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| 1938 Desoto S-5 Series | ||
| Touring Sedan | ||
| Standard Specifications | ||
| Show Summary |
| Original Base Price | $970.00 | |
| No. Produced | 23,681 | |
| Body | ||
| Body Maker | ||
| No. Doors | 4 | |
| Passengers | ||
| Model Number | ||
| Weight | 3,139lbs | |
| Dimension | ||
| Wheelbase | 119 inches | |
| Length | 199 5/16 inches | |
| Width | ||
| Height | ||
| Front Tread | 56 5/8 inches | |
| Rear Tread | 60 9/32 inches | |
| Engine | ||
| Type | L-head | |
| Displacement | 228.1 cu. in. | |
| Cylinders | 6 | |
| Bore & Stroke | 3 3/8 & 4 1/4 inches | |
| Compression Ratio-Std | 6.5 to 1 | |
| Compression Ratio-Opt | 7.0 to 1 | |
| Brake Horsepower | 93@3600 | |
| Rated Horsepower | 27.3 | |
| Torque | ||
| Main Bearings | 4 | |
| Valve Lifters | ||
| Block Material | ||
| Engine Numbers | Prefix S5 | |
| Engine No. Location | On boss on left side of block between No. 1 and 2 cylinders. | |
| Lubrication | Pressure to all bearings excluding wrist pin | |
| Carburetor | ||
| Type | Single downdraft | |
| Make | Carter | |
| Transmission | ||
| Type | Helical | |
| Drive | Rear wheel drive | |
| No. Of Gears | 3 | |
| Gear Ratios | ||
| 1st | Unknown | |
| 2nd | Unknown | |
| 3rd | Unknown | |
| 4th | Not applicable | |
| 5th | Not applicable | |
| Reverse | Unknown |
| Clutch Type | Single plate | ||
| Clutch Size | 10 inches | ||
| Axle Type | Semifloating | ||
| Differential | Hypoid | ||
| Differential Ratio | 4.1 to 1 | ||
| Suspension | |||
| Front | Independent coil springs | ||
| Rear | Semi-elliptic leaf springs | ||
| Steering Gear | Worm & roller | ||
| Brakes | |||
| Service | Internal expanding on 4 wheels, hydraulic | ||
| Front Size | 11 inches | ||
| Rear Size | 11 inches | ||
| Emergency | External on the transmission | ||
| Size | 6 inches | ||
| Other Systems Specifications | |||
| Exhaust System | |||
| Ignition System | Distributor and coil | ||
| Battery | 6 volt storage battery | ||
| Cooling System | Centrifugal water pump | ||
| Radiator | Cellular | ||
| Fuel Type | |||
| Mileage | |||
| Wheels, Rims & Tires | |||
| Wheel Type | |||
| Wheel Mfr | |||
| Wheel Size | |||
| Tire Type | |||
| Tire Size | 6 x 16 | ||
| Spare Location | |||
| Capacities | |||
| Fuel | 16 Gallons | ||
| Oil | 5 Quarts | ||
| Transmission | 2 1/2 Pounds | ||
| Cooling System | 20 Quarts | ||
| Rear Differential | 3 1/4 Pounds | ||
| Front Differential | Not applicable | ||
| Transfer Case | Not applicable | ||
| Classic Rating | Not Rated | ||
| VIN/ID | |||
| VIN/Serial no. | 5598301 to 5632912 | ||
| VIN Description | Total Digits: 7 | ||
| Digits 1-7: Production number | |||
| VIN Location | On right front door hinge post. Add'l serial nos. 9666936 to 9668604 | ||
|
| |||
| Additional Information | |||
| References | |
| Restorer's Guide Chrysler Corp 1987 | Detroit Public Library (Nat'l Auto. Hist. Collctn) 5201 Woodward Detroit MI 48202 (313) 833-1456 www.detroit.lib.mi.us/nahc/index.htm |
| 106 Vital Improvements (1937) | Horseless Carriage Foundation 8186 Center St. Suite F P.O. Box 4119 La Mesa CA 91944-4119 (619) 464-0301 www.hcfi.org |
| De Soto America's Smartest Low-Priced Car (1938) | Horseless Carriage Foundation |
| Chilton Flat Rate & Tune Up Manual Thirteenth Edition 1939 | Horseless Carriage Foundation |
| Motor Age January 1938 | Los Angeles Public Library 630 West Fifth Street Los Angeles CA 90071 (213) 228-7000 www.lapl.org |
| Exterior Colors | ||
| Paint Type | ||
| Colors | Chinese Gold | |
| Chinchilla Gray | ||
| Everglades Red | ||
| Gem Green | ||
| Cinnebar Brown | ||
| Surf Blue | ||
| Winchester GunMetallical | ||
| Standard/Optional Equipment | ||
| Data not yet collected | Std | |