|
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
 
Location: Wichita, Kansas | Today I just picked up a 55 DeSoto Firedome 2dr hardtop with the hemi and a 3-speed w/overdrive. I am no where near an expert on 55 DeSotos, so is a Firedome with a 3sp/OD rare? It won't make the car worth any more, but it sure is cool seeing three pedals on the floor. It's a field car, but surprisingly has very very nice floors, trunk, fenders, etc. Quarters are sad behind the wheels, but that's to be expected.
Thanks for any info you have! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 384
Location: Hershey PA | Rare would be an understatement
Nice cover plate on the dash where the shift lever was
And a left over 51-54 steering wheel
Pictures would be nice to show the comparisons |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 390
| 58 300D - 2013-06-21 2:54 PM
Today I just picked up a 55 DeSoto Firedome 2dr hardtop with the hemi and a 3-speed w/overdrive. I am no where near an expert on 55 DeSotos, so is a Firedome with a 3sp/OD rare? It won't make the car worth any more, but it sure is cool seeing three pedals on the floor. It's a field car, but surprisingly has very very nice floors, trunk, fenders, etc. Quarters are sad behind the wheels, but that's to be expected.
Thanks for any info you have!
Does this car have power steering and/or power brakes? Just picked up an order guide for the '55 Windsor Deluxe and it indicates that the base powertrain of hemi and three speed manual transmission was not available with either. In order to get either, a Powerflite was required?? |
|
| |
|
 
Location: Under the X in Texas | What color is the car? There was one in a salvage in Welfare, TX until about 7 years ago. Was a good complete car due to this area. Then it disappeared. Fairly sure this one was pale green. Only stick OD '55-56 DeSoto I ever saw. Yes, everyone wanted an automatic in an upper end car and were willing to pay the little extra to get it.
I do not recall for certain if this car was PS or PB but do not believe so. |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 85
Location: River Falls, WI | My late brother-in-law bought a '55 Firedome 4-door right off the showroom floor in Fessenden, ND. Traded his rather nice '35 Ford sedan for it. The Firedome had 2 items of note; the search tune radio and manual shift. Was medium green with black spear & top. Was his only driver until late '60s and sold it to some kids in Iowa so they could put the hemi in a dragster. Never found out why a 3 on the tree car would have been in the showroom, but it was just what he wanted. He was very much a simple 'basics' kind of guy. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | Wayne, the car is coral and white. Was a pretty car when new. The car has power brakes, but manual steering. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | I finally took some pictures of this thing, if anyone has time to resize them I'll send you the file (honestly I just don't have the time to resize them right now). You are right, 59 Explorer, the car has the older-style steering wheel and block-off plate on the dash. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 28
| Ed and Tanya Johnson near Seattle is restoring one right now. 55 F/D convertible with 3 speed and older style wheel It's gonna be nice. dave |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 8948
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA | the chrysler bible says the 3spd std column shift was standard . overdrive was opt at 108$ . powerflite was opt at 189$-----------------------------------------------------later |
|
| |
|
Location: Parts Unknown | Few were made with stick. Fewer still with the O/D. Low bux models and stick cars were shunned
up until very recently in the old car hobby, turning most of these that did survive into parts cars for
the fancier models. You bet it's rare ! 
|
|
| |
|
Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca |
Here ya go, including some 'bonus' footage....
 (DSC02916.JPG)
 (DSC03002.JPG)
 (DSC03003.JPG)
 (DSC03004.JPG)
 (DSC03005.JPG)
 (DSC03007.JPG)
 (DSC03008.JPG)
 (DSC03009.JPG)
 (DSC03010.JPG)
 (DSC03012.JPG)
Attachments
----------------
 DSC02916.JPG (65KB - 46 downloads)
DSC03002.JPG (78KB - 60 downloads)
DSC03003.JPG (70KB - 54 downloads)
DSC03004.JPG (76KB - 66 downloads)
DSC03005.JPG (67KB - 56 downloads)
DSC03007.JPG (68KB - 52 downloads)
DSC03008.JPG (53KB - 38 downloads)
DSC03009.JPG (77KB - 37 downloads)
DSC03010.JPG (77KB - 42 downloads)
DSC03012.JPG (79KB - 51 downloads)
|
|
| |
55 DeSoto Firedome 3-speed w/overdrive
