1948 Dodge D24 Custom Coupe
Dodge’s 1948 D24 range represented a transitional placeholder, carrying prewar engineering through updated styling as production slowly recovered. One last facelift of chassis and drivetrains dating back before Pearl Harbor, their very familiarity offered reassurance amid surrounding change.
Yet sometimes the past returns as inspiration rather than mere imitation – as proven by this stunning one-off custom.
Nearly all 1948 D24s wore four doors as originally envisioned. Two doors proved far rarer; rarer still was this unique coupe, radically redesigned by respected coachbuilder Derham.
Long catering to luxury makes like Duesenberg, their first Dodge commission wrote a distinctive final chapter for this nameplate. Derham shortened the rear deck by four inches behind bespoke wrapped windows, referencing Studebaker’s radical Starlighter.
The entire cabin was refitted to showcase unique trim, a custom rearview mirror, additional lamps and a heater feeding fresh-air ventilation. Special wheels wore wide whitewalls while a chrome exhaust proclaimed sporting ambitions.
This dramatic custom was commissioned by dealer John White as a showroom centerpiece, gauging interest for a production Derham edition. Its handcrafted elegance and long rear deck proved decades ahead – predictably, bureaucracy prevailed and only this lone example ever materialized.
After display, it slipped away until half a century later when White’s son – bearing his father’s name – discovered this lost gem and restored his family’s legacy.
The regular D24 was well-received for its sturdy construction and value for money. It was considered a middle-class vehicle, offering a balance between affordability and features. Dodge’s reputation for building tough, dependable cars was further solidified by the D24’s performance in the marketplace.
In terms of features, the D24 Custom series typically came with more chrome trim, better interior appointments, and additional accessories compared to the base Deluxe models. These features, along with the car’s overall dependability, contributed to the D24’s appeal.
By the end of its production run in 1948, the Dodge D24 had served its purpose as a transitional model that helped Dodge bridge the gap between pre-war and post-war automotive design.
It paved the way for the completely redesigned Dodge models of the late 1940s and 1950s, which would feature sleeker bodies, more powerful engines, and modern conveniences that reflected the optimism and forward-looking spirit of the era.
Today, the 1948 Dodge D24 is a piece of automotive history that represents the resilience of the American auto industry and the country’s post-war recovery.
Credit: Bonhams|Cars
