recently, I had a problem with the brakes on the De Soto.  On the front driver-side wheel, the brake pad separated from the shoe.  I removed everything from the spindle and gave it all to Dave at Colorado Brake and Supply Inc.  They cleaned everything up and relined the shoes and turned the drum.  $175.62 all told.  A bit more than I expected, but it turned out pretty well.  As opposed to buying on line and getting shoes not matched to the drums, this was better.

Colorado Brake and Supply 

8001 E. 52nd Avenue

Commerce City, CO 80022

303.289.1011

www.northamericantrucktrailer.com 

Muffler and Exhaust

Bud's Muffler Service

1010 Santa Fe Drive, Denver, CO 80204

303.629.0936

Bud's Colorado Springs

1212 N. Circle Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80909

719.634.8089

From Don H:

Transmission

I had mine done last year at Pro Trans Plus in Falcon, CO (outside of Colorado Springs). My Torqueflight was the first one that Jeff had done, but he did it right and even welded and reshaped some of the original parts and pieces so that it would run for another 60 years. His website is: http://www.protransplus.com/home

And his BBB reviews are here: https://www.bbb.org/southern-colorado/business-reviews/transmission/...

Cost was $1,800 and that included the rebuild kit. Let me know if you have any questions.

Don H.

Thanks for posting those Jerry.  Even Denver's old-car services are dwindling!  A bunch of the places listed earlier in the thread are no longer.  I hope folks will post recommendations for Colorado Springs, Salt Lake, Billings, Cheyenne, Boise...

Gerad Richard came over today and told me about a couple of places:

Chrome plating

Roberts Wheel and Tire

8 Federal Boulevard, Denver CO 

303-596-4360

Wiring Harnesses

https://www.ynzyesterdaysparts.com/

(not a local vendor) California

Going to give Auto Trim Specialists a try on a small interior project.  

Auto Trim Specialists 

4771 E. Evans Ave.

Denver, CO 80222

303-757-7463

working with Arthur now.  So far, I've had one bump in price, but we'll see how it goes.  I will report back on my experience.

Here's the facts:

• 5/15/20 dropped off my driver's side straight across back rest and a dip frame.  Told them I wanted them to replicate the seat on the new dip frame, so in the end, I have both the original seat and a new dip seat - identical except for the frame.  Estimate: $475 and about two weeks.
• They tell me they can't get heat sealed vinyl, but they will replicate with stitchwork.
• 6/1/20 they call and tell me the seat is done.  I go and pick up both seats, pay remaining balance of $274.74 (total $524.74)
• 6/3/2020 I install the new dip seat in the car and see that the pattern doesn't match up from the original passenger side seat back to the new seat back.
• 6/4/2020 I take it back and show them the images and tell them it needs to be adjusted.
• 6/5/2020 they call and tell me they are going to need the whole seat to do the job right.
• 6/8/2020 I deliver the whole front seat
• 6/15/2020 they tell me the seat is done and I pick it up - they charge me $130.19 for more material (grand total paid now $654.93), now the gray and the red line up.
• 38% over cost estimate, 100% over time estimate.

My impressions:

1. Quality is so-so.  I think Blanche Jones did a MUCH better job of stitchwork, details, and fitting the different vinyls together.
2. I think the mistake was theirs, but we shared the price of fixing it.
3. I asked several times for them to save the materials, particularly the second order so I could redo my armrest, only to be told they threw it away - leaving me to wonder if they even ordered new material or just charged me for it to cover the cost of the adjustment.
4. They did not do a good match of the piping color
5. I did a bunch of the work by removing the seats and delivering them, but it doesn't feel like that saved me anything.
6. Sketchy operation - none of the receipts are well itemized, it seems like they make up prices as they go
7. Time spent, price, and quality were ultimately disappointing.

I was really hoping they would work out, but I am NOT recommending them.  There surely must be other local places that do better work.

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Mike, I now own one of these Spring panel Licence plate panels. It was available over-the-counter as it came out late in the 57 model year for counter sales. I really like the looks of the cars with them.

Have you installed that one on the 58 convertible yet? Just wondering if you made a template for the holes to be drilled for the pins?  Mine also is missing one pin on the back end of the car.

John

I did!  I did!

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=41650&posts=26&highlight=drilling&highlightmode=1#M580128

(sorry my post is a couple of years late)

Local vendors seem to be getting to be few and far between these days!  I had to have my brakes relined and I sent them to White Post Restorations https://whitepost.com/brake-sleeving-rebuilding-services/ after seeing their advertisement in Hemmings. The bonded the brake pads to the shoes and did a pretty good job.  Fairly quick turnaround too.  They did not bevel the edges of the pads, but I just filed 'em down a little before installation. 

I also sent out some pot-metal spinners to Speed & Sport Chrome Plating in Texas https://speedsportchrome.com/.  They did pretty well with a few miscommunications.  They send items back really well packed, but COD.  I haven't done COD forever, but it is a pain in the butt!

I recently bought some steel wheels from Nathan and I've been looking for a place to blast and powder coat them.  Today, I drove them out to Blasted and Baked Coatings 21323 I-76 Frontage Road, Unit 308 Hudson, CO 80642 970-616-9058 and left them with Chris.  He quoted me half the price others in Denver were charging.  Let's see what happens - they should be ready in a couple of weeks.

I am also having some touch-up painting done at TJ Ltd. 1950 W. 13th Ave., Unit 4, Denver CO 80204 303-573-1541.  My Dad has worked with TJ for several years and TJ does great work at a great value.  The De Soto should be going in for touch up in mid-May.

The wheels turned out great!  I would definitely recommend Chris at Blasted and Baked!  Cash only, but well worth the drive.

This is the matte white finish, which is perfect for the wheels.

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TJ's paint work was outstanding.  He basically repainted the white color sweep on the driver's side rear quarter.  Excellent paint match and super smooth finish.  I had to get it repainted because gas bubbled up from the tank and ruined some of the white paint.

Three more wheels are with Chris now.

update 6/7: They turned out fantastic!  Before I went to pick them up, Chris actually dropped the price to $200 for the three wheels.  Amazing!  For all five wheels, it was a total of $400, $80 per wheel.  Chris is phenomenal - definitely recommended.

I need to get my convertible top repaired or replaced.  Does anyone have any recommendations in the Denver Metro area?  A Google search found

• Auto Trim Specialists (they did my front seat, but not very well see notes above) 

4771 E. Evans 303-757-7463 Will not do a phone estimate, wants to see the car in person.  I don't think I will use them again.

• Auto Weave

Left message

• Jesse Lee's $2,400

3280 W. 64th Ave 303-426-0927 Mr. Lee is old school (I like it).  He is going to make a few calls and get me an estimate.  Top, curtain, pads material cost $1,200.  Labor estimate $1,200.  Possibly other hidden costs (such as tack strips) will need to have car to be sure.  Three year warranty and can purchase up to two additional years for $100 per year.  Material cost deposit.

• Blazing Auto Trim Ltd $3,471

1950 W. Union 303-783-9624 did not leave message, but Jordan called me back when he saw that I called.  Estimate: $3,471, 5-year warranty.  Half down up-front, scheduling in November.  Certified installer for Robbins, GAHH, Electron, and Ez-on (suppliers, manufacturers?).  Includes cables (cables should not be required for our tops) and pads.  Confident, uses a lot of swear words. Says to be warry of others.  Had a very low opinion of Auto Trim Specialists.  Said he worked for many of the others.

• Klint's Custom Auto Top $1,837

3770 S. Lipan 303-781-9729 Rusty will call me back with an estimate.  Scheduling in November.  I had to call back and talked to Toots (love that name), she apologized and said she thought Rusty called back but she had the notes and realized she was supposed to call back.  $887 materials - top and curtain, $900 labor - + $50 tax + pads (extra if needed) + tack strips (extra if needed).  November 11th scheduled.  Manufacture's warranty.  Robbins top.

• Mr. Sid's $2,056

10535 Melody Drive 303-404-6518 Mike will call me back with an estimate.  Said it takes about a week to install. Evan called.  Standard vinyl material cost is $856, a stay-fast cloth material cost is $1,404.  8.5 hours of labor cost $1,020.  pads, tack strips additional costs.  Two month warranty.  $180 top mechanism check over and above all.  Material cost deposit to get started.

and several others...

EZ ON convertible top cost is $692 plus tax (three year warranty).  Pads are $114 plus tax (one year warranty). Tacking strips are $15 each for front and rear style.  

https://www.topsonline.com/Convertible-Tops-Accessories/Desoto/1957-thru-1959-Desoto-Adventurer-Firedome-Fireflite/convertible-top-with-zipper-plastic-window-or-blank-curtain

I'm having a hard time getting a response from some of these places.  That is usually an indicator they are too busy for my business, but we'll see.  The two with estimates so far are kind of night and day opposites.

I went over to Klint's today and met Rusty.  I am happy to have him do the work.  I ordered a top and pads from Topsonline today and am having it sent directly to Rusty.

Starter Repair and Rebuild  I took a starter motor to Kevin at DC Power Starters and Alternators - 2577 W. Wesley Avenue, Denver CO 80209 720-936-2369.  Kevin operates his one-man business out of his garage and he did a great job at a reasonable price.  Great value.  I would definitely use his service again.

Dropped off the De Soto today to get the new top installed.  Rusty said it should take about a week.

Convertible Tops and Upholstery Repair

Klint's Custom Auto Top 3770 S. Lipan 303-781-9729 I got the car back from Rusty today.  He did a great job installing the top and was very accommodating.  It took awhile to schedule, but was well worth it.  It is kind of a one-man shop and there's no room to work on multiple cars, so I see why scheduling is so important.  It is wonderful that he gave the lowest estimate and he provides great value for the money.  Rusty replaced several portions of the tacking strips and uses his own material, which he likes better than those you can buy from convertible top vendors.  Rusty repaired a few weak seams in the upholstery and the top boot too.  I will definitely recommend Klint's!

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Chrome Plating

Quality Plaing 199 W 9th Ave, Yuma, CO 80759 970-848-2065 

I sent a set of dodge exhaust deflectors to Lowell in November.  He had estimated $75 each.  He called today and said he sold the business and the new operators wanted $125 apiece.  I told him I wouldn't do that but since they are already out there, I would pay $100 each.  He said he could talk them into it.  I'll provide an update as to what happens.  

I got 'em back today in the mail.  Total bill, including return shipping was $171.00.  I think they pretty much stuck with the original deal.  I was very pleased with the price and the outcome.

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I sent some front bumper guards to Quality Plating about three weeks ago and they straightened them, chromed them, and shipped them back lickity split - all under the estimated price.  I think Quality is the way to go for chrome! 

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Got my full set of '58 De Soto bumper guards back from D & R this Saturday.  First impression: excellent!

Chrome Plating

D&R Chrome 3380 Randolph St, Huntington Park, CA 90255 Phone: (323) 584-6978

Ok, so they are not exactly Rocky Mountain Region, but they do come to Tri-State and Longmont each year.  I really like what I received from D&R.  In my opinion, they are an excellent value.  I shopped my bumper guards all over Tri-State and most wouldn't even look at the passenger front guard which resembled a lace doily.  D&R took the challenge and were best priced for all the other items.  They rebuilt everything on the left side of the red line.  I would certainly recommend them for chrome work!

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It looks like the mounted the bracket on the inside of the passenger front guard upside down.  It was totally loose - there was nothing for it to hold onto when they got it.

May not be a problem?