|
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
 
Location: Wisconsin | Creating this thread is something that I've been intending to do for some time now. I am hoping that by posting as progress is made, I can use it as an opportunity to both ask and answer questions. I know quite a bit about 1956 DeSotos, but there always seems to be something to learn. My goal with the car is to do a nut-and-bolt restoration on the car back to 100% factory original, with the one exception being a set of glasspacks. It came white/yellow as shown in the photos with the white/black/silver cloth & leather interior. The car was very stripped down for a Sportsman, coming with mostly only what was standard for the model. I will not be adding a bunch of options and intend to stick with the factory colors and options.
History of the car:
According to FCA, the car was sold new at Wheeler Motor Co. in Ada, OK. The ten years following are still currently unknown as I have not found a way to track down the original owner or owners. Nevertheless, the car did not have an easy first ten years because by about 1966, the car ended up in an Oklahoma junkyard. From tearing down the engine later on and finding a badly bent crank and a broken main cap (shown below), I would have to say that someone was really beating on the car and that's why it ended up in a junkyard. Anyhow, after only about a year of being in the yard, a fellow named Bob Merritt from Kansas bought the car (amongst other salvageable cars) and stashed it in a building. The car sat until sometime in the late seventies/early eighties when the building collapsed from snow on the roof. Several cars were totaled while others only suffered minor damage. The DeSoto ended up with a crushed roof and a large dent across the hood and passenger fender. At this point, the car was sold to a fellow in Indiana, just outside of Chicago. He began the process of restoring the car, doing some minor body work and paint on the rear of the car, including replacing the roof. He also had the seats and door panels re-done, the bumpers/guards/parking light housings re-chromed, and a Firedome motor partially re-built. He also located another fender and hood to replace the dented parts. At this point, he lost interest in the car and put it up for sale. In November 2002, my father purchased the car. After sitting for a while and me wanting a DeSoto, he sold me the car. On July 4, 2004, I officially began purchasing my first car at the age of 12. I didn't have much money at the time, but we decided to have the original engine rebuilt by a fellow who had done many early hemis and was starting to slow down in the number of motors he was rebuilding. We weren't in a hurry, so he worked on it on the side over the course of about a year and a half. He discovered the bad crank and broken main cap. Luckily though, the block was not cracked and I have since confirmed (I was 99% sure before) that the engine is original to the car. After that, the car sat virtually untouched for a few years while I was in high school. As I started college, I still didn't have much money, but I did have my summers free. So over the course of the 4 or so years going to school for engineering, I started to finish the motor. After progressing a bit, I discovered some things I wasn't happy with internally, such as lack of assembly lube and seized/dirty rockers. I can only chalk it up to the builder's declining health and memory because I know he had quite a reputation. After reversing some of my progress (I tore the engine down to the internals), I started assembling again. After graduating from college in February 2015 and paying off student loans, I started saving for body and paint work (I fully admit I cannot do this work and wouldn't start on this car even if I learned). As of now, the car is scheduled to go to have this done this coming winter. In the meantime, after about 5 years of working on free weekends and evenings, the engine and transmission are nearing completion and almost ready for starting on the stand.
Enjoy the photos below showing everything up to now and I will post more as progress is made!
Edit: I am considerably older now (24) and the car has been stored inside for a number of years.
Edited by Fireflite56 2016-08-31 12:08 AM
 (100_0330a.jpg)
 (100_0322a.jpg)
 (desoto engines on dyno.jpg)
 (exhaust manifolds.jpg)
 (rockers.jpg)
 (IMG_1499a.jpg)
 (IMG_1736a.jpg)
 (IMG_2561a.jpg)
 (IMG_2565a.jpg)
 (IMG_2597a.jpg)
 (IMG_2730a.jpg)
 (IMG_2790a.JPG)
 (IMG_2780a.jpg)
 (IMG_2782a.jpg)
 (IMG_2798a.JPG)
 (IMG_2800a.jpg)
 (IMG_3012a.jpg)
 (IMG_3385a.jpg)
 (IMG_3386a.jpg)
 (IMG_3387a.jpg)
 (IMG_3389a.jpg)
 (IMG_3485a.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 100_0330a.jpg (401KB - 571 downloads)
100_0322a.jpg (327KB - 588 downloads)
desoto engines on dyno.jpg (144KB - 590 downloads)
exhaust manifolds.jpg (80KB - 580 downloads)
rockers.jpg (101KB - 594 downloads)
IMG_1499a.jpg (371KB - 594 downloads)
IMG_1736a.jpg (455KB - 575 downloads)
IMG_2561a.jpg (444KB - 578 downloads)
IMG_2565a.jpg (398KB - 569 downloads)
IMG_2597a.jpg (441KB - 593 downloads)
IMG_2730a.jpg (469KB - 584 downloads)
IMG_2790a.JPG (44KB - 579 downloads)
IMG_2780a.jpg (384KB - 591 downloads)
IMG_2782a.jpg (342KB - 585 downloads)
IMG_2798a.JPG (58KB - 635 downloads)
IMG_2800a.jpg (420KB - 588 downloads)
IMG_3012a.jpg (420KB - 596 downloads)
IMG_3385a.jpg (406KB - 592 downloads)
IMG_3386a.jpg (366KB - 581 downloads)
IMG_3387a.jpg (341KB - 574 downloads)
IMG_3389a.jpg (409KB - 572 downloads)
IMG_3485a.jpg (481KB - 562 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3480
 
Location: Montreal, Canada | Great work, nice pics and car! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | Great colors. Yellow/white has always been a favorite combination of mine. Enjoy the journey. BTW, the red Fireflite lettering for the spark plug covers is available as decals from a vendor on ebay. If I find the link, I'll post it. Ron |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: Georgia | Excellent work thus far, David. Good story, too! Keep us updated with your progress.
This looks like it will be a lifetime car for you!
I've still got a '62 Belvedere I bought in 1989, I just drove her to breakfast this morning. 
Pete |
|
| |
|
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13049
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Nice work and good to see some young guys in this hobby!
I'll be watching the progress and so will many more... |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 792
Location: Buena Park, CA | Great story and excellent work. I will be following along with your build. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | As with everyone else, I say "WAY TO GO!!!" |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Glad to see a youngin keeping these cars alive!!! Now, get back to work. lol |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1155
Location: somerville mass | excellent work man! drivetrain looks good correct and clean... how is the interior? push
button 2 spd powerflite no less! 55 had a toggle lever shifter on the dash...do you have
any extra trim/emblems like "powerflite"? what options does it have? order away! put the drive
train in and get it running.... prob brakes exhaust are def. needed.... good to see you young
guys pick up where you dad or grandfather left off!
i was born in 54 so this car is 60 years old if a 25 yr old guy bought it new hed be 85 now!
a few fwd look members here have left us so a few o us nd to teach the young depending
how many cars survive and availibility of parts. good job... a lot of desoto fans here esp
doctor desoto! be sure to see a 1956 marx bros desoto show/commercial! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
I thought that big smile looked familiar. 
If he's the David I think he is, he comes by his talents naturally, growing up in a real tried and true DeSoto family. 
Great family, and a super great young man who is very enthusiastic and very knowledgeable.
Happy to see you here, David, and to see the work that you've been doing on your wonderful '56! It's going to be classy!
David putting the final touches on his parents' perfect '58 Adventurer just a few years ago:
.
Edited by FIN ME 2016-09-01 4:36 PM
 (adventurer58.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
adventurer58.jpg (153KB - 572 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks everyone for all the kind words!
Rosy, you are absolutely right, I am a 4th generation DeSoto owner (though a slight correction here is that the Adventurer is actually my aunt and uncle's car).
As requested, the car came with the following:
Power steering (standard on a Fireflite)
Power brakes (standard on a Fireflite)
Standard AM radio with single manual antenna (standard on a Fireflite)
Windshield washer
Cloth/leather interior (standard on a Fireflite)
Visor windshield trim (standard on a Fireflite Sportsman)
E-brake light (optional)
Solex (tinted) glass (optional)
Prismatic (day/night) rear view mirror (optional)
Rear license plate frame (this is the 3-piece unit)
I don't have the paperwork in front of me, but I believe it also came with a rear speaker. Also, the options list calls for "exterior mirror" which is indicated that on a Sportsman or convertible would be a passenger mirror because the driver's is standard. However, I have found no signs of the car ever having had one. The car will get the two that it's technically coded for during the restoration. Overall, the car is very stripped down for a Fireflite Sportsman considering the clock, radio, interior (leather), antenna, power windows, power seat, and other such options the car could have come with.
Edited by Fireflite56 2016-09-02 12:09 AM
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY | Fireflite56 - 2016-09-02 12:08 AM
...the Adventurer is actually my aunt and uncle's car...
Oops...I forgot that detail...
Even David's extended family are DeSoto folks!
Very nice car you have there; I'm hoping to see it in person one day.
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 481
Location: near St Augustine, FL | David, Not showing off the other treasures while still trying to corner the market? |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I think Dan is referring to the two cars I just bought in July. They had been sitting on a driveway since 1987.
 (1959s.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
1959s.jpg (138KB - 545 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2003
Location: Branson, MO | Wow! And I thought I was a "dyed in the wool" DeSoto Guy.
Nice - keep us posted with your progress.
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I took advantage of a 3-day weekend and made a lot of progress! A friend had fabricated a mount for the transmission tail so that we can run it on the stand and we attached that early Saturday morning. Other progress included plugging the hole for the power brake vacuum line, tightening the carburetor-intake studs and installing the carburetor (tightening of nuts pending a repaint of a bracket this week), installing the distributor (not bolted down), attaching the by-pass hose, and doing some miscellaneous bolt head touch-up. The starter was also re-installed after I re-painted the solenoid that was scratched during installation of the trans cooler lines.
 (IMG_3489a.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_3489a.jpg (428KB - 549 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I have been putting a lot of time into this the past several weekends and I think this coming weekend may finally see the engine running! As you can see, I now have a coil and plug wires on (still need to be trimmed) with the correct style and color boots. The push-button cable is also re-installed, as are a few other small items. This past weekend, I turned a wrench on the actual car for the first time in several years. I wanted to pull the dash anyways and figured I could hook it up to the engine to monitor oil pressure when the motor is being broken in. I won't be reusing the harness as it is very dry, but I wanted to label the ends just in case I need to reference them later. This week, I'm taking care of a few final items, such as exhaust pipes, that should help get the engine ready for the weekend!
 (IMG_3655A.jpg)
 (IMG_3658A.jpg)
 (IMG_3632A.jpg)
 (IMG_3653A.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_3655A.jpg (324KB - 543 downloads)
IMG_3658A.jpg (312KB - 549 downloads)
IMG_3632A.jpg (265KB - 545 downloads)
IMG_3653A.jpg (360KB - 537 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Once left for dead, this motor is running for the first time in half a century! This video was the first shot at starting it and it fired up with authority! Not so much as a sputter and we didn't even have to touch timing or carb adjustments after starting it!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5fqV46uVt8 |
|
| |
|
Location: North Australia | Oh Yeah. That looks and sounds good. Nice work. Looking forward to the next installment.............
Steve. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2905
Location: little rock, AR | Ya done well. Since your close to being finished with that one you'll need another Sportsman. This one is For Sale here in Arkansas.
Edited by oldwood 2016-10-18 11:51 AM
 (060.JPG)
Attachments
----------------
060.JPG (198KB - 545 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13049
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Great progress! Very nice video, the engine sounds good and strong. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | This weekend, my '56 saw the light of day for the first time in over 8 years. We have since removed most of the front clip in preparation for temporarily installing the engine/transmission. I am doing this so that it can be transported to where the body/paint work will be done so that the completed engine/trans can be installed before the front clip.
Edited by Fireflite56 2016-10-23 8:42 PM
 ('56 - garage.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
'56 - garage.jpg (83KB - 534 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 86
| That is awesome.
Congrats on getting her running, and into the sunshine again! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Great progress! It's going to be soooooo awesome....
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | The engine is temporarily installed (for transportation) and the car is pretty much ready for the body/paint work. This is the one major part of the restoration that I know I can't do myself at this time. I would like to learn, but not on this car.
 (Engine Installation.jpg)
 (Engine Installed.jpg)
 (Factory Marking.jpg)
 (Window Trim.jpg)
 (1956 DeSoto.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
Engine Installation.jpg (68KB - 527 downloads)
Engine Installed.jpg (78KB - 525 downloads)
Factory Marking.jpg (37KB - 537 downloads)
Window Trim.jpg (83KB - 551 downloads)
1956 DeSoto.jpg (63KB - 534 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Ahhhhhhh...the "what did I get myself into stage"...
I can't wait to see her all painted up and shiny, being the bling junkie that I am.
Sorry if you've already commented on this, but how's the body? Need any straightening? My car needed a very slight adjustment by the blocker.
Good work!
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Rosy,
Fortunately most of the car has never been touched as far as body and paint go, so I know nothing's hiding. Because a building had collapsed on it back in the '70's, the hood that is on it will replace the original, the passenger fender will be replaced, and the roof has already been replaced. There are a few small dents and creases (you can see one at the bottom of the fender). There may be a few pinholes in the front floor pans from water getting in and sitting, as well as a tiny amount of filler in the dog legs. Other than that, the car is super solid! The photo with the trim inside the car is a good illustration of this. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Solid, brother!
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I am excited to announce that the car was picked up for body/paint work this past weekend! This will be a high-quality, frame-off procedure. Here are a few photos from my own documentation of the car before it departed.
Edited by Fireflite56 2016-11-21 7:56 PM
 (IMG_3707A.jpg)
 (IMG_3714A.jpg)
 (IMG_3720A.jpg)
 (IMG_3746A.jpg)
 (IMG_3763A.jpg)
 (IMG_3768A.jpg)
 (IMG_3770A.jpg)
 (IMG_3780A.jpg)
 (IMG_3783A.jpg)
 (IMG_3772A.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_3707A.jpg (337KB - 504 downloads)
IMG_3714A.jpg (324KB - 494 downloads)
IMG_3720A.jpg (390KB - 507 downloads)
IMG_3746A.jpg (318KB - 502 downloads)
IMG_3763A.jpg (247KB - 489 downloads)
IMG_3768A.jpg (249KB - 492 downloads)
IMG_3770A.jpg (246KB - 500 downloads)
IMG_3780A.jpg (276KB - 497 downloads)
IMG_3783A.jpg (320KB - 500 downloads)
IMG_3772A.jpg (203KB - 499 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I got the first batch of photos today! The car has been at Stellar Antique Auto Restorations in Kansas since right before Thanksgiving for the body/paint work. So far the only bad news is a cracked windshield (an accident during removal) and some rather unusual rust on the underside of the trunklid as shown in one of the photos below. I am working on getting wiring, battery cables, and a few other odds and ends on my end for when the work in Kansas is completed.
Edit: The photo of the body is on arrival back in November.
Edited by Fireflite56 2017-01-28 4:37 PM
 (31760384683_f5ab6b6bb2_z.jpg)
 (31760399223_079696dfb8_z.jpg)
 (32419293432_8696539278_z.jpg)
 (32419508362_6192272829_z.jpg)
 (32531533586_fda4b1ecd7_z.jpg)
 (32531633636_197fa548bd_z.jpg)
 (32572142815_a2be110cf5_z.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
31760384683_f5ab6b6bb2_z.jpg (64KB - 504 downloads)
31760399223_079696dfb8_z.jpg (70KB - 514 downloads)
32419293432_8696539278_z.jpg (71KB - 566 downloads)
32419508362_6192272829_z.jpg (70KB - 517 downloads)
32531533586_fda4b1ecd7_z.jpg (72KB - 503 downloads)
32531633636_197fa548bd_z.jpg (53KB - 516 downloads)
32572142815_a2be110cf5_z.jpg (70KB - 528 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | Great work, it's going to be beautiful!
I had inside trunk lid rust similar to that in a '61 Belvedere and a '58 DeSoto - it seems mice like to hide out in the winter in the stamped inner panel channels especially in the corners and their urine does a real number on the steel. They can be incredibly destructive buggers, I bet that's what happened here. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | A mouse getting into the trunk at some point is also my leading theory because the car is very clean otherwise.
I meant to post this quite a while ago since I've had it since June, but this is my build card decoded from FCA. I had been able to decode all the options on my own already, but in addition to confirming what I decoded, it provided two additional pieces of information. It gave me the motor number (the only other way to obtain this is if you have the original owner's certificate that was stuck in the cover of the owner's manual), which I was able to match to the engine and confirm my strong suspicion that I had the original motor. It also gave me the original dealer's name, which I did not previously have.
 (FCA Historical - 1956 Fireflite.JPG)
Attachments
----------------
FCA Historical - 1956 Fireflite.JPG (111KB - 495 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | A few additional photos from today showing the holes in the underside of the trunk and an unidentified trans leak (engine has not been run since October). Some small weak spots were also identified in the rockers, particularly where the door seal interfaces.
 (IMG_0771A.jpg)
 (IMG_0772A.jpg)
 (IMG_0773A.jpg)
 (IMG_0774A.jpg)
 (IMG_0778A.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_0771A.jpg (115KB - 517 downloads)
IMG_0772A.jpg (92KB - 497 downloads)
IMG_0773A.jpg (79KB - 517 downloads)
IMG_0774A.jpg (88KB - 538 downloads)
IMG_0778A.jpg (125KB - 512 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I am a bit behind on posting, but the body came off the frame last Friday!
 (16807337_1269451733144351_8115515701073650541_n.jpg)
 (16831864_1269451749811016_4137376620586278928_n.jpg)
 (16831978_1269451766477681_3459201503707709868_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
16807337_1269451733144351_8115515701073650541_n.jpg (67KB - 502 downloads)
16831864_1269451749811016_4137376620586278928_n.jpg (101KB - 507 downloads)
16831978_1269451766477681_3459201503707709868_n.jpg (81KB - 482 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I received a fresh batch of photos today showing the progress of the body and paint work on the '56! The replacement passenger fender (to replace the original with the huge dent) was a good fender, but had an older, poorly done repair where it appears an antenna hole (should not have been on that fender) was once drilled. Tim removed the old patch and repaired it properly, using lead filler for final smoothing. The gas tank had 50+ year gas (chunks), but seems to be otherwise good! I had suspected the front floors may need a little attention from water retention at some point in the past. The photo of the passenger floor with the screwdriver through it confirms that.
 (32393904743_6a5e006bfd_z.jpg)
 (32393902923_16d4887cf2_z.jpg)
 (32393901433_8998f4728d_z.jpg)
 (32364606284_abc2d8fc60_z.jpg)
 (32826353410_66c8fd4ae4_z.jpg)
 (33208921765_f3991682af_z.jpg)
 (33081198371_74f6e4bc10_z.jpg)
 (33081139331_9d16fb8cf6_z.jpg)
 (33167325136_567e397d1e_z.jpg)
 (33208897855_97d72c4257_z.jpg)
 (33208816045_8117e5f1c9_z.jpg)
 (32364730764_46cd37c7bd_z.jpg)
 (33208949965_34f2aeaf5d_z.jpg)
 (33208949805_59825e2b2b_z.jpg)
 (33208949665_3ae3cc4536_z.jpg)
 (33208949535_237bb27163_z.jpg)
 (33052105602_ba75a15397_z.jpg)
 (33208825795_a0a1a2ed79_z.jpg)
 (32364596264_16e921ff16_z.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
32393904743_6a5e006bfd_z.jpg (81KB - 504 downloads)
32393902923_16d4887cf2_z.jpg (104KB - 479 downloads)
32393901433_8998f4728d_z.jpg (71KB - 505 downloads)
32364606284_abc2d8fc60_z.jpg (51KB - 494 downloads)
32826353410_66c8fd4ae4_z.jpg (139KB - 517 downloads)
33208921765_f3991682af_z.jpg (104KB - 513 downloads)
33081198371_74f6e4bc10_z.jpg (121KB - 492 downloads)
33081139331_9d16fb8cf6_z.jpg (80KB - 482 downloads)
33167325136_567e397d1e_z.jpg (79KB - 501 downloads)
33208897855_97d72c4257_z.jpg (92KB - 497 downloads)
33208816045_8117e5f1c9_z.jpg (84KB - 490 downloads)
32364730764_46cd37c7bd_z.jpg (98KB - 504 downloads)
33208949965_34f2aeaf5d_z.jpg (63KB - 483 downloads)
33208949805_59825e2b2b_z.jpg (98KB - 513 downloads)
33208949665_3ae3cc4536_z.jpg (61KB - 518 downloads)
33208949535_237bb27163_z.jpg (69KB - 484 downloads)
33052105602_ba75a15397_z.jpg (31KB - 514 downloads)
33208825795_a0a1a2ed79_z.jpg (40KB - 500 downloads)
32364596264_16e921ff16_z.jpg (29KB - 510 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | While my car is off getting the body and paint work done, I am tending to a few other projects for the car. The headliner sample sent from SMS was not correct, so I sent them a sample of the original headliner from the car, which I have included a photo of below in hopes that it may help someone else who does not have a good reference for a Fireflite Sportsman 2 Door. These are the small details that can normally be impossible to find in photographs on the internet. I also, with the help of a friend who repaired sound systems for a living, took apart the radio to test the different components as it was not working on the bench. I will be needing a new vibrator, light bulbs, and speaker wires. All of the mechanisms operate as they should and all of the tubes work! I will also need to polish up the dial arm and re-paint the white backing plate (made of tin) for the numbers. The chrome is extremely nice on this unit, so even for a rotisserie restoration, I won't be re-chroming it. Once the surround is re-painted and the car is back, it should be ready to pop into the dash and hook up!
 (IMG_3919A.jpg)
 (Radio A_1.jpg)
 (Radio C_1.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_3919A.jpg (130KB - 499 downloads)
Radio A_1.jpg (126KB - 492 downloads)
Radio C_1.jpg (104KB - 486 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1384
Location: Ocala, Florida | Wow, great car and great work! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 494
Location: Alberta | This Desoto is my favourite , I just sold one like this at Christmas after removing the 354 Hemi someone had transplanted under the hood. If I was your age I'd probably be doing the same as you now. There's a lot of car here by the pound and well designed I was always attracted by the shift lever on the dash. I'm curious why the thermometer hook into the radio? |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2003
Location: Branson, MO | Only the '55s had the shift lever on the dash. The '56 was the first year for the push buttons but, they too, were on the dash. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 494
Location: Alberta | Here's a photo off the net if you're like me I spend a bit of time just admiring someone else's workmanship from time to time [full time]
 (55-desoto-hh-1.gif)
Attachments
----------------
55-desoto-hh-1.gif (107KB - 494 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Randy - thanks!
Glen - I was confused about your thermometer comment at first, but what I assume you are taking for a thermometer is actually the front glass cover with the station numbers on it. I removed it to access the light bulbs in the front, but left the wires connected. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Looking really good, David!
Looking forward to seeing this masterpiece in person some day.
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Rosy - thanks! I look forward to having it at some of the NDC conventions when it's finished!
Last Thursday (April 13), the shell made it to the media blaster and should be done sometime this week. The fenders, doors, and other sheet metal previously stripped have had all the necessary metal repairs and are on their second coat of primer. I think I finally have a solution with SMS for headliner (original sample is the triangular piece) after a couple letters back and forth, so that should be ordered by the end of the week. The wire harness has moved up the queue and is scheduled to be made in the next week (YnZ's) and should be here by late next week or early the week after. The radio is all ready to go with new speaker wires, light bulbs, and everything cleaned and tested, except for the vibrator. That should be finished by the end of the week and I'll post an update at that time!
 (Media blasting.jpg)
 (SMS 4-17.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
Media blasting.jpg (78KB - 496 downloads)
SMS 4-17.jpg (206KB - 484 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I received a few more photos from the restoration shop that's handling the body and paint work. Nothing too exciting until the shell comes back. The passenger fender was a spare to replace the original, which had a very large dent across the top, and required holes to be drilled for the trim.
 (33297685773_6a1ffddb75_z.jpg)
 (33978754301_ab5193bc1b_z.jpg)
 (33297736033_638e3931a6_z.jpg)
 (33297728483_3712c54815_z.jpg)
 (33724133500_84ca636b6a_z.jpg)
 (33951948562_b58b9d89aa_z.jpg)
 (34068253526_3e08320217_z.jpg)
 (34068255096_1a68ce3ea7_z.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
33297685773_6a1ffddb75_z.jpg (46KB - 484 downloads)
33978754301_ab5193bc1b_z.jpg (33KB - 504 downloads)
33297736033_638e3931a6_z.jpg (92KB - 494 downloads)
33297728483_3712c54815_z.jpg (56KB - 487 downloads)
33724133500_84ca636b6a_z.jpg (34KB - 472 downloads)
33951948562_b58b9d89aa_z.jpg (34KB - 475 downloads)
34068253526_3e08320217_z.jpg (31KB - 469 downloads)
34068255096_1a68ce3ea7_z.jpg (26KB - 506 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Kilgore: "Smell that? You smell that?"
Lance: "What?"
Kilgore: "Primer, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that.
I love the smell of primer in the morning.
You know, one time we had a car spray bombed for 12 hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' dent.
The smell, you know that solvent smell, the whole garage smelled like......VICTORY!
Victory. Someday this resto's gonna end."
(Looking good!)
.
 (PRIMER.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
PRIMER.jpg (51KB - 473 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | The shell came back from being blasted yesterday! Here are a few photos showing the spots that will need attention. Everything was pretty much as expected except for the dent (filled) on the passenger quarter panel and the pinholes on the bottom of the driver's quarter. There are definitely spots to address, but it's nice to finally see the car stripped down and giving up its secrets!
 (IMG_1277A.jpg)
 (IMG_1278A.jpg)
 (IMG_1279A.jpg)
 (IMG_1281A.jpg)
 (IMG_1282A.jpg)
 (IMG_1283A.jpg)
 (IMG_1284A.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_1277A.jpg (74KB - 475 downloads)
IMG_1278A.jpg (95KB - 484 downloads)
IMG_1279A.jpg (76KB - 474 downloads)
IMG_1281A.jpg (73KB - 473 downloads)
IMG_1282A.jpg (88KB - 493 downloads)
IMG_1283A.jpg (103KB - 475 downloads)
IMG_1284A.jpg (95KB - 481 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | The radio is fixed and working well! I am too young to remember the CONELRAD emergency plan, so I had to do some research to figure out exactly what the little circle/triangle symbols meant on the glass window.
 (Radio D.jpg)
 (Radio E.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
Radio D.jpg (52KB - 501 downloads)
Radio E.jpg (59KB - 480 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 9903
Location: Lower Mainland BC | Fireflite56 - 2017-05-02 7:52 PM
The radio is fixed and working well! I am too young to remember the CONELRAD emergency plan, so I had to do some research to figure out exactly what the little circle/triangle symbols meant on the glass window.
I means that in the event of a nuclear war or tornado or flood, tune to these channels for instructions on how to kiss your love ones and your ass goodbye.
 |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY | Fireflite56 - 2017-05-02 7:52 PM
...I am too young to remember the CONELRAD emergency plan...
Oops, that's right! And you're way too young to remember this either:
"Apocalypse Now" -1979: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRp7tYWnJJs
(You must have wondered just what the heck my previous post was about. )
Great job on the radio, David! The radio in my car is iff-y, so I am envious.
I really like the "duck and cover" sticker. A real "blast" from the past, if you'll pardon the "pun".
The attention to detail that you're putting into your car's restoration is really going to pay off. It's going to be a beauty.
Edited by FIN ME 2017-05-09 6:41 PM
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | It has been a while since I last posted an update, so here are a few photos of the rust repair in the rear quarter. In other news, the harness showed up about 2 months ago now from YnZ's and I am still working with SMS to procure the correct headliner.
 (20626278_10155596496889419_536625821171488630_o.jpg)
 (20626148_10155596495344419_2631026226255628107_o.jpg)
 (20627016_10155596496649419_8316048822161708271_o.jpg)
 (20638654_10155596495314419_425600727307205333_n.jpg)
 (20622242_10155596517179419_3699330369343484634_n.jpg)
 (20626965_10155596494614419_3305443624451871650_o.jpg)
 (20643425_10155596496209419_2796053371205947247_o.jpg)
 (20626981_10155596493104419_6023211799352113898_o.jpg)
 (20626538_10155596493484419_5108282130377759622_o.jpg)
 (20728778_10155596496684419_4715732151013535143_o.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
20626278_10155596496889419_536625821171488630_o.jpg (210KB - 463 downloads)
20626148_10155596495344419_2631026226255628107_o.jpg (272KB - 470 downloads)
20627016_10155596496649419_8316048822161708271_o.jpg (284KB - 452 downloads)
20638654_10155596495314419_425600727307205333_n.jpg (118KB - 454 downloads)
20622242_10155596517179419_3699330369343484634_n.jpg (50KB - 453 downloads)
20626965_10155596494614419_3305443624451871650_o.jpg (274KB - 478 downloads)
20643425_10155596496209419_2796053371205947247_o.jpg (287KB - 463 downloads)
20626981_10155596493104419_6023211799352113898_o.jpg (222KB - 461 downloads)
20626538_10155596493484419_5108282130377759622_o.jpg (345KB - 462 downloads)
20728778_10155596496684419_4715732151013535143_o.jpg (213KB - 455 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Here are some older photos I have of the seats and door panels that were re-done by the previous owner before I bought the car. They are mostly correct, though the door panels are missing the screws in the myrolene (I have the missing trim pieces to install) and the white insert on the top of the seats dips down too low. Because of the level I am restoring this car to, I am strongly considering re-doing the tops of the seats after the car is finished. The screws will be easy to add with the rest of the door panel trim. For reference (because these types of photos are EXTREMELY helpful to someone attempting to do a correct restoration), I am also including a few photos from another car that has never had the interior re-done and has the same trim code as mine.
 (100_1898_a.jpg)
 (100_1900_a.jpg)
 (100_1903_a.jpg)
 (IMG_3862_a.jpg)
 (IMG_3867_a.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
100_1898_a.jpg (264KB - 527 downloads)
100_1900_a.jpg (211KB - 496 downloads)
100_1903_a.jpg (260KB - 530 downloads)
IMG_3862_a.jpg (183KB - 519 downloads)
IMG_3867_a.jpg (110KB - 521 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Awesome, David! Not many folks would notice the extra "dip length" in the material. My hat is off to you for getting it right. It's a shame that someone went to all the trouble of making the seats over but didn't take the extra effort to do them correctly. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | This will be a stunning car when you get done. Good job ! Ron |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Work has been slow, but here are a few recent photos of the bodywork in progress. Again, the body and paint work is being done at Stellar Antique Auto Restorations in Kansas. I have kept myself busy working on getting patch panels cut out of my parts car and working with SMS for the last 9 months to get a correct headliner. The second attempt is in the mail this week, so fingers crossed it's finally correct.
 (26733680_1594069730682548_3516572490995626825_n.jpg)
 (26804836_1594069750682546_4640054872587575250_n.jpg)
 (26804824_1594069877349200_5168565107179352376_n.jpg)
 (26230609_1595032703919584_6507257036468042878_n.jpg)
 (26814425_1595032770586244_3419853725613912268_n.jpg)
 (26804903_1595032817252906_8441970149076726471_n.jpg)
 (IMG_1369.JPG)
 (IMG_1372.JPG)
 (IMG_1370.JPG)
 (IMG_1371.JPG)
 (IMG_1376.JPG)
 (IMG_1378.JPG)
 (Patch Panel A.jpg)
 (Patch Panel B.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
26733680_1594069730682548_3516572490995626825_n.jpg (46KB - 470 downloads)
26804836_1594069750682546_4640054872587575250_n.jpg (59KB - 470 downloads)
26804824_1594069877349200_5168565107179352376_n.jpg (53KB - 456 downloads)
26230609_1595032703919584_6507257036468042878_n.jpg (40KB - 472 downloads)
26814425_1595032770586244_3419853725613912268_n.jpg (42KB - 484 downloads)
26804903_1595032817252906_8441970149076726471_n.jpg (74KB - 478 downloads)
IMG_1369.JPG (112KB - 475 downloads)
IMG_1372.JPG (98KB - 470 downloads)
IMG_1370.JPG (52KB - 484 downloads)
IMG_1371.JPG (61KB - 462 downloads)
IMG_1376.JPG (64KB - 469 downloads)
IMG_1378.JPG (52KB - 489 downloads)
Patch Panel A.jpg (145KB - 483 downloads)
Patch Panel B.jpg (31KB - 467 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | She'll be a beauty when done, David! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks Ed!
Headliner Update: After 9 months since the original order placement, one wrong headliner sent in July, 20+ emails and phone calls, detailed photos sent, one original sample sent to SMS, and 2 sets of reproduction samples sent to me, to SMS's credit, what I finally received last week is a 100% identical match to the original. Assuming it fits, I couldn't be any happier with the final result.
 (Headliner.jpg)
 (Headliner_A.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
Headliner.jpg (39KB - 468 downloads)
Headliner_A.jpg (65KB - 492 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Some photo updates from the shop this week showing the dent(s) being pulled out on the passenger rear quarter ahead of the wheel well.
 (28279468_10156137948099419_5190891349818794713_n.jpg)
 (28058477_10156137948104419_3300982507498115921_n.jpg)
 (28166477_10215972732859834_4683643311778779234_n.jpg)
 (28379660_10216029285193607_3648277508763324484_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
28279468_10156137948099419_5190891349818794713_n.jpg (67KB - 471 downloads)
28058477_10156137948104419_3300982507498115921_n.jpg (70KB - 488 downloads)
28166477_10215972732859834_4683643311778779234_n.jpg (72KB - 455 downloads)
28379660_10216029285193607_3648277508763324484_n.jpg (60KB - 453 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I took a trip on Saturday down to Kansas where my car is to check on the progress up to this point and to deliver more parts that will be needed, including all the patch panels out of the parts car. Here are a few photo updates from that visit plus a few of the trunk with the new corner patches welded in. The end goal is to have all body, paint, panel alignment, sweep trim (because of access and panel alignment), glass, rubber, headliner, roof mouldings, and chassis work completed here and then to bring the car home for the rest of the work. What is being done in the shop is either stuff that I can't do myself (at least not up to a level I am happy with) or makes sense to do along the way.
 (28468107_1645704292185758_4206839098278359780_n.jpg)
 (IMG_4640A.jpg)
 (IMG_4652A.jpg)
 (IMG_4661A.jpg)
 (IMG_4675A.jpg)
 (IMG_4682A.jpg)
 (IMG_1698A.jpg)
 (IMG_1724A.jpg)
 (IMG_1722A.jpg)
 (IMG_1745A.jpg)
 (IMG_1808A.jpg)
 (IMG_3027A.jpg)
 (28661367_1649023401853847_6736738205052170288_n.jpg)
 (28783581_1649023428520511_5689055004310321101_n.jpg)
 (28796192_1649023568520497_7993173657632453659_n.jpg)
 (28795426_1649023605187160_3988823093580078871_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
28468107_1645704292185758_4206839098278359780_n.jpg (66KB - 449 downloads)
IMG_4640A.jpg (168KB - 448 downloads)
IMG_4652A.jpg (189KB - 451 downloads)
IMG_4661A.jpg (172KB - 496 downloads)
IMG_4675A.jpg (203KB - 442 downloads)
IMG_4682A.jpg (227KB - 453 downloads)
IMG_1698A.jpg (221KB - 451 downloads)
IMG_1724A.jpg (151KB - 444 downloads)
IMG_1722A.jpg (162KB - 455 downloads)
IMG_1745A.jpg (148KB - 445 downloads)
IMG_1808A.jpg (129KB - 461 downloads)
IMG_3027A.jpg (147KB - 476 downloads)
28661367_1649023401853847_6736738205052170288_n.jpg (62KB - 434 downloads)
28783581_1649023428520511_5689055004310321101_n.jpg (66KB - 431 downloads)
28796192_1649023568520497_7993173657632453659_n.jpg (61KB - 441 downloads)
28795426_1649023605187160_3988823093580078871_n.jpg (59KB - 437 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Location: North Australia | Some nice work. I am liking the updates Mucho! I like 56 Desoto's a lot. I have seen exactly two.
Steve. |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1159
Location: D-70199 Heslach | great to see the result of your sweaty work |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| How are you paying the body shop guy? by the hour? How many hours so far? |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | Glad to see another one getting restored. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks everyone.
He charges by the hour, but typically I make payments in chunks preceding the work to be done. I had a ballpark estimate for the cost of what I was having done and knew the car wouldn't have any major surprises (the front end was original paint yet), so I knew pretty well what I was getting into ahead of time. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 335
Location: California/Wisconsin | Great work David! Fun to see it come along and your organized approach. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks Paul! Hopefully I'll get it up to Iola after it is done and you'll be able to see it in person! |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2996
Location: Sept. 1958 | Very nice work David! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks Matt!
The firewall patches are welded in (we suspect a leaking heater core as the culprit). The passenger side came out of a parts car and the driver's side was a simple flat piece of metal. Work has also been started to repair the passenger floor pan. The patch from the parts car required only a small repair whereas that area of the pan from the car was very thin and littered with holes from years of water sitting. The last photo is the pressed cardboard for the underside of the trunk lid.
Edited by Fireflite56 2018-03-16 12:10 AM
 (29136737_10216154089193629_1822860390451642368_n.jpg)
 (29102047_10216155362785468_3462674145240678400_n.jpg)
 (29132988_10216162322719462_2217171747235430400_n.jpg)
 (29177918_10216162899093871_4710903168874053632_n.jpg)
 (29136750_10216164521414428_4415533118262345728_n.jpg)
 (29216038_10216164915464279_5150965088525484032_n.jpg)
 (29187125_10216164923504480_2118643174535593984_n.jpg)
 (29179013_10216170862372948_6525497662836310016_n.jpg)
 (29178405_10216172804701505_837127273889923072_n.jpg)
 (29186734_10216172541974937_4499042959127216128_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
29136737_10216154089193629_1822860390451642368_n.jpg (49KB - 455 downloads)
29102047_10216155362785468_3462674145240678400_n.jpg (61KB - 436 downloads)
29132988_10216162322719462_2217171747235430400_n.jpg (77KB - 436 downloads)
29177918_10216162899093871_4710903168874053632_n.jpg (40KB - 431 downloads)
29136750_10216164521414428_4415533118262345728_n.jpg (74KB - 458 downloads)
29216038_10216164915464279_5150965088525484032_n.jpg (79KB - 437 downloads)
29187125_10216164923504480_2118643174535593984_n.jpg (84KB - 434 downloads)
29179013_10216170862372948_6525497662836310016_n.jpg (32KB - 444 downloads)
29178405_10216172804701505_837127273889923072_n.jpg (80KB - 435 downloads)
29186734_10216172541974937_4499042959127216128_n.jpg (43KB - 452 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Work progresses on the passenger floor pan.
 (29512960_10156218170534419_5527624696658395136_n.jpg)
 (29512473_10156220224089419_8754886401595539456_n.jpg)
 (29513303_10216241362775414_3676073752870780928_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
29512960_10156218170534419_5527624696658395136_n.jpg (78KB - 440 downloads)
29512473_10156220224089419_8754886401595539456_n.jpg (119KB - 441 downloads)
29513303_10216241362775414_3676073752870780928_n.jpg (67KB - 431 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | The passenger floor pan patch is completely installed. The other floor photos shown are of a few pinholes on the driver's side that will need to be addressed. The first of the paint also arrived this week, so I will need to compare it to original parts, paint chip charts, and the color and upholstery book.
 (30126997_1686146358141551_8690756546613470801_n.jpg)
 (29793514_1686146528141534_1011479268000777037_n.jpg)
 (30124143_1686146444808209_5983683607390373703_n.jpg)
 (30124836_1686146764808177_5347917393286338016_n.jpg)
 (29791958_1686146834808170_537791521402413901_n.jpg)
 (29793321_1686147171474803_904420256372619016_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
30126997_1686146358141551_8690756546613470801_n.jpg (66KB - 425 downloads)
29793514_1686146528141534_1011479268000777037_n.jpg (109KB - 417 downloads)
30124143_1686146444808209_5983683607390373703_n.jpg (83KB - 413 downloads)
30124836_1686146764808177_5347917393286338016_n.jpg (81KB - 448 downloads)
29791958_1686146834808170_537791521402413901_n.jpg (107KB - 436 downloads)
29793321_1686147171474803_904420256372619016_n.jpg (24KB - 424 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | +1 |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | The passenger rocker had some pinholes, so it was cut out so that the inside could be exposed to make sure that all the rust was addressed. A few pinholes on the backside of the rocker will need to be fixed and then the replacement rocker off the parts car will go on instead of the original since it was cleaner.
I also received the first paint samples from Tim! The white matches all the cars we have here, but the yellow was a little dark. We have a car with original yellow in the door jam and a spare yellow fender that has an unexposed spot under the sweep insert. The color and upholstery book seems to be pretty close to the door jam color. It's hard to convey the exact shadings in the photos here. He'll try mixing in a little of the white in and see if that lightens up the yellow to where it needs to be.
 (30728540_10156279484719419_8401442771029721088_o.jpg)
 (30710846_10156279495544419_5740688094248566784_o.jpg)
 (30710329_10156279328414419_8284405449084633088_n.jpg)
 (30710508_1697508263672027_3511502429772457833_n.jpg)
 (30742661_1697508107005376_6892515142965958504_n.jpg)
 (30707987_1697508307005356_3739418814655737403_n.jpg)
 (30729976_1697508340338686_7139647847435089916_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
30728540_10156279484719419_8401442771029721088_o.jpg (90KB - 429 downloads)
30710846_10156279495544419_5740688094248566784_o.jpg (73KB - 413 downloads)
30710329_10156279328414419_8284405449084633088_n.jpg (86KB - 447 downloads)
30710508_1697508263672027_3511502429772457833_n.jpg (52KB - 426 downloads)
30742661_1697508107005376_6892515142965958504_n.jpg (39KB - 432 downloads)
30707987_1697508307005356_3739418814655737403_n.jpg (25KB - 451 downloads)
30729976_1697508340338686_7139647847435089916_n.jpg (15KB - 424 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | David - Have that large paint chip in the color and upholstery book scanned and get the exact formula based on that. Then have that formula mixed up. Another question: Any idea why there are those two lightbulb-shaped holes where the removable floor panel attaches to the floor pan ? I had the same ones on my '55 Desoto and considered cutting them out and welding a patch to accept the coarse-threaded sheet metal screws that are used elsewhere to attach the panel. But I left 'as is' and used a small bolt, washer and nut to secure. Ron |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 9903
Location: Lower Mainland BC | If your 56 Desoto was a Canadian car, the yellow and white combinations would have been Code 11 Surf White and Code 24 Butterfly Yellow. I am guessing that the interior would have been Code 85 White leather and Black and Silver Cloth. In Canada.
See below:
 (56DesotoButterflyYellowRoofAndSweepSurfWhiteBody_small.jpg)
 (56DesotoSurfWhiteRoofAndSweepAndButtterflyBody_small.jpg)
 (56DesotoCode85InteriorWhiteLeatherAndBlackAndSilverCloth.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
56DesotoButterflyYellowRoofAndSweepSurfWhiteBody_small.jpg (109KB - 438 downloads)
56DesotoSurfWhiteRoofAndSweepAndButtterflyBody_small.jpg (96KB - 437 downloads)
56DesotoCode85InteriorWhiteLeatherAndBlackAndSilverCloth.jpg (237KB - 416 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Ron, I am not sure what those cut-outs are for. The insert would mate up there, but the insert is just thru-holes. Maybe they are alignment slots for easy installation? Perhaps Tim knows. I hesitate having the book scanned because I am afraid that color may not be 100% correct after all the years of aging. The white was noticeably aged. I simply used it as another point of comparison with the door jam and the loose fender.
Dave, I don't think I have seen that image before. My car is Detroit-built so it is Sunny Yello, just like in the photos I posted. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I started doing some more digging into the name of the dealer FCA provided me since I couldn't find much online. The Ada Public Library was able to send me an ad out of a newspaper that also confirms the address in 1956!
 (40298019_10156236074033101_975347078186139648_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
40298019_10156236074033101_975347078186139648_n.jpg (74KB - 399 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | David - You should have them pull the papers from the second week in October. That is right around when the new models were released to the public. A good chunk of the dealership's advertising budget is spent around that time. Translated, that means quarter page ads with pictures. Just what you want. I did the research on Hub Motor Co. in Lubbock, Tx, where my 55 Desoto was sold new. Here's one of many ads I came across for the dealership. Ron
 (55 Desoto Ad Lubbock A-J 7-17-1955 small.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
55 Desoto Ad Lubbock A-J 7-17-1955 small.jpg (248KB - 407 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I did more digging today in old newspapers and was delighted to not only find more ads for the dealer (1956-specific too!), but also the franchise announcement, which was made official October 19, 1955. My car was built in mid-November making it one of the first DeSotos at Wheeler Motor Co!
 (10-23-1955_A.jpg)
 (Franchise article.jpg)
 (1956 Ad.jpg)
 (4 Door 1956 Ad.JPG)
 (Wheeler Opening.jpg)
 (First National Congratulations.jpg)
 (GAC Congratulations.jpg)
 (Ada Auto Supply Congratulations.jpg)
 (Motor Sales Company Congratulations.jpg)
 (Wheeler the Dealer.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
10-23-1955_A.jpg (408KB - 435 downloads)
Franchise article.jpg (33KB - 395 downloads)
1956 Ad.jpg (58KB - 404 downloads)
4 Door 1956 Ad.JPG (69KB - 397 downloads)
Wheeler Opening.jpg (38KB - 434 downloads)
First National Congratulations.jpg (33KB - 443 downloads)
GAC Congratulations.jpg (13KB - 400 downloads)
Ada Auto Supply Congratulations.jpg (29KB - 406 downloads)
Motor Sales Company Congratulations.jpg (30KB - 399 downloads)
Wheeler the Dealer.jpg (7KB - 394 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Another ad and also the end to a short-lived franchise.
 (Adventurer Ad.JPG)
 (Close-Out Auction_A.JPG)
Attachments
----------------
Adventurer Ad.JPG (93KB - 395 downloads)
Close-Out Auction_A.JPG (67KB - 403 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | A few updates on the body work showing repairs to the driver's rocker panel, lower driver's quarter just behind the rocker, and floor pan access panel opening lip. The replacement rocker off my parts car had a crease that needed to be worked out before installing it.
 (IMG_1976_a.jpg)
 (IMG_1978_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2073_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2067_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2062_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2063_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2066_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2074_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2076_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2079_a.jpg)
 (IMG_2078_a.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_1976_a.jpg (215KB - 389 downloads)
IMG_1978_a.jpg (283KB - 419 downloads)
IMG_2073_a.jpg (292KB - 404 downloads)
IMG_2067_a.jpg (323KB - 386 downloads)
IMG_2062_a.jpg (304KB - 386 downloads)
IMG_2063_a.jpg (399KB - 386 downloads)
IMG_2066_a.jpg (290KB - 386 downloads)
IMG_2074_a.jpg (365KB - 386 downloads)
IMG_2076_a.jpg (375KB - 383 downloads)
IMG_2079_a.jpg (385KB - 371 downloads)
IMG_2078_a.jpg (375KB - 387 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Fresh in from Australia - a pair for the '56 and a pair for my '59 Fireflite! Beautiful work as usual by George.
 (IMG_2100_a.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_2100_a.jpg (339KB - 393 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
| Enjoying your build thread. Where does one learn those kinda metal work skills? I'm about to start a 61 fury restro. Anyways , I'm getting in this 56 De Soto 4dr for parts if you need anything?
Attachments
----------------
image.jpeg (210KB - 398 downloads)
image.jpeg (229KB - 389 downloads)
image.jpeg (215KB - 405 downloads)
image.jpeg (246KB - 395 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | I have the car in a shop currently (Stellar Antique Auto Restorations) for the body and paint work as that exceeds my space, equipment, and talents for the level I want. Most of the rest of the work I am doing myself and am still intimately involved with all the work that is being done in the shop.
To answer your question, one place to learn that kind of work is McPherson College in Kansas, which has a very strong automotive program. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | It has been a while since my last post, but work has been moving along again. Shown below are the last of the rust repairs required. The body should be completely rust-free now! There are a few finishing touches required, such as proper seams and spot-welds, but the main repairs are done! The photos of the roof emblem test-fitting were necessary for two reasons. One is that the roof was replaced on this car in the past with a cheaper model and did not have holes to start with. Also, the chrome rings I am using are limited-run reproduction and because the casting was made from actual parts, the resulting parts have casting shrinkage resulting in the pins being a bit closer together than the originals, requiring a slight adjustment for proper fit.
Shown last is some experimenting with undercoating since an exact replica of the original texture is not available to my knowledge. The stuff in the photos is an off-the-shelf option in parts stores. We are also going to experiment with a brand that was recommended on here from a place called Rick's Restorations. They appear to specialize more in muscle cars, but the sample photos seem to be about the closest of anything I have seen so far. I'm still open to undercoating brand suggestions with the goal being an OEM look/texture.
 (IMG_3193_a.jpg)
 (IMG_3335a.jpg)
 (IMG_3341a.jpg)
 (IMG_3342a.jpg)
 (IMG_3343a.jpg)
 (IMG_3344a.jpg)
 (IMG_3345a.jpg)
 (IMG_1949a.jpg)
 (IMG_1952a.jpg)
 (IMG_3127a.jpg)
 (IMG_2082a.jpg)
 (IMG_2083a.jpg)
 (IMG_2084a.jpg)
 (IMG_2089a.jpg)
 (IMG_2085a.jpg)
 (IMG_2094a.jpg)
 (IMG_2088a.jpg)
 (IMG_2087a.jpg)
 (IMG_2090a.jpg)
 (IMG_2086a.jpg)
 (IMG_2092a.jpg)
 (IMG_2091a.jpg)
 (IMG_2029a.jpg)
 (IMG_2443a.jpg)
 (IMG_2445a.jpg)
 (IMG_2446a.jpg)
 (IMG_2447a.jpg)
 (IMG_2440a.jpg)
 (IMG_2450a.jpg)
 (IMG_2452a.jpg)
 (IMG_2453a.jpg)
 (IMG_2454a.jpg)
 (IMG_2449a.jpg)
 (IMG_5005a.jpg)
 (IMG_5040a.jpg)
 (IMG_5041a.jpg)
 (IMG_5042a.jpg)
 (IMG_5043a.jpg)
 (IMG_5049a.jpg)
 (IMG_5050a.jpg)
 (IMG_5057a.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_3193_a.jpg (155KB - 345 downloads)
IMG_3335a.jpg (312KB - 340 downloads)
IMG_3341a.jpg (250KB - 351 downloads)
IMG_3342a.jpg (275KB - 351 downloads)
IMG_3343a.jpg (274KB - 341 downloads)
IMG_3344a.jpg (267KB - 345 downloads)
IMG_3345a.jpg (230KB - 347 downloads)
IMG_1949a.jpg (148KB - 364 downloads)
IMG_1952a.jpg (138KB - 350 downloads)
IMG_3127a.jpg (119KB - 363 downloads)
IMG_2082a.jpg (221KB - 346 downloads)
IMG_2083a.jpg (187KB - 352 downloads)
IMG_2084a.jpg (175KB - 362 downloads)
IMG_2089a.jpg (176KB - 362 downloads)
IMG_2085a.jpg (171KB - 351 downloads)
IMG_2094a.jpg (167KB - 356 downloads)
IMG_2088a.jpg (193KB - 350 downloads)
IMG_2087a.jpg (180KB - 347 downloads)
IMG_2090a.jpg (179KB - 348 downloads)
IMG_2086a.jpg (153KB - 346 downloads)
IMG_2092a.jpg (147KB - 361 downloads)
IMG_2091a.jpg (173KB - 357 downloads)
IMG_2029a.jpg (166KB - 343 downloads)
IMG_2443a.jpg (205KB - 343 downloads)
IMG_2445a.jpg (203KB - 376 downloads)
IMG_2446a.jpg (190KB - 339 downloads)
IMG_2447a.jpg (223KB - 352 downloads)
IMG_2440a.jpg (223KB - 354 downloads)
IMG_2450a.jpg (164KB - 341 downloads)
IMG_2452a.jpg (177KB - 356 downloads)
IMG_2453a.jpg (172KB - 349 downloads)
IMG_2454a.jpg (148KB - 390 downloads)
IMG_2449a.jpg (149KB - 350 downloads)
IMG_5005a.jpg (153KB - 366 downloads)
IMG_5040a.jpg (249KB - 345 downloads)
IMG_5041a.jpg (299KB - 336 downloads)
IMG_5042a.jpg (356KB - 340 downloads)
IMG_5043a.jpg (303KB - 350 downloads)
IMG_5049a.jpg (179KB - 354 downloads)
IMG_5050a.jpg (242KB - 350 downloads)
IMG_5057a.jpg (96KB - 356 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | It has been a while since I have had a chance to sit down and resize images in order to post here. I was able to visit the shop doing the body and paint work in July during the National DeSoto Club convention and saw it in roughly the state it is shown in in the last post. Since then, the inner firewall under the dash was sandblasted, some general clean-up on welds and patches was done, pinholes were located and fixed (notably the rear of the trunk floor by the tail panel), the roof trim was fitted (note this roof is a replacement off of a Chrysler and did not have the Sportsman trim holes), the rear quarter drain holes, notches, and factory weld markings were added, most of the side trim (which will be installed on the painted sheet metal prior to assembly) was straightened and rough polished, the frame was disassembled and blasted, the axle, suspension components, differential, and inner fenders were painted, and the current work is on fixing some minor frame damage (tweaked trans and body mounts, dents, etc.). Suspension components are arriving soon and then reassembly can start on the chassis before painting and dropping the body. The image showing the roof trim with arrows pointing to the edge is indicating a factory defect from the stamping tooling. With that mark being in a bad location to remove, a different part was procured from my parts car with no tool markings.
Edited by Fireflite56 2019-11-12 3:42 PM
 (IMG_20190717_192420190.jpg)
 (IMG_20190717_192442930.jpg)
 (IMG_1571869724567.jpg)
 (received_2401336550087651.jpg)
 (received_945821909108471.jpg)
 (received_600181910519609.jpg)
 (received_504628653669699.jpg)
 (received_971843066500719.jpg)
 (received_532234114219097.jpg)
 (received_3672147916144095.jpg)
 (received_3055377727870855.jpg)
 (received_755641364859857.jpg)
 (received_406802380024068.jpg)
 (received_510035276487443.jpg)
 (received_921356954910473.jpg)
 (received_2619040401451075.jpg)
 (received_2427621170640808.jpg)
 (received_2543746419040635.jpg)
 (received_501056413807135.jpg)
 (received_697242927419130.jpg)
 (received_2179218709044891.jpg)
 (received_1336047623237139.jpg)
 (received_966335963736661.jpg)
 (received_1959586137520741.jpg)
 (received_464324487515905.jpg)
 (received_926425097718476.jpg)
 (received_545048976241488.jpg)
 (received_742708329503800.jpg)
 (received_572355393509692.jpg)
 (IMG_2774.JPG)
 (IMG_2782.JPG)
 (IMG_2789.JPG)
 (received_2400100596975550.jpg)
 (received_938996573116269.jpg)
 (received_2127114834264127.jpg)
 (received_2390085384575042.jpg)
 (received_2588824074679180.jpg)
 (received_517826955615168.jpg)
 (FB_IMG_1573528185435.jpg)
 (received_573022550131189.jpg)
 (received_3507020222656628.jpg)
 (received_416172299336109.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_20190717_192420190.jpg (107KB - 331 downloads)
IMG_20190717_192442930.jpg (109KB - 327 downloads)
IMG_1571869724567.jpg (33KB - 318 downloads)
received_2401336550087651.jpg (74KB - 312 downloads)
received_945821909108471.jpg (163KB - 327 downloads)
received_600181910519609.jpg (58KB - 337 downloads)
received_504628653669699.jpg (63KB - 342 downloads)
received_971843066500719.jpg (155KB - 326 downloads)
received_532234114219097.jpg (74KB - 315 downloads)
received_3672147916144095.jpg (142KB - 314 downloads)
received_3055377727870855.jpg (55KB - 329 downloads)
received_755641364859857.jpg (80KB - 321 downloads)
received_406802380024068.jpg (57KB - 330 downloads)
received_510035276487443.jpg (69KB - 327 downloads)
received_921356954910473.jpg (64KB - 313 downloads)
received_2619040401451075.jpg (57KB - 327 downloads)
received_2427621170640808.jpg (165KB - 325 downloads)
received_2543746419040635.jpg (88KB - 329 downloads)
received_501056413807135.jpg (79KB - 322 downloads)
received_697242927419130.jpg (59KB - 334 downloads)
received_2179218709044891.jpg (56KB - 323 downloads)
received_1336047623237139.jpg (80KB - 310 downloads)
received_966335963736661.jpg (76KB - 327 downloads)
received_1959586137520741.jpg (90KB - 319 downloads)
received_464324487515905.jpg (79KB - 317 downloads)
received_926425097718476.jpg (186KB - 307 downloads)
received_545048976241488.jpg (126KB - 342 downloads)
received_742708329503800.jpg (59KB - 311 downloads)
received_572355393509692.jpg (99KB - 310 downloads)
IMG_2774.JPG (224KB - 320 downloads)
IMG_2782.JPG (202KB - 308 downloads)
IMG_2789.JPG (230KB - 313 downloads)
received_2400100596975550.jpg (246KB - 310 downloads)
received_938996573116269.jpg (330KB - 305 downloads)
received_2127114834264127.jpg (88KB - 319 downloads)
received_2390085384575042.jpg (117KB - 315 downloads)
received_2588824074679180.jpg (49KB - 338 downloads)
received_517826955615168.jpg (45KB - 354 downloads)
FB_IMG_1573528185435.jpg (107KB - 337 downloads)
received_573022550131189.jpg (41KB - 308 downloads)
received_3507020222656628.jpg (74KB - 312 downloads)
received_416172299336109.jpg (57KB - 320 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | As a reference to anyone restoring one of these cars, there are a total of four wire covers for the floorboards. There are three on the driver's side and one on the passenger side. For a 2 door at least, there are actually only two different plates that are used twice each. The front and rear driver's side are 11.75" long. The middles for both sides are interchangeable/identical and are 14.5" long. There are also metal plates that attach under the heater box and retain the top lip of the carpeting.
Edited by Fireflite56 2019-11-12 3:27 PM
 (received_457541274878807.jpg)
 (received_488095018585104.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
received_457541274878807.jpg (84KB - 313 downloads)
received_488095018585104.jpg (77KB - 314 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13049
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | .jpeg doesn't work - photos must be .jpg |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | wizard - 2019-11-12 1:44 PM .jpeg doesn't work - photos must be .jpg That makes sense - thanks for the tip! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | A little more progress. The frame is fixed, primed, and painted in the correct semi-gloss. Also, the leaf springs are back from the shop. Besides re-arching to factory specs, I also had an extra leaf added to each side to prevent the car from ever sagging out again. As long as the car sits at the proper height, I don't mind it being a little stiffer as a result. Anybody know off-hand if say the 300B or New Yorkers were 7-leaf springs? If they were, then that's basically what I have now.
Edited by Fireflite56 2019-11-21 1:58 PM
 (received_1187013221507943.jpg)
 (FB_IMG_1573771021500.jpg)
 (received_940820159634900.jpg)
 (received_3223004451107718.jpg)
 (received_2145752925733638.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
received_1187013221507943.jpg (139KB - 318 downloads)
FB_IMG_1573771021500.jpg (51KB - 312 downloads)
received_447519069241190.jpeg (87KB - 313 downloads)
received_940820159634900.jpg (56KB - 304 downloads)
received_3223004451107718.jpg (213KB - 309 downloads)
received_2145752925733638.jpg (152KB - 304 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | 11/25/2019 - assembly has officially begun!
 (received_534821880432134.jpg)
 (received_3098589050366185.jpg)
 (received_592775074797918.jpg)
 (received_1742438312555518.jpg)
 (received_2581674905280746.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
received_534821880432134.jpg (69KB - 325 downloads)
received_3098589050366185.jpg (76KB - 300 downloads)
received_592775074797918.jpg (207KB - 305 downloads)
received_1742438312555518.jpg (95KB - 304 downloads)
received_2581674905280746.jpg (85KB - 308 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Progress is moving along pretty quickly right now! Body work is 100% completed, the engine and trans is back in the chassis, the steering box has been rebuilt (Lares Corporation), and the first fresh paint has been applied! A few notes to correlate with the photos below or for general reference to a restorer: - For reference, there are several shots of the factory spot welds, seams, and drain holes, on a rust-free Arizona '56 Fireflite Sportsman (yellow car, white sweep). No two cars are going to be identical, but this should be a good basis for anyone restoring one correctly. - The yellow and blue paint marks are recreations of the factory inspection markings after the grease was stripped off the frame. I believe earlier in the thread is a shot of one of the yellow markings. - There was some question regarding the correct color of the engine mounts. Looking at multiple unrestored sets, the consensus is that they were painted silver and had a little overspray onto the black rubber. I chose not to duplicate the overspray. - The door latch shield/hood apparently came in two styles. There is the completely separate flatter style shown here and also a more rounded hood that is attached to a shim that gets sandwiched behind the lower piece. I had a set of those on my parts car and so far have seen no correlations between body styles, LA vs Detroit built, early/late builds, etc. - There was some question regarding the correct color of the rear license plate bracket. Looking at multiple unrestored brackets, it appears they are supposed to be body color, regardless of Detroit vs LA production. You can see the white one in the trunk that I believe is the original to this car. - The 3-studded rectangular plate that mounts from inside the firewall to attach the accelerator linkage to we found to be available in two styles. One style has a hole that aligns with the hole on the firewall and the purpose is unknown, though one example I saw had a bolt and a nut through it - maybe a later change as an assembly aid? Most of our cars are like the one shown where there is a firewall hole that is not filled and exposes the rectangular plate inside the car. Note that the photo shows the accelerator linkage bracket in black for this car and should be matching body color (will be eventually corrected).
Edited by Fireflite56 2020-01-30 1:44 PM
 (IMG_20200125_171302949.jpg)
 (IMG_20200125_171456137.jpg)
 (IMG_20200125_171503222.jpg)
 (IMG_20200125_171627583.jpg)
 (IMG_20200125_171644465.jpg)
 (IMG_20200125_171649352.jpg)
 (IMG_20200125_171701627.jpg)
 (IMG_20200125_171707741.jpg)
 (IMG_20200125_171726999.jpg)
 (received_449235265746739.jpg)
 (received_617750515700079.jpg)
 (received_1448152728666910.jpg)
 (FB_IMG_1577492300919.jpg)
 (received_2748573581897999.jpg)
 (received_2670310946581067.jpg)
 (IMG_20200127_182548369.jpg)
 (IMG_20200126_164602143.jpg)
 (IMG_20200126_164612087.jpg)
 (IMG_20200126_161731503.jpg)
 (IMG_20200126_161715572.jpg)
 (received_492014071504056.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
IMG_20200125_171302949.jpg (192KB - 301 downloads)
IMG_20200125_171456137.jpg (134KB - 290 downloads)
IMG_20200125_171503222.jpg (174KB - 306 downloads)
IMG_20200125_171627583.jpg (91KB - 315 downloads)
IMG_20200125_171644465.jpg (37KB - 298 downloads)
IMG_20200125_171649352.jpg (33KB - 341 downloads)
IMG_20200125_171701627.jpg (24KB - 287 downloads)
IMG_20200125_171707741.jpg (24KB - 299 downloads)
IMG_20200125_171726999.jpg (57KB - 306 downloads)
received_449235265746739.jpg (100KB - 335 downloads)
received_617750515700079.jpg (122KB - 311 downloads)
received_1448152728666910.jpg (105KB - 293 downloads)
FB_IMG_1577492300919.jpg (80KB - 298 downloads)
received_2748573581897999.jpg (53KB - 303 downloads)
received_2670310946581067.jpg (49KB - 344 downloads)
IMG_20200127_182548369.jpg (384KB - 307 downloads)
IMG_20200126_164602143.jpg (354KB - 306 downloads)
IMG_20200126_164612087.jpg (117KB - 305 downloads)
IMG_20200126_161731503.jpg (289KB - 290 downloads)
IMG_20200126_161715572.jpg (63KB - 321 downloads)
received_492014071504056.jpg (138KB - 307 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | The first of the original Sunny Yellow went on this past weekend and one of the inspection marks was duplicated!
 (received_863557524078349.jpg)
 (received_680598882475550.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
received_863557524078349.jpg (101KB - 303 downloads)
received_680598882475550.jpg (61KB - 311 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Things are continuing to move along. The underside is completely undercoated and the body is back on the frame! After having tested several types of undercoating and spraying methods first, I'm pretty happy with the results mimicking the thick factory/dealer undercoating that was used. The stuff you see here is from Restorations by Rick in Wisconsin and can be ordered by the gallon. Multiple coats are required to get it to build up the texture properly and the best results were achieved by spraying it on heavy at low pressure and then let the air blow texture into it. For the interior, a little less was used and only the bare areas were coated and then blended into the existing factory undercoating, which we left as much of as possible. The underside of the hood will be a thinner coat not only to avoid making it too heavy for the springs, but also because original examples indicate the spray was lighter than on the underside - perhaps partially for the same reasons of weight. I'll post a reference photo of an original hood when we get to doing this one. For those wondering why undercoating on a car that is being done so thoroughly, I have two primary reasons. One is that I want to actually drive the car and the undercoating shows dust/dirt less and is also more resistant to paint chips or other damage. The other being that the (metal) floor patches were able to just have the welds ground down and no additional finishing work was required like on the outer body - this saves time and money. The goal with this car is not to do the way over-the-top restoration (welded metal on panels to even out panel gaps and alignment, too shiny gloss black in the engine bay, mirror reflection on the bottom of the car, etc.), but make it the most correctly restored 1956 DeSoto and also do it a little bit neater than the factory (no overspray for example), all while actually running and driving well. Everything gets scrutinized and questioned along the way and the extra effort is being made to ensure 100% accuracy and authenticity.
Edited by Fireflite56 2020-02-20 2:01 AM
 (84658498_121639069178407_8310008406266085376_n.jpg)
 (86871760_186750079261601_1695846246025003008_a.jpg)
 (86970269_850604172078915_5147864014763589632_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
84658498_121639069178407_8310008406266085376_n.jpg (150KB - 286 downloads)
86871760_186750079261601_1695846246025003008_a.jpg (398KB - 290 downloads)
86970269_850604172078915_5147864014763589632_n.jpg (148KB - 278 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Location: North Australia | Very nice workmanship and thanks for sharing. I have enjoyed looking at the progress pics, and look forward to more. 56 DeSoto Coupes are exceptional! Steve. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Fireflite56 - 2020-02-20 12:56 AM
The goal with this car is not to do the way over-the-top restoration
Too late!
Car is really looking terrific. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks guys. I'm glad to finally be getting into paint and reassembly after years to get to this point. And you're not really wrong Danny.... |
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1155
Location: somerville mass | i have followed this thread from the beginning.... as of now... and when finally
finished.. it will look like it rolled off the assembly line!!!!!!!!! you say it had
standard options for a sportsman... option it out man! steering wheel clock...
power windows.. air conditioning by airtemp.... |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Work is continuing to progress a bit. The inside of the trunk was finished off and trunk and door hinges painted in preparation for painting the body. Not all of the old undercoating was removed on the inside of the car if there were no signs of lifting, cracking, rust, etc., especially with the underside having been completely stripped. For the other areas, new undercoating was physically blended in (though there is an obvious color difference) and then paint for the white areas with overspray similar to the factory. With a trunk mat and cardboard in place, the remaining visible areas should look factory-correct as if they were never touched.
Edited by Fireflite56 2020-03-13 11:54 PM
 (received_633753634080456.jpg)
 (received_3373035342723467.jpg)
 (received_2816631101735246.jpg)
 (received_203349750888893.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
received_633753634080456.jpg (136KB - 280 downloads)
received_3373035342723467.jpg (140KB - 253 downloads)
received_2816631101735246.jpg (101KB - 247 downloads)
received_203349750888893.jpg (59KB - 248 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | More color today!
 (89825671_233479684499787_2475261498897727488_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
89825671_233479684499787_2475261498897727488_n.jpg (259KB - 256 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | And we have two-tone!
 (received_498709821008962.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
received_498709821008962.jpg (34KB - 254 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | What brand of paint are they using ? Is it bc/cc ? Ron |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 194
Location: McPherson, KS | They? |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | The body is painted!
 (92948060_516484775971486_6797973184118259712_n.jpg)
 (93225507_755424318195884_45091186603458560_n.jpg)
 (92705724_273015117032366_1016832115758596096_n.jpg)
 (93393299_238587907343160_3565579208010760192_n.jpg)
 (93109074_233488224551553_5782860408192761856_n.jpg)
 (93721252_837203246779429_566859726575370240_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
92948060_516484775971486_6797973184118259712_n.jpg (103KB - 390 downloads)
93225507_755424318195884_45091186603458560_n.jpg (96KB - 386 downloads)
92705724_273015117032366_1016832115758596096_n.jpg (83KB - 384 downloads)
93393299_238587907343160_3565579208010760192_n.jpg (65KB - 371 downloads)
93109074_233488224551553_5782860408192761856_n.jpg (49KB - 380 downloads)
93721252_837203246779429_566859726575370240_n.jpg (80KB - 380 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | The trunk lid is being painted, which proves to be quite the challenge when you have 60+ years of debris between the layers to try to clean out. At the same time the board for the underside of the trunk is being templated and cut based on the original. Can anyone confirm with 100% certainty or proof that the color of the original material for a Detroit-built DeSoto was a grayish color? Were they oversprayed? There is definitely no paint under the hinges and appears to be none under the insulation, which indicates it would have been oversprayed. It's our theory that the brownish color is from age and that it started out more as a gray with possible overspray, but I don't have a lot of evidence for that besides a short glimpse of gray material on a '55 Plymouth in the "Wishes on Wheels" video on Youtube. Any evidence supporting a theory is appreciated.
 (101913203_179478453462891_4336952130326757376_n.jpg)
 (101892163_10158435848559419_839306574655651840_n.jpg)
 (101470636_10158435845294419_8185420974196260864_n.jpg)
 (101380487_10223338234512772_1615765970905726976_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
101913203_179478453462891_4336952130326757376_n.jpg (56KB - 335 downloads)
101892163_10158435848559419_839306574655651840_n.jpg (46KB - 354 downloads)
101470636_10158435845294419_8185420974196260864_n.jpg (58KB - 346 downloads)
101380487_10223338234512772_1615765970905726976_n.jpg (63KB - 343 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Car is looking terrific, David!
Some Mopars didn't get body-colored trunks, and that's what the '55 Plymouth assembly line shows in that film.
I dug through the dealership thread, and only found a '57 with the trunk open. It's a black and white photo... and a '57... so not definitive, but there doesn't appear to be any (body color) overspray on this car's trunk insulation.
I searched for 1956 auto show on pinterest, getty, and Time. Searched for Desoto dealerships. Lots of great photos, but none with the trunk open.
Every mat I've ever seen in person was just as brown on the top as the bottom, but the old photos do make it look gray. Maybe someone here has a mint low mileage original car that can shed some light on how it should look.
*edit, you may also want to go to the IMCDB and look up '55-'56 Desotos (and/or other Mopars). There are quite a few movies (from the period) that may have a brief shot of an open trunk. Jimmy Stewart was driving a nearly-new '56 Firedome in Vertigo...
https://www.imcdb.org/vehicles.php?resultsStyle=asImages&yearFrom=19...
Edited by 57burb 2020-06-05 1:51 PM
 (trunk1.JPG)
 (trunk2.JPG)
 (Art Frost (13).jpg)
Attachments
----------------
trunk1.JPG (77KB - 357 downloads)
trunk2.JPG (78KB - 360 downloads)
Art Frost (13).jpg (269KB - 352 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | The underside of Plymouth trunks was a grayish color that varied from a warm gray to a bluish gray color. Dodges, depending on the assembly location, were either body color or black. Senior models were body color. My 55 Desoto trunk underside is red to go along with the overall color of the car. Paint is original. The brownish oil cloth (I believe it was called) that was used as a silencer, was said to absorb paint as the underside was painted. Can't verify that. Ron |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | 57burb - 2020-06-05 12:34 PM Car is looking terrific, David! Some Mopars didn't get body-colored trunks, and that's what the '55 Plymouth assembly line shows in that film. I dug through the dealership thread, and only found a '57 with the trunk open. It's a black and white photo... and a '57... so not definitive, but there doesn't appear to be any (body color ) overspray on this car's trunk insulation. I searched for 1956 auto show on pinterest, getty, and Time. Searched for Desoto dealerships. Lots of great photos, but none with the trunk open. Every mat I've ever seen in person was just as brown on the top as the bottom, but the old photos do make it look gray. Maybe someone here has a mint low mileage original car that can shed some light on how it should look. *edit, you may also want to go to the IMCDB and look up '55-'56 Desotos (and/or other Mopars ). There are quite a few movies (from the period ) that may have a brief shot of an open trunk. Jimmy Stewart was driving a nearly-new '56 Firedome in Vertigo... https://www.imcdb.org/vehicles.php?resultsStyle=asImages&yearFro... I did check out the "Wishes on Wheels" video on YouTube to reference the Plymouth and paused at the same spot your stills are taken from. That car uses small strips of insulation/silencer that are near-black in color, but it's also hard to say if a 1955 Plymouth is the same as a 1956 DeSoto in terms of that material color. I can say with 100% cetainty that the underside of the lid on a '56 DeSoto was body colored if it was a Detroit-built car whereas the Los Angeles-built cars were all charcoal gray on the underside. In fact, one of the photos shows a photo laying on it of the unrestored state. The paint color I do not question, just the insulation/silencer material color. I also believe that the insulation/silencer was installed before the lid was painted as original lids show no-paint under that material and the hinges, meaning it may have absorbed some amount of overspray that could alter the color. We have an original pink trunk lid that has that material intact that appears to be a brownish color, same as my white car appeared before removal, but is that the original color or has that changed due to age and/or light-colored paint that has seeped in? Checking out Vertigo would definitely be a good suggestion to see if he opens the trunk. I'm overdue to watch it anyways. |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 9903
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
Not trying to confirm/deny anything here. I have for some time collected photos of 55-56 Mopar trunks to see what they were like regarding the mats, the side linings and the trunk linings. I am really not sure when the sound deadening trunk lid lining was applied but it never seems to have any paint overspray on any of it. At least from the factory.
Here are two of the pertinent photos. The first one is a local car and I know that when the photo was taken, that is what it looked like (more or less when it left the factory). By 1957 they change the shapes of the sound deadening and filled in all the areas, not just part.
I did try some of the "waffle weave" material sold by REM but I returned it:
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=66960&...
 |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Only a little work has been done to the car in the past couple months, but today the trunk lid was painted. That only leaves the front clip needing paint yet.
 (115675126_3258268264262678_8635513307675375321_n.jpg)
 (115967061_3258268844262620_2817456550236405627_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
115675126_3258268264262678_8635513307675375321_n.jpg (46KB - 332 downloads)
115967061_3258268844262620_2817456550236405627_n.jpg (51KB - 320 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Looking great. Don't slow down, the fun part is ahead! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | It has been a while, so here's a current update. Body and paint work continue to slowly progress at the shop in Kansas. Even though I am not doing the body and paint work myself, I am still very involved with many aspects of the work. The most recent was how to finish the underside of the hood. I am doing undercoating on the car, which means the underside of the hood should be undercoated as well. Sounds easy, right? Well, not so much. In order to keep the undercoating layer thin enough to not make the hood too heavy, black epoxy will be put down under the undercoating to ensure it does not show any lighter colors through. That's the easy part. Then what to do about the areas around the hood hinges, latch, hood lips, and rear edge where it seals on the cowl - basically the areas where the undercoating won't cover. Well, I spent about 2 hours here yesterday looking at the 9 different hoods we have here and trying to figure out what is correct. Ultimately I have come to the conclusion that Detroit-built cars were dark gray on the underside of the hood, sometimes with minor overspray. Los Angeles-built cars were painted body color. What's funny about this is that it's pretty much the complete opposite of how the undersides of the trunk lids were done. Cars in both plants had the wrap-around hood lips (front and sides) painted body color. For undercoated cars, the undercoating was generally sprayed on the whole underside, but usually you can see where they masked off around the hinges, latch, and also the back edge was kept clean so it would seal flush against the cowl seal. So, my car being a Detroit car will have a couple peaks of dark gray, such as on the rear edge, and as much area covered in undercoating/black as possible with less overspray than the factory did. Below are a few reference photos. The yellow and blue hoods are LA-built, the other is Detroit. The Pike's Peak Adventurer would have been a Detroit-built car being an Adventurer and clearly shows a darker color (should be the same gray I found) mixed with white overspray.
I also ordered a new set of license plate light lenses from George Laurie in September and they were shipped right away. Even with mail delays from Australia, I received them a couple of weeks ago already. To ensure they fit properly and to knock off one more reassembly task, I put them into the retainers and inserted those into the rechromed bumer guards. I think that's the first time I have ever had those guards unwrapped and I have owned the car for over 16 years!
 (FB_IMG_1603233581106.jpg)
 (FB_IMG_1603433817290.jpg)
 (118780142_3903190219697382_2283571055597517079_n.jpg)
 (123657084_761728508031383_8422835148830998651_n.jpg)
 (118769655_309592673465865_7196532462431406331_n.jpg)
 (120097173_1068913603553742_8008316928309550150_n_a.jpg)
 (IMG_20201101_131525928_HDR.jpg)
 (124633703_658965915010740_5084736299134112134_n_a.jpg)
 (123508766_764305564299136_2270706411294652871_n_a.jpg)
 (124101898_1759450954214044_836376056969413557_n (1)_a.jpg)
 (84115817_467291060844353_4818301007953920000_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
FB_IMG_1603233581106.jpg (70KB - 274 downloads)
FB_IMG_1603433817290.jpg (64KB - 265 downloads)
118780142_3903190219697382_2283571055597517079_n.jpg (78KB - 257 downloads)
123657084_761728508031383_8422835148830998651_n.jpg (64KB - 255 downloads)
118769655_309592673465865_7196532462431406331_n.jpg (50KB - 261 downloads)
120097173_1068913603553742_8008316928309550150_n_a.jpg (128KB - 253 downloads)
IMG_20201101_131525928_HDR.jpg (216KB - 259 downloads)
124633703_658965915010740_5084736299134112134_n_a.jpg (331KB - 257 downloads)
123508766_764305564299136_2270706411294652871_n_a.jpg (248KB - 253 downloads)
124101898_1759450954214044_836376056969413557_n (1)_a.jpg (219KB - 259 downloads)
84115817_467291060844353_4818301007953920000_n.jpg (75KB - 260 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | After all the researching on what was right for which cars on the '56 hoods (LA vs Detroit-built and undercoated vs painted), here's the final product. Undercoated per factory pattern (except overspray) and the rest painted in the correct pattern for a Detroit car where the rear edge is gray and the rest of the hood is body-colored.
 (138836963_709403713099434_5317930977472601775_n.jpg)
 (138800632_221529409453620_3952684183926802771_n_a.jpg)
 (138716866_883055459120003_4914928527718323430_n_a.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
138836963_709403713099434_5317930977472601775_n.jpg (128KB - 218 downloads)
138800632_221529409453620_3952684183926802771_n_a.jpg (140KB - 216 downloads)
138716866_883055459120003_4914928527718323430_n_a.jpg (121KB - 216 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Progress has been very slow in 2021, but here are some updates from the shop. All painting, other than a few small pieces, is done. Most of the car is buffed. Note the fenders were done correctly in the solid white color with the yellow metal sweep insert like the factory would have done. After the rest of the buffing is completed, the heater box will be installed (prior to the full front clip), seals will be installed, and the glass/headliner will be installed. Last will be some of the stainless trim and then the car comes home for reassembly and finishing of everything else.
 (241637477_826806407997706_5318161241833596645_n.jpg)
 (241576891_1043444306418443_8697082873545528719_n.jpg)
 (241683852_3911597265610739_2751043266606366576_n.jpg)
 (243013578_245450457512736_3215616974813201282_n.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
241637477_826806407997706_5318161241833596645_n.jpg (41KB - 107 downloads)
241576891_1043444306418443_8697082873545528719_n.jpg (218KB - 111 downloads)
241683852_3911597265610739_2751043266606366576_n.jpg (55KB - 115 downloads)
243013578_245450457512736_3215616974813201282_n.jpg (78KB - 107 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2003
Location: Branson, MO | Nice David,
Look forward to seeing it completed - been a long time but will be darn well worth it. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 341
Location: Wisconsin | Thanks Fred! I'm hoping to finally have it home again next spring so I can finish the restoration. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1890
| .
Can you post the cowl tag picture, please?
|
|
| |