The Forward Look Network | ||
| ||
57 Fireflite Moderators: ronbo97 Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
Forward Look Swap Meet -> For Sale - EBAY, CRAIGSLIST & OTHER FINDS | Message format |
Chrys 68 |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 673 Location: Malung, SWEDEN | http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/4354278324.html Could it be better? To be auctioned is a 1 owner, 1957 Desoto Fireflite Sportsman, with a 341 Hemi V8, 88,650 one owner miles. This car was owned by the late Mr. Wayne Gatterman of the Kaseyville/Thomas Hill Lake, MO area. Wayne purchased the car new. Iman Auction Company of Salisbury, MO will sell the car at Mr. Gatterman's estate auction along with his personal property. There will be more detailed photos to come. If you are interested or know any Desoto lovers that would appreciate this car, this is a very rare opportunity to purchase a 1 owner beautiful 57 Desoto Fireflite Sportsman. Please contact Iman Auction Company ------ ImanAuction.com -- Office : 1-660-388-6235 (00s0s_iY7WuxsqPem_600x450.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 00s0s_iY7WuxsqPem_600x450.jpg (40KB - 169 downloads) | ||
Lancer Mike |
| ||
Location: The Mile High City | Chrys 68 - 2014-03-01 7:36 AM Could it be better? Answer: No! Look at that proud owner! That's a ray of sunshine on a snowy day here in Denver. If that gentleman is the first and only owner, this might be a new car for Ed's registry. Edited by Lancer Mike 2014-03-01 11:30 AM | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
| ||
Location: Parts Unknown | Could it be better ? Well, ....bumper bullets, tinted glass, power windows, and any color but red .... Looks like a nice car though .... | ||
57desoto |
| ||
Expert Posts: 1493 Location: New Castle PA | How right you are, Lancer Mike! Thanks, guys! | ||
Chrys 68 |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 673 Location: Malung, SWEDEN | http://www.imanauction.com/auctioneer.php?i=8859 | ||
Lancer Mike |
| ||
Location: The Mile High City | Very nice images! It could be a very good deal for the next owner. | ||
sidesho_bob1961 |
| ||
Expert Posts: 1728 Location: Fleetwood, Pa | Looks like a good restoration canidate.... | ||
vedette |
| ||
Expert Posts: 3070 Location: Scotland | Looks like it's been Sold before the auction. (1957DeSotoWayneGatterman.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1957DeSotoWayneGatterman.jpg (37KB - 173 downloads) | ||
vedette |
| ||
Expert Posts: 3070 Location: Scotland | vedette - 2014-03-11 8:40 PM Looks like it's been Sold before the auction. the way it is worded on the website made it sound like it was Sold,but it is still going through the auction. | ||
StillOutThere |
| ||
Location: Under the X in Texas | Anyone actually going to Nowhere, Missouri to see this happen or is this just another car we are yakking about for exercise? | ||
hemiviper588 |
| ||
Extreme Veteran Posts: 512 | I am going to stop there on my way to Oklahoma city...anyone else here attending? | ||
StillOutThere |
| ||
Location: Under the X in Texas | So, which one of you owns it this afternoon? | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | $32k sales price. I stopped at 31k as I felt it was worth 28k. More details tomorrow! | ||
JT Vincent |
| ||
Expert Posts: 1493 Location: Jamaica Plain, MA | Who says it needs a resto? | ||
vedette |
| ||
Expert Posts: 3070 Location: Scotland | more detailed photos of the Fireflite http://www.imanauction.com/auctioneer.php?i=8916 | ||
57burb |
| ||
Expert Posts: 3967 Location: DFW, TX | Even though "red and white" seems to be almost universally hated around here, the fact remains it is a striking color combination that looks spectacular on these cars. Apparently Desoto thought enough of it to fill brochures and advertisements with Fireflites wearing that color combo. I think someone got an awesome car. Hopefully they are here and let us know more about it. | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Here is the crowd, or at least as much of it as would fit into my camera's lens. Each and every one of these people opened and closed each and every door, hood, and trunk lid at least 5 times, and each and every one found some part of the car to vigorously rub with their finger in hopes of discovering something wonderful underneath. Most also found occasion to lean on the car and of course used the top of the door glass as a handle to move the door as they swung it through its arc. (crowd.jpg) Attachments ---------------- crowd.jpg (151KB - 170 downloads) | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | You kinda had the impression that Mr. Getterman was a simple old farmer who scraped by and somehow managed to buy, in Feb 1958, a leftover '57 Fireflite. That's pretty accurate, I guess, but I spent some time talking to a couple of the locals and it turns out he was a pretty big wheel in those parts...this simple farm was one of 'more than you can count' farms he owned, as well as a large property with 'over half a mile' of lakefront on the nearby and beautiful lake. In any case, here is the well-used outhouse behind the farmhouse. (outhouse.jpg) Attachments ---------------- outhouse.jpg (194KB - 154 downloads) | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Plus a wagon full of dried gourds, not for sale of course. (dried gourds.jpg) Attachments ---------------- dried gourds.jpg (125KB - 162 downloads) | ||
firedome |
| ||
Expert Posts: 3156 Location: NY & VT | Looks like pretty much your typical farm sale crowd, with the added attraction of a De Soto. | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Anyway, back to the car. It was clearly what we would call a 'survivor'. I talked to the older gent who had done most of the work on the car over the years....he was around 90 years old....and he said the paint was all original. I asked him about the driver's side quarter panel white and he said he had repainted it there, as the gasoline overflow stains would not come out. The pass side in this area also looked a little questionable to me but I didn't press the issue. Being a survivor is what guided me on the value....the car is 'nice' but also not nice enough that it needs nothing, unless you were looking for a car to just enjoy 'as is' and could live with the age-related issues. I generally can't do that, so it limited my willingness to lay out a lot of cash. The day before I left town, I transferred $50K from my savings account my checking account so I could leave a check for the car if I won it, but I just wasn't willing to approach that level. Some examples: The carpet was faded and brittle and receding. Seats needed to be redone. Engine was caked in dirt - when you remove that, it will start leaking enough to need gaskets. Which will lead to a rebuild when you see the sludge inside. Had a noisy lifter too. Front suspension was tired.Brakes most likely tired too, etc. The trans will need the usual rebuild. The point being...it all adds up to money. Another downside was this was a low option car. I am not familiar in fine detail with all the options but I saw very few - no power interior pieces, no tinted glass, 5 button radio, etc. The exhaust pipes had rotted away to the point that the gases had eaten through the trunk floor on both sides. So while the car was mostly rust free, it would still need some fairly involved rust repair. Another item that would need replacing - the exhaust system was a 'muffler shop special' and well rusted. One big plus was it's near perfect steering wheel. Very nice. Very Very nice. In the end, $32K was not a bad deal for this car, but not a steal by any means. | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Note the single red wire cap on the distributor... (distributor.jpg) Attachments ---------------- distributor.jpg (160KB - 158 downloads) | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | More.... (data plate.jpg) (OK.jpg) (vin.jpg) (bumper.jpg) Attachments ---------------- data plate.jpg (123KB - 157 downloads) OK.jpg (83KB - 162 downloads) vin.jpg (87KB - 156 downloads) bumper.jpg (126KB - 167 downloads) | ||
fin junkie |
| ||
Regular Posts: 53 | The actual ending bid on this car was $34000. The auctioneer tried to get $34500 from a bidder before he got out. It almost made it to the $35K that the the auctioneer wanted to start at. The only two options on the car that I saw were the rear fender stone guards and the dash clock. For anyone that attended, did you see that the auctioneer took the actual receipt for the car and GLUED it to a mat board with two pictures and the auctioneers logo? What a waste. A document conservator could probably remove it and have it properly mounted. | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | I take it you were there? I don't agree with $34K. I was the extremely good looking guy* with the hat on who was freezing to death...and it was down to me and the buyer for the last 6 or 7 thousand dollars. I declined to go to $32500, not $34500. When there were no takers the auctioneer said 'sold for $32K!' *don't argue with me on that point! Edited by GregCon 2014-03-20 4:39 PM | ||
57desoto |
| ||
Expert Posts: 1493 Location: New Castle PA | Greg, that "single red wire cap on the distributor" is supposed to be there -- that's cylinder #1. Thanks for the detailed analysis of the auction. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
| ||
Location: Parts Unknown | GregCon - 2014-03-21 7:54 AM Being a survivor is what guided me on the value....the car is 'nice' but also not nice enough that it needs nothing, unless you were looking for a car to just enjoy 'as is' and could live with the age-related issues. I generally can't do that, so it limited my willingness to lay out a lot of cash. The day before I left town, I transferred $50K from my savings account my checking account so I could leave a check for the car if I won it, but I just wasn't willing to approach that level. Some examples: The carpet was faded and brittle and receding. Seats needed to be redone. Engine was caked in dirt - when you remove that, it will start leaking enough to need gaskets. Which will lead to a rebuild when you see the sludge inside. Had a noisy lifter too. Front suspension was tired.Brakes most likely tired too, etc. The trans will need the usual rebuild. The point being...it all adds up to money. Another downside was this was a low option car. ================================================= This is the filter I run all cars through .... when one opens Pandora's Box, where does one stop ? Finding that Ian Smale Saratoga that can be polished up bit-by-bit is wonderful, but if a person wants a particular kind of car, they may meet their maker before ever finding an example so nice. So, then you're left with a car that needs to come all the way down, and get built all the way back up with more or less work being the only variable. The big trouble and expense being a constant. And this is where (for me), going deep and having that intimate knowledge of every crevice is worth the price of admission over paying large for a "done" car. As this one sits, it will have a lot of parts crumble if used, some will polish up, but most will require the same spending large to take "pretty nice" to "really nice" as it would to take a basket case to really nice. The low option gig is one that harkens back to my old school logic that a top line car should be well equipped. Perhaps not historically correct, .... loaded Fireflite 2 doors seem to be outnumbered 20- to-1 by cars with only power steering and brakes as major options, ... but one that causes me to not be as interested. $32K seems like a boatload of dough for a car in this condition with no options. I can think of several comparable cars with better options for a lot less money either available or changing hands in the past year. Maybe it is the red paint. It's a proven auction ploy to work the Jedi mindwarp on those personality types susceptible to such machismo stoking and squeeze maximum bucks out of their wallets. I'd prefer this car as a coral and black unit with Solex glass and power windows to accentuate it's sexy, yet conservative design. | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Yep.. This car was well taken care of but not meticulously. For example, the exhaust should have been fixed long before the trunk rotted out. I had to laugh a bit....I realized this car, literally out in the middle of nowhere, lived amidst a group of people who might have been all but unaware of the internet. For example, the fuel pump was bypassed with an electric pump. Why? The old guy who was the mechanic told me it came to the point where you could no longer buy or rebuild the mechanical pump. Now, I know of at least two places that can do that and I am sure there are more. But you pretty much need the internet. Same for the brake booster - it worked but he told me as a matter of fact that they were unobtainable. Which I'm sure was correct if you drove 20 miles to the Moberly parts store and asked. | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | Here's a Twilight Zone moment....looking on Ebay at random under 57 Desoto and something catches my eye..... http://www.ebay.com/itm/1957-LICENSE-PLATE-TOPPER-Riebels-Desoto-MO... If you look in the yellow circle on the trunk of this car, you'll see the Riebels dealer emblem. Now, keep in mind Moberly is not exactly the world's biggest town....what are the odds? (emblem.jpg) Attachments ---------------- emblem.jpg (145KB - 174 downloads) | ||
vedette |
| ||
Expert Posts: 3070 Location: Scotland | Riebels for your new Forward Look DeSoto Plymouth or Imperial (RiebelsDeSotoPlymouthMoberlyMO.jpg) Attachments ---------------- RiebelsDeSotoPlymouthMoberlyMO.jpg (32KB - 155 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
| ||
Location: Parts Unknown | GregCon - 2014-03-21 3:32 PM I had to laugh a bit....I realized this car, literally out in the middle of nowhere, lived amidst a group of people who might have been all but unaware of the internet. ================================================= You talkin' about that world wide web thing ? I heard of that. | ||
fin junkie |
| ||
Regular Posts: 53 | The license plate topper was also at the auction yesterday. I didn't see it sell but there were also some older year numbers that were with it. Notice the location is in Kingston, Missouri, about 90 miles away. | ||
60crossram |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 836 Location: Layton, Utah | My kids know how to shut my car doors !!! Even my family cars (my biggest pet peeve). I agree, this red Firefite ended for too much for needing everything. Especially since he doesnt even know how to use a steam cleaner in 53 years. My 57 Adventurer still has the original wires with the 1 red boot. Also mine does'nt have solex glass, Kind of wish it did. I hav'nt noticed, but do many Adventurers have tinted glass ? | ||
ToMopar |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 1176 Location: D-70199 Heslach | I have participated in the auction also, but I have been in the previously described also points not willing to pay $32K. But it is a 'survivor', no doubt. Well, that Riebels sign: if it has actually been dismantled by car to sell extra, the auctioneer has obviously not a feeling, what 'survivor' makes. (1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman, Kaseyville MO 037.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman, Kaseyville MO 037.jpg (86KB - 173 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
| ||
Location: Parts Unknown | 60crossram - 2014-03-21 9:25 PM My kids know how to shut my car doors !!! Even my family cars (my biggest pet peeve). I agree, this red Firefite ended for too much for needing everything. Especially since he doesnt even know how to use a steam cleaner in 53 years. My 57 Adventurer still has the original wires with the 1 red boot. Also mine does'nt have solex glass, Kind of wish it did. I hav'nt noticed, but do many Adventurers have tinted glass ? ============================================================= I don't remember ever having seen a 56-58 Adventurer WITHOUT tinted glass ! Does you car have power windows ? Seat ? | ||
Lancer Mike |
| ||
Location: The Mile High City | This might be the self-same car... flip! (1957 Fireflite Sportsman Coupe 03.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1957 Fireflite Sportsman Coupe 03.jpg (139KB - 158 downloads) | ||
60crossram |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 836 Location: Layton, Utah | Yes my 57 Adventurer does have a power seat and windows and Power steering. No A/C. Not much else on the option list. No bumper guards which is fine because I don't really like the look of them, the front bullet bumper guards are OK I guess, but the rears look totally out of place. (just my opinion). Kind of strange that no undercarriage pictures were posted on the red/white Fireflite. Edited by 60crossram 2014-07-03 9:38 AM | ||
ToMopar |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 1176 Location: D-70199 Heslach | ebay #181454042770 88,655 Original, one owner miles. (1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman, Kaseyville MO $32000 1003.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman, Kaseyville MO $32000 1003.jpg (197KB - 161 downloads) | ||
ToMopar |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 1176 Location: D-70199 Heslach | Now this car is for sale again at http://www.rkmotorscharlotte.com/sales/inventory/active#!/1957-DeSo... The prize rise to $60.000 - remember - auction in Kaseyville MO ends for $32000 (1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman - 15.01 - rkmotorscharlotte.com $59.900 - 001.jpg) (1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman - 15.01 - rkmotorscharlotte.com $59.900 - 7937083 x2.jpg) (1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman - 15.01 - rkmotorscharlotte.com $59.900 - 293179_low_res.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman - 15.01 - rkmotorscharlotte.com $59.900 - 001.jpg (172KB - 147 downloads) 1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman - 15.01 - rkmotorscharlotte.com $59.900 - 7937083 x2.jpg (96KB - 150 downloads) 1957 DeSoto Fireflite 2drht VIN50426164 Gatterman - 15.01 - rkmotorscharlotte.com $59.900 - 293179_low_res.jpg (45KB - 140 downloads) | ||
GregCon |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | It's hardly a survivor with all the work that's been done to it. Even if it sells at $60K there's not a lot of profit to be made since they started at $32K and had to spend a lot more. Plus I still wonder just how they fixed all the rust in the trunk... | ||
60crossram |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 836 Location: Layton, Utah | That paint is hiding a lot I'm sure. There will be tons of surprises for the new owner. This car looked pretty dirty and grungy from the farmers pictures. Plus all those years on the dirt roads, there has to be rocker rust and headlight eyebrow rust. Beautiful cars. | ||
Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] |
Search this forum Printer friendly version E-mail a link to this thread |
(Delete all cookies set by this site) | |