Posted 2014-02-25 3:57 PM (#428947) Subject: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 384 Location: Hershey PA
Starting a separate tread on the 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
From the DeSoto Retailer April 1958
"A fluted anodized aluminum sweep spear on the sides plus three new colors highlight the Spring package now available as optional equipment on all DeSotos.
The glamorous sweep spear is "fluted". with channels grooved out of the anodized aluminum, which is corrosion resistant.
The new Spring dress will be available on all 18 models with the exception of the convertibles and Adventurer.
The new colors are Heather Blue and Spring Rose available on the Fireflite and Firedome models, and Persimmon Red on Firesweeps....
With the new DeSoto exterior are eight stainless steel deck accent strips and sill moldings of stainless steel."
Pictures are appreciated
If possible, please PM a copy of the pictures to me
Posted 2014-02-25 11:40 PM (#429006 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
So, according to Hoyle, the Spring dress was NOT available on convertibles. Interesting, since
two Sweep ragtops exist today. One is known to be a latter day creation, the second, an over-optioned
red "auction queen" of unconfirmed origin.
I never knew this exclusion before ! I never cared for the spring extra gee-gaw myself (on my own
cars), but it can look real nice on certain paint schemes. As I have seen them, DeSoto offered the package
as separate items and one is more likely to see the special paint, or an incomplete "set" than they are
to see a fully decked Spring Special car with the whole enchilada. Dodge's Spring Special was like this
too.
The quote about the sweep inserts being "grooved out" is misleading. It is a stamped, or rolled pattern
of fine horizontal ribs, much like the pattern of old school metal roofing.
The deck lid accent bars are vertical (Chrysler used horizontals in the same location to each side of the
shadow box), and the reference to stainless sill mouldings are what we commonly call "rocker mouldings"
these days. The latter became a common item to many 59's.
Posted 2014-02-26 2:04 AM (#429012 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Veteran
Posts: 133
Was a spring special pinkish colour-firesweep conv projekt (orginal-car)for sale years ago nort-west somewere dont remember , it was sold to a restorer in south CA, (think i saved some oictures of it somewere,i see if i can find)just for info w-out stepping on any toes..
Posted 2014-02-26 8:53 AM (#429034 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT
I think the OP has a '59, not a '58, so it's just an info thread on '58 SSs.
BTW did '58 DeS SSs have the wide stainless strip above the rain gutters as did the SS 2 and 4 dr hrdtp Chryslers, like my own? That trim is not mentioned in the dealer puff piece, above.
Posted 2014-02-26 9:38 AM (#429048 - in reply to #429034) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Negative on the roof trim. That was a standard, across-the-board option on all hardtops
in both 57 and 58 (standard on Fireflite, which meant Adventurer got it too).
As for moving the thread to the Member's Rides section, why ? Thus farly, no poster owns
a Spring Special and the thread is intended to highlight/discuss this unusual model. Seems
to me like it is exactly where it should be for future reference. Yoo 'sprain now, Roocy !
Posted 2014-02-27 10:31 AM (#429173 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT
Almost went to Spencer for that auction, we have family there and in Ames. Love that model, year,, aluminum side trim, and orange is my favorite color! It had a stuck engine though, and from these pics, apparently some rust as well, but iirc the interior was nice... someone from MN bought it for around $5k and immediately flipped it to Sweden.
Posted 2014-02-27 11:54 AM (#429180 - in reply to #429173) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
If I am understanding the tea leaves, the car above has all three SS trim items ... rocker mouldings,
rear deck accent bars, and sweep inserts. The paint color is NON-SS autumn rust. As all elements were
separately optional, it is unusual to see all the parts on one car. Most buyers opted for this or that, but
not the whole package.
So, for those tracking, these pix are a good example of the trim one would look for to PID a Spring
Special 58 DeSoto.
Posted 2014-02-27 10:53 PM (#429244 - in reply to #429213) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Most 57 and later DeSotos seem to have the gravel guards and based on the regular requests
by members here looking for them, they are popular with just about everyone. I think they kinda
break up the smooth flow of the wheel opening lines and will likely restore my car without them
to better show off that wheel opening.
Posted 2014-02-27 11:25 PM (#429246 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia
My 2 x Fireflite 4 doors never had them and they were fully optioned . But I agree for coupes , as I really only like them only on 4 doors not coupe/ragtops .
Posted 2014-02-28 12:28 AM (#429251 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1357 Location: Iowa USA
Chris bought the car brand new and it was one of his primary drivers. It had a hitch and they used it with a trailer to go pick up a lot of the earlier cars in the collection.
Posted 2014-03-03 2:44 PM (#429707 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH
I have a 1958 De Soto Firesweep 2-door Spring Special which I have owned since 1981. The car when I bought it was painted Haze Blue metallic which was listed on the Diezler color chip chart as a Spring Special color for Firesweeps. I think it was probably a repaint however. It has the chromed vertical bars on the trunk deck as well as the anodized spear insert and chrome rocker mouldings. It does not, however, have the gravel guards and shows no sign that it ever had any.
Posted 2014-12-25 10:37 PM (#465847 - in reply to #429707) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
I have a Firedome. It has the 736 interior, but it has been replaced. I need to know what that original interior looks like. Please post some pictures. I need to see the seat design and the door panels.
This is what I have left over from years of changes.
Posted 2014-12-25 10:39 PM (#465848 - in reply to #465847) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
Here are some pics that I found on the web.
Pick yours out and tell us about it. Mine is the first one. It looks fairly good in this picture, but the first six inches from the bottom is all Bondo.
Posted 2014-12-26 9:24 AM (#465862 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia
I have a 58 Firedome coupe with survivor Red/Grey trim (whats left of it it) if you email me I can send you pics , as uploading them here drives me nuts .
Posted 2014-12-26 10:23 PM (#465914 - in reply to #465909) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Am I reading this right ....
This package not available on Adventurer convertible or "2 door" (coupe) ???
I think this is kinda of obvious.
--------------------------------------------
This package IS available on other model convertibles, including Fireflite ???
The reason I ask is that previously it has been mentioned that NO convertibles were
available with the package, but it appears that a less-than-clearly-worded bit up top
about the Adventurers could be read as ALL convertibles.
Since two (of questionable origins) convertibles are out there with the full kit, and it
makes no sense to me that the "blingy" convertibles would be restricted from wearing
the dress up kit.
Posted 2014-12-27 12:13 AM (#465922 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1737 Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada
It is poorly worded...I would think that the convertibles wouldn't have been restricted from having the spring trim; really none of the extra trim has anything to do with body style, sans for the ribs on the station wagon tailgate.
Posted 2014-12-27 12:25 AM (#465924 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH
This car is mine and I would be interested in knowing how you obtained this image as it's a very old photo and I don't remember ever posting this picture on line.In fact, I'm not sure I even know where the original of this picture is located now.This photo was taken not long after I bought the car from a collector in Roswell, NM in April 1981. It is parked in the driveway of my parents house in Appleton, WI. My parents passed away at least ten years ago and the house that they lived in in that city was torn down years ago when my father sold the property to move to Ohio.(1998)
The collector I bought the car from had had the Torqueflite rebuilt before he sold it to me, but I had to have the engine rebuilt after I had had it in service for a few seasons. The engine was not original to the car but had come from a 1960 Plymouth and it is a standard 383 V-8 with a two-barrel Carter BBD carburetor.
The interior is not correct but was a cheap tuck and roll abonimation that a previous owner had had installed. It is black so you may be sure that it is very hot in the car in the summer because of it.
The front end was restored professionally by a fellow who used to have a restoration shop in Brown Deer, WI. I believe he has closed his shop now though. Upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends were obtained from Kantner Products as were strut rod bushings.The rear springs need to be arched though as they cause the car to sit lower than I would like.
The car has power brakes, power steering, and power windows. It also has a power seat and electric clock (which I had converted to a quartz movement in 1983.)
I added an alternator and a Direct Connection electronic ignition distributor in the 1990s to make the car a daily driver but I haven't used it lately.
I had the car rustproofed with the Ziebart brand of undercoating in 1981 when I first got it and it has very solid metal. There is the usual weak areas in the rear quarters and I don't doubt that there is some bondo in there but the flanks seem to be pretty straight.
I used to be in the military, hence the bumper sticker about joining the Army that you see in the old picture.
Posted 2014-12-27 3:10 AM (#465927 - in reply to #465926) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH
Doctor DeSoto - 2014-12-27 1:29 AM Stephen ~ Do you know if your car was blue under the S/S sweep inserts ?
It was blue underneath the Spring Special sweep inserts, but I am reasonably confident that the car was repainted before I owned it. I suspect the original color was light green as that is the color in the footwell underneath the dashnoard where the carpet has come away.I don't know who may have repainted it but it could have been the man I bought the car from as he was a car collector and was pretty handy. I admired a 1950 Dodge roadster he was working on in his garage. I don't have ready access to the build plate right now as the car is in storage in Wisconsin but I can check it in the spring the next time I go there.
Posted 2014-12-27 2:31 PM (#465968 - in reply to #465927) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Well, the actual question would be then, on a two-tone car (when outfitted with the S/S
sweep inserts) ... was the color sweep actually painted the accent color ? Or was the body
only shot in main color and then the inserts installed to provide the "color" ???
Repaints only confuse the issue. We are looking to determine how the factory did it and
coded the data tag.
With power seat AND windows, that Firesweep is one LOADED car !!! Heck, most Fireflites
didn't get those two fancy pants options ! I am impressed !
Posted 2014-12-27 4:02 PM (#465976 - in reply to #465968) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
So lets compare tags. Here is mine. AKK is Black top, Gray body, Gray sweep.
ST is for Style. So the 9 under the ST could be for Spring Special.
I would also like to know what the 4 is under the B . ?
My car has been repainted so many times, we can not use that for information.
It has at least 3 shades of Gray on it and at least 2 shades of white.
Posted 2014-12-27 5:25 PM (#465981 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia
Stephen that pic of your car is out there on the net as I have that image also . And if you see the leading edge of your car just above your rear bumper you can see what looks to be willow green , or at least a light green colour ?
Posted 2014-12-28 2:27 AM (#466016 - in reply to #465981) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH
The Adventurer - 2014-12-27 4:25 PM Stephen that pic of your car is out there on the net as I have that image also . And if you see the leading edge of your car just above your rear bumper you can see what looks to be willow green , or at least a light green colour ?
Well, I probably put that picture up a long time ago and forgot I'd done so. I'm only puzzled, not annoyed to see it again.
I noted the lip just above the rear bumper in the photo too. I had started to do some sanding to get some fresh paint on the car and I noticed that underneath the Haze Blue metallic the original color seemed to be willow green. I don't have a picture of the build plate from inside the engine compartment but I would be interested in seeing if the paint code on the plate is for Willow Green. I will have to remember to take a camera and shoot some pictures the next time I'm up in Wisconsin. That probably will not be until May or June though.
Posted 2015-01-04 6:27 PM (#466682 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 2996 Location: Sept. 1958
When I was at Hershey this past October admiring Brad's 58 Firedome Convertible, I overheard a fellow talking to him. This guy was telling him about a 58 Firedome Convertible he found and purchased in Ohio, said it had all the Spring Special trim on it, most of which fell off while in storage in the barn. He described the car was wasted, rotted into the ground and would need a donor, he sold it and later the car ended up in Brazil.
Posted 2015-04-22 2:06 AM (#476307 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed
Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia
The Willow Green car in the first 2 photos was for sale in Bend Oregon on Craigs list last year . I tried and tried to buy it and finally got onto the people , only to find they were very unhelpful and possible untrustworthy . They wanted $5000 for it as is and no motor , and broken rear window . Not sure who ended up buying it though . I wondered myself .
Posted 2015-04-22 1:07 PM (#476351 - in reply to #476345) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
The Sweep which I got the decklid bars from that I sent to you was similar to
this pink car, except the color was the Spring Special Lilac Metallic. In spite of
it being a hammered Sweep sedan, abandoned for years in an orchard, it was
still quite stunning in that color. Wish I had taken photos of it.
Posted 2015-04-24 5:08 PM (#476532 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1295 Location: Nasco , SWEDEN
it's a typical cruising in sweden in summertime Kurt. i took the pic in a town called Trollhättan (famous for automobil manufacturing, saab) it's my brother who imported the Desoto in the pic to sweden.
Posted 2015-06-02 1:24 AM (#480132 - in reply to #480120) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
I checked a couple of my 58 tags and neither have those "slots" marked
with a number. Haze Blue Metallic was "supposedly" a "spring" color, but
my convertible exhibits no Spring Special trim. It was built 06 January. Do
we know when the SS trim items became available ???
Posted 2015-06-02 1:51 AM (#480136 - in reply to #480132) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada
Codes and such!
Been there, done that, more than 30 years ago!
When did SS trim become available?? When did the factory issue "new" broadcast sheets/ body plates to reflect this new trim??? Good luck guys. I sure as hell can't find any answers.
We have all seen body plates embossed that APPEAR to be applicable to SS items. But, without broadcast sheet/punch card examples for KNOWN cars, it is nothing but guess work.
Posted 2015-06-02 10:35 AM (#480171 - in reply to #480136) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Such a "Debbie Downer" you are !
Perhaps a better alternative is to Garlick a story up about it .... hand built
for the King of Sweden and gifted to Elvis upon his visit to Stockholm in 1958.
It was later discovered on the moon and returned to earth with the Apollo
missions before being driven cross-country on route 66 by Marilyn Monroe and
Cher in a prototype test run for the Thelma and Louise movie !
Posted 2015-06-05 12:29 AM (#480464 - in reply to #480132) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
Doctor DeSoto - 2015-06-02 1:24 AM
I checked a couple of my 58 tags and neither have those "slots" marked
with a number. Haze Blue Metallic was "supposedly" a "spring" color, but
my convertible exhibits no Spring Special trim. It was built 06 January. Do
we know when the SS trim items became available ???
Sorry Doc, but Haze Blue was not a spring color. Heather Blue was the spring color.
The first mention of the Spring Specials was in the April edition of the Desoto
publication of People and Places. So when did they print it? My guess would be the
beginning of March. So they probably built the first ones at that time. That way
they could be at the dealers, possibly the first day of spring. Also, the first ad
of the Spring Special, with actress Jeanne Crain, was on April 19th 1958.
Here is the back of the April 1958 edition of People and Places. It was sent
to a dealer in NY .
Posted 2015-06-06 11:02 PM (#480609 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC
Yes, the 1958 DeSoto Firesweep had five colours, plus a spring special that were not used on the other DeSoto models. Those five plus one colours were shared with Dodge, though. Eight colours were shared with the Firedome and Fireflite models.
In 1957 the DeSoto Firesweep had eleven unique colours (although shared with Dodge) plus two shared with the Firedomes andFireflites.
The 1959 DeSoto Firesweep again had eleven unique colours (again shared with Dodge) although an additional four were shared with the Firedomes and Fireflites. And of those four, three were also used by Dodge.
Posted 2015-06-06 11:42 PM (#480614 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146 Location: bishop, ca
Bill, yeahbutt...the color-chip sheet says: "For additional colors, see color chips shown for models LS-2, LS-3
on the following" [listed colors, on the sheet...], so, it would appear that there are eight additional
DeSoto colors that were available, but which are not illustrated on the color-chip sheet(?).
Posted 2015-06-07 1:23 AM (#480622 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC
The additional colours are for the Firesweep, and the eight colours were used on the Firedome and Fireflite. Therefore, the eight additional Firesweep colours, as listed on the bottom of the Ditzler sheet 5804, are included in the Firedome/Fireflite colours shown on the top half of the same sheet. All eight colours are shown on the top part of the sheet - just search for the colour names, which are the same regardless of whether it is a Firesweep, Firedome or Fireflite.
Posted 2015-08-31 11:12 AM (#488417 - in reply to #488196) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
Lancer Mike - 2015-08-28 11:21 AM
A Firesweep. I wonder if the spring specials were evenly distributed among models?
I saw the next video clip too. Ken Nagel's convertible. According to that, the Firesweep was the most expensive De Soto ever!
Â
I'm sure they started out evenly, but I'm guessing that some models sold better than others.
So the dealers probably replaced them as they sold. Don't ask me what model that was.
Here are some production numbers. What do you guys think... maybe about 5 to 10% of each?
Posted 2015-08-31 10:39 PM (#488489 - in reply to #488418) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
Well I'm not the first one that did a little modifying on the hubcaps.
Notice the green convertibles hubcaps have the little black squares, instead of the white.
Posted 2015-09-09 2:16 PM (#489324 - in reply to #489320) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: The Mile High City
Very nice, Kurt. Thanks for sharing those.
I had always heard of the De Soto plant as the "Wyoming Avenue Plant"
These pictures refer to it as the West Warren Avenue Plant?
Posted 2015-09-09 5:10 PM (#489335 - in reply to #489324) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC
Lancer Mike - 2015-09-09 2:16 PM
Very nice, Kurt. Thanks for sharing those.
I had always heard of the De Soto plant as the "Wyoming Avenue Plant"
These pictures refer to it as the West Warren Avenue Plant?
No, the assembly plant was at the Wyoming Avenue location. The author / editor who wrote the photo descriptions probably knew Imperials were built at West Warren after DeSoto vacated the premises, and assumed that DeSotos were assembled there before Imperial.
Chrysler purchased the Wyoming Avenue plant from General Motors in 1934. In 1936, the plant was expanded and began assembling DeSotos for the 1937 model year. Bodies were trucked over from the Kercheval body plant across from Chrysler's East Jefferson plant, or from outside suppliers Briggs, Hayes, or Murray. After DeSoto production ended, the plant was used for export preparation and shipping until 1980. In 1991 the plant was demolished and the land used for expanding the McGraw plant for parts production.
The McGraw plant was built next to the Wyoming plant in 1937 for stamping and / or manufacturing smaller items for production. After DeSoto production moved out, the plant was gutted and set up for auto glass production.
And the West Warren plant was purchased from Graham-Paige Motor Corporation in 1947. In 1950 the plant began building bodies for the DeSoto plant on Wyoming. In 1951 DeSoto Firedome V8 engines were built at West Warren. Engine production ended in the summer of 1957 and B block engines were shipped from the Trenton engine plant. DeSoto body production ended with the end of DeSoto assembly at Wyoming. The plant was then overhauled and Imperials were built there for the 1959, 1960 and 1961 model years. Chrysler sold the property later in the 1960's. Parts of the plant are still standing.
Posted 2015-09-28 12:21 PM (#490836 - in reply to #490818) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Full wheelcovers were standard only on Fireflite and, of course, Adventurer.
Do you have the dealer lit that shows the various graphs and charts of standard
and optional equipment as it relates to models ?
It makes the conundrum of decoding data tags at least "semi" understandable.
For example, the data tags for Dome-Flite-Adv are all the same, yet the code
number under any of the letters means different things depending on the car model !
So, if your Dome had a code number for Option X, my Flite would show no code
number because that option on your Dome was standard equipment on the Flite, and
thusly no need to notate it on the data tag.
Juggling all these different models, codes, and equipment packages is confusing !
Posted 2015-10-08 9:55 AM (#491723 - in reply to #491722) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Given how few we ever see in old photos (I never saw a car still on the road
or sitting complete in a wrecking yard type situation) wearing them, it is clear
that nearly all DeSoto buyers (even buyers of el Cheapo Firesweeps and strippers)
opted up the $19 and got the full face wheel covers. Only original car I ever
saw with with my own eyes wearing them was the 60 Fireflite coupe I owned.
Once I knew what they looked like, I have found a few more in hubcap piles
over the years. They are not common !
Posted 2015-10-08 10:50 AM (#491728 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT
When we were still living in MD out in farm country just S of Gettysburg PA, there was an old farmer who still drove a rusty, faded pea-green paint no option '57 Firedome 4 dr sedan with dog dishes. There was a Plymouth/DeSoto dealer on E Main St in Westminster (Carroll Co.) I actually knew one of the salesmen who had worked there many years before. Some of those old timey farmers were notoriously cheap so that wasn't all that unusual to see, except for the rarity of what he was driving. This would have been early or mid 1980s.
Posted 2015-10-08 1:14 PM (#491741 - in reply to #491740) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
I think it would be a real hoot to have a 57/58 Firedome convertible to put
these things on. The no-color-sweep 57 has a super clean side profile, and
with the dog dishies, would really stand out as different from all the other 57's,
especially the ragtops (where everyone wants to bling them out totally). The
58 single spear (no color sweep) looks awkward to my eye. Cool, but not clean
like the 57 version. I'd put them on my Fireflite, but full face wheel covers were
standard (as was side sweep), so it really would look cobbled.
Posted 2017-05-07 10:26 AM (#539598 - in reply to #506694) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
What is the saying? What goes around, comes around. or is it, Good things come to those who wait.
Whatever it is, I got the car in the above picture.
I took this picture in front of the old Dealership of where we think it was sold,in Crown Point, NY. I will check CHS for sure.
Posted 2017-05-08 8:34 AM (#539679 - in reply to #539666) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
No, it never had any trim going down the drip rails. Just painted rails. Just like my other one.
Yes, I now have two 58 Spring Specials. I need to get rid of one of them. I like this one the best.
It was originally Haze Blue with a white top. The other one is Smoke Gray with a black roof.
Does anyone want a major project?
Posted 2017-05-08 9:30 AM (#539685 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT
I've been driving by that dealership in Crown Point on the way to our summer place for over 40 years, in the mid-late 70s it was still in business. Every year I'm always amazed the building with it's original signs is still there!
Posted 2017-05-09 1:35 PM (#539776 - in reply to #539679) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
58DeSoDodge59 - 2017-05-08 8:34 AM
No, it never had any trim going down the drip rails. Just painted rails. Just like my other one.
Yes, I now have two 58 Spring Specials. I need to get rid of one of them. I like this one the best.
It was originally Haze Blue with a white top. The other one is Smoke Gray with a black roof.
Does anyone want a major project?
Correction: It was Heather blue with a Pearl white top. Code XWW.
Posted 2017-08-13 10:40 AM (#546105 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH
It took me some time to get a shot of my vin tag, but here it is. It is screwed to the passenger side of the cowl.
Figures at the top appear to be: 434711
Lower Figures look like:
No: 300 Model: LS1L BT: 412 PT: EEE TR: 662
It is a Los Angeles built car as one would assume for a car that I picked up in New Mexico. The format of the tag differs somewhat to the other tag I saw in this thread, but it may have been the other car was built in Detroit.
I'm curious to know what PT code EEE is. (I'm guessing green judging on what is underneath the Haze Blue Mettalic paint.) Any 1958 DeSoto gurus feel free to weigh in on decipering my tag.
Posted 2017-08-13 2:45 PM (#546113 - in reply to #546105) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Let me knock the dust off my decoder hat and see if I can
remember how all these fall out.
The top row will show numbers for the specific option group,
as it applies to a given model. Being that your car is a Firesweep,
the codes would be different than for a big DeSoto, where those
options on a Sweep were standard equipment on others OR a
different grouping/pricing because of the model differentiation.
I'd really like to see this thing cleaned up a bit to read all the
finer markings before I comment on the top row. The numbers
will appear directly below the code above, as they are related.
All spring special 58 DeSotos I have studied were Detroit built.
No sure if coding was different. My car is Haze Blue Metallic, and
coded XCX, Arctic White being the sweep color and a white top,
that tells me "C" was the code for HBM, so your "EEE" paint code
certainly suggests a different color and ONE color. The aluminum
sweep inserts would have given the car a color sweep, so no sense
in painting that part a different color.
Giving this a little thought, it seems to me that most of the SS
cars I have seen have the roof painted the same color as the body.
Perhaps this was to accentuate the sparkly side sweep insert for
added "drama" ?
================
Lower Figures look like:
No: 300 Model: LS1L BT: 412 PT: EEE TR: 662
================
NO 300 is a Dodge code, because Firesweeps are actually Dodges.
LS1 breaks out as:
L=1958
S=DeSoto
1=Firesweep
The L is weird for DeSoto, and I am going to guess it is a Dodge/Plymouth
carryover, meaning LOW model.
BT = Body Type, and int his case it breaks down as:
4=DeSoto
1=Firesweep
2=2HT
TR means "trim", or specifically, the interior. In your case, 662 would indicate
what colors, and if it was all vinyl or had cloth inserts.
Posted 2017-08-13 8:57 PM (#546139 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH
Upon closer examination of the picture, there appear to be some other numbers before the "300" . "722" is clear and then there looks like a space and a number which could be an "8". Then comes the "300". It isn't the car's vin as that number is LS1L-xxxx. Maybe it's a schedule/sequence number? I will have to put a little solvent on a rag and wipe the undercoating off to get a clearer picture. (I had the car rustproofed by Ziebart when I bought it in 1981. Still holding up well today 36 years later) That probably won't be possible though until November.
I still would be interested in what color the paint code EEE stands for. It was painted one color that much is certain and the aluminum insert for the sweep was what added sparkle to it. I still think it was originally light green. Edit: Yes it was. Sherwin-Williams paint code card says code EEE was Willow Green. I don't know if that was a color applied to Spring Specials only or not, but my car certainly left the Los Angeles plant with a bright coat of Willow Green.
Posted 2017-08-14 12:54 AM (#546152 - in reply to #546139) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Location: Parts Unknown
Yes, indeed .... Willow Green. Or for those of us who don't
mind a little teasing from our friends, "Buzzard Puke Green" ...
a name given for that same color on my 58 Plaza but good ol'
Canman.
Personally, I love the color and specifically hunted 30+ years
for a 58 Plaza 4 door sedan in that color because it is SO period
awesome !
I am visualizing an all Willow Green Sweep 2HT with a zippy
bright aluminum color sweep as the only interruption to that
green. I think it would be REAL purty, and even more importantly,
a REAL standout in a wad of finned Mopars. Wow. That would
be super sexy !
Posted 2017-08-14 12:47 PM (#546175 - in reply to #546152) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
58 DeSotos Rule, Thank you for posting this information. I was not expecting a car from LA. Now we have to
figure out what they were thinking out there.
I noticed that there is a SEQ in the top right corner of the Plate, but no numbers below it. ?
The second L in LS1L, I think it just means that this car was built in LA.
The TR 662. It would make better sense if it were 632.
What are the numbers above the 434711 ? Maybe Z1 W2 M2 M3 M4 M5 . What are these categories?
LA always does things weird. I think you need a passport to go there.
Posted 2017-08-14 1:24 PM (#546178 - in reply to #546175) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert 5K+
Posts: 9664 Location: So. Cal
58DeSoDodge59 - 2017-08-14 9:47 AM
....
The second L in LS1L, I think it just means that this car was built in LA.
The TR 662. It would make better sense if it were 632.
What are the numbers above the 434711 ? Maybe Z1 W2 M2 M3 M4 M5 . What are these categories?
LA always does things weird. I think you need a passport to go there.
I agree with the meaning of the second L. My LA built '58 Dodge has the same L after it, but it is a low price car too, so it fits both ways. But the VIN has this second L in it too, which definitely describes being built in LA.
You don't need a passport anymore. Half the people here are illegals.
Posted 2017-08-14 3:34 PM (#546186 - in reply to #546113) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC
To sort out a few things -
The row across the top is for the various options on the car with the numbers below being the last digit of the sales code. Unfortunately, I have never come across any decoding for the top row. Will need a few body tags and their related IBM cards / Historical Services letters to figure it out. I suspect one of them is the code for the Spring Special sweep insert.
The "300" along with the number before it and the "0722" make up the "SO NO" , or Shipping Order Number. The "0722" is the scheduled build date, July 22, 1958, the missing number is the car line, and the "300" is the 300th car scheduled for "0722".
The model number, LS1-L, was the new model identifier system Chrysler Corporation adopted for 1958. The previous system, adopted in 1935-36, had a letter for the car line, a numeric model code, and the series, if any, were identified with -1, -2, etc. (1957 Chrysler Windsor - C75-1; 1957 Chrysler Saratoga - C75-2). The biggest problem with the this system was the lack of a model year identifier. (1957 Imperial was IM1 and not C77)
The new system -
L - model year
S - car line
1 - chassis / engine
L - price class / series
The model year was the Engineering Department's model year which used letters -
A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K, L, M, P, R, S, T, V - The "A" years were 1924-25, 1942, 1965 and 1982. There were three combined model years - 1924-25 for A, 1946-48 for B in the second series, and 1951-52 for E in the second series. The letter Q was used once - for the 1960 Valiant. The model year was added as a prefix to the paint code on the body tag for 1969. Now you could identify the model year that colour was introduced.
Car Line -
P - Plymouth
D - Dodge
S - DeSoto
C - Chrysler
Y - Imperial
E - 1958-1959 - 118" wheelbase Dodge - Canadian and export Kingsway (also labelled as Dodge Conversion)
F - 1958-1961 - 118" wheelbase DeSoto - export Diplomat (also labelled as DeSoto Conversion)
X - 1960 Valiant (one year only)
V - 1961-1976 Valiant
W - 1961 Lancer (one year only - used L in 1962)
Chassis / engine -
for 1958 DeSoto -
1 - 325-cid V8 or 230-cid 6
2 - 361-cid V8, 2-bbl carb
3 - 361-cid V8, 4-bbl carb(s)
Optional engines did not change the chassis / engine code. Thus the reason why the standard engine was not entered on the body tag - only the optional engines.
Not ForwardLook, but the 1965-67 US-built Dodge used the 383-cid V8 as the base engine and code D2. The Canadian-built Dodges with their slant six engines were D1. Base V8 engine was the 318 V8 with code D2 in 1965-66. For 1967 the Windsor plant started building cars for the U.S. - thus building US-style D2 383 models. The Canadian V8 Dodges with the poly 318 V8 as base engine were made code D3.
Price Class / Series
T - Taxi (6)
L - Firesweep (V8)
M - Firedome
H - Fireflite
S - Adventurer
The Taxi was announced and listed, but have no idea how many were built in 1958. DeSoto built 139 taxis in 1957 and was the reason for changing the prefix on the Dodge flathead six from D-72 to KDS (1957 Dodge DeSoto) as of January 10, 1957 beginning at KDS-9601.
1958 Dodge chassis/engine and price class -
1 - 230-cid six (L - Coronet)
2 - 325-cis V8 (L - Coronet and M - Royal)
3 - 350-cid V8 (H - Custom Royal)
The serial number used a prefix system similar to the model number. The last letter was for the assembly plant and not price class / series, though.
L - Model year
S - Car Line
1 - Chassis / Engine
L - Assembly Plant
The assembly plant list for1958 -
(blank) - the Detroit plants - Lynch Road (Plymouth and E/F models), Hamtramck (Dodge, Firesweep & Firesweep Taxi), Wyoming Avenue (DeSoto except Firesweep & Taxi), East Jefferson Avenue (Chrysler and Imperial)
E - Evansville - Plymouth and some E/F models
L - Los Angeles - Plymouth, Dodge V8 models, Firesweep, Chrysler (except 300-D)
N - Newark - Plymouth, Dodge
W - Windsor - Plymouth, E/F models, Custom Royal, Firedome, Windsor (actually Saratoga with Windsor nameplates)
At the beginning of the model year, Chrysler Corporation did list the Coronet 6, Firedome and Fireflite models as being built at Los Angeles, but they never did build them at LA.
Willow Green was available on all DeSoto models right from the beginning of the 1958 model year. It was also available on Plymouth (Misty Green) and Dodge (Mint).
Posted 2017-08-14 8:54 PM (#546209 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH
Thank you for the additional information, Chrycoman. ;-)
Do you, or anyone else have a current point of contact or link with FCA (Chrysler Historical) so that I can order my IBM card? I've had this car for so long and yet I never have gone all the way and found out more about it by getting the factory record. Now is the time.
Posted 2017-11-23 12:36 AM (#552973 - in reply to #552903) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
I think ..... some times. Lancer Mike posted on the "1958 DeSoto Data Tag" thread, the info for the
Spring Special. The page that was posted was hard to read, so Mike wrote what was on the page.
At the bottom the Spring Special page it says "Order by Code #314". Duh.. How did I miss that all
these years. So I checked both Spring Special IBM cards, and sure enough, in column 31 there is
a punch on number 4. Column 31 is the Accessory Groups column. The only 4 on the Tag is under "B".
So, is that how the Spring Special was identified?
Also, both cars show code 431, which is I.P.S.C. . I don't know what this stands for, but I think it has
to do with the interior. Both cars had colorful interiors, not the usual gray interior. ?
Posted 2017-11-23 5:46 PM (#553001 - in reply to #428947) Subject: RE: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC
Just to confuse matters Heather Blue Poly was code WWW in 1958 (Ditzler 11931) and when the 1959 models were introduced it was code DDD and still Ditzler 11931. Apparently about a dozen 1959 models were painted in the 1958 Heather Blue Poly. when they changed the colour and gave it a new code 12084. Chrysler, however, kept the same name and code (DDD) for the new colour.
(1959 DeSoto - Heather Blue Poly - Ditzler - 1958-11-06.jpg)
Posted 2017-11-23 6:02 PM (#553004 - in reply to #428947) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC
314 - Yes, that would be how DeSoto identified the Spring Special trim. Instead of having various options included in one group, they had a selection of trim pieces in one group
Bill, your wealth of information amazes me. I don't know what people are going to do when your time comes to go. Hopefully you can download that info to someone else before you leave.
Posted 2017-12-08 12:19 AM (#553894 - in reply to #552220) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
58DeSoDodge59 - 2017-11-14 10:33
My codes;
SCH-097=March 26th, 1958
SEQ-008=8th Firedome built that day.
BDY-432 =DeSoto Firedome 2 door hardtop
ST-2 = Top one color, Body and sweep one color.
PNT-XWW = Top- Pearl White, body and sweep- Heather Blue.
TRM-631 = Blue cloth and light blue vinyl.
TR-3 = Torqueflite transmission
PS-1 = Power steering
PB-2= Power brakes
AH-5 = (A/C Heater) Standard heater.
UC-1 = Undercoating
B-4 = Spring Special trim
SOLEX-7 = Tinted glass, all.
IPSC-1 = Instrument panel safety cover
RADIO-1 = standard radio
TIRES-15 = 8.25x14 whitewall
AXLE-3 = 3.15
REGION-10 = ?
Engine number = L-360 35508
Dealer 38359= Allen's Auto Service, Eaton, CO
Posted 2017-12-12 5:45 PM (#554186 - in reply to #553894) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
Is this correct?
SCH= Schedule
SEQ= Sequence
BDY= Body
ST= Style of paint
PNT= Paint
TRM= Trim (Interior)
TR= Transmission
AG= Accessory Group
GG= Glamour Group
PS= Power Steering
PB= Power Brakes
AH= Air Conditioning and Heater
PW= Power Windows
RM= Roof Mouldings
SS= Stone Shields
UC= Undercoating
SPL= Special orders
CS= Color sweep
BG= Bumper Guards
A= Interior trim groups
B= Body trim groups - (4 = Spring special trim)
C= Roof trim groups
Posted 2017-12-13 10:46 PM (#554279 - in reply to #480136) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
LD3 Greg - 2015-06-02 1:51 AM
Codes and such!
Been there, done that, more than 30 years ago!
When did SS trim become available?? When did the factory issue "new" broadcast sheets/ body plates to reflect this new trim??? Good luck guys. I sure as hell can't find any answers.
We have all seen body plates embossed that APPEAR to be applicable to SS items. But, without broadcast sheet/punch card examples for KNOWN cars, it is nothing but guess work.
Posted 2017-12-15 11:11 AM (#554381 - in reply to #554279) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful
I don't know about you guys, but I have learned a lot about these cars over the passed three years.
What a great team we have here. It helps when people participate. I encourage people to get the
history on their car(s) from FCA / Chrysler Historical Society, and share it with us.
Posted 2017-12-15 3:22 PM (#554393 - in reply to #554279) Subject: Re: 1958 DeSoto Spring Special
Expert
Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada
58DeSoDodge59 - 2017-12-13 10:46 PM
LD3 Greg - 2015-06-02 1:51 AM
Codes and such!
Been there, done that, more than 30 years ago!
When did SS trim become available?? When did the factory issue "new" broadcast sheets/ body plates to reflect this new trim??? Good luck guys. I sure as hell can't find any answers.
We have all seen body plates embossed that APPEAR to be applicable to SS items. But, without broadcast sheet/punch card examples for KNOWN cars, it is nothing but guess work.
Greg
What say you now? (O)
None to very little progress with spring special timing and code documentation especially for Dodges. I have known the actual 58 sales codes for years and Chrycoman has been very helpful in interpreting the punch cards
Greg
1958 DeSoto Spring Special
