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New (old) Firemite photos
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   Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> 1955-1961 Forward Look MoPar General DiscussionMessage format
 
roadkillontheweb
Posted 2007-11-21 12:01 AM (#104054)
Subject: New (old) Firemite photos



Expert

Posts: 1357
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Location: Iowa USA
I recently ran across a couple more pictures of a 1958 Desoto Firemite. The guy that posted them on the web is the son of the guy driving the car. The dad is still around but the car is long gone. But here is where the story gets interesting! The guy said his father won it from the local delaer in Charles Town WV.

I just checked my dealer listing for dealers in Charles Town WV and one of the dealers noted had been featured in the Feb. 1958 Desoto Retailer magazine. I pulled my old magazines and checked this issue and found the picture below with the following caption.


R.K. Wall of Walls service station Charles Town W. Va informs us that santa claus set townfolks talking when he appeared in the Christmas parade-in a Firemite. Mr Wall is pictured above with Mr Claus and his transportation with many of the cities children looking on!

How much you wan to bet that this is the same car?




Edited by roadkillontheweb 2007-11-21 12:03 AM




(Ian0073.jpg)



(Ian00741.jpg)



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Fanbladeus
Posted 2007-11-21 8:50 AM (#104080 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 1218
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Location: Warren, Michigan
THAT IS SO COOL!

Is a Firemite anything like a veggiemite?
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roadkillontheweb
Posted 2007-11-21 10:23 AM (#104095 - in reply to #104080)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Expert

Posts: 1357
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Location: Iowa USA
Fanbladeus - 2007-11-21 7:50 AM

THAT IS SO COOL!

Is a Firemite anything like a veggiemite?


It sure is!
They both get chew up and spit out by kids!
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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2015-06-03 12:33 AM (#480279 - in reply to #104095)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
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Location: Wild Wonderful
1st Photo is the artist rendering of the 2nd photo.



(delovely 001.jpg)



(delovelymite1.jpg)



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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2015-06-03 12:43 AM (#480281 - in reply to #480279)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
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Location: Wild Wonderful
More photos from the other forums and the web.
I don't know why, but I just wanted all these Firemites in one place.
OCD or (CDO)



(0 -DeSoto-Firemite-Convertible-.jpg)



(0 DeSotohoodornaments.jpg)



(0 desotomodel58.jpg)



(0 firemitecouple.jpg)



(0 firemites.jpg)



(0 vintagecolorfiremite.jpg)



(0.jpg)



(4d9f.jpg)



(Firemite58ped.jpg)



(mite21.jpg)



(pic1653.jpg)



(S_MITE14.JPG)



(s_mite18.jpg)



(scan0004.jpg)



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jimntempe
Posted 2015-06-03 3:37 PM (#480326 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Has anyone ever heard of car dealers giving away little cars like this now days? Are today's children too sophisticated to be lured to such an event?
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2015-06-03 4:52 PM (#480330 - in reply to #480326)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Location: The Mile High City
Can anyone tell me about the color sweeps on the Firemites: from the old photos, it appears some had a textured insert - some may have been painted? The old color photos some have a red sweep, some have a gold sweep. Bodies seem to be universally white. What were the color options on a Firemite?

Thanks for sharing the images, Kurt!

Edited by Lancer Mike 2015-06-03 4:55 PM
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roadkillontheweb
Posted 2015-06-05 12:44 AM (#480468 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



Expert

Posts: 1357
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Location: Iowa USA
The color sweep was gold and the bodies were white.



(decal.jpg)



(firemite 003a.jpg)



(firemite 012a.jpg)



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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2015-08-28 12:24 AM (#488165 - in reply to #480468)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
1000100
Location: Wild Wonderful
I found more stuff on the web, and I wasn't even trying.



(robel.jpg)



(robel2.jpg)



(salesmeetmite3.jpg)



(fmite1.jpg)



(fmite2.jpg)



(fmite4.jpg)



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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2015-08-31 11:53 AM (#488420 - in reply to #488165)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
1000100
Location: Wild Wonderful
Okay, I think that is all the old pictures.

I wish that my Dad would have bought me one of these. But come to think of it, my Dad never
bought anything new. All of the family cars that I remember were Used Cars. The only new thing
that I ever got was a new bike for Christmas. Even my clothes were passed down from my big brother.
Anyway.... Heck, I wish I had one Now.
(I'm gonna have to make more money, cause I gotta lotta Wants).



(4020_n.jpg)



(2083_n.jpg)



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Viper Guy
Posted 2015-08-31 9:28 PM (#488481 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Expert

Posts: 2002
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Location: Branson, MO
At the dealer introduction of the 1958 DeSoto in Detroit, all the dealers (Dad was a DeSoto-Plymouth dealer) received a number for a drawing. The prize was a Firemite. I sure don't remember who the lucky dealer was, but it wasn't Dad or I would have had that rascal!

"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
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roadkillontheweb
Posted 2015-08-31 10:58 PM (#488493 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 1357
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Location: Iowa USA
Viperguy
what dealership did your dad work at?
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60crossram
Posted 2015-09-01 12:11 AM (#488501 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 836
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Location: Layton, Utah
Get off the hood for crap sakes ! That's divorce justification.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2015-09-01 1:12 AM (#488503 - in reply to #488420)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



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Location: Parts Unknown
58DeSoDodge59 - 2015-09-01 8:53 AM
I wish that my Dad would have bought me one of these. But come to think of it, my Dad never
bought anything new. All of the family cars that I remember were Used Cars. The only new thing
that I ever got was a new bike for Christmas. Even my clothes were passed down from my big brother.
Anyway.... Heck, I wish I had one Now.
(I'm gonna have to make more money, cause I gotta lotta Wants).


====================================

My Old Man talked a big game about Schwinn bicycles being "the best" and
when it came time for me to have my own, I got a POS Murray with a front
sprocket so big I could not get it started unless I could roll it down hill ! Dad
was the King of Cheap, and I guess cheap overruled his praising viewpoint on
those Schwinns, .... which, by the way, every kid on earth had at the time. I
ended up saving my lawn mowing funds and buying my own Stingray for $81.69.
That was a LOT of money back then. Something like three months worth of
paper route "salary".

I used to think having a Firemite would be cool, but the fancy has left me.
A fifty-something guy riding his old Stingray aound the neighborhood might
look a bit silly, but driving a four foot car around is just too much.

I'll stick with the full size model and call it good.
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roadkillontheweb
Posted 2015-09-01 6:55 AM (#488511 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 1357
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Location: Iowa USA
Actually Doc the Firemite is just shy of 7 feet long. The Jaguar XK120 I have that was made in the early 50s in Portland OR is close at 6'6" long but the Desoto Firemite is the largest and is much wider also.
My nephew is 8'6" tall and drives my gas powered Mustang JR around, yes he looks ridiculous but that is the appeal.
I am 6'7"400+ and still fit in the Firemite body, just not the original frame because of the way they setup the steering and pedals.
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mstrug
Posted 2015-09-01 7:29 AM (#488513 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 6487
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Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth)
My nephew is 8'6"

What team is he on? Marc.
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Viper Guy
Posted 2015-09-01 2:19 PM (#488545 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 2002
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Location: Branson, MO
Hey roadkillontheweb:

Thanks for asking. Dad owned his own DeSoto-Plymouth dealership ROMAN MOTOR SALES in Beaverton, MI and I still have some DeSoto momentos from the dealsership. He had this from 1946 till the end of DeSoto, got Chrysler in 1961 and Dodge/Dodge Trucks in 1968. The deaership closed in 1980 after his death. His favorite car was the DeSoto - after DeSoto was discontinued, it was almost like taking a child away from him; he loved the DeSoto that much.

Doc was talkng about Schwinn bicycles and I too was in the same boat - never got my Schwinn Black Phantom with the "knee action" front fork which was the rage back then. I wound up with a "Plain Jane" Western Flyer!

"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
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roadkillontheweb
Posted 2015-09-01 10:54 PM (#488592 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Expert

Posts: 1357
10001001001002525
Location: Iowa USA
I just noticed that that was a Typo 6'8" is how tall the nephew is.
Viper guy I will have to see if I have anything on Roman Motor Sales.



(myold6721.JPG)



(firemite004.jpg)



(DSCN1113s.jpg)



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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2016-08-04 8:27 PM (#518370 - in reply to #488592)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
1000100
Location: Wild Wonderful
A couple more.



(atthedealer.jpg)



(8914010_n.jpg)



(910740_n.jpg)



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drosera88
Posted 2016-08-05 5:19 PM (#518424 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 1267
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Location: San Antonio TX
I gotta ask: What were the production numbers on these? What are they worth now? Could these now be among the rarest Forward Look vehicles? Could these possibly be the best clown-cars/Shriner-cars ever made?

Sure beats the 'Power Wheels' Jeep I had when I was a kid.
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Chrys 68
Posted 2016-08-29 7:06 AM (#520069 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 673
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Location: Malung, SWEDEN
Would love to own one!
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57chizler
Posted 2016-08-29 2:22 PM (#520102 - in reply to #518424)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



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drosera88 - 2016-08-05 2:19 PM
Sure beats the 'Power Wheels' Jeep I had when I was a kid.


At least you had battery power, I had to pedal my Jeep. (circa 1946)



(Me n Mike Tyler December 1946.jpg)



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Chrys 68
Posted 2016-08-30 4:24 AM (#520149 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 673
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Location: Malung, SWEDEN

I also had to pedaling!
Here I am in my Jeep early summer of '69.

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mikes2nd
Posted 2016-08-30 7:59 AM (#520154 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos


Expert 5K+

Posts: 5006
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Lucky!

whatever I had a milk crate a board and two wheels from a set of skates...





(th.jpg)



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Chrys 68
Posted 2016-11-23 1:34 PM (#526966 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 673
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Location: Malung, SWEDEN

More Firemite in this thread: http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=28842&posts=37&start=1

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Chrys 68
Posted 2016-12-30 4:58 PM (#530066 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 673
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Location: Malung, SWEDEN
Lifting this very interesting thread!
I would love to have a Firemite in my collection!
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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2017-05-31 12:27 AM (#541236 - in reply to #530066)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 1112
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Location: Wild Wonderful
1958 Firemites



(firemiteshow.jpg)



(HeyDad.jpg)



(heysnow.jpg)



(coolride.jpg)



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westwoodblue
Posted 2017-05-31 9:45 AM (#541251 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos


252525
Was the first photograph actually Charles Town or Charleston misspelled? Some confuse the two
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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2017-05-31 4:35 PM (#541283 - in reply to #541251)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 1112
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Location: Wild Wonderful
Charles Town, WV . Close to Harpers Ferry, WV.
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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2020-06-12 11:01 PM (#599596 - in reply to #541283)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
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Location: Wild Wonderful
I found this on faceybooky the other day.
I love these Firemites. I wish I had one.



(firemitepresents (3).jpg)



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Lancer Mike
Posted 2020-06-14 11:38 PM (#599676 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



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Location: The Mile High City

The Shimkat Motors Firemite appears to be the only one with antennae.

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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2020-06-15 11:21 PM (#599734 - in reply to #599676)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 1112
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Location: Wild Wonderful
Lancer Mike - 2020-06-14 11:38 PM

The Shimkat Motors Firemite appears to be the only one with antennae.




I don't think Antennas were an option. It seems they would be kind of dangerous for kids.
You could stab your little brother with one, or you could break off both of them and have a sword fight.
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Fireflite56
Posted 2020-06-16 11:34 AM (#599747 - in reply to #599734)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



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Posts: 339
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Location: Wisconsin

J. Render & Son Co. Plymouth-DeSoto dealer postcard, courtesy of Bob Terpak. Check out all those new '58's (and one '57 Desoto) besides the Firemite!



Edited by Fireflite56 2020-06-16 11:36 AM




(Render_&_Son.jpg)



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Powerflite
Posted 2020-06-16 6:21 PM (#599762 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
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Location: So. Cal
Did they make Dodge or Chrysler versions of these things?
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Viper Guy
Posted 2020-06-17 8:09 PM (#599796 - in reply to #104054)
Subject: Re: New (old) Firemite photos



Expert

Posts: 2002
2000
Location: Branson, MO
No. Nothing but DeSoto Firemites. However I believe I had seen other makes of these mini motorized models but none promoted through Chrysler product dealers . This was a 1958 model only.
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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2020-11-28 10:59 PM (#606143 - in reply to #488165)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
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Location: Wild Wonderful
This first picture is from earlier on this thread. The second picture is the same car, in the same parade, but in color.
The side sweep looks blue. That must have been the thing to do with these cars, paint the sweep whatever color you want.



(fmite2.jpg)



(339213_o.jpg)



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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2020-12-25 1:15 AM (#607084 - in reply to #606143)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
1000100
Location: Wild Wonderful
more.



(555887_n.jpg)



(555888_n.jpg)



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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2021-01-30 10:49 AM (#608360 - in reply to #607084)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
1000100
Location: Wild Wonderful
Come on in and buy this Firemite for the kids and this Firedome convertible for yourself.



(firemiteold58.jpg)



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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2021-02-13 9:16 PM (#608881 - in reply to #608360)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
1000100
Location: Wild Wonderful




(58desotoadkeymotors (2).jpg)



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58DeSoDodge59
Posted 2021-05-12 11:54 PM (#611925 - in reply to #608881)
Subject: RE: New (old) Firemite photos



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1112
1000100
Location: Wild Wonderful
Why is it that the REAR hubcap is the one that is usually missing?

Edited by 58DeSoDodge59 2021-05-13 12:02 AM




(8416_n.jpg)



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