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1958 Fireflite Convertible
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-11-15 11:58 AM (#410865 - in reply to #410849)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
It was a black and gold car. Missing seats, top mechanism and all convertible trim, as well as
all Adventurer trim. I got it on pallets, as it was so rusty. In fact, the yard owner told me it came
into the yard in 1963 after the car collapsed in the middle from rust. Is that "shot" enough to put
your mind at ease ? I got a cowl, a tub well, and the center of the frame to start that build with.

I took a 58 Firedome coupe frame and refit the X-member as the base. My first FL'er (57 NY'er
coupe became the body donor. It looked like a nice, solid car by the time I was gave it up, but still
needed top, power seats, power windows and a few other unobtainium pieces to be complete again.
I was struggling with how to replace the VIN tag (which left VA, but was missing when the cowl
arrived in Seattle) when my Fireflite came available. After years and years of an impossible search,
I jumped at the chance to have a turnkey car, even if it was a polished turd, and sold the Adventurer
project. I believe it was 1986 when I got the Adventurer out of VA. I can't remember HOW I found
it. I had the same networking challenges you did, but worked every angle I could think of to find
convertibles and parts to build one of these.

I was a fool. Should have dumped my energy into a stiff degree and come out of the batting cage
swinging a money stick. I would be 100x better off today. Stupid kid.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-11-15 12:05 PM (#410871 - in reply to #410865)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Danny ~

Someone posted that movie clip a while back. That IS a really weird car equipped that way. One
might think "Why bother ?", but clearly someone wanted a ragtop "DeSoto" REAL bad, but was none
too concerned about flash or anything besides the top going down. I almost bought a comparable
stripper at the Sacto Nat'l meet years ago. It was all white, no sweep (top bar only), with a black
top and all-vinyl black interior. I am pretty sure it had full face wheel covers though. Oh, .... and
it was equipped with a Powerflite ! It was a complete car for $1500. Wish I'd stuck it away somewhere !
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Chrys 68
Posted 2013-11-24 4:43 PM (#412699 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Interesting pictures! Continue in this way.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-11-24 8:53 PM (#412764 - in reply to #412699)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
It has been WAY below freezing this past ten days, so work in the unheated shop kind of grinds
to a stop when it gets this cold. More as time and temps allow.

Did I mention I am trying to find a job, write a book, unpack my mothballed life, AND work on
the old DeSoto all at the same time ?
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Powerflite
Posted 2013-11-25 10:18 AM (#412832 - in reply to #412764)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Before I moved to the land of sun and heat, I always envisioned a garage with a wood burning stove in it. I grew up with one in my parents house and that thing was cheap to burn and heated up the place much faster than a furnace. What is your book about?
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-11-25 12:33 PM (#412854 - in reply to #412832)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
My shop has 26' high ceilings, no insulation (yet), on a 30'x36' footprint. It would be a losing
battle to think you would ever feel any heat unless you were hovered over the stove. As such,
the stove just sits in a corner awaiting further completion of the building to allow it to be effective.

You just HAD to ask about the book .... OK, ... it is about CD 102 Brookfield SKEBs. The effort
is to chronicle mold types, reworks/repairs, and tie it all together to support a thesis of company
history from about 1896 to 1921. Pretty exciting, huh ?

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57burb
Posted 2013-11-25 2:55 PM (#412884 - in reply to #412854)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Glass insulators?
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-11-25 3:21 PM (#412890 - in reply to #412884)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Yup.
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The Chrysler Kid
Posted 2013-12-05 3:25 PM (#414519 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Ocala, Florida
Is this your fireflite from awhile back? I saw it in a car book.

Edited by The Chrysler Kid 2013-12-05 3:26 PM




(std_1958_desoto_fireflite_convertible.jpg)



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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-05 5:41 PM (#414554 - in reply to #414519)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Yup.
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The Chrysler Kid
Posted 2013-12-05 6:43 PM (#414565 - in reply to #414554)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Nice!
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-05 7:40 PM (#414578 - in reply to #414565)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Not bad looking for a rust bucket parts car, is it ?
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firedome
Posted 2013-12-06 10:12 AM (#414673 - in reply to #414578)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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What color was (is) that? Like it.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-06 1:43 PM (#414710 - in reply to #414673)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
That is Haze Blue Metallic, with Arctic White sweep, Sir. The blue is a pretty color, but I
find the white accent too predictable and boring. Charcoal, black, or perhaps a dark blue
would have livened things up a bit. The downer for me on this color is the combination of
it with the mandatory grey interior. I like "warm" colors, and this car was anything but "warm"
looking. Even in a turquoise - traditionally a "cool" color - it would have more of a warm
feel. As it was, it looks like an iceberg.



(Alex's pics 028.jpg)



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christine-lover
Posted 2013-12-06 6:16 PM (#414802 - in reply to #414710)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Yeah, they look about the same.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-06 10:48 PM (#414852 - in reply to #414802)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown
Speaking of cold, today's high was 16 degrees, fahrenheit. Right now it is 12. The poor old
DeSoto is going to have to wait until it warms up to push forward.
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57Kelii
Posted 2013-12-08 6:39 AM (#415076 - in reply to #414852)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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12?....and here everyone complains how chilly it is getting into the low 60's during the day
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-08 7:46 PM (#415195 - in reply to #415076)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
This AM, it was 04 !!!! The day's high was 16 !
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ttotired
Posted 2013-12-08 10:53 PM (#415218 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Come on Doc

Chuck a few layers on and get out there

Wheres your get up and go??? (got up and went?????)

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Powerflite
Posted 2013-12-08 11:35 PM (#415225 - in reply to #415218)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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This is my first car. I transplanted a 392 hemi into it mid winter without a garage. That was fun. Having a nice garage to work in, you wouldn't get to have as much fun as I did though. I was 16 then. I am content to be a wimp in my old age.

Edited by Powerflite 2013-12-08 11:41 PM




(68CudaSnow.jpg)



(68CudaHemi.jpg)



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Attachments 68CudaSnow.jpg (84KB - 653 downloads)
Attachments 68CudaHemi.jpg (108KB - 667 downloads)
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-09 12:09 AM (#415232 - in reply to #415218)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
ttotired - 2013-12-09 7:53 PM
Wheres your get up and go??? (got up and went?????)


------------------------------------------------

" ... I am content to be a wimp in my old age."

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

Yeah, that pretty much sums it up. When the fingers are too numb to feel the hammer
hitting them ..... yeah.

But hey, .... it is supposed to break out above freezing at the end of next week ! Put on
my swimming trunks and head for the river !


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Chrys 68
Posted 2013-12-09 5:30 PM (#415356 - in reply to #415232)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Doc, as you know , we are always a little worse over here. -5,8 at the moment....
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-09 6:55 PM (#415376 - in reply to #415356)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Are you counting off in Fahrenheit or Celcius ? 04f is equal to -15.5c !!!!

But the key question here is, ... did you get your walls insulated and heat installed before it got
cold ?

My jones is I have a 30 x 40 footprint with 30 foot high ceilings and nothing but sheeting on the
walls. Any heat I make will go straight to 30 feet and out the gable vents. The best I could hope
for is having a heat source to go stand next to when I lose all feeling in my extremities !

It will warm up. I have been neglectfully patient for all these years. This can wait here and there
to deal with the weather.


Edited by Doctor DeSoto 2013-12-09 7:01 PM
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-22 10:34 PM (#417919 - in reply to #415376)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Spent a few hours over the past week as time allowed reorganizing stuff to clear the floor.
Built some riser blocks to support the jackstands and got the car about four feet off the ground
to better access the metal work I will attack next.




(3rd member rear 2013 Dec.jpg)



(side shot raised for metal work 2013 Dec.jpg)



(fins up raised for metal work 2013 Dec.jpg)



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Attachments 3rd member rear 2013 Dec.jpg (53KB - 686 downloads)
Attachments side shot raised for metal work 2013 Dec.jpg (60KB - 680 downloads)
Attachments fins up raised for metal work 2013 Dec.jpg (57KB - 666 downloads)
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firedome
Posted 2013-12-23 11:20 AM (#417982 - in reply to #417919)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Why such high ceiling... lift? 2nd story? both?
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2013-12-23 12:48 PM (#418008 - in reply to #417982)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
A lift will go where the DeSoto is now standing. Half this area has a 2nd floor ... 36 x 15.
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hemidenis
Posted 2014-01-08 10:07 AM (#420956 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Doc, is not snow and cold is actually sand and heat!
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The Chrysler Kid
Posted 2014-02-12 8:43 PM (#427081 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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It's so cool to see such a rare car like that dusty in a barn I love that photo!
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-02-13 1:14 AM (#427110 - in reply to #427081)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
I've had some people get pretty angry with me for "not doing anything" with this car.

I guess this is where the normal car-mentality and mine part company. I love barn cars and field finds.
I enjoy this car as it sits as much as I would having it finished. It is simply "there" ... a piece of impossible
Americana, a sculptural icon of the greatest time in American 20th century. It's just plain ART, and the
patina is every bit as striking as a flawless paint job. Who else can walk into their barn and see something
like this any time they want ?

Maybe I am weird ? I know I am. Always have been. I am happy that way.

The weather jumped from frozen and snow to soggy muck and sunshine overnight. It was SO tempting to
blow off work and go play in the shop with the sun streaming in the open doors. But alas, I took the responsible
route and got my sorry ass to work. Maybe this weekend it will still be nice ??? The nice thing now is the car
is clear and up in the air and ready to be worked on at a moment's notice.
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firedome
Posted 2014-02-15 12:44 PM (#427447 - in reply to #427110)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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I feel exactly the same... I can just sit on my folding garage chair and look at it for hours, and sometimes I do. That old 1970s book "Rolling Sculpture" about Gordon Buehrig's designs sums up in my mind how these cars ought to be appreciated. What makes them even more special is that they uniquely combine one of mankind's most beautiful accomplishments with one of it's most influential.

Finally, it is slated here to hit mid-40 temperatures for the end of this week... that will feel downright tropical after what we've experienced.

Looks like a massive double squirrel cage blower in that one side of car pic, if that's part of the heating plant you've got planned it ought to be able to about run you outta there.

Edited by firedome 2014-02-15 12:54 PM
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-02-15 2:32 PM (#427461 - in reply to #427447)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown
The fan is slated for my paint booth to evacuate airborne particulates.
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The Adventurer
Posted 2014-02-16 7:14 AM (#427548 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed

Posts: 1028
100025
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Ah finally found your Desoto Thread , Wow what a rare car . Very lucky to have that , but I know you have already said that ! Keep up the good work .
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-02-16 2:40 PM (#427594 - in reply to #427548)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown
Back when I got into FL cars, they could be had for little-to-nothing. They were scarce, compared to
GM and Ford products, but a hound dog could flush them out. I went through a lot of them in the early
days, and slowly my taste refined to wanting this very specific year, make, and model. Personally, I
think it is the best post-war car ever built for styling, mechanicals, and reliability. It is just a flat-out
stunning design. That's MY whacko opinion ...

Finding one proved a years-long study in wild goose chases, dead end leads, and expensive long distance
phone bills/road trips. And this was BEFORE all the overseas enthusiasts got to exporting them and they
COULD be found. I am the luckiest SOB on earth to have found one and hung onto it. Rare yes. I wish
it wasn't. I'm not into this for rarity. I'd like to see them all over the roads just because I love the design.
It would make it a whole lot easier to find or market repop parts too. I drove the wheels off my DeSoto's
before, and I will do it again as they get restored.

There is nothing quite like the feeling of piloting a car like this down the old two-laners on your way to
the backwaters of America. Even just staring at it sitting in the barn is a wonderful experience. To this
weirdo, THAT is what it is all about !

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The Adventurer
Posted 2014-02-16 4:57 PM (#427607 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed

Posts: 1028
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Location: Melbourne, Australia
You don't need to tell me about 58 desotos , I am totally like you about how the look and make you feel ! And agree that you get to a point where you want a specific car , and good on you for having the foresight to realise these great cars years ago and do the hard work , as you got one of the few left .
But for me it gets a lot harder being in Australia and it being 2014 . I just wanted a 58 FF Coupe , and I hate red like you also so that SS the other day for $18000 if I saw it in time would have been tempting but annoying . And that willow green one of ebay a few years ago I just didn't like something about that car . So anyway I have to settle for a 58 Dome coupe now which still looks the same and is probably a little easier to restore and the trim inside is simpler , but I will keep looking !
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60 Imp
Posted 2014-02-18 6:38 AM (#427817 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible


2000100050025
Location: North Australia
Oh no. Now we got 58 Desoto weirdo's crawling out of the wood pile in BOTH hemispheres

Steve.
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henricthornsund
Posted 2014-02-18 8:49 AM (#427824 - in reply to #427817)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Sweden
60 Imp - 2014-02-19 12:38 AM

Oh no. Now we got 58 Desoto weirdo's crawling out of the wood pile in BOTH hemispheres

Steve.


ROFL !
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-02-18 1:36 PM (#427856 - in reply to #427824)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown
Mental illness knows no boundaries, my friends.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-05-04 1:19 AM (#439193 - in reply to #427856)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Been trying to get back on the DeSoto project now for a couple weeks and something always
seems to come up. Today, I built some tracks out of 3x3 aluminum angle bar to hoist the power
swivel seat set up to the rafters, and set upon cleaning up the passenger side wheel tub for cutting
and patching of rust there. It became clear that I need photos of what the original contour is supposed
to look like, as previous "fixes" have altered that is going on there.

So, I posted a note asking for pix on the Jan Fridberg thread upstairs to see if someone can post some
from those similar cars.

Maybe tomorrow ?

In the meantime, I am in the mood and we're going to start pushing this through !
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-05-05 1:30 AM (#439341 - in reply to #439193)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
First photo shows how the previous "craftsmen" cobbed the trunk pan extension together and
lopped the bottom of the wheel tub off square with the horizontal line of the trunk pan.

Another shows this material removed.

The rest show the replacement "core" being cleaned up and pounded back into the proper shape.
As this is a 59 piece, it has a goofy tail at the rear that I will cut to fit. Overall, the piece is about 1"
longer than the space existing for it. I am now researching just what that distance should be to see
if my rear box rail is in the wrong place, or my 59 replacement piece is longer than a stock 57-58
unit.

Once fit, I will chop the rust out of the new piece and patch some solid metal in.



(trunk pan extension r old.jpg)



(trunk pan removed r.jpg)



(trunk pan extension new 1.jpg)



(trunk pan ext r new 2.jpg)



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Attachments trunk pan extension r old.jpg (42KB - 638 downloads)
Attachments trunk pan removed r.jpg (64KB - 629 downloads)
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Attachments trunk pan ext r new 2.jpg (71KB - 661 downloads)
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henricthornsund
Posted 2014-05-06 3:40 PM (#439566 - in reply to #439341)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



50010025
Location: Sweden
Nice to see some progress! I read somewhere that you are in the process of selling the DeSoto to Sweden, is that true?
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-05-06 9:51 PM (#439661 - in reply to #439566)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
You know it ! ... I have a strong interest in selling off my American heritage. Replace it with
chinese trinkets and import cars. Yeah ...
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henricthornsund
Posted 2014-05-07 11:29 AM (#439750 - in reply to #439661)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



50010025
Location: Sweden
It is only a matter of time
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Chrys 68
Posted 2014-05-07 2:33 PM (#439787 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



Elite Veteran

Posts: 673
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Location: Malung, SWEDEN
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57Kelii
Posted 2014-05-08 12:56 PM (#439943 - in reply to #439787)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Be very careful of your tool Doc....don't want it falling intothe wrong hands Maybe I should start saving to keep it here.....
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2014-05-09 1:19 AM (#440005 - in reply to #439943)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Gunny put a boot up my ass. I tore into it. First pic shows the rotted rear tub. The bottom
profile is trimmed wrong, and the outer wheel lip was cut away, so I cut my replacement panel
extra large to align the profile farther up as a matter of reference. Second shot is cutting the
replacement panel. I decided to leave some of the wheel lip with this piece, as I think it will aid
in aligning the lip to the proper elevation for later steps in locating the rest of the tub lip edge.

Last shot shows fitting the new panel into place. I will outline the cut profile onto the old tub
and begin chopping out the rusty areas and slowly winnow both down to a perfect fit. The out-
ward seam of the convertible tub may require a little "dart" removal and insert to angle the non-
convertible tub seam to match. it is a slow process, but with solid replacement panels, it goes
in pretty easy. Some of this new metal is as bad as the old and will require either whining to Big M
or doing some fab work.



(tub r rear rust.jpg)



(tub r rear patch cutting.jpg)



(tub r patch fitting.jpg)



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Attachments tub r rear rust.jpg (57KB - 638 downloads)
Attachments tub r rear patch cutting.jpg (44KB - 669 downloads)
Attachments tub r patch fitting.jpg (59KB - 693 downloads)
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60 Imp
Posted 2014-05-10 6:48 PM (#440207 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible


2000100050025
Location: North Australia
About time you got going again on that old basket case! Did the missus push you out into the shed?
Keep at it man, one bite at a time.

Steve.
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Windsor59
Posted 2016-05-11 5:19 AM (#511237 - in reply to #440207)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Upplands Väsby, Sweden
Hello
What about Fireflight 58 conv. Has something happened recently. Read through the thread recently. became curious.
The funny thing is that there is a genuine conv made order. (No clone here)
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hemidenis
Posted 2016-05-11 8:51 AM (#511250 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Northen Virginia
me too, I recall it actually belonged to a university professor?
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2016-05-12 2:11 AM (#511358 - in reply to #511250)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
I have spent the last year focusing more on getting the shop organized, putting
things back into service, rather than stored and taking up space ... you know the
drill, and the big push this summer-fall will be to finish the top floor of the front
half of the building, so it is finally done to a point I can move my machinery upstairs
and have the floors clear to work on the cars. This will allow me to pour concrete
in the back half and get a lift in place and really establish some specialized work
areas for welding, mechanical, etc. It all takes time and money ...

This year I had heat in the place for the first winter, so I got a lot more done during
those months when I have normally been s**t down for 4 months when it is just too
cold to be outside .... numb fingers make for miserable working conditions ! Next
winter will be nice. With every project I get done, it just snowballs into a nicer and
nicer place.

I am currently repairing a roof problem on the house (with 12' of rafters removed)
in a mad dash to get this project off my plate before the real dry season gets here,
as I want no distractions when I peel back the tarps and open the shop "top" to the
elements. That will be one of those jobs like pouring concrete, .... there will be no
break until it is all done and I have a permanent roof overhead .... and it will be a
BIG job !

And so the cars kind of sit. I fiddle with this or that and get the parts hung up and
organized so they don't get lost. The nice part about the DeSoto is that it is at that
weld and fabrication stage, so it is easy to back off and pick right back up where I
left it.

Yes, the car was a corporate "special use" car of some sort .... code 89041, whatever
that was, .... and it's first non-corp owner was a college professor that owned the car
from 1960 to 1983.
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hemidenis
Posted 2016-05-14 2:40 PM (#511559 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



Expert

Posts: 3887
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Location: Northen Virginia
Special car indeed. I have to say that I was looking for the DESOTO in pictures of the antique "space" age lamps of your living-room... but No Fireflite...
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