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New member needs advice
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   Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> 1955-1961 Forward Look MoPar General DiscussionMessage format
 
LostDeere59
Posted 2017-07-06 8:33 PM (#543672)
Subject: New member needs advice



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 406
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Location: Hilltown, PA

Hi everyone - just signed up today having just found the board while researching a possible purchase.

Just to give a little background I've been an auto tech for about 35 years, and like many started as a hobbyist. My first car was a 1968 Sport Satellite, and I surrounded myself with Mopar stuff for many years. As I got older the car hobby kind of faded (although I did have a really awesome F350 for a while) but now that my kid is almost done college, and other things have settled down, I'm hoping to put a "toy car" back in my garage.

At one point I did have a 1960 Saratoga 4dr - it was a solid car but I got it with the engine out and apart, and it never got beyond the parts collection phase. That was 20 years ago.

Even though I'm in the car business, the truth is I've been away from the car hobby, and older cars, for a long time.

I'm hoping to look at what seems to be a very nice 1960 Desoto Fireflite, located pretty close to me. And I need some advice.

The current owner is a member of this board, and apparently an active one. He has posted at least a few pics of the car from time to time. I would love to get someone else's opinion of the car, but I don't want to ask inappropriate questions or offend any of the members since I might become a regular here myself.

While I have a passing familiarity with the car - having owned and dismantled several '60 Chryslers at one time - I'm unfamiliar with their problems. What should I look for? I can certainly handle a lot of issues, but would so very much prefer to avoid them if I can, and at the price point involved I'm hoping to acquire a nice trouble-free driver . . . Not a project.

We (me, the car, and the current owner) are located in the eastern PA/Philadelphia/NJ area. Is there anyone local who would be willing (and comfortable) looking the car over with me?

From the pics I've seen the car is very nice, and I have no reason to question the integrity of the current owner, but as we all know this is a big investment, and a big commitment. I just want to make it as pleasant and trouble-free as possible.

After all, it is a 67 year old Mopar, and is bound to want plenty of my attention under even the best of circumstances.


Gregg
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mikes2nd
Posted 2017-07-06 9:52 PM (#543675 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice


Expert 5K+

Posts: 5006
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post some pics, I think the 60 is a pretty great car myself. I think all you need to watch out for these cars is rust repair but if its a regular on this board he is typically a honest guy.
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2017-07-06 11:15 PM (#543678 - in reply to #543675)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice



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Location: The Mile High City
Welcome aboard! If you have come for free advice, you'll find plenty of it here!
The only thing I know about the '60s is that the little chrome pieces on the tail lights are typically gone and terribly scarce.
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60 Imp
Posted 2017-07-07 5:03 AM (#543687 - in reply to #543678)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice


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Location: North Australia
The little chrome bits on the tail lenses are available from a seller here in Australia. here is the link.

Good luck with the new DeSoto, great car!

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/CHRYSLER-DESOTO-DODGE-PLYMOUTH-FIREFLITE...

Steve,
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LostDeere59
Posted 2017-07-12 8:43 PM (#544059 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: RE: New member needs advice



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 406
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Location: Hilltown, PA

So I went and did it. Last weekend I took my fiancé along and we went to see the 60 Desoto. I took her along to moderate my excitement, and she was no help at all since she loved the car too!!

It is a nice solid driver - what I wanted (and can afford). There's been some rust repair and there's some bondo, but it was all done quite a while ago and has held up very well. The interior was refreshed, and is not at all "correct" - but it looks very presentable and will work until we get settled and get to know each other a little.

She runs really well - the owner had me take her for a very nice test drive (as any proud father would) and we spent several miles on a NJ interstate. I was impressed with both the power and stability of a car this size and age, and even though it's been quite a while since I owned an older car the feels, sounds, smells, and sensations were all so familiar, and I realized how much I missed them.

I want to thank Steve - he was a gracious and entertaining host. Even if I hadn't made the deal the day would have been a success thanks to his enthusiasm and willingness to share.

I'm going up Monday to close the deal and pick up the car - hopefully the weather will be good and I can enjoy the long ride home

These are some pics of the car - most of them are probably familer to the regulars here since I robbed them from Steve's for sale ads . . . I'll post some of my own once I get into things . . .


Gregg



Edited by LostDeere59 2017-07-12 8:54 PM




(00Y0Y_eBpJR45u5QU_1200x900.jpg)



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Attachments 00Y0Y_eBpJR45u5QU_1200x900.jpg (178KB - 81 downloads)
Attachments 59143048-770-0@2X.jpg (78KB - 82 downloads)
Attachments 01010_cK7uZFGMfZM_1200x900.jpg (80KB - 81 downloads)
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Chrome58
Posted 2017-07-13 2:45 AM (#544074 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: RE: New member needs advice



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Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels
Very nice car !
Congrats.

LostDeere59 - 2017-07-07 2:33 AM

After all, it is a 67 year old Mopar, and is bound to want plenty of my attention under even the best of circumstances. :)

I think you'll find she's a bit younger than that.
You're being rude to her.
She's only 57.
Poor girl.
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SavoyPlaza
Posted 2017-07-13 5:58 AM (#544075 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: RE: New member needs advice



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1172
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Location: Georgia
Congratulations Gregg!
She's a beauty!
Keep us updated with your progress with her.
Pete
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mikes2nd
Posted 2017-07-13 8:35 AM (#544087 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice


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Sounds like you got a great car and fiancé that has great taste also

That car is on my list, I don't know if Ill ever get one though, amazing car.
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fggyiy989
Posted 2017-07-13 8:41 AM (#544090 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice


Member

Posts: 7

congrats Gregg, it is really looking like beauty with purity.
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ronbo97
Posted 2017-07-13 8:59 AM (#544092 - in reply to #544090)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice


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Location: Connecticut

I've known Steve for a while and he's a good guy. Glad you two were able to connect on the deal. You should bring it to Das Awkscht Fescht in Macungie, PA, next month.

Ron

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LostDeere59
Posted 2017-07-13 7:01 PM (#544117 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 406
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Location: Hilltown, PA
Thanks for the positive feedback guys- we're pretty excited. It's a big investment for us (well, me) but we're both looking forward to some nice drives, a few car shows, and at least for me some serious hands-on time.

Chrome - thanks for the correction. My math skills failed me. 57 is plenty old, I'm gonna be 54 this year and that's hard enough

Ron - thanks for the tip. I've looked online and that looks like a nice event all around, and its close by. Any recommendations on which day is best?


I've included a couple of photos of my most recent mechanical love affairs. Unfortunately these are the only photos I have of either of them. The truck was a 2001 Superduty Crew Cab Dually - lost that one after tire blew up on 78 at about 95 mph. The Deere 720 got sold when I gave up on hobby farming. Miss them both but looking forward to the new one!



Edited by LostDeere59 2017-07-13 7:08 PM




(Flamed Truck - Only Photo.JPG)



(720 Deere - Only Photo.jpg)



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Attachments Flamed Truck - Only Photo.JPG (31KB - 83 downloads)
Attachments 720 Deere - Only Photo.jpg (67KB - 88 downloads)
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ronbo97
Posted 2017-07-13 9:31 PM (#544122 - in reply to #544117)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice


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Posts: 4034
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Location: Connecticut

LostDeere59 - 2017-07-13 7:01 PM  Ron - thanks for the tip. I've looked online and that looks like a nice event all around, and its close by. Any recommendations on which day is best?

Friday is smallish. Both Saturday and Sunday are huge. Note: They give out pretty decent participants awards (beach towels, clocks, serving trays, etc) with the Das Awkscht Fescht logo on them. Different award for each day. Also of note is that there will be cars just showing up on one day, but not others.

I just noticed that registration closed a couple weeks ago. But it's still worth going to. Lots of different cars show up. And it's 'bring what you got', since there's no judging.

Ron

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My57Saratoga
Posted 2017-07-14 10:36 PM (#544162 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: Re: New member needs advice



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Posts: 612
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Location: Kingston Springs , TN
Congrats Gregg...very nice!!

Mike
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Greg P.
Posted 2017-07-24 7:02 PM (#544772 - in reply to #543672)
Subject: RE: New member needs advice



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Posts: 769
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Location: Oley, PA
Hi Gregg, I'm also Greg, but with one less "G" and one county away from you in Berks.

I like that Desoto a lot. I saw it for sale and I would have been interested in it myself If I didn't already have 5 cars at home.

Macungie is a great show, really it's one of the best car shows around and definitely worth going. The Forward Look is usually well represented.

As mentioned, it's one of the few shows that requires advanced registration. It fills up fast and they don't take any same-day registrations.

Both Saturday and Sunday are great and some people even go BOTH days since there will be different cars there on each day. I'm going on Sunday.
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LostDeere59
Posted 2017-07-24 7:55 PM (#544781 - in reply to #544772)
Subject: RE: New member needs advice



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 406
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Location: Hilltown, PA

Yeah, because of the timing I missed the chance to register. I contacted them about the possibility of filling in a cancellation, and they said that's too complicated (understandable).

Linda and I may still go since it looks like lots to see, and that will also let us scout it out for next year. We haven't decided on Saturday or Sunday yet.

We were going to attend the show in Bethlehem this past weekend, but the weather was just too oppressive, and we already had plans for a family event Sunday, so we ended up not going.

We'll make a show sooner or later . . . . lol


Gregg





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