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Expert
Posts: 1488
  
Location: New Castle PA | Many of you know that for perhaps 20 years, I've been keeping track of 1957 DeSotos all over the world. As soon as I find one, or someone finds it for me, I try to get as much information as I can (owner's name, vehicle location, VIN and motor number, etc.). Sometimes I can follow a vehicle through a series of owners!
Someone asked me how many cars I have in the database. Once I weed out all the duplicates (like a car listed for a person, sold to another person, and listed twice for the "history", here's what I have:
25 unknowns (I might know sedan, but not series, for example)
6 Adventurer unknowns (most likely 2-dr HT)
55 Adventurer 2-dr HT
12 Adventurer convertibles
5 Diplomats (export only - - I didn't break them down by body style for this summary)
11 Fireflites of unknown body types
48 Fireflite 2-dr HT
29 Fireflite 4-dr HT
25 Fireflite sedans
8 Fireflite convertibles
3 Fireflite misc. (limos, ambulance, wagons, etc.)
8 Firedomes of unknown body types
40 Firedome 2-dr HT
11 Firedome 4-dr HT
47 Firedome sedans
8 Firedome convertibles
12 Firesweeps of unknown body types
52 Firesweeps 2-dr HT
11 Firesweeps 4-dr HT
30 Firesweep sedans
6 Firesweep misc. (ambulances, wagons, etc.)
Tallying things up in my head, this is 454 1957 DeSotos. Certainly there are tons more out there somewhere, but they haven't surfaced in many years of me watching for them. Thought you'd all be interested in this summary.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | Hello from Italy
brief update: I own a 57 Fireflite hardtop, sold new in Italy in 57, with km speedo. Do you have in your data base? I have also purchased the Adventurer conv from Lee Exline. Let me know if you need some more details
Antonello Jelitro
Youu can check the cars on my website www.americanautoparts.it |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
 
Location: DFW, TX | Looks like the Adventurer hardtops are the most common DeSoto for '57!
Good for me, the rarest 2dr HT around is the Firedome. 
I'll give you a VIN when I go pick up my car, Edward. Shooting for Feb 11.
Danny
FYI - there was a local, north Texas only, '55-57 Chevrolet show last year, and they had nearly 1000 cars in attendance. I hope that puts these figures into perspective.
Edited by 57burb 2007-01-25 6:30 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Antonello, yes, I already have your 2 1957 DeSotos in my database. I have the engine number, VIN, build date, and some pictures of Lee Exline's old Adventurer, but I don't have more than a handful of pictures of your Fireflite Sportsman 2-dr HT. I'd love to have the VIN, motor number, and cowl codes from it if you don't mind sharing. You can email me privately. Thank you! desoto@pathway.net
Danny, I can hardly wait for you to get your car! I'd love to have more pictures of it, and the VIN, motor, and cowl codes! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | Edward, I have a very original white/salmon 57 Firesweep sedan that had been in a barn since 1962, when the motor went bad. It had about 80,000 miles put on it in the 5 years it was on the road, and it spun a bearing I believe. I bought it on eBay about a year and a half ago. If you'd like the VIN for your files, let me know. I also have some digital pics if you are interested.
Have a good one!
Matt |
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Location: Bjorneborg, Finland | '57 (first registered in 57) DeSotos registered by authorities at June 30, 2006 in FINLAND:
3 x Diplomat sdn, 1 x Firesweep sdn, 1 x Firedome 2dr ht, 1 x Firedome 4dr ht, 3 x Fireflite 2dr ht, 1 x Fireflite sdn.
Plus I know the following non-registered cars:
1 Diplomat sdn, 1 Diplomat conv, 1 or 2 Firesweep 2dr ht, 1 Firedome sdn, 1 Fireflite 4dr ht, 2 Fireflite sdn, 1 Adventurer ht.
Ed, how many of these you have in your database?
Edited by spinout 2007-01-26 2:34 PM
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Spinout Mark, for the Finnish 57's, in my database I have 2 Diplomat sedans (I'm guessing one is registerd and the other not -- it's a parts car). I show 2 Fireflite Sportsman 2-dr HT, 1 Fireflite Sportsman 4-dr HT, and another Fireflite that I don't know the body style of. If you know the names of the owners of any of the OTHER cars, email me privately and I'll include them in my database. Just because someone says "they exist" I dont' include them, but if you had pictures, owner names, etc., I will. I've heard much about the Diplomat convertible, but have never seen it and don't know who owns it. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 988
Location: Kansas City, Kansas | Edward - This is so cool. Thanks for sharing. I know someone is also doing this for the '61 DeSotos. It seems so amazing how few Firesweeps have survived. It shows that the Adventurers have always been seen as special and when someone had the choice to scrap one in the '60's, they often held on to it. It would be interesting to take these totals and compare them to the production totals to see what percent of the total production is accounted for as surviving. Break that down into model and body style. I would think the largest mortality would be for the low-end sedans.
Thanks for this, Robert ('60 Adventurer Sedan) |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | slimwhitman - 2007-02-05 11:34 PM
It would be interesting to take these totals and compare them to the production totals to see what percent of the total production is accounted for as surviving. Break that down into model and body style. I would think the largest mortality would be for the low-end sedans.
According to the numbers on Edward's site, this is the breakdown. Did not include some of the "unkown" cars so the figures may be slightly higher. Also keep in mind that the "low-end" cars may also not be picked up on Edward's radar, as they may not be owned by enthusiasts/collectors.
I had a chance to buy a great Firedome 4dr HT from this site too! Unfortunately it was in Florida. Apparently it is the rarest of the '57 DeSoto lineup in the list by percentage.
Adventurer 2-dr HT - 1650 built - 55 left – 3.3333% remain
Adventurer convertibles – 300 built – 12 left – 4.0000% remain
Fireflite 2-dr HT - 7217 built – 48 left - .6651% remain
Fireflite 4-dr HT - 6726 built – 29 left - .4312% remain
Fireflite 4-dr sedan - 11565 built – 25 left - .2161% remain
Fireflite convertible - 1151 built – 8 left - .6950% remain
Firedome 2-dr HT - 12179 built – 40 left - .3284% remain
Firedome 4-dr HT - 9050 built – 11 left - .1215% remain 
Firedome 4-dr sedan - 23339 built – 47 left - .2014% remain
Firedome convertible – 1297 built – 8 left - .6168% remain
Firesweep 2-dr HT - 13333 built – 52 left - .3900% remain
Firesweep 4-dr HT - 7168 built – 11 left - .1535% remain
Firesweep 4-dr sedan – 17300 built – 30 left - .1734% remain
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Location: Parts Unknown | Don't forget to add in the convertible DeSotos made into Chrysler 300's. Seems more of these exist today than ever left the factory.
Hmmmm ..... |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Ruh roh.
For the record, I'd rather have the DeSoto! |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Bleeve it or not ..... Back in the late 70's, early eighties, I got told MANY, MANY times, that I should part out my original, low miles 57 NY'er 2HT and get a 300.
Back then, there was only one organization devoted to FL cars .... the 300 Club. Outside of that, you were on your own. And it was a VERY solitary existence!
To them, anything short of a 300 was a parts car. This is what led me to Adventurers ( a 300 with 50's flash and trim ), which in turn led me to bailing on the "prestige" and bragging rights of the high end cars and *settling* for a lowly Fireflite with its far more interesting interior and paint options.
I have been told by friends in the 300 Club in the past 15 years that more 57-61 ragtop 300's exist today than were ever built at the factory. Kinda like Shelby Cobras .... just make one !
I like 300's, but find a little too much "Corvette Club" attitude amongst many of their owners. The gold chain, the trophy bee-hotch. I'll take a NY'er or DeSoto any day over a 300, just because it ISN'T another over-restored 300. Most owners of lowly lesser models tend to be humble, real people who like to drive their cars and it isn't a competition to see who has "the best" car. That attitude gives me a bad case of tuna butt. No thanks. Of course, if you have a 300 and are just a cool guy with no axe to grind, then sit on down a have a beer. Let's talk cars !
Out! |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Man, I hope like hell I never find anything that gives me tuna-butt. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Catching a whiff of tuna butt will give you butt wretch for sure. Kinda like going to an all Ch**y car show. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | Doc, I understand the 300 thing completely. About 10 years ago I was at the Barrett-Jackson auction - back when it was a fun experience where you could actually buy a car at a reasonable price, and went over to the 300 club show to say hi. Even though I owned a really nice G that was at home - and still do -, noone wanted to talk to a 24 year old with long hair. Don't get me wrong, I've met tons of very nice and helpful 300 people out there, but there didn't seem to be any at that show. I let both my 300 club memberships run out after that experience.
My D would give most purists hives right now. I drive it as many days in the year I can, even in rain and snow. It is an excellent original car and I take great care of it, but drive the wheels off it. Right now it is less than clean with a thin coat of dirt and road funk, and there is ice drooling off the front bumper. This weekend she'll get a bath, but with our weather it'll just get dirty again.
I definately agree with you about the complete uniqueness of the Adventurers and New Yorkers, I'd take a 57 Adventurer coupe over a C coupe any day of the week, hands down (I prefer the coupes over the convertibles). I love my D, but I couldn't give you an honest answer what I'd do if I was given a choice between it and a comparable 58 Adventurer coupe. Those are the decisions that make car guys cringe.
Enjoy!
Edited by 58 300D 2007-02-06 8:42 PM
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Location: Parts Unknown | Yeah, .... I like 300's as much as anyone. Stunning cars, especially seeing them going down the road! It is just that arrogance amongst *some* owners that can put you off. I'm not into rivet counters and foamers of any kind. Just be yourself and enjoy what you got. And more importantly, share what you got. I like old cars because they ARE Americana. They are tangible bits of yesterday, like trolley cars and steam locomotives, but something you can actually fit in your garage. I like to share mine with anyone with a sincere interest. My biggest joy is putting a smile on the strangers' face who happen to see it going down the road. It connects them with that "yesterday" of their own. I love going to car shows with oddballs too. Even 300's start looking like 55-7 Chevs because they survive at a far higher ratio than all the other FL cars. Give me a Stepdown Hudson, or an International pickup, a D-500 Dodge, or a Sonoramic Plymouth, .... just change it up once in a while! Even steak gets boring if you eat it for every meal.
Out! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 452
Location: Southern California | Dang well said!!
I just got to add something here: I sit in my Desoto, which I have known since I was a 10 year old kid, and just the smell of it inspires a love of Dodger baseball. I can listen to a game on the old radio and there's Vin Sculley's voice still announcing a Dodger game on the same radio he announced on in 1958!!
And, BTW, Ed, great research here on your part!! I'd like tyo know if anyone has compiled anything like this on the 58's. I cannot imagine the figures would be much different.
Edited by Gidman 2007-02-07 2:24 AM
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Yeah, well, I recall seeing Gidman's car (or ANOTHER car, just LIKE his!!) running around L.A. area, in the mid-80's!
It's kinda a shame to realize that that black 59 Adventurer convie, sold @ the B-J, this year, will probably never be 'seriously' driven, again...
Same thing, for that black 57 CRL D500 convie, that's "on" the threads, now, too.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 452
Location: Southern California | You probably saw my ol' Dad cruising around the city! As far as I know, his was the only L.A. black and white convertible in the 80's.
It occurs to me that someone once tried to buy the car from him. He turned down a $9,000 cash offer in the early 90's. He was not a rich man and could've used the money. I wonder now who that man was??
Sorry Ed, don't mean to hijack your thread...'Nuf!
Edited by Gidman 2007-02-07 2:07 PM
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Location: Parts Unknown | Gary,
How often do you drive your car ?
In spite of having my car wrecked by an inattentive driver hitting ME, I am building my car back to be a driver.
I seriously thought about selling it and doing something more "replaceable" (in the event of another catastrophe), but ultimately fell back in line with my thinking since day one .... these were the neatest cars ever built in the post-war era, and they should be on the road showing off their good looks (and maybe making people consider the mistake they made letting their old cars go)
It might be tempting to turn these cars into oversized paperweights - holding the garage floor down - but I can't live in fear. I am going to drive mine and enjoy them like I always have. I will adjust my insurance coverage to the realities that exist, but I will be that weird old guy with the weird old "Batmobile" that people see all over town.
And yer right .... doesn't that AM radio sound great playing baseball games or bossanova standards ?
You bet yer biffy it does!  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 452
Location: Southern California | I try to drive it atleast once a week. But, that said, L.A. is NOT the place for a daily drive. I have been hit in my pick up and Ferd 4 times in the last three years, ALL of them hit and run!
I think my biggest fear re garding the Desoto is to be smashed into so it's nice to hear you have recovered nicely. I am no where near the mechanic most of you are here. I don't have the ability to patch up and repair, or dig into the engine or tranny or suspension or whatever, so I take it easy. But I am learnin'!!
Edited by Gidman 2007-02-07 2:40 PM
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Location: Parts Unknown | Anything you ever want to know, just drop a line. I don't claim to know it all, but I have collected quite a pile of dealer lit and manuals and I am a ramma-lamma-ding-dong-signa-cum-laud student of the school of hard knocks having skinned a few knuckles and set my hair on fire while working on my cars.
FL cars are BY FAR the easiest late 50's cars to work on. Mother Mopar's engineering team really had mechanics in mind when they designed these cars.
B. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 452
Location: Southern California | Mighty kind of you Doc. I'll be getting up to Spokanistan sometime and be sure to drop you a line. Would enjoy seeing your Fireflight, no matter what condition she is in! |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Gary,
By the end of the good weather this year the DeSoto will be centerstage in the new "Forward Look Performing Arts Center" here at the Burger compound, probably showing off some fresh welds. We are taking it day by day, but that is my target to have all the cars under one roof in a professional restoration environment.
Come on by. Hop in that DeSoto of yours, get on 395, grab Neil on the way, and come have a few beers. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | You guys are all great, and I'm glad I started this thread and got all the hackles up! Just so you know, it has been one of my most productive ideas ever! What I mean is that tons of 1957 DeSoto owners have come "out of the woodwork" to ask me if I have their car in my database. Because of that, I've found and located many more cars. What I might do if you all can stand it is to update the count every once-in-a-while just to keep you all informed. I'll be the first to admit with certainty that there are many more cars existing than are in my database. I know of some myself, but if I can't identify the owner or at least "point to" a car in a specific location, I didn't list it. One of the biggest regrets of MY life was letting a crooked attorney purchase a 1957 DeSoto nearly right from under my nose -- a Firedome coupe with less than 5000 miles on her. I have not seen that car in the last 7 years and have no idea where it is, but I'm sure it exists. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: Pau, S-W France | A book for the "Doctor" !!!
http://cgi.ebay.fr/Steig-la-surprenante-histoire-du-Docteur-De-Soto...
It's a book for kids who are afraid of dentists .... Don't know why they have choosen the name ...
And a french '57 DeSoto Diplomat convertible (need resto ...)
http://www.accf-cad.com/dipl57.htm
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Location: Bjorneborg, Finland | So, there are at least two '57 DeSoto Diplomat Convertibles in Europe, as one being in Finland, anywhere else others? It must be a very rare car. The Finnish car was bizarre way optioned: Flathead Six & 3-sp manual instead of V8 + autom as usually ragtops had and it got power windows, power seat & top, but no power steering & brakes.. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | I know of one other Diplomat convertible, in the US, so that makes 3 in the database. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 915
Location: Pau, S-W France | spinout - 2007-02-10 12:45 PM
So, there are at least two '57 DeSoto Diplomat Convertibles in Europe.
+ 1 !! I forgot this which is the south France !! And ther's a '58 Belvedere (?) also ! The owner of theses cars is an old and very rude man.He thinks that he has gold in the barn. I saw only rust ...
http://www.rods-customs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1982&postdays=0&p...
http://www.rods-customs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1982&postdays=0&p...
Edited by Phil_the_frenchie 2007-02-10 9:08 AM
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Location: Parts Unknown | Phil -
Leslie Howard showed me one of those books in the early 90's. Not sure how far they date back. I originally coined the name "Doctor DeSoto" for my brother - the first to drag a DeSoto home, back about 1980 ... but he bugged out of them after his roomate wrecked the car and I adopted the name as I became more of the DeSoto guy in the family. When I put the name on my business cards for Malfunction Junction (my old wrecking yard), the name stuck.
That barn shot is one I'd like to see more often !!! Used to be a not-so-uncommon thing to stumble upon.
B. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | That is a Great Find... The Cars seem in Really Dry Storage, But That Barn looks as if it will Fall Down at any moment... Someone Haul them out Fast.. |
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Expert
Posts: 3069
Location: Scotland | Philippe,very interesting finds,the Plymouth looks like a '57.The DeSoto Diplomat and Lincoln still have the yellow headlamps(were these required just in Northern France).Are these vehicles in Tarn et Garonne?,I could have went to see the other DeSoto Diplomat conv. you found in Limoges when I was in Limousin last year. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Philippe, I was aware of the Diplomat convertible in the barn, but don't know anyting about where it is, who owns it, etc. That's why it isn't in my database. For all I know, by now it could be crushed, sold, or restored and counted as owned by someone else. It you have any more information on it, I'll include it. If you prefer to email me privately, that's fine. Thank you! |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | Edward,,, Do you have this one on your list... ...
1957 DESOTO FIREFLITE SPORTSMAN 4 DOOR HARDTOP .. with a HEMI
On ebay now ... in Florida.. If so ,Just enjoy the PIC,S
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-DESOTO-FIREFLITE-SPORTSMAN-4-DO... |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Got it. Thank you. I check Ebay all the time for leads on the whereabouts of cars, and I save all the pictures that are posted, plus any VIN or motor numbers, etc.
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Member
Posts: 19
| Are you looking for this "Barn Find" ?
The car was find in Finland, it have been stored since 1984.
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Expert
Posts: 2519
Location: central Illinois | Aren't car covers available in Finland? Sheeesh. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Almost 5.5 years since Ed's last post; that's some serious thread research, to find this discussion!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 774
Location: Atlanta GA USA | I'd like to see what Ed's figures look like now...after 5.5 years. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Ed is still a handsome man with a cutting figure, particularly when dolled up in 3" heels and an evening dress.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1159
Location: D-70199 Heslach | I met Ed this spring, too. Hope I could fly over again, to meet him again. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | I'll post the update to where the cars are at the end of the calendar year. Doc, great response! Hard to walk in those #$@#$ heels, though! Tiger56, I'd include the Diplomat in my database if you have any more information on it (location, owner, etc.). I don't just include a car in the database simply because of a picture without at least minimal substantiation.
Tom, I enjoyed meeting you this spring, too. You're ALWAYS welcome to visit. That goes to just about any Forward Looker traveling through western PA. Drop me an email! desoto@pathway.net
Thank you! |
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Member
Posts: 19
| Hello Ed,
I have sent you a mail with Chassie number on my DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
Best Regards, Tommy
Tiger56, I'd include the Diplomat in my database if you have any more information on it (location, owner, etc.). I don't just include a car in the database simply because of a picture without at least minimal substantiation. |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Got it, Tommy. Thank you. As I said, now YOU are the Diplomat expert. Certainly not me. I've never seen a real one. Only pictures. Yours is a beautiful car! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 836
Location: Layton, Utah | Thanks for the help you have been to me Ed and for your hard work collecting awesome 57 DeSoto info! |
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How rare is your 1957 DeSoto?
