1948 Dodge Custom Convertible
* Please note a Ride Along, Cold and Warm Start, Walk Around, and Convertible Top Operation video have been added to the video gallery.
Video Gallery

1948 Dodge Custom Convertible Cold Start

1948 Dodge Custom Convertible Warm Start

1948 Dodge Custom Convertible Convertible Operation

1948 Dodge Custom Convertible Ride Along

1948 Dodge Custom Convertible Walk Around
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.