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Location: The Mile High City | Just missed posting this one before it sold. It must have sold yesterday or the day before. Neat looking car in an unusual color scheme...
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.finecars.cc/typo3temp/GB/2ad23d78b5.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.finecars.cc/en/detail/car/47479/index.html%3Fno_cache%3D1&usg=__UexhkPGgpchBQwO-5q8V-_8i0gc=&h=360&w=522&sz=71&hl=en&start=16&um=1&tbnid=O9Mxd8HcDPPGiM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=131&prev=/images%3Fq%3D58%2BDeSoto%2Bconv%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26safe%3Doff%26sa%3DN%26um%3D1
(tan sweep convt 1.jpg)
(tan sweep convt 2.jpg)
(tan sweep convt 3.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- tan sweep convt 1.jpg (70KB - 125 downloads) tan sweep convt 2.jpg (77KB - 126 downloads) tan sweep convt 3.jpg (86KB - 131 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | I bet the 300 guys are aghast... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | Why? It's a beautiful car.
Edited by 58 300D 2009-09-17 7:21 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | That a Firesweep can pull $154k. Even a 300 convertible rarely goes for that. I think the auction-watchers are a little confused on their '50s Mopar model hierarchy! hehe
I agree it is beautiful... |
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Expert
Posts: 2612
Location: Parts Unknown | That is a good lookin conv - I guess if money was no object, I would have bought that and put it in the airport hanger in my backyard with the other couple thousand cars I would have, but MAN that's a lot of cash for a car !!!! I'm sure you guys can rip a list of higher dollar cars sold in the past (I've tuned in to a BJ auction before as well) but I am always amazed at the bucks someone shells out - aahh to be poor . . . |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 6203
Location: Big pimpin' | Rediculous price.. And for a Big block WEDGE car? I'd have at least thought it's be a GASP!.......Hemi for that kinda coin...Good lookin' car no doubt...
Edited by dukeboy 2009-09-17 11:47 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2932
Location: Lemoore CA | I have really started to appreciate the Firesweep, and 58 chrysler Windsors, all models. They don't get as much respect in general as the other models in the line up, but they are really neat cars in their own right. Apparently the Dodge fenders did not detract one bit from the desirability of this one. |
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Expert
Posts: 2596
Location: Upplands Väsby, Sweden | Wow what a nice DeSoto Firesweep 58 conv. And they have come up in its proper value.... (fun) |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 566
Location: Wichita, Kansas | It's all based on rarity. As much as I love the Ds, they are not that hard to find (re: 3 convertibles for sale in as many months). 58 Firesweep convertibles on the other hand, or any other 58 DeSoto convertible for that matter... as tough to find as it gets. Judging from the photos alone, this car looks extremely well done.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 693
Location: Kangasala, Finland | Great looking car! For some reason I have always preferred 57/58 Firesweeps over the senior DeSotos.
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Location: The Mile High City | From the few pictures I have seen, it appears that this car exhibits today's highest standards for professional restoration - similar to the red and white '58 Firesweep convertible that sold at Barrett-Jackson in January 2008 for $170,000.
The red and white car (which I saw in person) was fully decked out with a benrus clock, hiway hi-fi, full power, and carpeting speckled with metallic thread. I think the carpeting was not correct but may have been in the DeSoto style from a previous year.
At any rate, I was just surprised at how much money these convertibles command as opposed to the '57 Fireflite convertible recently sold on eBay at $65,000. While the '57 may not have been at today's highest standard, it was very well done.
I think the difference between the hemi and the wedge is largely hype. My '58 wedge is rated at 305 hp, which I believe is slightly higher than the 341 hemi for '57.
Edited by Lancer Mike 2009-09-18 1:42 PM
(58_DeSoto_Firesweep_Convertible.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- 58_DeSoto_Firesweep_Convertible.jpg (233KB - 138 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 2244
Location: Yorba Linda, Ca | Mike You better unload that Desoto Convertible You got FAST!!!!!, It is just a "Cheapie Firedome" I shudda told ya it was overpriced in that PM I sent you, when you were looking at it, (Instead of telling you to "Shaddup & Buy It)
That time , Neil was right about my fingers, I shudda hushed and got that thing myself.
Then my 59 Convertible would have had a sister to talk to, --albeit a "Lowly Firedome"
Well, maybe not, Wife would kill me if I left "HER" 64 Dodge outside or "Her" Caddy.
Gary |
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Location: The Mile High City | :laugh: :laugh: Mine is not as nice as either of these two - and it is a lowly Firedome! Have you seen this website?
www.58-adventurer.com That is a pretty exclusive little club! Kind of like those '59 Custom Royal Lancer convertible guys; lookin' down their noses at all us hoi paloi |
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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 | Both of these cars went for the big bux due to their overall appearance, and the quality of their restoratuion work,
rather than to the fact that they were "Firesweeps", or "Fireflites", imho.
The cars are dramatic looking, and a 50's icon, with their three tail lights and 'soaring' fins.
It's gratifying to see the buying-people bidding up on a car that is neither red, nor black.
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Location: Parts Unknown | What is to like about these cars ? At least if it had a roof you could use it as a chicken coop or to store old newspapers. |
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Expert
Posts: 2932
Location: Lemoore CA | Doctor DeSoto - 2009-09-20 2:15 PM
What is to like about these cars ? At least if it had a roof you could use it as a chicken coop or to store old newspapers. ;) You can carry home lumber, sheets of plywood, fenceposts and even a tree at Christmas time with the top down. Not to mention the trunk is large enough to carry along a goat, and you can fit a pig in the backseat if it is tied, you wouldn't want him jumping out and injuring himself. |
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Expert
Posts: 1728
Location: Fleetwood, Pa | I'd much rather see this 58 Desoto bring $154,000 than another boring run-of-the-mill tri-5 chevy. At least this car is unusual!!!! |
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Location: Parts Unknown | 5859 - 2009-09-21 1:45 PM
Doctor DeSoto - 2009-09-20 2:15 PM
What is to like about these cars ? At least if it had a roof you could use it as a chicken coop or to store old newspapers. ;) You can carry home lumber, sheets of plywood, fenceposts and even a tree at Christmas time with the top down. Not to mention the trunk is large enough to carry along a goat, and you can fit a pig in the backseat if it is tied, you wouldn't want him jumping out and injuring himself.
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Ah, yes. Swine safety. I'll make a note of it. |
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Expert
Posts: 1508
Location: new york | I would love to meet the guy who buys these cars for this kind of money! The car is very nice but when are these cars bring these kind of prices the normal car collector guy ,hasent got a chance in hell of owing them ,unless he got them years ago. I really fell sorry for the younger generation trying to get in the hobby, They will never be able to afford a convertible or 2dr hard top... Theres so many cars going from dealer to dealer by the time the guy who wants the car the price is increased but 2-5 thousand dollars. I've seen cars show up at Hershey Sell Wednesday sell and than sell again 2 times before the Saturday show. Well thats my 2 cents! HAPPY MOTORING! Victor.. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1172
Location: bradenton florida | I gotta post the pic of the red firesweep ( the color of mine) in my garage. get me back in there and working on it again. |
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Veteran
Posts: 229
Location: georgia | here is a white and red one
(compress 58 desoto1.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- compress 58 desoto1.jpg (132KB - 120 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 4043
Location: Connecticut | Jeez, I guess they're really coming out of the woodwork. Here's another (not for sale, BTW). Victor: look familiar ? Ron
(58 Desoto Firesweep small.jpg)
Attachments ---------------- 58 Desoto Firesweep small.jpg (246KB - 128 downloads)
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Veteran
Posts: 254
Location: Austria, Vienna | sure, they are many of them:) the guy who was selling first car ( wanted 175k, sold at auction at 154-6%) told me that he knew 13 known to exists... one new car came out recently ( copper color project ) and was sold at 20k and went to France. At the same time balck car with red sweep was sold at 75k in CA ( restored ), was sold very fast, this car was discussed here... plus i know all green 58 Firesweep in private collection. Plus one red one was sold in 2008 as extra!:) as low milege car at 319k at auction...
so firesweep from 58 so far the most offered convertible from 57-59 models anyway! As for 57 year excluding 57 haven museum 3 57 Fireflites changed hands in the past, never heard on firedoms and firesweep!! ( seems to me 57 firesweep car is more rare then 58!), a few adventurers but only on auctions. on 58 no fireflites, 1 Firedome (me) and plenty firesweeps.:) on the year 59 - one firedome at auction and 2 firesweeps. There is one BUITIFULL 59 fireflite for sale in Sweden but the tag is wrong! the guy swears it was original convertible but .....
Edited by parat11 2011-01-11 8:36 AM
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Location: Parts Unknown | The 57 Firesweep convertible is VERY rare, with a total production of exactly ZERO. The Sweep
did not get a ragtop until 58.
I have owned three 58 Firesweep ragtops and can think of another 5-6 that were offered for sale
back in the day that I passed on. They made 700 of them, and due to the short frame and Dodge
nose, were not good candidates for 300 conversions, so it seems that more survived of this model
than the big body cars.
In my search for a 58 Fireflite, I came across a lot of 57 Fireflites, 59 Dome and Sweeps, and those
58 Sweeps. Of course, that is ALWAYS how it works .... when you are looking for one thing, that is
when you find everything BUT !!!!
Since 1981, when I began searching in earnest for a 58 Fireflite, the only one I have ever seen for
sale is the one I own. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | Doctor D, that reminds me of a great old story. Back in the late 80's when I was living in Orlando, I was looking through the Auto Trader (no internet back then) and what do I see for sale? A '57 Firesweep convertible, complete with grainy black and white photo. I already owned a '57 Firesweep 2DHT, and I also knew that production figures said that zero convertibles were made.
I called the number on the ad and the owner said, "no it's not a Firesweep, it's a Sportsman" and he assured me it was legit. Of course, from the pic I could see that it was a Firesweep. My curiousity piqued, I had to go and see it. A hour or so drive into Central FL and I find the car. You guessed it. It was a Firesweep HT with the roof crudely sawed off. Possibly the worst one of these jobs I have ever seen too. Oh well.
Oh and by the time I got there, the owner told me it had already been sold to someone who was going to restore it. I always kind of wondered what happened to that car.
Edited by Greg P. 2011-01-11 5:12 PM
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Location: The Mile High City | I remember Bill K had Max's '58 Firedome for sale and then it went overseas and was for sale again coupled with a bright yellow sedan. The only other one I ever saw for sale fell into my lap. Another ForwardLook member picked one up recently, but I don't know how he found it.
Edited by Lancer Mike 2011-01-11 7:38 PM
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Location: Parts Unknown | Greg P. - 2011-01-12 2:09 PM
Doctor D, that reminds me of a great old story. Back in the late 80's when I was living in Orlando, I was looking through the Auto Trader (no internet back then) and what do I see for sale? A '57 Firesweep convertible, complete with grainy black and white photo. I already owned a '57 Firesweep 2DHT, and I also knew that production figures said that zero convertibles were made.
I called the number on the ad and the owner said, "no it's not a Firesweep, it's a Sportsman" and he assured me it was legit. Of course, from the pic I could see that it was a Firesweep. My curiousity piqued, I had to go and see it. A hour or so drive into Central FL and I find the car. You guessed it. It was a Firesweep HT with the roof crudely sawed off. Possibly the worst one of these jobs I have ever seen too. Oh well.
Oh and by the time I got there, the owner told me it had already been sold to someone who was going to restore it. I always kind of wondered what happened to that car.
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Time for a box of Q-tips there, Greg. Your ears must need cleaning.
The man SAID someone was going to restore it. Clearly it got restored !
I got a lead on a very similar "57 Golden Adventure" with all that "Sportsman"
mumbo-jumbo thrown in. It was a major event to go look at this car, involving
many hours of boondocks driving and ferry rides. When we found the place, it
was indeed a 57, and it was indeed a white and gold car. It was also a $#@!
Firesweep, and that "very little rust" thing the seller mentioned ... well that
involved seats sitting on the frame, plywood chunks "restoring" the trunk floor,
and just a generally more-gone-than-there body. The chrome matched the
sheetmetal, but to the seller's credit, for the $5000 asking price (these are 1990
dollars we're talking about here), the original two-barrel, who cares? engine and
drivetrain was still in the car !!!!
Comedy at every turn.
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | "Time for a box of Q-tips there, Greg. Your ears must need cleaning.
The man SAID someone was going to restore it. Clearly it got restored ! "
Thanks for setting me straight. Yes, of course the car has been restored. What was I thinking?
One of the funniest things about this car is that the deck lid had been welded to the quarter panels. I'd guess that was done once they saw how much body shake you get when you cut the roof off.
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Location: The Mile High City | Greg P. - 2011-01-12 10:55 AM
One of the funniest things about this car is that the deck lid had been welded to the quarter panels. I'd guess that was done once they saw how much body shake you get when you cut the roof off.
That might be the perfect car to try one of my "car design fantasies" - I thought it might be fun to make a rumble seat for a forward look car! I would probably throw in a golf club door for good measure. Of course, the collapsing luggage rack would be chrome - can't quite picture how the foot steps above the bumper would work, but where there is a will, there is a way!
Imagine a 6 + 2 1958 Dodge convertible! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | "a rumble seat for a forward look car!"
Oh, I just puked in my mouth. Just a little.
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Location: The Mile High City | |
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Expert
Posts: 1508
Location: new york | Yes Ron! Another I am sorry I sold it!! That car was still in its original paint! What a JERK I AM! Well cant keep em all! HAPPY MOTORING! Victor.... |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Lancer Mike - 2011-01-13 11:39 AM
...... I would probably throw in a golf club door for good measure.
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Like pocket code, this would let "the world" know that you prefer the company of other men.
Be careful how you advertise. Turn a perfectly good car into a man magnet.
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