The Forward Look Network | ||
| ||
The Forward Look car I sold to buy my 1964 Dodge Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
Forward Look NON-Technical Discussions -> Members Rides | Message format |
1959Dodge |
| ||
Expert Posts: 2244 Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | I sent this as a personal email to a friend of mine, here in the Forward Look Forums. I think some of you other folks might enjoy the story of my 1957 Desoto Firesweep, It shows how a 19 year old kid, (Me) thought about Forward Look Cars", back in 1961! So, Here is "The Rest of the Story" Hi, Tom. As you have a "Keen Interest", in my 1964 Dodge, Polara 500, Here is the total history of the car. First we will tell You about the car I sold when I bought the 1964 Dodge NEW!(I know You are a Desoto Fan). From 1960 until March of 1964, I owned a 1957 Desoto Firesweep.It was a 4 door sedan that my parents bought for me, after I graduated from High school. The car had the 326 Poly engine and the 2 speed "Powerflite transmission" The engine smoked very badly and the engine used a lot of oil. I had to add a lot of Bardahl (an oil thickener) to keep it from smoking! I drove the car that way for about a year. Then in 1961, I bought a 413 engine and a torqueflite transmission from a junkyard. The engine and transmission were from a wrecked 1959 Chrysler New Yorker. I think I paid the junkyard $600. I had the engine and the transmission installed in the 1957 Desoto. The car was then very fast, and one night a 1957 Desoto Adventurer challenged me to a race at a red stop light. I thought about letting the Adventurer beat me, as the Adventurer was beautiful with the gold hub caps. But you know, back in 1961, I was a dumb 19 year old kid, so I stepped on the gas and beat him easily! The 1957 Desoto Firesweep that I had was probably one of the finest around. I spent all my money back then, fixing up the car. Perfect red & white paint job, Best Tuck & Roll interior money could buy, expensive heavy red carpeting, etc etc. I even had the kick panels replaced with steel chrome plated ones, Chrome reversed wheels. The car originally had the 5 pushbutton radio, but I went to a local Desoto Dealer and they had the 7 button search radio up on a display shelf, It cost $60, so I bought it. I liked that car, especially with the 413 engine. Very reliable, as was the transmission, (even though I raced it many times). I'm enclosing some pictures as I know you like Desotos, and I still do too. Also some Desoto links that I have posted on Youtube. I still miss that Desoto, so why did I sell it? I will tell you all about that and the 1964 Dodge in my next email to you. This email is already long enough. Gary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISDRP0_2Pl0&t=0s&list=LLi8K5PCQit9rt... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NbyuxQ7Q8vA&list=LLi8K5PCQit9rtvv6gB... I redid the interior as you can see, as everybody called the car "The Berber Shop" (No accounting for 19 year old taste, back then) forward Edited by 1959Dodge 2019-01-03 4:06 PM (1957 Desoto Firesweep left side with new Interior 800.jpg) (1957 Desoto Barber Shop smaller file size.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1957 Desoto Firesweep left side with new Interior 800.jpg (432KB - 272 downloads) 1957 Desoto Barber Shop smaller file size.jpg (389KB - 273 downloads) | ||
jpmopar |
| ||
Extreme Veteran Posts: 467 Location: Southwest VA | Thanks for sharing your story. It was definitely a beautiful car. I can see why you were so proud to drive it. Especially with the extra get up and go that transplanted 413 provided! | ||
ToMopar |
| ||
Elite Veteran Posts: 1176 Location: D-70199 Heslach | Gary, it was a great pleasure to read your story here on the forum and also by email. Its a testimony of someone who has been part in the great time By the way, I like Desotos, but I like Dodges too (I own two) Edited by ToMopar 2019-01-04 2:51 AM | ||
57burb |
| ||
Expert Posts: 3967 Location: DFW, TX | That is a really awesome mild custom Firesweep. More people should try this style of build with four doors. That's a lot of fun on a budget. And I bet it was a screamer with that 413. My dad's best friend had a '57 Savoy 2dr sedan as his first car. He crudely put a 300D 392 in it, and connected it to the 3spd manual. He said it was a little quicker than a 383 Road Runner, not quite as quick as a 440 one. Tires and shifting held it back. | ||
wizard |
| ||
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13066 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Thanks' for sharing Gary, the '57 turtleback looks really nice! | ||
Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] |
Search this forum Printer friendly version E-mail a link to this thread |
(Delete all cookies set by this site) | |