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Restored 1950 DeSoto Violently Killed By Errant Minivan Driver – Sad End To A Kind Of Sad Story


Restored 1950 DeSoto Violently Killed By Errant Minivan Driver – Sad End To A Kind Of Sad Story

Well these photos sure are tough to look at. Before a mini-van drove off the road and center punched the brilliant blue 1950 DeSoto parked on display out in front of a New Jersey body shop, it was a beautiful example of the often forgotten brand. Although it is pretty sad to look at this once proud automobile that was restored by a former owner, it may be sadder to consider how it was even involved in this wreck in the first place. The man who owned, loved, and restored the car was Dan Wyatt Sr. according to a story on NJ.com, Wyatt Sr. loved the car so much its likeness was etched on his tombstone. Unfortunately none of his kids or family members shared that love for the car and it was sitting in front of the body shop with a for sale sign in the window when it was struck and destroyed.

We’re not here to blame anyone (except the minivan driver, who sucks out loud) but it is pretty sobering to think that something this man loved enough to have put on his own grave was worth nothing more to the family than the $13,500 asking price it was seeking to get before the wreck. Now, it will be crushed, melted, and erased from the Earth forever. That’s kind of a heartbreaking thing when you consider the hours, sweat, blood, and care that went into making that car what it was. The owner’s son Dan Wyatt Jr. operates a business close to the body shop and undoubtedly was on the scene quickly after the accident. He did not comment on the scene but we can only imagine what he was thinking.

Not big “karma” guys here but when you think about the scenario, you can start to draw some interesting “beyond the grave” story lines from it. The way the van completely center punched the car was kind of amazing. Honestly, it couldn’t have been any better lined up than if a stunt man did it. The fact that the thing was for sale about a year after Wyatt Sr. died, the fact that it wiped out a sign that says CARS on it in the process of sliding across the parking lot. All of it is weirdly appropriate and sad.

We completely understand that not everyone shares interest in cars. We get that. It just hits us a really sad that something this guy really cared for was wiped out in such a violent way after being essentially abandoned by his family.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL STORY AT NJ.COM WITH TONS MORE PHOTOS

 

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20 thoughts on “Restored 1950 DeSoto Violently Killed By Errant Minivan Driver – Sad End To A Kind Of Sad Story

  1. David H

    Talked to a buddy in the FD and he said the crazy broad said she fell asleep while driving. She needs a good bitch slap.

  2. Bob

    The thing that sticks out to me is the intense damage to the full framed, solid steel, tank like Desoto that so many think will save them in a crash. While the mini van is totaled, I’m sure, It looks very survivable. Although the Desoto was parked in this instance, this could have happened at any intersection with the mini van running a stoplight or stop sign. Be careful out there driving your old cars. They are not as safe as you may think.

  3. john

    I’m certain physics would explain why the mini van came out on top (maybe Newton and his Laws), it would have been cool if the Plymouth had done a “Christine” and eaten the van for lunch. Stephen King…are you out there?

  4. Sumgai

    What is sad to me is that every time someone driving a minivan or a Camry wrecks into a classic car, you just know they don’t care what they hit… it was just “some old car” to them.

  5. Whelk

    I have a 50 DeSoto too. Knock on the fenders and it feels like armor. It’s not that tough after all though.

  6. Eliteman76

    This is sad…but yeah most people who are note “car people” will shrug it off not realizing the loss. For those on Facebook, I’ll post a link to something that happened to my car and a few others at a world of wheels show of all places with some disrespectful children. Just pisses you off to know there are those that don’t care…
    https://www.facebook.com/andrew.crouch.75/activity/837075669642800?comment_id=953573727992993&offset=0&total_comments=15&notif_t=open_graph_action_comment

  7. 440 6Pac

    There’s no excuse for falling asleep behind the wheel. The driver needs to lose her license just like a drunk would. It the same as driving drunk. Both know they can’t drive safely and should pay very harsh penalties when they’re in a wreck.

  8. ratty

    Yeah but his car now joined him in the afterlife! He’s driving it around flippin’ the bird at his family

  9. cyclone03

    I think the DeSoto became the safer barrier for the mini van. I see a big round chunk of concrete under the back , is the other one under the center of the car? Those chunks of concrete most likely held up that sign.
    In a way it is Karma. Did the family fight over dads car, then to keep peace dicide to sell? Was an offer made to a close friend “in the club” but greed trumped that transfer?

  10. lynn Minthorne

    Fortunately no one was in the car !! That’s a tough one. At least the car ? is with it’s owner now ?

  11. jerry z

    Granted its a 4 door Desoto, but it looked like it was in nice shape before the accident. Looking at the photos, any full frame car would had the same ending from the minivan hitting the car above the frame.

  12. Herb Lippincott

    Typical woman driver who really doesn’t care about damage they cause to other people’s property…suffers from terminal dumb ass!!!

  13. Chevy Hatin' Mad Geordie

    Believe it or not there is a bright side in this!

    The sad remains form to my eye at least a stunning piece of sculpture – there are serious collectors out there who would pay more than the poor De Soto was worth! Seriously – this is much better than most of the so-called “art” or “sculptures” that you see these days!

    That is if the wreckage hasn’t been crushed by now!

  14. Chris

    What speed was the minivan doing? Hyper? Warp? Only saving grace is that there are some usable part for other DeSotos on the wreck.

    One thing for sure these old cars are death traps compared to newer stuff.
    And one could hardly call the van a late model either.

  15. NO,YOU'RE NOT GETTING ANYTHING

    If your kids are doing well and are somewhat well off,why leave them anything?
    This accident didn’t need to occur.

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