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Location: The Mile High City | Strap yourselves in! Our friends the Richards (of MoPower Masters fame) recently acquired this amazing 1957 De Soto Firedome convertible. Ivy gave me permission to post the pictures and she sent me the following note:
Sure, we'll share! Yes, it does look the best from the back with the top down. We were really surprised the boot still stretched on and snapped down. It has a badly rusty floor pan, inner and outer rockers, over both eyebrows, some trunk floor & both lower quarters, the drivers being the worst with some dents also. The interior is mostly original, down to it rubber floor mat that helped it to rust out I'm sure. The engine and trans has been gone through fairly recently. It was a cheap trim model with only one spear down each side and a single paint color.
We plan on putting the upgrade trim on, that came with it and paint it bright red in the insert over the rear wheels, with a red grille. Customize the interior with black and a little red and a black top. It's going to be a driver, it's been hiding way too long.
I'll send pictures of the engine and interior the next time we uncover it.
Take care,
Ivy I don't know why, but I thought I would create a poll just for the heck of it. The question: "would you like to own this car?"
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 black firedome front driver reduced.JPG (191KB - 389 downloads)
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | D@MN.. Glad to see another Rare Convertible Saved... The Tag says AUG 86 , So i presume that was the Last time it was used on the Streets ?? Did they say when the Expected Restoration will be completed.... |
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Location: The Mile High City | Hi, Clive!
Yes, I would guess that 1986 was the last time this car was on the road. I had heard that the previous owner is an elderly gentleman (around 80 or so) that decided to sell the car as opposed to attemting the restoration he had planned for so many years. I believe this is supposed to be Ivy's driver when done and I expect that it will be done soon. Interesting that the license plate is TS 57! |
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Location: Colorado | Very cool, thanks for sharing Mike! By the way how is the D-500 coming? |
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Location: The Mile High City | I think it is coming along. I need to get Gerad a set of spark plug wires and a few electrical components. He is doing first rate work on that car. |
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Expert
Posts: 1508
Location: new york | Did you had to ask!?!? Not only is it my favorite car ever made! But it also has single headlights! OH I have to play the Lotto! HAPPY DESOTOING! Victor.. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | If I ever get a scanner, I'll have to post pix of a similar monotone Firedome I found in PA years ago. It was a STICK car !
Any idea where this car lived its life ?
I'd be leaving it all black .... or is that charcoal ? ... and running it with dog dishies ! That is a VERY different car.
What kind of odd equipment (or deletes) does it have ?
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Expert
Posts: 2289
Location: Eastern Iowa | YES!!! YES!!!!! YES!!!!
I would be very proud to own that car AND I would leave it BONE STOCK!!!
I WOULD NOT change color or anything from stock and restore it back to it's ORIGINAL condition when new!
It is a SURVIVOR!! and as such SHOULD NOT be molested or turned into a FREAK SHOW!!
Dave Schwandt
Edited by finsruskw 2009-11-11 9:55 AM
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Location: Colorado, Pike's Peak | Any original convertible fin car is fantastic. Very nice and just the way I like to find one. they all had the headlight fender rot if they ever lived around water/muddy roads. Chrysler did not bother to put a deflector t in most of them to stop the flinging of wet soil up over the headlamps=quick rot. This car could be worth $50K plus if restored to the hilt. Slim
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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 | ....The question should be posed: at what (initial) PRICE would we-all want to own this car, as restoring it will not be
quick or easy or cheap.
Great, that it's going to rejoin the living, however!
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Location: The Mile High City | The actual figures are between the Richards and the previous owner. I haven't looked up a value, but my initial guess at a value, even in these tumultuous times, I would say $20,000 to $25,000 would be a pretty good price for both buyer and seller. This is a running, driving car with some rust issues. The top is toast and the body has some dents and a bit of oxidized paint (that obviously buffed out on the trunk). I am pumping it up because it looks to be very original and mostly complete. Even $30,000 would not be too much of a stretch.
Bottom line: under $20,000 is a steal for the buyer - over $30,000 is a steal for the seller. |
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Location: The Mile High City | A full nut-and-bolt restoration on this car would be a runaway hit at Barrett-Jackson. I like the idea of all black with the single chrome spear on the side (ala a letter car) with hub caps. However, I don't think the senior De Sotos could be had with hub caps. I think the seniors came with 1) wheels that could not accommodate hub caps and 2) full wheel covers standard. I have been wrong many times in the past though. I think it would be best with full wheel covers and wide white walls. |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13045
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Amazingly, they're still out there somewhere... |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Full wheelcovers were extra cost on Firedomes. However, very few DeSotos - even the Sweeps - left the lot with dog dishies. The above mentioned Firedome convertible I still wish I had bought was one of only a few I have seen. My 60 Fireflite coupe was also a dog dishie car. I have a nice set in case I ever find a car like this that would just be too cool with body color wheels, doggies, and whitewalls. 
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Location: The Mile High City | Thanks for the correction, Doc. I know Tim Dupont's Firesweep coupe has the hub caps (and a manual tranny too?). It looks great. |
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Location: The Mile High City | I just received an update from Ivy.
Hi Michael,
Here are some more pictures of the DeSoto, the engine bay, seats and dash. As for its options, this is what I've been told, it has power steering, manual brakes, radio, clock, heater, dual rear antennae, tip exit exhaust and torque flight trans.
We have been following the comments on the thread you posted and it is kinda fun to read the differing opinions out there, everybody is entitled.
The story behind the TS-57 license plate, is that when the original owner went down to get plates for the car, he just requested the number 57 and that's the one they gave him. More later,
Ivy
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front seat reduced.jpg (235KB - 369 downloads)
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dash reduced.JPG (240KB - 370 downloads)
engine reduced.JPG (234KB - 381 downloads)
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Location: Parts Unknown | The bumper exit exhaust was the only way they came. In later rebuilds, this was often abandoned, as it was a pain in the tookus to make and the gasses corroded the chrome around them badly.
This really is a special car. Even amongst the rarified "air" of DeSoto convertibles, this car has a rather unique distinction of being on the "economy" end of the order sheet. 25 years ago I looked at a 57 Firedome with the straight single side trim bar and have never seen another before or since .... until this one popped up ! From the black rubber steering wheel to the monotone paint, this car would really stand out in a crowd - if you could ever assemble such a thing - of 57/58 convertibles.
I would hope the owners might have a look around the internet and see just how unique this car is and leave some of that distinctive character "as found".
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Location: The Mile High City | I sent a link to Ed Petrus. I know the Richards read this thread and, hopefully, will become members of the forums since they own so many Forwardlook cars now. Ivy, if you read this, Edward wanted me to make sure you visit his webpage:
http://www.angelfire.com/de/petrus/index.html
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Location: Colorado | Well Ivy, you have a very cool car there! Can't wait to see more pics of it.
Ray |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Doctor DeSoto points out how unusual the side trim is on a 1957 Firedome convertible. He's right, but there are others. I know of several, and here are 2 pics (different cars, but both happen to be white).
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monotone_convert2.jpg (94KB - 406 downloads)
monotone_convert1.jpg (58KB - 369 downloads)
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | 3
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Rebel... your pic is a nicer picture of the second one I posted... I know the owner.
Edited by 57desoto 2009-11-14 5:20 PM
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Location: The Mile High City | That Texas car appears to have suffered a traumatic occlusion of the tail lights! The antennaectomy looks painful too.
It is interesting to compare the interior of the Texas car to the Richards new purchase. I am aware that DeSoto offered two interior choices both in '57 and '58 and the door panels are dramatically different with and without the use of silver mylar.
Clive, are you the Yugo man? |
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Location: Colorado | Clive or Larry! |
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Expert
Posts: 1489
Location: Lordstown, Ohio | So, tell me. Is one of these 3 cars for sale??
Wayne |
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Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | Everything is ALWAYS for sale... it's only a matter of determining the price. |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Sounds to me like the black car just changed hands and the new owners are much invested / excited in their new find. Still, it never hurts to ask.
I found my first 58 convertible (Adventurer) through asking around just like you are doing. It was delivered to me on pallets ! I began a ground-up build around some body tags and a few key elements and spent the next 14 years in a major parts search. In that time I found many other convertibles .... some total waste cases like the one I was working on, others expensive finished cars. In total, I bought several of them and passed on many, ultimately buying the Fireflite I own today after asking the previous owner - whom I had contacted while searching for parts - that if he ever decided to sell, would he please contact me. The rest is history.
On these tough cars, the only way to do it is to network. Some guys have a gem just drop in their laps, but that has never been my luck and I was never willing to wait on winning the "lottery".
Wayne, .... your profile does not show a location. Where hail from you do ?
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Expert
Posts: 1489
Location: Lordstown, Ohio | Sorry, I thought I had that i there. I live in Lordstown Ohio (NE part of the state)
Wayne |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Well, I guess you are in pretty good country for finding one of those rusted basket cases, good for a build-up from parts. It has been my experience that far more convertibles sold in the east and midwest than out here in the west, with the possible exception of California. Now, you are fighting the odds that a car like this can go all these years undetected by whatever existing car collectors might be around to be found today by YOU ! As has been evidenced by cars coming out of the woodwork that we have seen here on this site, a fair number still seem to get discovered lingering in wrecking yards and berry patches that will require a lot of work. On the flip side, the occasional sweet example - original or restored - pops up for auction with a five figure (or greater) price tag. I don't think I've ever heard you mention what kind of budget "bat" you are swinging, but generally speaking, most all of these I have ever seen over the last 30 years are either a mess, or already done cars. Are you well financed ? Do you have the fabrication skills to resurrect a basket case ? I think these cars CAN be found, but you have to have one of two things going for you, either a lot of skills or money, .... oh yeah, ... AND perfect timing to snatch one up when it surfaces.
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Location: The Mile High City | Wayne, from what I understand, the black convertible came to the Richards family by persistance. They had known about the car for several years and had established a relationship with the previous owner. When the time came to sell, the previous owners knew that they had a buyer for the car. We all know that most times it may not work, but sometimes it does! |
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Expert
Posts: 1489
Location: Lordstown, Ohio | Well, my skillset is, Collision repair tech of 23+ years. With the ability to handle the severity of damage on the side of $18,000.00 and above. I have the knowledge and wisdom to restructure anything. If its made of wood metal or plastic, it can be fixed. Currently I have been self-employed (handyman, home repairs for 4+years) I started fixing cars when I was 5 years old, dads helper. Did my first all over paint job at 13. Restored my first car at 14 66 Rustang Made everything on it. Second car was a 54 Ford F100 chopped it and bigblocked it at 16-17. Got married and still am at 22, then I did everyone elses cars since.
Its my turn now. As to a budget, I guess its what comes up. The money is there. I just heard of a 60 or 61 Letter car convertble yesterday. the guy is suppose to be getting me info on it. Suppose to of been sitting for 30+ years with the engine out of it, its there though. We'll see
Wayne |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Well, sounds like you'd be able to handle anything the worst briar patch might give up. So, the search goes on !
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1107
Location: Arvada, Colorado (NW Denver Metro Area) | Mike, thanks for posting the pictures of the Richard's De Soto Convertible, Having see it myself at their shop, I am envious of their find. I can't wait till we can get their 57 De Soto, your 59 De Soto and my 59 Belvedere convertible out terrorizing all the burger joints in Denver!
Now I need to keep working on the floors of my convert to make this happen!
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Location: Parts Unknown | Make no mistake about it, Mikey's car is not a #@! 59 !!!!
Thet thar is Grade A, prime cut 1958 he's got there ! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1107
Location: Arvada, Colorado (NW Denver Metro Area) | Dr. De Soto, sorry for my typo. Mike's 58 De Soto is what I meant to type. It's tough to be Human around Christmas time....
Mike has been to my house with his car and I would love to own one just like it. It's tough owning a lowly 59 Plymouth Convertible. I wish it was a De Soto Convertible, any year would be great! I would even trade my 70 Cuda Convertible for one!! I keep telling Mike to make sure he locks his garage because of my desire for his car.
Maybe I can put on a De Soto front end on it like some of the export cars with Plymouth bodies and Dodge/De Soto front ends on it. Tough to find one of those front clip anywhere.
I have loved the De Soto styling over the other divisions even when I grew up in the Detroit area. With a father and grandfather both being Chrysler Engineers I was dragged into it. My Grandfather had Chryslers and my Dad had Plymouths and some occasional Dodge's. But no De Soto's.....
I started working for Chrysler in the mid 70's while going to College in the plants and then out here in Denver when I was a District Sales Mgr at the Zone office till 1983. Back then you can still see a lot of the old fin cars driving around Colorado. Not anymore since Mike has bought all of them!!
I tried to call Mike today to see if he wants that cheap original 59 convertible top lever of mine. But he won't be back till next week.
You know... My car is an early build 59 Plymouth convertible made in the 1958 calendar year... Does that count?
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Location: Parts Unknown | I have made it clear that the 59 Mopars are not the cars for me, and as such, don't want to come off as pooping on anyone else's dream car by going into it again. We all have our favorites and reasons. I love the 59 Plymouth fenders .... those sharp-edged eyebrows with the dip in the middle ... best thing about the car. The overall look of a 58 Plymouth just suits my taste better ... the backward tipped fins, the integrated tailights, the fine and crisply sculpted bumpers, the interior. Ah well, I guess that just means there are more of them for others if not all of us want one, right ?
While I may come off as a downer, I really do enjoy and appreciate those who will love and cherish the cars I will not. To see a nicely cared for car like yours would make my day, regardless of any critical words I might have about its design. Design talk is like legal argument .... you kick it around and everyone goes to lunch friends. Nothing personal. No disrespect.
To quote a famous FL movie .. " I know you don't have money falling out of your ..... kid " Well if I did, I would probably buy them all and not be so discerning. But since that isn't the case, I had to make some decisions and be picky. At one time I had 13 running-driving FL cars. None were done and all needed help. I was car poor and one day I just turned inward on myself and began an elimination or prioritization process, whereby each type of car was ranked in order of preference and I began to sell them off the bottom of the list to pursue what was at the top. My DeSoto was the all-time absolute favorite post-war car for me, and so all others were dropped in favor of the one. But it was a difficult and painful process of critiquing each. And some I really regret letting go still.
The 59 DeSoto is going to be the easiest of the FL DeSoto convertibles to find. They made more of them and build quality improved such that more survived. I think this has always been my frustration with them ... the more blunt features do not work for me, yet in my search for 58's I seemed to find no shortage of 59's (an exaggeration, of course), but still, they were FAR more common.
I would say this, ... if a DeSoto is THE car for you, you have a very popular car already ... probably moreso than any DeSoto, and this may go a long way toward wrenching a DeSoto out of the woodwork if you offered it up for sale or trade (?). Naturally, if ANY model or year will do, your prospects are infinitely better than if you are a picky old bas*ard like me who only wants a very specific year and model. I simply got lucky.
And don't get down on yourself about being human, .... not everyone can have it as "goin' on" as Mikey !!!!
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1107
Location: Arvada, Colorado (NW Denver Metro Area) | Dr. D (Brent) Boy I can only hope the 59 De Soto Convert is plentiful. Big M (John F.)found one. And I am envious of him and anyone else who can find one. The Richard's new to them, 57 De Soto was in a garage 15 mins from my house, but never knew it. I am glad they were able to get the vehicle to add to their herd of Mopars. They, like Mike are good people.
You are right about Mr Mike, Exner's spirit shines on him! But, he is such a nice guy, so I guess he deserves it! Mike and his dad brought the 58 De Soto Convert to a quick showing at a Senior citizens complex this past summer here in the Denver area. Boy, a lot of people loved his car! Great that he brought it out for them to see.
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | I know a guy that would not trade you his 59 Plymouth for any Desoto. My self , I like Desotos but my friend has had 3 or so of them and had problems with every one of them, including spun bearings on the 57 Adventurer He had. Like I said, I really like Desotos and in fact, I'm the guy, who Pm'ed Mike and said, "Shutup & buy it"----or it'll be on it's way to Sweden in a Heartbeat!!!!
Anyway, Watch this and you will see 2, 59 Plymouth Convertible Lovers!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzzHunx1Z2c
Gary
Ya know, I just watched that video again , No way can a 59 Chubbie hold a candle to that car, Maybe if ya hammered on the fins and bent them over so the look like the chubbie fins (Enclosed Please Find, Doc, Enclosed Spectacles) 
Edited by 1959Dodge 2009-12-29 11:04 PM
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Location: Parts Unknown | 1959 Belvedere Conv - 2009-12-30 6:59 PM
Dr. D (Brent) Boy I can only hope the 59 De Soto Convert is plentiful. Big M (John F.)found one. And I am envious of him and anyone else who can find one. The Richard's new to them, 57 De Soto was in a garage 15 mins from my house, but never knew it. I am glad they were able to get the vehicle to add to their herd of Mopars. They, like Mike are good people.
You are right about Mr Mike, Exner's spirit shines on him! But, he is such a nice guy, so I guess he deserves it! Mike and his dad brought the 58 De Soto Convert to a quick showing at a Senior citizens complex this past summer here in the Denver area. Boy, a lot of people loved his car! Great that he brought it out for them to see.
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How would Richards like a 59 Plymouth ragtop ? I mean, face it, most anyone lucky enough to find a convertible will not find the "one" that really turns their crank. My buddy Gary prolly wouldn't want my car anymore tan I would want his, but if I had found his and he, mine, we could probably work a very happy trade for both of us.
Mebbe Richards would prefer the Plymouth. For the same reasons Chevys are more popular due to the simple numbers made and sold, I suspect more people would want a Plymouth than an "ugly old DeSoto"
Have you asked John F. if he wants to trade ?
You never know until you ask !
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | Like ya said Doc, good thing we all like different cars, or there would not be nuff to go around. Glad I not havta makes a choice between 59 Dodge Conv and a 56-58 Desoto Convertible----that would be a "Tuffie" for me, as a former "Semi- Desoto" owner (Firesweep) but I did luv that car even thou a 4 door post. Maybe that 413 I stuck in it had something to do with that?
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Location: Parts Unknown | Your comment makes good argument for the nostalgic factor behind many of our preferences. Personally, I have ZERO recollection of ever seeing a 57-58 Chrysler or DeSoto before I got into fins as a newly driving teen. I DO remember 58 Plymouths from my earliest days, as do I with 59 Dodge. ..... the latter I thought had an "angry clown face" and I did not like them at all !!! .... something that sticks with me in a negative nostalgic memory from when I was five ! If I were to go for what my family had back then, it would be 57 Chevs (Mom had a Bel Air wagon and Dad a F/I coupe) or a 56 Roadmaster or 59 Electra like my grandparents drove. I still clearly remember going out to look at the 57 NY'er my brother found and I bought and just being drop-jawed over it. I had some pretty wing-ding finned Buicks at this time, but I was an INSTANT convert ! I had never seen anything so slick and smooth. Instantly the Buicks looked dowdy .... the old banker's car.
I wish I had a better nostalgic connection with my car, but I honestly have to say my attraction was very cerebral and deliberate, based on critical thinking I had been learning in class.
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | I got into them in 55, when My Dad bought a 55 Custom Royal 4 door, with a hemi, alto our neighbor , a dentist, bought a 55 Desoto at the same time , I believe a 2 door hdtop, and that was "The Car" far as I was concerned--till I saw the 56 Desoto. We usta keep track of the new cars as we would drive along, always hoping to see more of the Chrysler products than the Generous Motors stuff---A couple of times, around 57, the tally was close. We also went and looked at the new cars in the showrooms every year and for me, they got better and better till 1960 (just My pref) alto like you (well not totally) as I like the 56 Soto too, My fav Sotos were 56-58 and my fav Dodges 57-59--with 59 being my fav. After 60 I was really disappointed , especially the Dodge, as I really liked the 57-59 and hated to see that stylin trend end. It wasn't till 64 that I even thought about buying a Dodge 60-63 just didnt do a thing for me, and I figgered I could live with a 64 and have done so for 46 years now. Then next Dodge I reallly got excited about was the 66 Coronet 500. After that the 68 Charger, after that???? Nada.
Sooo now ya know "My whole history----not saying I right, that just the "Way I See Em"!!!!
Gary |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1107
Location: Arvada, Colorado (NW Denver Metro Area) | I was at the Richard's Mopar Shop yesterday (here in Denver) and they are making great progress on their 57 De Soto Fire Dome Convert. The drive train was already redone before them and they are working on installing a new Convert top canvas on it soon. It should be on the streets, weather permitting, in a couple of weeks. They only have to repair the passenger floor area a little bit, The quarters and fenders will be repaired later in 2010. But at least we will be seeing it on the road soon.
I think they are pretty pleased with their recent acquisition. Their rapid progress is pushing me to catch up to them with my convert. My wife is on me too, since she wants to drive this one a lot!
Thanks for all the advice from you senior Forum Forward Lookers!
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Location: The Mile High City | Great news! I need to get over and see the Richards family and that car - it seems like the holidays always are so hectic. I will make a point of it this month! I know Tony and Ivy; there is no chance they would trade this car! For many years, Tony has said that he would love to have a '57 DeSoto convertible. He is a high performance buff, so he may preserve the original engine and give it a fire-breathing MoPar performance engine painted and detailed to look very original. I think they have wanted a car just like this for a very long time and they know exactly what they want to do with it.
John, I think we will have a trio of wonderful convertibles! I would love to go for a cruise with all three - anytime. Thanks for your offer on the power top knob, but I am all set. I now have an original power top knob and it fits in just fine. I appreciate the offer though! |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Isn't it a Federal crime to have more than one of these at the same place at the same time now ?
Think of the children !
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Expert
Posts: 3480
Location: Montreal, Canada | Digging this up... Whatever happened to this car? |
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Location: The Mile High City | The Richards still have it! They work on it when they can, but business is good- so the going is slow. |
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1957 De Soto Firedome Convertible
