Aussie DeSoto Ute

[Hanno Spoelstra]

What a great Ute, congrats on buying it!

Not a lot to add, but here goes:

This Australian list via Bill Kreiner helps to explain the Year - Model - Marque relationship: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...126#post283126

Mike Kelly had one of these DeSoto Utes, it had the Aust. army nomenclature "SP11 12 cwt GS van" stenciled on the cowl: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...715#post283715

Also see this post about the “PlySoto”: http://www.mapleleafup.net/forums/sh...ad.php?t=12126

[DaveBuckle]

Thankyou Hanno, Tony, Mike - all most helpful - so I have to push wifey's horse float out of the shed then; tell her its for the greater good.
Of course Mike Kelly had one! - he has helped me so much with my Morris CS8.
That pic on his old post Hanno directed me to helped heaps too - am I correct in seeing that the whole windscreen assembly hinges up?
Shows me where all the shiny strips go (and also what headlight surrounds I need to find) - which is part of the puzzle to me: why have a hatch to spot the enemy and then shiny bits to attract him?!
Most staff cars I have seen pictured still have minimal bling.
Will get hunting for chassis and engine numbers to post - It has 3 big letters embossed in firewall: will confirm if TJR.

[Tony Smith]

Not saying Mike Kelly gets around, but he also posted some info on the G: https://forums.g503.com/viewtopic.php?t=101371

[Tony Smith]

Do you need this?

https://www.faxonautoliterature.com/...nual-Original-

[DaveBuckle]

Brilliant Tony (and Mike) I suspected it must of had running boards - the sills have been cut out a bit: due to rust am guessing - worst area is on floor at rear of doors.
Seller was telling me how they were a cut down sedan - seems that was a Ford thing, not DeSoto.
Of course I need the book - but shipping from America may have to wait till the minister has recovered from horse float incident.
I guess I'll be needing to know what other models I can possibly source running boards, headlight surrounds, steering drag link from ...

[Mike Cecil]

Thanks Tony, I'll switch the columns around. So a P12 prefix to the engine number.
Mike