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Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> 1955-1961 Forward Look MoPar General Discussion | Message format |
christine-lover |
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Expert Posts: 2996 Location: Sept. 1958 | Yeah, that's how they would have been came to be built, but you think including the fakes there's anywhere near 484 of them? | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Prolly not, but now that I'm thinking back on it, it was in discussing these home built cars that the subject came up with the 300 guys years ago. I dearly wish I had asked a friend back then if I could make copies of these weird little "magazines" he had kept from the early 60's that were "broadcast sheets" put together by a Seattle area wrecking yard association and distro'd to body shops and each other showing each yard's inventory. It was disgusting. Off-the-charts dream cars just there for the picking or taking home whole. Prices were listed for whole cars and stuff like a 300c ragtop was 2-3 hundred bucks ! | ||
hemiviper588 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 504 | christine-lover - 2010-10-31 2:23 PM Didn't they make 2 60 Dodge Matador 2 Door Sedans? I thought I remember reading about them, but when I searched today I could find nothing. Here is the 60 Dodge Matador Prototype inside Highland Park (Matador-2-door-sedan.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Matador-2-door-sedan.jpg (19KB - 298 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | These are covered on the list under "special production" numbers. This was not an "available" car. | ||
Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | Can anyone verify the number of Adventurer hardtops built in 1959? How Stuff Works and Wikipedia seem to indicate that 590 were produced and the list we generated shows 602. Edited by Lancer Mike 2013-10-15 11:08 PM | ||
Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | In his Collectible Automobile article "Something in the Air: The Story of the 1957 - 1959 Desoto" (Volume 31, Number 1) David Duricy shows production numbers for the 1959 De Soto. He cites the Encyclopedia of American Cars 2006. His 1959 production numbers are as follows: 1959 Firesweep convertible: 596 (match) 1959 Firedome convertible: 299 (match) 1959 Fireflite convertible: 186 (ours shows 283!) 1959 Fireflite four door wagon: 704 (match, both in total production and by seat configuration) 1959 Adventurer 2-door hardtop: 590 (ours shows 602 - this was the question asked 10/15/13 - at least we know what the source was) 1959 Adventurer convertible: 97 (match)
all 1957 and 1958 numbers match. I'll have to see what Bill's source was for the 1959 numbers. | ||
MikeDIsIn |
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Regular Posts: 85 | where can I find how many 1956 custom royal convertibles were produced? one had mentioned 1370 but I would like to find how this number was found Edited by MikeDIsIn 2015-11-01 7:22 PM | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Most of Dodge's production totals were destroyed. I am unaware of any hard number being known for your 56 CR ragtop. In the big picture, Dodge did not make a lot of them, as compared to Ford and Chev convertibles. What I can tell you is that very few survive. I would be surprised to hear that over two dozen are known. Probably closer to one dozen. Not sure why that is. They were well built, compared to the 57-and-later cars. I have been doing this fin car thing for nearly 40 years, and have only known of a handful still around in all that time. | ||
Chrycoman |
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Expert Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC | Lancer Mike - 2014-11-25 4:31 PM In his Collectible Automobile article "Something in the Air: The Story of the 1957 - 1959 Desoto" (Volume 31, Number 1) David Duricy shows production numbers for the 1959 De Soto. He cites the Encyclopedia of American Cars 2006. His 1959 production numbers are as follows: 1959 Firesweep convertible: 596 (match) 1959 Firedome convertible: 299 (match) 1959 Fireflite convertible: 186 (ours shows 283!) 1959 Fireflite four door wagon: 704 (match, both in total production and by seat configuration) 1959 Adventurer 2-door hardtop: 590 (ours shows 602 - this was the question asked 10/15/13 - at least we know what the source was) 1959 Adventurer convertible: 97 (match)
all 1957 and 1958 numbers match. I'll have to see what Bill's source was for the 1959 numbers. The Adventurer and Fireflite numbers were from a letter a member in the DeSoto club received from Chrysler Historical regarding 1959 DeSoto production. Apparently, the numbers going around were from Don Butler and his book, The Plymouth-DeSoto Story. Somehow or another Mr. Butler came up with a total number of F-A hardtops and convertibles and then found numbers on Adventurer production. His book has the Fireflite convertible production numbers as 186, which is the total number of Fireflite convertibles less the Adventurer numbers. Nobody knows just where his numbers came from, but the "official" CHS numbers were - Fireflite 2 door hardtop - 1,983 Fireflite 2 door convertible - 283 Adventurer 2 door hardtop - 602 Adventurer 2 door convertible - 97 For the convertibles - 186 + 97 = 283 Can't find the letter at the present time, but it also had the Canadian production numbers - Firedome 4 door sedan - 612 Firedome 2 door hardtop - 282 Firedome 4 door hardtop - 233 Firedome 2 door convertible - 0 Which means the American production of Firedome models was - Firedome 4 door sedan - 8,359 Firedome 2 door hardtop - 2,580 Firedome 4 door hardtop - 2,511 Firedome 2 door convertible - 299 | ||
Chrycoman |
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Expert Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC | Dodge production numbers are out there. The problem is that Don Butler was digging up Chrysler Corporation production numbers for his book on Plymouth and DeSoto and was also digging up Dodge numbers. Both Thomas McPherson (The Dodge Story) and Jerry Heasley (The Production Figure Book for U.S. Cars) published Dodge figures up to 1955, which seems where Don Butler was in his research. Mr. Butler's book came out a couple years later. Mr. McPherson had Canadian numbers in his book, but they do not balance with anything else. I suspect he had shipping figures which are generally calendar year numbers with all cars shipped that year. For example, the 1933 Dodge DQ was built through to November, 1933, but he mentions one Dodge DQ in his 1934 figures. It would make sense if his figures were shipment totals as Chrysler of Canada could have had one left over 1933 DQ that was not shipped until after January 1, 1934. Would love to see the figures he was working with. Anyway, the total number of 1956 Dodge Custom Royal convertibles built was 1,378. Collectible Automobile has been working with Chrysler Historical in getting the Dodge numbers sorted out. They have come up with Royal/Custom Royal from 1954 to 1959, Coronet/Royal/Custom Royal 1957 to 1959, Matador/Polara 1960-1961, Dart 1960-1961, and B body 1962-1964 (which also has Canadian numbers). I also have 1961-1962 Lancer and 1963-1964 Dart, plus 1965 and up B body. Also, have a photocopy of a photocopy of a photocopy of a series of reports on cars built for the U.S. market from American and Canadian plants for the 1965 to 1973 model years. Sadly, I do not have the Canadian market report. Guess what I should do is come up with production reports for the years 1955 to 1961 and post them somewhere for future use. I can do some of the years with Canadian and American production. Once the CHS is open for business in November I will write them and see if I can plug the holes in my data for Canadian production. | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | I just noticed this: 1955 IMPERIAL - C70 : Crown 4-door sedan, 9-pass - 45 I think there is one of them for sale right here in Quebec these days. I'll try and dig out the ad, and post it here, if anyone is interested in what could be a rarest of the rare!.. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Good intel, Bill. I remember discussion here about destroyed records ... what wires do I have crossed on this ??? I thought it involved you and Neil and a few others (?) | ||
jimntempe |
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Expert Posts: 2312 Location: Arizona | hemiviper588 - 2013-10-02 11:40 AM christine-lover - 2010-10-31 2:23 PM Didn't they make 2 60 Dodge Matador 2 Door Sedans? I thought I remember reading about them, but when I searched today I could find nothing. Here is the 60 Dodge Matador Prototype inside Highland Park
It's hard to be sure but to me that looks more like a hardtop (no B pillar) then a sedan.
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1960fury |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7407 Location: northern germany | jimntempe - 2015-11-02 1:11 PM hemiviper588 - 2013-10-02 11:40 AM christine-lover - 2010-10-31 2:23 PM Didn't they make 2 60 Dodge Matador 2 Door Sedans? I thought I remember reading about them, but when I searched today I could find nothing. Here is the 60 Dodge Matador Prototype inside Highland Park
It's hard to be sure but to me that looks more like a hardtop (no B pillar) then a sedan.
thats the sedan roof so its gotta be a sedan. | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | soiouz - 2015-11-02 8:28 AM I just noticed this: 1955 IMPERIAL - C70 : Crown 4-door sedan, 9-pass - 45 I think there is one of them for sale right here in Quebec these days. I'll try and dig out the ad, and post it here, if anyone is interested in what could be a rarest of the rare!.. Ad says Its a 56, but the rear looks like a 55 to me.. I dont know, but still very rare! (IMG_2715dd.jpg) Attachments ---------------- IMG_2715dd.jpg (444KB - 359 downloads) | ||
Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | Chrycoman - 2015-11-01 10:04 PM Nobody knows just where his numbers came from, but the "official" CHS numbers were - Fireflite 2 door hardtop - 1,983 Fireflite 2 door convertible - 283 Adventurer 2 door hardtop - 602 Adventurer 2 door convertible - 97 For the convertibles - 186 + 97 = 283 Good, Bill. Thanks. We will stick with the numbers we have. Neat looking Imperial! I don't know what the difference is between the C70 nine passenger sedan and the C70 limousine. Is it the rearward most side window? Edited by Lancer Mike 2015-11-02 6:33 PM | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | Lancer Mike - 2015-11-02 6:25 PM Chrycoman - 2015-11-01 10:04 PM Nobody knows just where his numbers came from, but the "official" CHS numbers were - Fireflite 2 door hardtop - 1,983 Fireflite 2 door convertible - 283 Adventurer 2 door hardtop - 602 Adventurer 2 door convertible - 97 For the convertibles - 186 + 97 = 283 Good, Bill. Thanks. We will stick with the numbers we have. Neat looking Imperial! I don't know what the difference is between the C70 nine passenger sedan and the C70 limousine. Is it the rearward most side window? I have to say, I have no idea either! | ||
Chrycoman |
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Expert Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC | The Crown Imperial is a 1956 model. Check the front headlamp rims. Also, for the rear quarter panel - note the added on fin. The rear quarter panels were unique to that body style and, given the low production numbers, Chrysler believed it was not a viable idea to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to revise the panel. Instead, they forked out the dollars to tool up an add-on fin instead. Originally, DeSoto was to use that same body for the LWB taxis as they had since 1936. But New York City decided they did not want LWB cabs cruising the streets and changed their standards to accept normal cars. Thus Plymouth took over the DeSoto cab business. I have the October, 1954, issue of the Canadian edition of the "Model Chart and Serial Number Guide" which has the 1955 model starting serial numbers. The LWB DeSoto S22 Taxi serial numbers were to start at 5,130,001. Cannot find any further details on the model. Would like to know just how far along Chrysler was with the LWB DeSoto Taxi when the plug was pulled. The difference between a sedan and a limousine was the partition behind the front seat on the limousine models. It divided the front area from the rear and had a roll down window. Quite often the driver's seat was non-adjustable and done in leather. Also, limousines generally came with three keys - one for the front doors and ignition, second for the glove box and trunk, and the third for the rear doors. There should be key locks on the exterior of the read doors on the limousine. This one looks to have key locks on the rear doors, just below below the door handle. If so, it is a limousine. Edited by Chrycoman 2015-11-02 9:22 PM | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | Chrycoman - 2015-11-02 9:17 PM The Crown Imperial is a 1956 model. Check the front headlamp rims. Also, for the rear quarter panel - note the added on fin. The rear quarter panels were unique to that body style and, given the low production numbers, Chrysler believed it was not a viable idea to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to revise the panel. Instead, they forked out the dollars to tool up an add-on fin instead. Originally, DeSoto was to use that same body for the LWB taxis as they had since 1936. But New York City decided they did not want LWB cabs cruising the streets and changed their standards to accept normal cars. Thus Plymouth took over the DeSoto cab business. I have the October, 1954, issue of the Canadian edition of the "Model Chart and Serial Number Guide" which has the 1955 model starting serial numbers. The LWB DeSoto S22 Taxi serial numbers were to start at 5,130,001. Cannot find any further details on the model. Would like to know just how far along Chrysler was with the LWB DeSoto Taxi when the plug was pulled. The difference between a sedan and a limousine was the partition behind the front seat on the limousine models. It divided the front area from the rear and had a roll down window. Quite often the driver's seat was non-adjustable and done in leather. Also, limousines generally came with three keys - one for the front doors and ignition, second for the glove box and trunk, and the third for the rear doors. There should be key locks on the exterior of the read doors on the limousine. This one looks to have key locks on the rear doors, just below below the door handle. If so, it is a limousine. Thanks for that info, Bill. That's fascinating! So that car available now in Quebec, is a 56 Imperial Crown limousine, production : 175? That is really something! | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3967 Location: DFW, TX | Chrycoman - 2015-11-02 8:17 PM The Crown Imperial is a 1956 model. Check the front headlamp rims. Also, for the rear quarter panel - note the added on fin. The rear quarter panels were unique to that body style and, given the low production numbers, Chrysler believed it was not a viable idea to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to revise the panel. Instead, they forked out the dollars to tool up an add-on fin instead. This car also uses the 1955 front fender opening and trim. Here is a restored car: http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1956/56Limo/ Edited by 57burb 2015-11-03 2:11 AM | ||
Chrycoman |
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Expert Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC | Doctor DeSoto - 2015-11-02 10:16 AM Good intel, Bill. I remember discussion here about destroyed records ... what wires do I have crossed on this ??? I thought it involved you and Neil and a few others (?) No, you are remembering correctly. We were trying to figure out why there were no published Dodge production figures after 1955 and through to the early 1970's. Also, the DeSoto and Dodge figures from CHS had two figures for some models and the body styles. The second part was explained on the sheets by CHS as being exported cars while I was certain the figures were for Canadian production, as in all cases those models were built in Canada, and only those models. The sheet for the 1957 DeSoto had no 'export' figures, and no 1957 DeSotos were built in Canada. Don't think anything was resolved about 1956-1970 Dodge figures, although sheets provided by CHS to some people who owned 1957-1960 Dodges and requested IBM build record information were brought forward and we were able to expand our knowledge of how many Dodge cars were built for the 1957 to 1960 period. Would like to get a copy of the 1961 report, if anyone has it, to complete the set. Anyway, these reports from CHS were no longer being sent to purchasers of the IBM build records, and it appeared that all copies of these reports were no longer available. Thus the possibility of destroyed records. As I mentioned earlier, Collectible Automobile has been publishing information from CHS which has expanded the production information. However, there still are some blank spots for CA, in particular the 1965-66 Dodge Dart and 1965-71 Dodge Polara/Monaco. The 1965-66 Darts were built and sold in Canada as Valiant 200 models (not Plymouth Valiant as they were sold by both Dodge and Plymouth dealers). Don Butler noted the Canadian Valiant 200 series in his book, and mentioned the production figures for the Canadian-built Custom 100 (Valiant V-200) and Custom 200 (Dart 270) hardtops, if I recall. The Polara/Monaco situation is a mess unto itself. The American Polara was priced to do battle with the Fury III and Pontiac Catalina. In Canada the Monaco was priced with the Fury III (even used Fury III interiors) while the base Polara was priced with the Fury I. The Fury II-based Canadian Dodge was the Polara 440 (1965-66) and Polara 500 (1967-69), and thus the Polara 500 figures should show a sedan and two wagons, models not sold in the US. Also, Canada had a Monaco convertible from 1965 to 1969 and a Monaco 500 from 1967 to 1969. No Monaco convertibles in the US. Some reports show that the 1965 Polara had 17,505 cars built, but the Mopar report I have on cars built for the US market show 86,643 1965 Polara cars built plus 599 export. The 17,505 turns out to be for the Canadian 1965 Dodge Polara 440 (think Fury II). There was no US Dodge equivalent in 1965 as the Polara 500 was an option package (sales code 325). I'm sure the figures are there, just have to know what you are dealing with. | ||
Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | christine-lover - 2011-12-03 9:54 AM Another one to add to the list would be a 1956 Imperial Convertible, with 3 made. http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/hobby-news/1956_imperial_converti... Apparently these were New Yorkers modified by George Barris, so not factory built: http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1955/KTKeller/index.htm This is still perplexing me. Bill originally had the 1955 Imperial convertible on his list with the production number of 1 unit. It seems like the KT Keller car listed in the article is the one. Others may have been made, but the factory made the original prototype. If this is not true, we should remove it from the list. Recently, a 1956 Imperial convertible has been listed for sale and the claim is that it is one of three built by the factory. If that is true, we should put it on the list under other production rarities. Thoughts? | ||
Chrycoman |
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Expert Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC | The one 1955 Imperial convertible was a one-off for the Chairman of the Board of the Chrysler Corporation at the time - Kaufman Thuma Keller. It was not a prototype, nor an example of what Chrysler would or could do. The car was a custom job, done by workers at the Chrysler Corporation as opposed to by workers at Henney, Bentley-Mitchell, Ghia, etc., with no plans of any further examples. Any other convertibles in existence were custom jobs done on production cars after the cars had left the factory. The three 1956 Imperial convertibles were not factory jobs as they did not leave the factory assembly line as Imperials. They were either Windsor and/or New Yorker convertibles modified to look like Imperials. The front end was no problem as the Chrysler 300 used the Imperial grille thus the Imperial face could be applied to any Windsor or New Yorker. Or DeSoto for that matter. Just have to add the various trim items, bumper, etc. from an Imperial. At the other end modify the filler caps, taillights, etc. used on the Imperial to fit the 1956 Chrysler fin. Same with the Imperial side trim - modify to fit. But at no time should any of these vehicles even be considered Imperials. The lists of cars produced by Chrysler and Imperial originated with Chrysler Historical Services. The information from CHS shows ONE Imperial convertible - the custom job for K.T. Keller. There are no 1956 Imperial convertibles listed. No other Imperials should be added to the list nor should the one listed be removed. | ||
Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9681 Location: So. Cal | If this is true, then the titles/VIN numbers to these 3 cars should reflect the fact that it is really a Windsor or New Yorker. | ||
Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | Thanks, Bill - that clears it up for me! Yes, the seller of the car currently for sale should show the VIN/data plate on that one! Edited by Lancer Mike 2016-12-28 12:31 PM | ||
1961plymouthfury |
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Expert Posts: 2635 Location: Minor Hill, TN | I was wondering. How many 1961 plymouth fury 2drhts are left today | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | 2,931 | ||
Cmangeot |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 531 Location: Park Hills, KY | .3 | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | eleventy-twelve-seventy ? | ||
roadkillontheweb |
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Expert Posts: 1357 Location: Iowa USA | Not sure how many were made? I know of one that still survives. 1956 Australian production sedan delivery. (DeSoto Panel van 574 44 852s.jpg) (right hand side copy.JPG) (DeSoto Panel van 574 46 853s.jpg) Attachments ---------------- DeSoto Panel van 574 44 852s.jpg (59KB - 225 downloads) right hand side copy.JPG (110KB - 222 downloads) DeSoto Panel van 574 46 853s.jpg (47KB - 225 downloads) | ||
SavoyPlaza |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1172 Location: Georgia | Now THAT's a rare one! I like the little louvers on the sides. What a cool car. Pete | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | I agree, Pete; that sedan delivery car is great! And it seems that Virgil Exner's ghost agrees! . (virgil.jpg) Attachments ---------------- virgil.jpg (82KB - 232 downloads) | ||
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