1951 DeSoto Custom II Suburban Dimensions, Size & Specs

Production
Model Year:1951
Production Years:1951 - 1952 discontinued in 1952
1680 mm66.1 in5.5 ft
L: 5699 mm224.4 in18.7 ft | W: 1934 mm76.1 in6.3 ft
Length
5699 mm224.4 in18.7 ft
Width
1934 mm76.1 in6.3 ft
Height
1680 mm66.1 in5.5 ft
Technical Details

Exterior Dimensions

Precise measurements of the 1951 DeSoto Custom II Suburban, engineered for optimal performance and comfort

Dimensions
Length:5699 mm224.4 in18.7 ft
Width:1934 mm76.1 in6.3 ft
Height:1680 mm66.1 in5.5 ft
Ground Clearance:210 mm8.3 in0.7 ft
Useful Information

About 1951 DeSoto Custom II Suburban

The 1951-1952 DeSoto Custom II Suburban represents a classic example of early 1950s American sedan design, combining spaciousness and robust styling. This generation of the DeSoto Custom sedan emphasized size and comfort, catered to families and suburban drivers seeking both luxury and practicality. Measuring a substantial 5699 millimeters (224.3 inches) in length, the Custom II Suburban offers an elongated profile that was typical of the era's full-size vehicles. Its width of 1934 millimeters (76.1 inches) provides ample interior space for passengers, ensuring roomy seating arrangements. The vehicle's height stands at 1680 millimeters (66.1 inches), contributing to a commanding road presence while maintaining a comfortable roofline for occupants. Ground clearance, or ride height, is recorded at 210 millimeters (8.3 inches), which allowed for smooth travels over the varied road conditions of the time including suburban streets and light rural terrain. As a full-size sedan, the DeSoto Custom II Suburban was known not just for its impressive dimensions but also for its solid build quality and classic 1950s American automotive style, featuring chrome accents and a gracious cabin designed for comfort. This model's size and stature made it a noteworthy example in the saturated field of post-war automobiles, balancing luxury with functional space and providing a glimpse into the automotive design priorities of the early 1950s in the United States.

Exceptional Features

1951 DeSoto Custom II Suburban Highlights

Discover the standout features that make the 1951 DeSoto Custom II Suburban a leader in its class

Engine Performance

Equipped with a robust 251 cubic inch inline-6 engine producing approximately 110 horsepower, providing reliable and smooth performance for its time.

Body Style

A spacious 4-door station wagon (Suburban) body style designed for family use and cargo versatility, featuring classic post-war automotive design.

Transmission

Comes with a 3-speed manual transmission offering driver control and straightforward gear shifting common in early 1950s vehicles.

Interior Comfort

Comfortable seating with durable materials and a simple but functional dashboard layout, providing a practical interior environment.

Classic Styling

Distinctive 1950s styling including chrome detailing, a prominent front grille, and rounded body lines, embodying the design trends of the era.
Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

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The 1951-1952 DeSoto Custom II Suburban sedan has a length of 5699 mm (224.4 inches), which gives it a substantial presence on the road. Its width is 1934 mm (76.1 inches), providing a wide stance that enhances stability and passenger comfort. The vehicle stands 1680 mm (66.1 inches) tall, which contributes to its spacious interior and roomy headroom. These dimensions place the DeSoto Custom II Suburban firmly within the large sedan category typical of early 1950s American cars, offering both imposing road presence and utilitarian space for passengers.

The DeSoto Custom II Suburban features a ground clearance of 210 mm (8.3 inches). This relatively high ride height for a sedan allows the vehicle to clear most urban obstacles and uneven road surfaces with ease, contributing to a smoother and more comfortable ride, as well as enhancing its usability on less-than-perfect roads, which were more common in the early 1950s. The clearance also adds to the car’s robust and durable character, making it a practical choice for suburban and city driving conditions of its era.

The 1951-1952 DeSoto Custom II Suburban, measuring 5699 mm (224.4 inches) in length, 1934 mm (76.1 inches) in width, and 1680 mm (66.1 inches) in height, is quite large by today’s standards. Standard residential garages typically have internal dimensions around 6 meters (20 feet) in length and 3 meters (10 feet) in width, which can accommodate this vehicle in terms of width and height comfortably. However, the length might be a tight fit, especially in older or smaller garages. It’s advisable to measure the garage beforehand, but generally, it should fit into a standard American garage built post-1950s, albeit leaving limited extra space.

Compared to its predecessor, the earlier Custom models of the late 1940s, the 1951-1952 DeSoto Custom II Suburban is larger overall, especially in length and width. The increase in length to 5699 mm (224.4 inches) and width to 1934 mm (76.1 inches) represents a growth that enhances passenger comfort and interior space, which was a trend in American post-war cars aiming for more luxury and spaciousness. The increase in height to 1680 mm (66.1 inches) also improves headroom. These dimensional upgrades make the Custom II Suburban a more commanding and roomy vehicle compared to the earlier generation.

When compared to similar American sedans from the early 1950s, such as the Chrysler Windsor or Pontiac Chieftain, the DeSoto Custom II Suburban is among the longer and wider models. With a length of 5699 mm (224.4 inches) and width of 1934 mm (76.1 inches), it stands out for offering generous cabin space. Many contemporaries hovered around slightly shorter lengths, typically in the 5300-5600 mm range, thus the DeSoto’s slightly larger size provided a more spacious interior ideal for comfortable family or suburban use. Its stature epitomizes the 1950s American full-size luxury sedan.

The DeSoto Custom II Suburban measures 1680 mm (66.1 inches) in height. This relatively tall stance contributes significantly to a spacious and airy interior cabin, allowing for ample headroom for both front and rear passengers. The increased height also complements the wide body, making the cabin feel more comfortable for occupants. Additionally, the tall profile integrates well with the design aesthetics of the early 1950s, enhancing the vehicle’s imposing road presence while ensuring passengers enjoy a roomy environment.

With a width of 1934 mm (76.1 inches), the DeSoto Custom II Suburban presents a wide and stable track. This wider dimension improves vehicle stability, especially at higher speeds, and provides increased shoulder room inside the cabin, allowing three across seating possibilities typical of the era. However, this broader width requires more space when maneuvering through narrow streets or parking, which was less of a challenge in the 1950s when road and parking spaces tended to be larger. Overall, the width balances stability and spaciousness effectively.

The long length of 5699 mm (224.4 inches) of the DeSoto Custom II Suburban gives it a presence and ride quality associated with luxury and spaciousness but poses challenges in tight urban environments. Parking in cramped city spaces can be difficult, requiring more caution and skill. This size was typical of post-war American full-size sedans that prioritized interior comfort and smooth ride over compact dimensions. While suburban and highway driving highlight the vehicle’s advantages, urban navigation demands more patience and maneuvering skill.

Yes, the ride height of 210 mm (8.3 inches) on the DeSoto Custom II Suburban is relatively typical for full-size American sedans of the early 1950s. This clearance allowed the car to handle a variety of road conditions, from urban streets to uneven suburban roads, offering a comfortable ride quality. Such a ride height also contributed to easier ingress and egress for passengers. Compared to modern sedans which tend to have lower ground clearance for aerodynamic efficiency, the DeSoto’s clearance reflected the road conditions and design priorities of its time.

The DeSoto Custom II Suburban was primarily available as a full-size sedan during its 1951-1952 production period. This classic four-door sedan body style emphasized passenger comfort and ease of access, making it suitable for families and suburban use. As a substantial and luxurious vehicle in the DeSoto lineup, the Custom II Suburban combined traditional styling with roomy interiors that were characteristic of post-war American automotive design. Limited alternative body styles were offered under the Custom II designation, with the Suburban variant being a notable model for its space and presence.

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