How many DeSoto Customs are left in New Zealand?
Super rare 1 in 779,145 on the road Built 1929-1952 Sold new in New Zealand
Updated from the NZTA Motor Vehicle Register, counted as at 31 August 2026. Recounted every month.
The better-trimmed of DeSoto's two lines from 1939 to 1952, sitting above the Deluxe. These were solid, roomy six-cylinder cars from the middle of Chrysler's range, sold after the war with Fluid Drive and a semi-automatic gearbox. The 1942 models are remembered for headlamps hidden behind doors in the front wings.
Still on the road, by model year
The most are from 1948: 3 still registered. Every year is listed under the chart.
Every model year
| Model year | Still registered |
|---|---|
| 1929 | 1 |
| 1939 | 1 |
| 1948 | 3 |
| 1952 | 1 |
What Super rare means
Spotto grades every car by how many are still registered in New Zealand. With 6 still registered, the DeSoto Custom is Super rare: the grade for cars with 5 to 24 left.
By how many are left it ranks equal 6th of the 11 DeSoto models and equal 2,199th of all 2,903 cars in Spotto's catalogue.
The six grades: Common, 8,000 or more · Uncommon, 1,200 to 7,999 · Scarce, 175 to 1,199 · Rare, 25 to 174 · Super rare, 5 to 24 · Unicorn, fewer than 5.
Seen one?
Spotto grades every car on New Zealand roads by how many are still registered, down to the generation and the badge. Log the ones you spot, build a collection, and see who else has found one.