Paige (-Detroit)

US, 1908 – 1927

Paige-Detroit Motor Car Co, Detroit, Mich.

The first model of the Paige Detroit car company was a two-seater roadster powered by a 2-stroke, 3-cylinder engine of 2.2-litres. In 1910, the power unit of this Paige Detroit car was changed to a 4-stroke, 4-cylinder engine, and the following year the Paige Detroit car’s name was changed to Paige. For 1914, a 6-cylinder Paige car model with a rating of 36hp was added. In 1916 two sixes Paige cars were built with capacities of 3.7 and 4.9 litres (1915 was the last year in which 4-cylinder engines were used). The larger model, the Paige Six-46 was made as a seven-seater touring car and in three closed types Paige cars. The smallest six was offered only as a five-seater tourer Paige car.

The 1919 models were known as Paige-Linwood (Duesenberg engine) and Paige-Larchmont (Continental engine).

The most notable Paige car was the Paige Daytona roadster, first produced in 1922. This Paige car was a sporty three-seater with a 6-cylinder, 6-litre engine. The third seat on the Paige car was a drawer-like affair on the right side which pulled out over the running-board. This Paige car had wire wheels and was named to commemorate the 1921 record of 102mph by a stripped version of this model. The Paige Daytona was continued until 1926.

From 1921 on, the radiator shell of the Paige car was remarkably similar to that of the more familiar and later Bentleys. For the last model year of 1927, the Paige car was offered with three chassis using 6-cylinder engines, and one with a straight-8 engine.

A cheaper Paige car from 1923 to 1926 was the Jewett. In 1928, the Paige car became the Graham-Paige car.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; GMN

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DeSoto

US, 1913 – 1916

DeSoto Motro Car Co, Auburn, Ind.

The DeSoto appears to have succeeded the Zimmerman. This was a large car with a 55hp, 6-cylinder engine, which was furnished with a compressed-air starter. The DeSoto model Six-55 five-seater touring car sold for $2185.

US, 1928 – 1960

Chrysler Motors Corp, Detroit, Mich.

The DeSoto was launched in 1928 as a 3.2-litre side valve six to compete with Oldsmobile, Pontiac and the cheaper Nashes. Styling and general design of the DeSoto were in line with the 1929 Chryslers, and at $885 for a DeSoto sedan 90.000 were sold in the first twelve months. A 3.4-litre straight-8 DeSoto on a 9ft 6in wheelbase was announced for 1930 as the world’s cheapest 8-cylinder car. However, DeSoto suffered badly in the Depression, and in 1932, when flexible rubber engine mountings and free wheels were made available, sales dropped to 26.000 DeSoto cars.
The DeSoto disappeared from the British market about this time, though certain ‘Chrysler’ models listed in England (the Mortlake, Croydon, and some of the Richmonds) were in fact DeSoto cars in all but name. A 6-cylinder version of Chrysler’s advanced unitary-construction Airflow, the SE-type with a 4-litre engine, was brought out in 1934, but was an unsuccessful as its bigger sister. Later DeSotos followed regular Chrysler lines closely though in later years there was a tendency for DeSoto to move into a higher price class than Dodge; by 1952 DeSotos started $300 higher than the companion make.
By 1939 the DeSoto cars for sale were being made with independent front suspension, hypoid back axles and column change. There was a choice at DeSoto of two 6-cylinder engines and three wheelbase lengths, the longest of these being reserved for seven-seater bodywork – DeSoto continued to offer a really roomy family car right up to 1954. A 4-speed semi-automatic Vacumatic transmission became an option in 1941, but DeSoto’s big post-war change of models did not take place until 1952, when the division followed Chrysler’s lead in adopting the oversquare ohv V8; the DeSoto version was of 4½-litre capcity and developed 16-bhp. With the advent of Chrysler’s ‘flight sweep’ styling in 1955, the side-valve sixes were dropped and the standard engine in a DeSoto was now a 4.8-litre eight, giving 185bhp in Firedome guise, and 200bhp in Fireflite form. Though this redesigning saved Chrysler sales generally, the slump in the medium-price class had an adverse effect on DeSoto and in 1959 the DeSoto division was merged with Plymouth. Last of the DeSotos were the 1961 models, unitary-construction cars with a choice of three engines: Plymouth’s 145bhp ohv ‘slant six’ as used in the Valiant, and V8s of 230 and 265bhp, the two former only in Canadian DeSotos. Production of DeSoto cars ceased in November 1960 after only a few had been delivered.

Source: Georgano, encyclopedia of motorcar; MCS
The information is written with the greatest of care. However, if you have any suggested amendments please contact us at office@prewarcar.com