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Member
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Location: Italy | Hi everybody,
my name is Guido and I'm from Italy.
basically I am an American vehicles enthusiast and generally I consider myself a bit a petrolhead.
I'm a Ford fan (and owner), Harley-Davidson super fan (and owner) and this year for my 40th birthday I decided to get a nice gift for myself.
so after several months of research, I felt in love with a '57 Firedome, a 2 door hardtop made mild custom and on a style very similar to Larry Watson's cars.
I bought and took it to my mancave last february.
Some pictures are here below, on a web album I am keeping updated https://photos.app.goo.gl/PaKweGxaY5JwPt9JA This Firedome is quite famous in European custom scene, built in 1957 it arrived in U.K. in 1963/64 and the last UK owner was a "hot-rodder" who made it in this custom style, in the late 90's. it arrived in Italy in 2010 and I am the 3rd owner here. It is equipped with its 341 cu.i. V8 Hemi, torqueflite 3 speed transmission with pushbutton system. Engine is still running well but it feels like "tired". I found a smart guy expert in american cars, he owns a garage not far from where I live, so the Firedome is already there to improve some things and to fix some others. I fully respect the history of the car and the job done by Johnny Best in UK, but honestly it has not been kept as I would have kept it in the years. so I am trying to bring it to a better level. I already made arrive from the U.S. new full carpet floor, all new weatherstrips and rubbers, new tyres. the garage owner is working on it, new brakes pipes, a big check to the engine, rebuilding the interior part of the seats, additional cooling system for the transmission and some other. there is a nice job to do even in future. but this summer I want to use it with my family, wife, small boy to make some trips to the lake. I hope you like the car. I'll probably come in future to ask things to you experts. to find spare parts etc.
Edited by The Chemist 2019-05-31 3:01 AM
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13049
  
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Welcome Guido, you came to the right Place for the FL-cars. Here's a welth of nowledge and the guys are willingly sharing it.
That's a classic custom style and very period correct.
Cazzo di Budda che macchina  |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Hello, Guido. I knew that the Storrie/Best car went to Italy, but I didn't know that you were the lucky new owner, so thank you for introducing yourself. If I can help in any way, you can use this forum or contact me directly. I'm the 1957 tech advisor for the National DeSoto Club, and always willing to help out a '57 owner. |
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Location: Under the X in Texas | This is a very tasteful, great looking mild custom DeSoto. Hope you are very happy with the experience. |
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Member
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Location: Italy | thanks for your asnwers and for the welcome here.
basically the first spare part that I would like to keep at home is the transmission shift cable. on ebay I found only one but it seems to me in bad conditions.
I found a new one on moparmall website (I guess, if I remember correctly) but I don't know if this cable is the "push-in" or the "screw-in".
do you know this? even if it's quite expensive, I wouild take it.
at this time I hope engine and transmission will last for some more years without big troubles. same for the body, without rust or paint problems.
I know I will have to consider maybe bigger works on the car for the future, but if it will be a bit later, it's better.
despite the full respect to the history of this car and to the johnny best's job, I am afraid in case of big rust or other bad cases I could consder to change totally the colours of the car.
I mean I really like the current style and paint but I also love some different colours schemes of the custom 50's cars.....but this is too early to speak about it.
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13049
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | As for the cast iron hog (TorqueFlite-transmission), if it's got oil cooler lines to the radiator, then install an extra oil cooler in serie with the one in the radiator.
You should change the transmission fluid and add one bottle of Omega 917 seal saver to the new fluid.
Check the gearshift cable adjustment while the oil pan is removed and adjust the bands.
Check the throttle valve linkage and adjustment.
The TorqueFlite transfer is next to bullet proof if it's been maintained correctly. |
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Expert
Posts: 2196
Location: Muskego, WI | Love the car Guido, thanks for sharing. The shift cables on MoparMall are expensive, but they are very nice quality. |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | thanks. I'm taking notes on your suggestions.
do you know if the shift cable is screw type or push-in type?
all fluids in the car will be replaced with new ones.
last saturday they removed all the old carpet flooring; the seats are already in progress to be almost restored.
next days new rear tyres will be installed plus balancing and camber checking.
it seems in june I will not be able to use it, but some jobs were needed. |
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Expert
Posts: 2196
Location: Muskego, WI | They have both push in and screw in, you have to specify when you order. I thought screw in came later, 1959 and after? |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7400
Location: northern germany | Can't say I'm a big fan of the paint job, but, welcome. I have a 1980s magazine article about a 1960 Plymouth in the UK and there is a 57 Desoto in the background in a couple of shots. I was told this is the 57 before Johnny Best customized it. IIRC it was white. |
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Location: DFW, TX | Beautiful car, welcome to the site! |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | before johnny best bought it, it was pink and white, he said to me.
he also sent me pictures
the original colour from the production was instead yellow/white, as still appears on the original tag on the car.
Edited by The Chemist 2019-06-04 2:46 AM
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Elite Veteran
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Location: D-70199 Heslach | Hello Guido,
welcome here. The car is well known, but I don't see it in person.
Where are you located (in Italy)? |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | Hi, yes I'm from Italy, north, 40-50 km east from Milan city.
Edited by The Chemist 2019-06-05 3:29 AM
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Member
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Location: Italy | current status of the car is like this
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/6bLwcJp7ui6F1-JvZcqDULjB8kodSxDwyo...
all old flooring has been removed. it was very wet on the rear side. the interior padding of the seats were really old and damaged, so we decided to fully fix them now, instead of next winter. I also discovered that the nice white vynil was installed over the old interior of the car. and unfortunately the '57 seat covering started to make some mould. the vynil can be saved, but at this point I also decided to remove and change all the flooring, as I already bougth last month a new one, black coloured. this job is making delaying other things and probably I'll not be able to go to the lake with the firedome until july. when interiors will be put back in the car, an hygienic new treatment will be done.
Edited by The Chemist 2019-06-05 3:29 AM
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Location: .Norfolk..Mafia.. ,England UK | Welcome to the Forum Guido ..
Good to see the Desoto being cared for, as it was well known of here in the UK,, I actually almost bought it the last time it was for sale in the UK,, But didnt jump on it in time, Thats when it was Sold and shipped to Italy...
Clive
England UK |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | It sounds like the old girl needs some attention, like they all do. I'm sure you'll get the interior looking fantastic again, and then freshen up the drivetrain for many years of cruising. It's an awesome car and deserving of the work! |
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Member
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Location: Italy | in really short time, the interior has been fixed.
new flooring (black coloured this time), additional parts black with gold borders for the feet areas, all seats paddings made new, big cleaning treatment.
when I took the car at home, seats were almost grey; I spent a full day cleaning and they were "almost white".
now they are really back white.
it will cost me additional money in this moment, but..... no pain-no gain this time.
pics here:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/aePUGJxhBvDLgJwRhw2xBJAIpgHkV4gjPW...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/TG8kCAbs1l42Q7ggISPfhWIOTrQQXWVZwt...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/nvQeafwXN1_I2wBWJy4DK19f_fWYgsTo8o...
Edited by The Chemist 2019-06-07 8:06 AM
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Location: Italy | as update, I took back home the Firedome only at the end of july. I did not have so many times to dirve it around, but with the gear fixed, all new oils and other fluids, with the new interiors, the car is much more nice and it runs quite well. it is also much better to drive it, with new rear tyres, new brakes hoses, camber and other wheels things fixed.
unfortunately it is anyway coming the moment when the engine must be taken out from the car, to be well checked and fixed. I was thinking to postpone this moment but it seems the car has not been maintained in the best conditions during the years.
I will drive it as much as I can, maybe use it for a friend's wedding and i will take it to a couple of exhibitions/shows. before the end of the year I'll take it again to the garage and we will start the works on the engine. it will be dangerous for the bank account.....and for the wife who will complain a bit, I guess.
just a couple of last pictures from the last sunday shower
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/5AcAky-l9nX8SAW5ewq_Wj9FEWn7JvlmMz...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/CO7_u-lIcLrtOPMSDZ5RJMgJoA0RNchVER... |
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Location: DFW, TX | Absolutely beautiful!
Rebuilding a Hemi is never cheap.  But it will be very satisfying! |
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Expert 5K+
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Location: Lower Mainland BC | Interesting taillights. Sort of like 57 Chrysler taillights over the 57 Desoto taillight base. Probably made from red lexan/perspex formed over a custom mold?
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Member
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Location: Italy | I can't give you a good answer unfortunately.
these taillights covers have been made by Johnny Best, the man who customized this Desoto in UK several years ago.
they are basically a unique piece and I could not get more info about how they have been made.
I just hope they will not get broken, never.
or it would be a big problem to fix them or build them new. |
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Member
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Location: Italy | so, 10 days ago there was a custom-chopper-cars show near my town. the Firedome was there, also registered for the "best US car" prize (not won).
anyway the car had a big success with many people coming to see it and asking details and other things.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/KGf1vM0Sm1iB6-0rZJxj5zHQkn2i6JGSXc...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/JxfCWZ9OEQbiJIiz24F1QLTG1kPRIkjt7b...
there will be a friend's wedding in 10 days and another car show in 20 days. then I'll decide when bring the car to the garage again and next winter there will be some work to do on the engine.
I am still really unsure to immediately fix well even the body, including a colour change.
nothing to say on this colours scheme, I bought it like this because I really like it.
but sometimes it feels like it is not "my project". I would prefer it still with the custom style, but with main colour green or even better some blue-light blue or similar.
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Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | Those taillight lenses shouldn't be too hard to replicate. They appear rather simple in design.
As for a colorchange, I get the 'feeling' it's not your project, just a 'bought' one.
It's not easy to get a custom-car looking 'just right'. But it is very easy to ruin it's look.
But if you might think of purple as a color, I will trade you my '57 Chrysler :D :D
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | When I read that you might consider a color change, I was reminded of a color combination that I thought looked really good on Ed Roth's Outlaw. A pearlescent white with a silver design and fogged in turquoise around each element and pinstripes to set them off. Might look good on your Desoto too.
just a thought
Edited by 57burb 2019-10-01 5:05 PM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7400
Location: northern germany | To each their own but IMO that kustom paint and mods are ****ugly. Just a terrible "Watson style" car. The paint distracts from its once clean lines and is garrish and the tailight treatment, etc really uglifies a great design. If you see a stock 57 and if you are into 50s cars/design, there is no doubt which one looks better by far. Restore it back to stock, please. And those whitewalls are much too wide.
Edited by 1960fury 2019-10-02 5:40 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | Welcome! it seems the car has a caring owner! But agree 100% with Sid: the original lower side sweep trim was probably the most beautiful shape ever put onto the side of a car... at the very least putting that back on would add to the beauty of the overall design, as opposed to that boring straight trim piece presently on there, and it also provides for a color contrasting area for the typical (and aweome) 2-tone paint designs almost always used then. That's my 2 cents, will be interested to see how it evolves.
Edited by firedome 2019-10-02 9:25 AM
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Member
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Location: Italy | thanks everybody. even for the honest comments about the colour.
I agree with the statement that 57 original Firedome already had a wonderful shape and colour schemes.
this car was born from the factory in the original "sunlit yellow" and white, confirmed by the car tag and by the production document I've been able to get from detroit (FCA chrysler heritage).
just in case I would want to bring the car back to its original shape, frankly speaking that yellow is too weak for me, too light. Yellow is actually my favourite colour, I had 2 harleys yellow, I daily drive a yellow Ford, first bikes and mopeds were yellow......but I really don't like the "sunlit yellow" of the 57 DeSoto.
I have bought the patterns of Desoto colours for the year 1957, there are much more nice colours within them, like the "Azure Blue " (for the firedome) or "seatone blue" and "lagoon blue" (for the firesweep).
anyway up today I really like the custom changes existing on this car, including the current colours. a complete colours change is my last idea, it would be much more easy to keep it well, fixing the body defects and eventually re-paint in these shades. I still don't know, really.
I also always appreciate and get crazy for old cars with colours like these
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/7e/cf/1e/7ecf1e94be2e093ba21cff6d1c70...
https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8393/8645945823_81b62304cd_b.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/4Mpyp7K/AAAA.jpg
https://i.ibb.co/rpSj3Th/VERDE-ORO-Tiago-ranchero-clone-01-602x375.j...
but it is not so sure that all these shades are nice on my firedome. |
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Elite Veteran
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Location: D-70199 Heslach | wow, "sunlit yellow"
I agree, darker colors are much better for those cars, but I like my "sunlit yellow" anyway |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7400
Location: northern germany | ToMopar - 2019-10-04 12:13 PM
I agree, darker colors are much better for those cars, but I like my "sunlit yellow" anyway
Well... NO. These cars were born for light pastel or "pale" colors. This is typical 50s, just like these cars. Look at the postcard thread,
the parking lots, back in a time when people still had style and taste, you will see an ocean of pastel colors.
Strong colors were popular before (mainly black, which looks okay on a FL especially together with a pastel color) came back in the 60s and stayed til today,
but the 50s were unique.
I can hardly think of a color more unfittingly than a strong yellow, only second to grass green, typical 70s strong garish colors.
Edited by 1960fury 2019-10-04 1:45 PM
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Elite Veteran
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Location: D-70199 Heslach | Who is talking about strong yellow? |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | the Firedome has been showed inside a car meeting and contest for cars manufactured before 1965, including a hot rod and custom contest.
a very high level this year, compared to the past.
one photographer and one agency were interested in my car and they made a nice photo service with 2 nice girls.
it's been an interesting thing, nice memories to keep.
some pics:
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/QqkLuCeud2Yov4f1gdniLAg2h27b6TCqv2...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/bGu6IA8HC_yS1ZgJr9WbOuJQ14Tk1jhOa_...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/kwX7tfJT2oFw6xr-3CSX2l5CMlM6ci8jiz...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/Maj5w5TkR9YXkGcImfS87NMN5Adn-xmXXX...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/APWlyKC2n7RqmmsmQzUW9Or58q7X6bbyD2...
at the same time I just finished my edition 2019 of the "man cave" where the Firedome will stay. these previous months I was using a rent garage.
that is no more needed.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/XswV9Ynij_N1sn2lm3G2EjcbRVjsZieT3y...
and my 1st son is enjoying going around on sundays with the Firedome.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/7viIVmC7NGb8CfTApGTOKmkuUdZZSL9VjQ... |
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Location: DFW, TX | Awesome! Glad to see this car getting some use and attention! looking good- |
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Posts: 39
Location: Italy | thanks.
just to let you see/know about the show I brought the Firedome, here it is my pictures album
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GTyH5HKG6EY4PPjE6
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Posts: 2524
Location: Houston | As far as custom DeSotos go...this car is my favorite.
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Location: DFW, TX | Hey, I photoshopped that! My Chrysler was -->||<-- that close to being pearl white and lavender. |
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Location: Italy | hi guys,
some time passed and there is few news on my Firedome.
the car is to the mechanic garage now and he is starting to make a big job on it.
I decided to keep the current colours but we will refresh the parts that show worst scratches and/or swirls: engine and trunk lids first.
the mechanic already made a big check of suspensions and we decided to replace the very old parts: shocks, bearing etc.
he already ordered them.
the biggest job is yet to come: take out the engine and make a huge check on it, including changing and/or fixing the parts that are "tired".
by the production chart, the engine is still the original one from the factory and unfortunately it has never been opened in 63 years, until today.
and it is much probable that last owners did not make much mainteinance except for basic oil-change.
we will replace the radiator with a bigger and more effective one; we will check and maybe increase the power of brake lines.
I will also add internally a kit for warming the interiors for the cold seasons.
the mechanic currently owns a 57 plymouth savoy and a hot-rod. it's his job but he is really a lover of old american cars, so I can trust him.
just before taking it to the garage, I obtained a certificate of hystoric interest for this car, by a club/association of ancient cars.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/U4jV__oXM5x6527y_rERjc25SkTEDCnWQc...
Edited by The Chemist 2020-02-25 12:30 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Yep, every car needs a little attention sometimes! Can't wait to see your progress and you can get back to cruising that beautiful car.
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | quick update.
the darn virus troubles in Italy are still serious, so basically my firedome has stayed stopped at the mechanic shop since 11st january without any work on it.
my province is one of the worst situations in this period.
my idea of taking out the engine and making a big fix on it, it is in full stand-by for this year. this health emergency also gave problems to the job and other matters.
I even don't know if I will be able to keep the car in 2021.
anyway, some pieces were already ordered/shipped before the lockdown, so the car is getting some jobs in these days:
- new front suspension kit
- new bigger radiator for the engine
- new brake pump
- interior heating system
- revised or new fuel sender unit (found on ebay, hope it will really be the correct one)
I can't wait for the day when it will be ready to come back home. |
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Location: D-70199 Heslach | Hope it will turn out good, Guido |
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Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Sorry to hear your province has been so hard-hit, Guido. Stay healthy. Keep collecting parts and stay optimistic! The sun will shine again soon. |
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Location: Italy | so, the Firedome is back home.
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x566q90/924/czcXvK.jpg
it has been a very expensive job even if the big revision on the engine has not been done. the health emergency gave me some financial troubles but this is another story and some parts already were on their way so we installed them anyway. - new suspension kit (so many differences from before, it feels like a complete different car to drive) - new brake hoses/lines + revision of brake calipers + new brake pads - new spark plugs + new oils and fluids - revised distributor - revised ignition/starter system - new/bigger brake pumps (now the car finally really slow down!) - new bigger cooling radiator - new alternator + new battery - big clean of air filter and carburettor (it has an Edelbrock bigger than the original unit from the factory) unfortunately the car was showing several little things to be fixed as soon as possible. some things I did not discovered before, maybe my fault. the Firedome now is much more a pleasure to drive. the engine is running better, without the previous feelings of being always with a kind of "oxygen" lack. the new suspensions are filtering the roads very well and the brakes now are strong enough to stop the car without suffering too much. the water temp. is much more stable now and the car did not suffer the hot temperatures in the heavy traffic I found on the road to bring it at home. some pictures https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/450x600q90/922/UcnjK3.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/EFKLnb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/450x600q90/922/OWyPmq.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/450x600q90/922/oRqR0F.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/450x600q90/924/PLxEZb.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/450x600q90/922/OskHEd.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/ttsfkT.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/450x600q90/924/nQC190.jpg https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/923/8PuJZX.jpg
Edited by The Chemist 2020-06-30 3:27 AM
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Location: Italy | and just to add some fun, the mechanic owns a hot-rod, I got inspiration and I made a quite similar copy in Lego bricks.
I brought it to him and left as a gift, much appreciated
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/800x600q90/924/K9mEnd.jpg
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/v2/630x600q90/924/9kcmRw.jpg |
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Location: DFW, TX | Car is coming together, Guido! Nice work.
Lego car is really cool too!
Edited by 57burb 2020-06-30 8:39 AM
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Location: Italy | uh thanks for fixing the pictures view.
I tried several code like [url] [img] but did not work. I am not a big technology expert :-) |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Yeah, this site is different than most.
You have to do it this way:
"[img="
Edited by 57burb 2020-06-30 9:51 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | ….then paste your image link, and then the close bracket "]"
Don't copy the quotation marks when you make your own post.
Sorry that I had to break that out in two posts, but it kept trying to use that html code to render a nonexistent picture 
Edited by 57burb 2020-06-30 9:53 AM
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9666
Location: So. Cal | All links eventually fail, and then your page will be empty with no way of fixing it. It's much better to attach the images here. |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | still having fun with Lego bricks
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Location: Branson, MO | Cool! Man you're good with those blocks. Thanks for sharing. |
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Location: Italy | hell how much time passed since I wrote something here...
well, the DeSoto Firedome is still alive, this is 1st good point.
I had a problem with gasoline pump in december 2020 and the car so remained stopped in the mancave until...yesterday.
the mechanic who's following the car moved from his old place, 45 minutes from my house, to a new place and working now for a bigger U.S. car specialist.
but it is more than 2 hours driving from home, not easy.
gas pump had to be replaced, I stopped the car in winter, then he ordered new pump, plus we had other full lockdown, then family issues, job issues for both, he could come to my place only yesterday to fix it.
I immediately used the Firedome to go to work in the afternoon, to taste again the driving with it.
I have some plans of joining 1-2 car meetings in july and then I'll see.
after summer holiday I'll go to see new mechanic garage and (probably) we will build the base for a project on the Firedome in 2022.
maximum respect to his history, to previous owners and their works but it should be time to pass from "Bop-a-Lena" Johnny Best UK car, into Guido's Desoto Firedome.
no restomod, no racing/tuning parts, just a good fixing of the body and maybe a couple of "bling bling" finish for the engine. money will be the main thing to control.
it is just a project in my head up today, but it is quite clear.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3eW9NZXOe9-CJOYqXAkEv5A1FI...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/ACtC-3czteUFPEnP0OydkYNPnTw7wx1...
Edited by The Chemist 2021-06-17 11:32 AM
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Fantastic to see your beautiful Firedome on the road again, Guido! I can't wait to see what you have in mind to make it "your" Desoto! |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | thanks. |
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Expert
Posts: 3033
Location: N.W. Fla. | nice! |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | Hi everybody. so other months ran quickly.
the Firedome is still on the road but as I was always thinking, it is almost the time to send it to a body shop and fix it.
small rust appeared and the paint job made in UK 20 years ago, it is now showing all its problems.
it will be a long challenge, the car could stay away until June 2022. the body shop is not close to home but roughly 200 kilometres far.
the trust person who will keep me informed and check everything is the same mechanic that worked on the car since I bought it and for some years before too.
he was much closer to me but last year he moved in a new area.
the final result on the car is well impressed in my mind and on some papers I draw with coloured pencils, like a child.
I have already (99%) found the colour I want on the car. it will be quite much blue, plus some white. the colours positions will be much different from the design given by english gentleman who made the firedome.
white interiors (panels and seats) will stay unchanged. the engine bay and the engine too will be re-painted as well.
it is the time for the firedome to go from "bop-a-lena" famous history into a more simple "my personal" Firedome.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLXzkVf-Dn82R1Jm0G2mRse465q...
here below a couple of pictures taken to a car show 3 weeks ago.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLW1OBUSWsk-LCogU9dJ5320OU4...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUlanUrosdFoDyt4nnXi7J-2nm...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLW322A5Mnn9m4VS8J_ltR0WKoe...
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Your Desoto still looks good as ever, Guido! Can't wait to see what your future plans are for it. |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | thanks.
just last saturday I went to the body shop and to the garage, the project really started.
I even began to take out some pieces from the car, just to see how much I can do to prepare it (saving some money from the garage too....) but some parts are really delicate, like the metal profiles around the roof.
I would avoid to break them, because finding in U.S. as replacements it will be a pain and almost impossible.
any suggestions about where to find pieces eventually?
ebay? moparpro? rockauto?
just to say, I will need for sure the whole kit for the internal screws. not easy to find them. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 5006
| which ones are you looking for? |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | current status of the internal screws is that many of them are different from each others.
in some parts they are painted, in some other corner not.
I really would like having them at least all of them in the same shape, maybe even chromed.
but all of them new and similar.
sure for the interior parts indicated here in this picture
https://i.ibb.co/n1GHKpY/180994-Interior.jpg |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13049
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Those screws might be a problem since rust and various demonting over the years made the holes slightly larger. Someone solved this with larger screws.
I bought stainless Philips screws with a suitable diameter, adapted the heads to the right diameter in my lathe and polished the screw heads. The X in the screw heads is a little to large in comparison to the head diameter, but no one will notice.... |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | Years ago I purchased a stainless steel screw set packaged specifically for my Chrysler. The manufacturer had them broken out by year/make/model/bodystyle. It had specific lengths, threads, and head designs for the car. They looked really nice, and in places where my original hardware was missing or unusable, they were a lifesaver. I have looked all over eBay, including my purchase history, and cannot find them. I will keep looking and let you know if I find where I purchased them. |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9903
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
Auveco in the US (Geno Industries in Canada) offer No. 8 screws with No. 6 heads. No need to trim the heads in a lathe.
https://onlinecatalog.auveco.com/Auveco-Catalog/69/#
Hope the link works
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | thanks everybody! |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | so, the works on the car are going on.
due to the distance from home to the body shop, I'm going there only every 3 weeks on saturday.
even if it's a 65 years old car, we found out only 3 rust holes, already repaired.
we have to say that mr Johnny Best (english man who made the car as custom, years ago) made good job on several parts of the car.
some other minor parts are not so well instead, but he confirmed me that when he got it, the car was suffering, with some really rotten parts.
I decided to add several other works:
- interiors big cleaning (by professional centre and not just by me in the mancave) and some (necessary) rebuilding of a couple of panels
- new chrome on both bumpers; more difficult for the front, it is not in a good status after the steps of metal cleaning. the rear bumper is instead much better.
- new chrome for some parts, even for the interior.
- full polishing on all outer body metal parts, profiles etc.
- already ordered new air filter and the covers for the sparks wires, finned, like the valve covers.
all the modifications are now decided. the colour scheme is the first thing I decided, but there were some other points to see.
the engine bay will become much more "clean" and without some pieces that J. Best added for shiny effect but actually we discovered they were fake parts.
of course the "to-do-list" is getting longer. and more expensive. but this car was deserving more attentions.
my feeling was that this was the last year that I could do this, and spend for this.
no pain, no gain, somebody said.
-----------------------------------------------
question:
the vented front glass (driver side) is quite damaged, not the glass itself, but the pivot/lower frame etc.
I would really like to find and replace it, last month there was an ebay sale with the correct pieces I was looking for (full set, frames included), but I got no answers from the seller and then the item disappeared. pity. i was ready to spend eventually crazy money on that.
any idea where I could find it?
glass-handle-pivots- frame
some pictures.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUaPe1bo6imLs__KxP-IqLTG7B...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLXrAWH2F_YTpWr0KPnUmtSQF6Z...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUFFoBTaECtmTvgPAWZHL-UDx7...
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLXE_3LCNb0xe1Nt5sucl-rZiso...
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 9666
Location: So. Cal | Looks like you're digging into it quite a bit. If you are looking for improvements, I would suggest putting the exhaust through the original bumper pods. That's the stock location, but it was a very custom touch from the factory and looks better than having those overhangs at the bottom of your rear quarters. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1159
Location: D-70199 Heslach | Powerflite - 2022-02-15 4:15 PM
Looks like you're digging into it quite a bit. If you are looking for improvements, I would suggest putting the exhaust through the original bumper pods. That's the stock location, but it was a very custom touch from the factory and looks better than having those overhangs at the bottom of your rear quarters.
I agree!
@Guido,- if you need some assistance, let me know. |
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Expert
Posts: 3967
Location: DFW, TX | That photo of the dash reminds me, building cars is a pain in the butt!!
That car has been awesome for a long time, and I know that with your updates it will be even better. Great to see the progress! |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | thanks. yes, my hope is to make it even better than in the past.
I agree with all of you about the fake exhaust pipes.
but I still like that "touch" on the car and I decided to keep them. actually J. Best used them activated for a short period.
and also, to be honest, keeping them it is making easier the job on that part of the car, I mean in terms of body shop work and money saved.
inside the rear bumper pods, there is now a system with the reverse gear lights. not working since several years before I got the car.
I'm quite curious to check it they will work again after fixing and after mounting all parts at the end of the paint job. |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | in the meantime, I am waiting for the covers on spark plug wires, finned style, like the valve covers.
and the new air filter, again finned, arrived.
https://i.ibb.co/Fn2THtS/IMG-20220217-164823-resized-20220218-114702...
https://i.ibb.co/KwFMt87/IMG-20220217-164829-resized-20220218-114703... |
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Member
Posts: 39
Location: Italy | I'm in the third week of quarantine for covid positivity, same as all my family. life sucks.
but the work on the Firedome is going on at the body shop.
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLXNSmmydeogMu35FVJofMPwlBW...
the "chrome factory" also finished his job, as soon as I will be again free, I will go to pick up the pieces.
even the interior shop is working to clean the upholstery and to build the damaged interior panels.
let's go! |
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