I was not blessed with owning an OEM 49 DeSoto but heard stories about that low compression engine from my GrandDad, and it would certainly perform to Timex standards (take a licking, keep on ticking). The one in the pic was upgraded to a 392 early hemi, w/Torqueflite and Dana 60 axle (narrowed of course). Unfortunately the original radio was long gone by the time I acquired 'Da Bomb'.
Whoaa! I'll bet you surprised more than a few people when the traffic light turned green.
The thing I remember most about mine was the fluid drive which 'softened' up enough while driving on ice and snow pack to avoid slipping.