Posted 2012-07-23 2:51 AM (#331195 - in reply to #331093) Subject: RE: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
Elite Veteran
Posts: 693
Location: Kangasala, Finland
There are (to my best knowledge) two running '58's is France and 2-3 'barn find' '57's. There is also one in the US.
Where are you located? That ''Finish convertible" is a legend here... I would love to see it someday.
Jan
Posted 2012-07-23 4:45 AM (#331199 - in reply to #331195) Subject: RE: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
Member
Posts: 19
I am located with the DeSoto Convertible cars in Sweden / Finland.
The car will be at, X-Treme Car Show in Helsinki 1 - 2 september 2012.
Together with several other Extreme Mopars http://www.x-treme.fi/?page=1058&lang=1
Posted 2012-07-23 7:53 AM (#331207 - in reply to #331196) Subject: Re: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
Elite Veteran
Posts: 693
Location: Kangasala, Finland
d500neil - 2012-07-23 10:19 AM
It's really three cars in one: Dodge front sheetmetal & running gear(?), Plymouth body, and DeSoto front trim
and nameplates.
Diplomats used Plymouth engines. All the running gear is as in any Plymouth.
The Dodge fenders do not fit without modifications. The front lower edge on sides behind the DeSoto bumpers are different. The Dodge fenders were cut and bolt on adapters attached. Well, Firesweeps got the same treatment, I guess. Side trim is also standard Plymouth, except for the front fenders, where the lower molding is shorter.
Posted 2012-07-24 11:55 AM (#331425 - in reply to #331395) Subject: Re: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
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Posts: 19
Windsor59, Sweden
The DeSotos vill stay at SF, ( Suomi - Finland ) register plates, they have
an unique History in Finland. The DeSoto Diplomate have been as a parade
car for the President of Finland, Urho Kekkonen. back in late -50;ies
Posted 2012-07-29 4:58 PM (#332189 - in reply to #331425) Subject: Re: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
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Posts: 19
Here is bouth DeSotos in a Music Video from 1982 in Finland
This is the last time the cars was in action, and 30 years later
they will be on the Road again.
Posted 2012-08-01 2:35 AM (#332640 - in reply to #332317) Subject: Re: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
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Posts: 19
Autot ovat tunnettuja esim. vanhoista V8 Magazine ja Suosikki-lehdistä, Beavers-farkkujen mainoksista, Hurriganes ja Sleepy Sleepersin musiikkivideoilta, tai näiden levyn kansikuva-autoina.
Posted 2012-08-05 7:43 PM (#333379 - in reply to #331090) Subject: Re: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
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Posts: 708
Location: Fredrikstad, Norway. (Europe)
Some info: First of all, it would be very hard to tell how many DeSoto Diplomats were made, because if you brake down the VIN (Vhickle Identification Number) plate, it will tell you it is a Plymouth, not a DeSoto.
The specific `57 Diplomat on these pictures do carry a 1958 DeSoto grille. Not a '57 grille.
The 1960 DeSoto Adventurer "convertible" on these pictures were converted from a 1960 DeSoto 4 door sedan. A big job of which seem to be a pretty good one on this car. However, I have never seen it with the top up. So my guess (let me presice guess) is that this car may have no convertible top nor mechanism.
Posted 2012-08-05 10:01 PM (#333394 - in reply to #333391) Subject: Re: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
Expert
Posts: 1819
Location: Vancouver, BC
The late Don Butler was able to dig up some production figures for the 1957-59 DeSoto Diplomats and were mentioned in his book, "The Plymouth and DeSoto Story" :
Production of 1946-59 DeSoto Diplomats and 1937-42 DeSoto export sixes based on the Plymouth was included in Plymouth production. 1960-61 Diplomat production was included with the Dodge Dart. The 1957-59 figures above are the total number of Diplomats built - Lynch Road plant in Detroit and the Windsor plant.
Posted 2012-08-08 1:24 PM (#333789 - in reply to #333379) Subject: Re: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
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Posts: 19
Hi Oldefar, ( skal snart ut på Nordsjön der jeg jobber )
Yes, there have been a great job to convert the -60 Adventure to a Convertible car.
The doors are from a 2 D HT, the Convertible top is from a Chrysler and all the front window front panel and convertible
mechanisme is working and original Convertible parts. This car was built in late -70`s
Best Regards, Tommy
The 1960 DeSoto Adventurer "convertible" on these pictures were converted from a 1960 DeSoto 4 door sedan. A big job of which seem to be a pretty good one on this car. However, I have never seen it with the top up. So my guess (let me presice guess) is that this car may have no convertible top nor mechanism.
Posted 2012-08-08 7:57 PM (#333845 - in reply to #331090) Subject: Re: DeSoto Diplomat Convertible 1957
Elite Veteran
Posts: 708
Location: Fredrikstad, Norway. (Europe)
Thanks for comment Neil and Tiger.
Sorry Neil, nothing seem to turn out the way one wants in life. At least not for me. First spendt all my mony on a new apartment for my daughter who was living in a sad looking apartment. Then my son Jeff (born and grown up in the U.S.) came to visit me and wants to move to Norway (how stupid can a person be ? just kidding). He's been running his own business for 20 years in the U.S., but went bankrupt because of the bad economy in the U.S. Now he's allready employd by a large European company here in Norway. So, we'll see how that's gonna work out. Got to take care of your kids no matter how old they are, I guess. But the dream is still in the back of my mind Neil. And then again, I bought still another car. In Sweden this time. Just a little '62 Dodge Lancer GT, but I really like those small cars. Will put a small V8 in it, like a 273 or 340 if I find the time.
And Tiger, sorry i didn't see the pic of the '60 DeSoto with the top up. But now I have, and I'm happy to learn that the top and all works. Good work man. Hope i can see it for real some day. I've been looking for a '60 Windsor convertible "donor" body with top mechanism for approx. 35 years, but now I guess they have become to expensive for me. Got all the DeSoto stuff to make a "clone".