Andrews.

[@davidfluck1470]

The movie "The Postman Always Rings Twice" uses a '42 DeSoto sedan as transportation for one of the principal characters. It is in many scenes. And, in one of the highway scenes, a '42 DeSoto convertible drives by at speed in the opposite direction on the highway. Look carefully. It's there.

[@robert3302]

I absolutely adore 3 window business coupes. It's my favorite body style, and this is a primo example.

[@wiboater4]

The pop up headlights are really neat! I didn't realize they had that .

[@robert3302]

Only in 1942. They discontinued when they turned to war industry. In 1945 the reintroduced the car with fixed headlights.

[@1949LA-ARCH]

Beautiful coupe ! Hope you spruce up the original interior some, give this car some respect that is due. Clean and original is the way to go !

[@davidtosh7200]

Cool fenders skirts on all 1942 Chrysler, Chrysler Imperial, Dodge, DeSoto, and Plymouth, and it is standard on convertibles, except for Imperial which offered only 4 door sedan as well as limousine. Buick Roadmaster and Super, Cadillac, Oldsmobile 98, and Pontiac on the GM lines, and Lincoln Continental are common with fender skirts on 1942 models. Wish they still make fender skirts on cars of the future, including "Jetson" cars.

[@EdwardMolotov]

Those headlights are kickass.

[@toltec13]

BEAUTIFUL CAR!!!

[@sammolloy1]

I’m glad it has a good home

[@NYC1927]

You are a very fortunate person to have one of those. I have a 40 plymouth 4 door, and I love her, but I'd trade with you anyday. Lol.

[@67marlins]

Beautiful

[@Firefighter834]

Never seen it or even heard about it! Have too look for it -thank you. I have a friend in Seattle who has a conv -42 DeSoto. Take care Ola

[@victorjohnson7512]

My dream cruiser...

[@71bee383]

WOW! beautiful car! I have never seen one before. De Soto should have sold waaaaayy more cars than only 120! I had no idea that they even had a concealed headlight option back in those days. is it by chance a straight 8? BEEEEEAUTIFUL!

[@louisedevito708]

Thanks for sharing!.......

[@johnhiram1207]

Stunning!!!!

[@gordonmckenney4525]

Decadent the Trunk, oil The Hinges, install a new spare tire and Paint the spare Wheel!

[@here_we_go_again2571]

Nice car! Thank you for sharing. :)

[@coolrides]

@thedavidjoss46 Very true! Not many around, though! :) Jack

[@inkey2]

wow....the front looks like a halloween skull face

[@inkey2]

@wiggums1 even into the 1970s cars were made with a mechanical lever to pop the lights up.....like the Opal GT

[@geoben1810]

Classy

[@michaelbenardo5695]

Over 24,000 1942 Desotos were made, not just 120.

[@davidfluck1470]

This body style is only 120 units.

[@johnmaki3046]

LOVE THIS!

[@davidpancerev9658]

Bummer that hide-a-way h-lights only available 1942. Why do they do this to me?

[@jacksutherland846]

It sure means business!

[@gordonjamieson861]

What a wonderful carb , why can’t American make modern safe cars as good looking as this anymore

[@Marshallmiracles]

The hidden headlights really make the car fantastic. I would have put vertical tail lights on back and gone all the way with a continental kit!!! and painted the car cream/tan metallic!

[@asd36f]

According to my reference books, this was a 2-dr Custom Coupe rather than a 2-dr Business Coupe. Was the Custom Coupe the Business Coupe with more fittings?

[@cody481]

Most Chrysler products "business " coupe had a door behind the front seats that would allow the salesman to easily show off products that were near the front of the trunk without unpacking the entire truck. And boy oh boy don't you know they packed VERY carefully.

[@eremesuzukimoto7627]

Uyy que cupe , pregunta los faros vienen así de fábrica , yo no los conocía y menos en esa época de guerra ,se pusieron de moda a finales de los 60tas si estoy equivocado favor corregirme.saludos desde cali Colombia...

[@fenderstratguy]

I thought Billy Batts was gonna be in the trunk, all bloodied up and moaning

[@loufalce]

Next to the 36-37 Cords, this was the only other car that featured retractable headlights. Looks neat and futuristic, but it ain`t a Cord.

[@davemckolanis4683]

Hide-A-Way Headlights, 30-YEARS AHEAD Of Their Time. With SCADS Of Shiney Chrome Grill Teeth Smiling At You. NOT An Angry, Hideious Looking Plastic Ball Like The Stuff Being Sold Today. 😊😊😊...

[@robertcushman7002]

the 1942 Desoto was ahead of its time. beautiful car, add very innovative.., but that business coupe, was just ugly!, I know it served a purpose, but still ugly. cheers 🍻

[@bluebomb49]

Bad to the bone

[@specialized29er86]

what was them smoking, a square grill on a beautiful round body

[@jacksutherland846]

That is one weird ass car!😳

[@andrewromano3105]

BEAUTY PLEASE FIND A 1956. DESOTO PREFERABLY. THE PURPLE & BLACK 2 TONE 2 DR. FAMILY HAD IT. I WANT IT !!! HA

[@danconlan64]

2 speedometers???

[@alanstrong3295]

Front end is strange looking.

[@thomasnorman4221]

Trunk needs wd40

[@_kingarthur_]

what "custom" means here?

[@Kaputnik11]

Most likely just a trim level. Kinda like deluxe was. :)

[@davidfluck1470]

Custom was the better of the two trim levels. Deluxe was the lower level (not terribly deluxe!).

[@wendellworth353]

This was the dumbest design ever.

[@majortom1950]

That is one ugly car -- I am 71 - the family had a 1950 DeSoto - kept it 6 years -- then got a new Ford --