1954 DeSoto Powermaster with Powerflite Automatic

Chrysler Corporation’s DeSoto division was just 7 years away from extinction when this 1954 Powerflite 2-door sedan was built. Steve explores why it lacks a clutch pedal, how its AM radio was a Cold War relic and lots more. Plus: A Bambi Surprise in the trunk!

[@reelreeler8778]

Chrysler corps dashboards were awesome looking during the mid '50s.

[@ricklundin1154]

Those triangular symbols on post WWII radios were part of the CONELRAD system (not NORAD). In the event of attack all broadcasting was to stop and only the CONELRAD system would continue broadcasting. This stems from WWII when Japanese pilots used Hawaii based radio stations to home on Pearl Harbor. The technique was also used by our pilots in the European theater of operations later in the war. The CONELRAD system was designed to prevent this use by attacking Russian pilots. NORAD stood for North American Air Defense Command, a network of interceptor/radar/missile systems throughout the country in the 50’s and 60’s. Interestingly SAGE, the control system used in conjunction with NORAD was developed at the Lincoln Lab, MIT’s computer research facility in Lexington, Mass and developed at Hanscom AFB (Bedford, Mass.) and Otis AFB (Cape Cod) - not that far from Bernardston Auto Wrecking.

[@stephenroyal1619]

I think NORAD also tracks Santa.😉

[@ricklundin1154]

@@stephenroyal1619 When I was a kid, I think it was Christmas Eve, 1962, I got a Hallicrafters short wave radio. The first thing I picked up was NORAD tracking an unknown target over northern Canada. I thought it was real - just like the Russians hitting us on Christmas Eve. Especially since I was expecting the AMT Model Turnpike under the tree the next morning. Fortunately it was the first year of the NORAD Santa Claus broadcast. You kids have it easy these days: no Cold War, no Palmer model car kits …..

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

@Rick Lunden that’s quite the knowledge you got on ConelRad system. 👍👍👍 It might be useless information to some. But it caught my attention.

[@michelletaylor5691]

I remember that

[@MrTheHillfolk]

I think we might wanna bring the button back ,the way things are goin these days 🤷‍♂️🤣🤣

[@raynus1160]

These presentations are excellent - so glad someone can walk us through these classics before they're reclaimed by time. Thanks Steve.

[@samholdsworth420]

It's a shame so many of these cars are rusting away but such is life... Love this channel thanks Steve!!

[@TOBYH]

My Dad owned a 54, I think, maybe a 53? been too long, it had a 279-cu inch HEMI, my friend and I took it to half moon bay dragstrip in No. Ca, on the way home I said let's see what this will do, I floored it, great sound even though it was a small 2-barrel hemi, 180 H.P. I think, it got up to 110 MPH, and just sat there, wouldn't go any faster, probably dumb to do on those old bias ply tires. Such a heavy car, it felt like we were doing around 75. Dumb ass kids. Thanks for all your knowledge, Steve, love junkyard gold, watch everyone oh yeah, his had a clutch, and a semi-automatic in it.I forget now how it worked.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Folks ,this is not a junkyard ,this is a classroom. I love this channel, it gives me a small cracked slightly delaminating window into what my grandparents and parents saw every day.

[@leightonfarms4962]

that Desoto looks very salvageable!

[@seed_drill7135]

Base with no engine = parts car only. The Keller era cars were too frumpy to even be popular with hot rodders. I own a low miles very rare 50 Dodge 2 door hardtop and it’s not even a $15,000 car.

[@MrSkeltal268]

@@seed_drill7135 Chrysler style here was reflecting the scar left by the flop of the airflow in the 30s. They didn’t take styling chances until Exner

[@seed_drill7135]

@@MrSkeltal268 Plus hats. A gentleman should never have to remove his hat upon entering a car.

[@timbuckjr9081]

That junk yard seems to have everything. Love these videos. Keep them coming, Steve.

[@mikesr3407]

I love going to Steve's classroom , ram air , two speed automatic , no parking pawl , drum brake on end ! So much stuff I've never witnessed in person. Great Class Steve 👍 !

[@samholdsworth420]

I noticed that my S10 Blazer has a crease down the middle of the hood and I know from this channel that they're just mimicking the two piece hood pressings that they had back in the day. 👍🏻

[@cbumpus]

It's Delightful! It's Desoto! Actually a sporty lookin' car! 👍

[@TomTom-qm4mq]

That sounds like a advertisement from back then. "Its Delightful. It's a Desoto"

[@ultraviolettp3446]

Kudos to you on this fine Sunday! I love the names of engines and features with cars from the 40's through 60's. As always you convey precious details of vintage vehicles you encounter. Thanks for sharing and for being on youtube!

[@fastinradfordable]

Imagine how useful a power dome would be in the thunder dome

[@speedfreak8200]

@@fastinradfordable especially the Chrome Dome Nate !!

[@one_flew_over_the_cuckoos_nest]

Chrysler still does that, the all new 2022 Twin-Turbo Inline-Six Engine is called Hurricane and is going to replace the V8's!

[@willhorting5317]

It's a shame that no one saved that DeSoto in the video. That's a very cool looking car.😎

[@TomTom-qm4mq]

That's what everyone on here says. "Save". Got to remember when those cars went to that yard they were just old junk cars. No one was fixing or saving them. It just wasn't worth it back then. And now it will cost more to bring it back then what its worth.

[@mexicanspec]

It looks like it was a gorgeous color as well.

[@willhorting5317]

@@TomTom-qm4mq I can't disagree with anything that you said.

[@merkbrains3105]

Thank you so much Steve for taking the time to appreciate history. It's really a treat to learn from someone with so much knowledge.

[@TheRealSmithFamily]

Thanks Shane for helping Steve bring us these videos.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello Smith Family KZbin, yes, Shane Richardson is a key part in these videos. He shoots, edits and programs every one. I'm kinda clueless with digital tech so "it takes a team" to make these videos and Shane is a crucial part of things. Thanks for writing, Steve Magnante

[@CreatorCade]

The body looks to be in good shape it would be a fun project.

[@tihspidtherekciltilc5469]

It's a Happy Day when Steve uploads DeSoto content.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Very cool to see ram air in 1954 , am 70 to see how auto tech came along very cool !

[@yuvegotmale]

I have been looking for what I thought was Berniston AW in Berniston Mass and could not find anything....duh...found out its Bernardston Mass and looked up the yard on Google Earth. Kind of nice to see where you are making the vids from....looks like pretty country. Enjoy all you do Steve, watch ALL your videos...keep them coming.

[@raythackston1960]

I love the roof support that is still the original bright green paint.

[@steveperry1344]

i used to love hanging out in an old junk yard in bedford, massachusetts when i was a kid. watching this i can smell the old oil and the musty interior. my brother and i scored a hemi out of a 54 chrysler newyorker that a neighbor gave us.

[@stevehenderson2571]

Steve I hope you get well soon. You are sorely missed.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

Great dash for a hot rod.

[@normende]

Correction Steve...It is CONELRAD Control of Electromagnetic Radiation. These CD (civil defense) radio settings were established by President Truman. NORAD is the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Love the Junkyard!

[@FloridaBiker-t3b]

We need that thing now

[@nv1493]

That yard is filled with gold.

[@ImTheJoker4u]

Never knew about the NORAD frequency. Kinda scary to think all cars had that little reminder every time you looked at the radio. Really cool hood scoop too😁👍👍

[@troyken9960]

It's CONELRAD not norad. Control of electromagnetic radiation to limit Russians homing in on radio transmissions during the cold war.

[@seed_drill7135]

I have my dad’s old Philco from the same era, it has them too.

[@robertmiller1916]

I liked the civil defense explanation of the radio- I totally forgot about that!

[@tomlewis3658]

Thanks, this was another very interesting presentation. The appearance of the speedo and instruments reminds me of our family car at the time, a 56 Plymouth. That was a good-looking theme for the instruments at the time. Just 1 thing about the triangle inside the circle of the radio dial (at 640 and 1240 kHz). I remember these on radio dials. This was the CONELRAD system of emergency notification. It was replaced by the "Emergency Broadcast System", which was then replaced by the "Emergency Alert System" (thanks to Wikipedia for this info). NORAD is still in existence, and it is a joint organization of the US and Canada (thanks again to Wikipedia).

[@peterdaniel66]

That dash is. beautiful.. what a gorgeous design!

[@jimbos3421]

That deer in the trunk reminded me of the scene in "Goodfellows".

[@artjones2498]

That place looks like my great uncles junk yard.....trees growing up through engine bays...3ft of pine needles over the cars...long gone now but a learning experince when i was a kid

[@mwalshisme]

Thanks for educating us on the NORAD setting on the radio. I always wondered about that symbol.

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Enjoyed!! 👍👍

[@davidszakacs6888]

My brother ordered a 1955 DeSoto 4-door with the Firedome hemi and Torqueflite. The gear selector was a sharp stick that protruded from the dash. Heaven help you if you got somehow impaled on it! They went to pushbuttons in '56.

[@michelletaylor5691]

we own one, never thought about that 😮

[@mrdanforth3744]

Those gear selectors were made to snap off with a pressure of 10 pounds in case of an accident. But as you say, the pushbuttons were safer.

[@born_again_torinos]

Steve, it is a Conelrad station, not a norad station. And there was two of them on the dial. CONELRAD was a method of emergency broadcasting to the public of the United States in the event of enemy attack during the Cold War.

[@drdean9913]

Another great episode

[@verticallyimpaired2978]

Love these videos Steve! Junkyard gold was the best! You give these old cars that time has forgotten a chance to shine once more. Keep up the awesome work.

[@hondanation9375]

I love going around looking at the old cars in junk yards….so much history…now with this channel I can actually Lear more about them! Great videos

[@Babarudra]

thanks for giving me something else to look forward to during my morning coffee routine. Great videos.

[@edwardpate6128]

That Chevy van in the background reminds me of my 1975 Beauville!

[@outlawbadge1]

Some historic vehicles, thanks for sharing

[@unklegeo]

Hi Steve...The Civil Defense Radio was CONELRAD, at 640-1240 on yer am dial. NORAD was The North American Aerospace Defense Command.

[@GWAR1982]

Watch this at .25 speed and you will know what this show will be like in 30 years and I’ll still be watching it.

[@GWAR1982]

Use the 3 dots in the corner

[@richdiscoveries]

That radio is extremely interesting. I love all stuff cold war-era related

[@Funsho97]

In the last shot where Steve is standing by the front of the car there looks to be a Triumph TR-4 in the background. Any chance on seeing a video on that one?

[@willhorting5317]

Wow!!! What fantastic timing for this video... and your mention @ the :38 second mark, of the DeSoto Firedome Hemi V8!!!.....I was just at a car museum yesterday. And on of cars that were (on loan) there on display, was a completely customized Ford Model T that actually has an old DeSoto Firedome Hemi in it!!!

[@danw6014]

Its been awhile since I have gone the the Henry Ford Museum but I believe there was an old hot rod Ford with one of the Chrysler hemis in it but I don't recall which one. First gen for sure.

[@bonniebairn844]

Hard to find a Desoto of that vintage with then grille teeth intact. They were very popular with customizers of the day.

[@garymckee448]

One my favorite vehicles that l have never owned is a 57 or 58 DeSoto.

[@ludicrous7044]

My uncle was drafted for WW II and after boot camp he trained for a motor pool mechanic. He was stationed in GA as a Sargent until 1953 when he bought a 1952 Desoto. They needed mechanics in Germany so he signed up for four years. He was allowed to take his car and the Germans loved it!! It was green with a straight six. It had a column shift but no clutch. It had two speed forward and one reverse. If you pulled a load you put the selector up in second. When you got moving let off the gas pedal until you heard a clunk. With enough speed clutch into high position. Let off for the shift into overdrive. With no load clutch selector into high. The car will not move until you press on the gas due to a fluid coupeling. Let off the gas and clunk into overdrive. No clutch is needed unless you shift gears. He came back to US and was going to restore it but his health failed him in 1990. Unfortunately it was sold in an estate sale. I hope it’s still running so young people can see when cars were different.

[@tobyvincent9190]

Those rear axles were a pain.My first car,63 plymouth,I almost ruined the axle trying to remove to replace brake shoes. A old car guy told me to loosen the nut a few rounds and drive the car and swerve from left to right at low speed and it would break loose. It worked and saved the day

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Toby Vincent, that's a DARNED GOOD IDEA! I hadn't thought of that. Though Captain Safety might freak out, there are plenty of threads engaged on the axle stub even after loosening a few turns to keep the hub / drum in place for a few safe minutes of figure 8's in a parking lot. I'll add this to my bag of tricks! Thanks again for writing - and watching, Steve Magnante

[@johnmcnamara4880]

Steve, love all your videos! show us your library of old magazines and literature you keep. I'm amazed at the articles you have in magazines you bring to these videos.

[@papasmodelcarroom8450]

Love those old cars....great video

[@trevorchambers1812]

I'm loving this channel more and more.....Using these scrappers as history lessons is so much more illuminating than seeing a mint one in a museum. What other display would toss the transmission on the front bench so you can see it?! Steve's knowledgeable commentary is a lot more interesting and fact-filled than the often incorrect captions you see so often in museums and collections. All that rust permits an interesting and unique X-Ray view of construction methods, too. Keep 'em coming, Steve - whilst they are still out there.

[@maxboya]

Steve. I own a 63’ Cadillac Deville. Love the intro!

[@CR7659]

The dash in these looks nice and is well laid out.

[@scoobyroorogers]

Steve is that an old Triumph on your left side at 8:25 ? This wrecking yard has everything under the sun. Thanks Steve

[@lilpoindexter]

look at that beautiful dash

[@johnnieguitar5724]

GREAT facts on this old girl! Thanks Steve!

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Cool Desoto😎 my dad had a 59 4 door Firedome, black 4 door V8 wit white interior and push button automatic. Great fins! Loved that car very quick

[@taylormayberry4826]

In high school in the mid 80’s had a buddy that had a 53 with the fire dome hemi and the fluid drive nice running smooth vehicle and it would do a pretty good one wheel peel

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Great looking car! And great history lesson! Thank you for sharing Steve 👌😎👍

[@ricksteffan1783]

also love how those pine needles get everywhere

[@Jupitermustangmike]

Hey JUPITERmustangmike here at barelysteam oops it's your show! HAPPY FATHERS DAY !

[@kevinmcguire3715]

1954 Hudson Hornet had ram air scoop also .People complained on the 1953's that had a fake scoop .Mopar issued the torque flight 3 speed later in 1956 on some cars

[@robtiger]

Another great video.. Never knew that about the radios with the Norad learn something new every day… how about a video of the G series Chevy van In the background… I have owned three in my lifetime

[@onemat2000]

Love Steve's video. Always a ton of auto stuff I didn't know about. My Dad was from Holy Joke.

[@markchandler90]

When I was a small child my grandparents had one of this model….brown over tan. I didn’t recall it being a two door but I cam across a picture of it and it certainly was. I remember some vacations in it pulling a small trailer.

[@mexicanspec]

In these years the two doors look like 4 doors. It seems they used basically the same body, just with the rear door area sealed.

[@speedfreak8200]

Thanks again Steve, in the early seventies I had a 53' DeSoto, mine had the 4dr flat head 6 & fluid drive ...... I used to buy & sell funky old cars, several you have featured... keep it up can't get enough. They don't salt the roads here in the N.W. corner of Oregon but the rain does a job

[@c3dk]

Nice project there :- )

[@jamestregler1584]

Thanks Steve 😎

[@francisbizon8414]

The radio markings actually designate the Conelrad frequencies (640 & 1240) that would remain broadcasting in an emergency.

[@johnmurray9991]

Love your videos. Always something to learn from you, like the symbol on the radio. Keep up the good work!!

[@nifvisionquest5317]

Friggin awesome! That car is bad ass.

[@paulrhodes8111]

As always, fascinating stuff! Thanks Steve, keep ‘em coming!

[@rogercamp6071]

When I was a kid there were several older cars in a yard near my aunt's house, one of those was a DeSoto two door similar to this one, another was an early fifties Buick four door and thinking one was a mid fifties Chrysler.

[@carlbentley80]

Cool car, I never knew that about the radios.

[@Hyrev1]

Great video Steve! 👍👍💯🇺🇸

[@vettekid3326]

It would be fun to research the original owners of these cars. My guess a middle aged maiden school teacher would have been someone to order a six cylinder Desoto with an automatic. Most guys would have went for the V8 except for the really frugal ones and they would have went with the cheaper three speed manual and probably bought a Cheaper Plymouth anyway.

[@TomTom-qm4mq]

Most cars back then were 6 cyl. And 3 spd manual. V8s were kind of a new thing for those cars except for the ford flat head. V8s weren't popular till the late 50s.

[@mexicanspec]

That is the advantage with Mexican cars. The ownership document is the original invoice for the car so you can see who bought it new and all subsequent owners after that. I have seen invoices from cars from the '30's intact with all that information. You also get to see how much was paid for the car and every option the car had when it was new down to every little detail.

[@mcmoolah]

with all the fires in the 70's,we called it Holysmoke.

[@FloridaBiker-t3b]

Remember the show Happy Days, the Cunningham's had one & Fonzi hot rodded it up for a drag race, early episode..:)

[@lab1042]

Different year, but whenever I hear DeSoto - I can't help but to think of Weird Al: I put in a Slim Whitman tape My wife put on a brand new hair net The kids were in the back seat jumpin' up and down Yellin' "Are we there yet?" And all of us were joined together in one common thought As we rolled down the long and winding Interstate in our '53 DeSoto We're gonna see the biggest ball of twine in Minnesota!!

[@timrayburn2461]

Thanks

[@mattstarr8203]

Christine radio going to come to life

[@one_flew_over_the_cuckoos_nest]

There are plans for a new Christine Movie, a reboot i believe but that's ok.

[@mexicanspec]

@@one_flew_over_the_cuckoos_nest I hope that doesn't happen.

[@one_flew_over_the_cuckoos_nest]

@@mexicanspec Ohh it will, many are waiting for a new one. And i think it will be good because Stephen King will be involved more than the original Movie and so the new one will be more like the Book!

[@mexicanspec]

@@one_flew_over_the_cuckoos_nest I don't want to see more cars destroyed. It is not necessary.

[@one_flew_over_the_cuckoos_nest]

@@mexicanspec Will not happen, it's all CGI now, the new movie will be awesome coming from Blumhouse Productions and with Blumhouse's horror expertise, fans may have nothing to worry about.

[@ragman0696]

Didn’t the Fonz hop up Howard’s DeSoto in one episode when they were playing street outlaws ??🚗🚗

[@duggid4859]

Another great one

[@CORVAIRWILD]

I've never had one, but my ankles are FULL of recent tiny scares from whatever is crawling out of the grass. I'm in Plattsburgh NY and Mahwah NJ area, but on the NY side of the border

[@shaggydogg630]

Chiggers!

[@Rumpleskin]

Chippers, red bugs evil little bastards. You only find them in the shade, they hate the sun

[@mikesr3407]

When I'm working outdoors , I spray any kind of bug spray in the work truck around my jeans at boots ! Shorts ... Forget about it ! No see ems and fleas ticks ... Etc

[@dalebaker8266]

I’m thinking that it’s worth restoring

[@z978ady]

Interesting to calculate annual gasoline consumption budget difference between flat 6 and V8 option on this model DeSoto. No wonder that vegetable drink slogan emerged "I could have had a V8." Norad radio might be useful once again.

[@christopherbero3388]

You got all the weeds - drop the intro

[@MrWill73]

Cool Desoto! We know you’re a Mopar guy Steve, but Some GTOs are one of the most beautiful, fast and best Muscle Cars! Show us Pontiac guys some love👍👍👍👍

[@TomTom-qm4mq]

It's a little harder to find a gto in a junkyard. It's not your everyday car.

[@ricksteffan1783]

love that dash!

[@johnevans9751]

Great narrative, as always. Hoping you will include torque figures when you mention horsepower.

[@MatthewScott]

hoovie sent me. long known of you and that voice.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello Matthew Scott, Hoovie is a GREAT GUY and GREAT VIDEO CREATOR! No fluff, no unnecessary showmanship, just fun, information and refreshing humility. When I work with him at the Barrett-Jackson auctions (we're doing the Las Vegas show in a couple weeks), he gives me inspiration and advice on how to make better videos. He was an early motivator in the creation of this KZbin channel. Tyler Hoover / Hoovie's Garage RULES!!! Thank You for watching and writing, Steve Magnante

[@ccpgmike620]

very similar to my Grand dad's Chrysler Windsor Spitfire Six 2 door Coupe

[@Arthagnou]

back in the early 90s a friends grandad had an old junk yard/towing company in southern michigan that closed in the mid 1980s. Behind there was a 1955 Hemi NewYorker Custom Delux...I dont remember if it was a 4 door or 2, and there was a 2nd car with that air ram hood. Memories to far gone to remember all the details BUT there was also a 68/69 Torino fastback, the engine was out and the Vin said it was an R Code. so it was probably a 428 car. The only other car of note was a Chevelle with a 307 and a 67/68 Plymouth Station Wagon 383 Super Commando. in it...im sure by now that its all crushed out.

[@matthewsorensen2147]

Enjoyed your video

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

Cool stuff Dude..

[@ScottDLR]

Nice vid Steve. My '64 Ford has the NORAD thing too. I wonder when they stopped doing that?

[@mexicanspec]

I would guess when they sent to digital displays.

[@shaun89759]

I was in holyoke a day before i watched this. So im wondering; where in town was bowen motors? I once worked at holyoke tire by kmart

[@justsumguy2u]

Wow, DeSoto----there's a name you don't hear too often these days. Chrysler used the wierd left/right hand lugs all the way into the late 60's---if memory serves, the passenger side lug nuts tightened counter-clockwise instead of clockwise. I love the logos on that car, they just scream 1940's

[@mexicanspec]

On my Mexican Spec 1963 Plymouth Savoy it does have the 2 piece axle with the nut and cotter pin, however the drum is a separate unit and can be removed without having to take off the big nut. I don't know why the US Spec cars weren't like that too. The front drum is also that way, separate from the hub and they are stamped MEXICO on them so as to not confuse them with a US drum.

[@b.s.adventures9421]

I want that deer head.

[@mikesr3407]

It should live on above someone's hot rod in barn or garage , not in a trunk ! So sad as a hunter , that was someone's proudest moment on their short stint here on earth.

[@one_flew_over_the_cuckoos_nest]

Weird!