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Veteran
Posts: 279
 
Location: Klein, TX | I have had a few requests for an update on the '57 Firesweep. The car is just about completed. I am still waiting on the metal plate that covers the spare tire from the painter. I forgot to take it to him while the rest of the car was being painted. I am sure there will be nay-sayers on how I did the car, but as they say "it's my car". I'm not sure if the facebook video link I posted below will work on this site, but I listed it anyway. My face book name is Bill Eckenrode in case the link does not work. I also want to take a moment to thank all those that helped on the car but especially want to thank Ed Petrus, Rosy Stolowich and John Fowlie. It has been great working on the car which was started in Feburary 2014 and completed in September 2014. Let the flames begin.....
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=702204166526329
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Expert
Posts: 3155
 
Location: NY & VT | Why flames? It came out great... congratulations! |
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Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | firedome - 2014-09-06 1:13 PM
Why flames? It came out great... congratulations!
Thanks for your kind comments. I was expecting the flames because I did not rebuild the car as it was from the factory. I know that many car owners do not Like to see mods or changes. Besides the upholstery, I added a clock, light above the glove box, parking brake light, trunk light, anti-sway bar, dual rear speakers plus some other items that were not on the original build sheet.
Edited by baker53 2014-09-06 6:40 PM
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Expert
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Location: Connecticut | Bill - I think we've all grown up a little and now respect the idea that, as you stated, "it's your car...you can do with it as you please." Ron |
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Expert
Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | Very kind of you, Bill, but it's your excellent (and very RAPID) work that should be recognized. I'm one of the "original is best" crowd, but no flames from me -- you did a great job. |
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Location: Klein, TX | ronbo97 - 2014-09-06 3:08 PM
Bill - I think we've all grown up a little and now respect the idea that, as you stated, "it's your car...you can do with it as you please." Ron
Thanks Ron. |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | 57desoto - 2014-09-06 3:49 PM
Very kind of you, Bill, but it's your excellent (and very RAPID) work that should be recognized. I'm one of the "original is best" crowd, but no flames from me -- you did a great job.
Thanks Ed. I was sure glad to have your input on all the topics I inquired about. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 440
Location: Vermont | Gorgeous! Man I would love to see that cruising down the road. Love those 57 Desotos! |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | lownslow - 2014-09-06 5:46 PM
Gorgeous! Man I would love to see that cruising down the road. Love those 57 Desotos!
Thanks. It always gets me how much better these old cars sound and drive after getting the upholstery done. We plan to a bit of traveling with the car. |
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY | 
Your car looks GRRRRRRRREAT!
You have done an amazing job of restoring your DeSoto, Bill! And in record time too.
I think that you have made very smart decisions during your resto, and that you have balanced preserving your car's original features, with pleasing yourself, very well indeed.
I am so envious of how quickly you got your car back on the road.
Drive with pride! 
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Veteran
Posts: 209
Location: The Republic of Texas | I love your car. I think it turned out nice. Awsome interior.
I haven't really done much to mine yet. I'll be po-boying it for years to come. As far as "nay-sayers" , they'll hate me. I plan to mod the hell out of my Windsor, although they will be period correct mods. |
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Posts: 2308
Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH | Nice looking ride! The interior especially so. How effective is that underdash a/c in the summer? |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | 58 DESOTOS RULE - 2014-09-08 8:21 AM
Nice looking ride! The interior especially so. How effective is that underdash a/c in the summer?
Well it does OK, but not as well as a modern day car does. When I did the work on it, I kept the old R12 expansion valve and perhaps should have changed to a R-134 type. It sends cold air and that is most appreciated in the Texas heat. I guess it would help if I rolled up the windows, but it's neat to ride around with them down and the A/C on.
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Veteran
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Location: Klein, TX | GSP392 - 2014-09-07 8:41 PM
I love your car. I think it turned out nice. Awsome interior.
I haven't really done much to mine yet. I'll be po-boying it for years to come. As far as "nay-sayers" , they'll hate me. I plan to mod the hell out of my Windsor, although they will be period correct mods.
Thanks. Wow!, you sure have some neat old cars. I hope all goes well with your projects. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | The car looks great! I remember seeing on ebay thinking that would be a nice car for restoration.
I'm very impressed with how much work you did in such a short time. Also very impressed with the quality of the work. Nice job! |
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Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | Greg P. - 2014-09-09 1:00 PM
The car looks great! I remember seeing on ebay thinking that would be a nice car for restoration.
I'm very impressed with how much work you did in such a short time. Also very impressed with the quality of the work. Nice job!
Thanks. I've still got a few things left to do like getting the speedometer to read correctly, but we have been driving and enjoying it finally.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 384
Location: Hershey PA | Great looking car
There is another 57 sweep on ebay now that looks like it needs your experience... |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | 59 explorer - 2014-09-09 2:47 PM
Great looking car
There is another 57 sweep on ebay now that looks like it needs your experience...
Thanks for the comment on the car. I'll take a look at ebay, but I think I am ready for more cruising rather than more building. |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | The 1957 Desoto Firesweep Sportsman is done.... I'm sure there will be a few things to do here and there, but I'm now enjoying the driving everyday. I just wanted to thank the Forward Look Network for allowing this space to present this project.
In addition, to the many members that have offered support and suggestions, I thank you very much.
I was very fortunate to have some great help on the car, including:
Rudy's Paint and Body, Mangum Rd. & Hardway St., Houston, TX 77092, 713 688-0624
Custom Polish & Chrome Plating, 424 Hill Rd, Houston, TX 77037, 832 770-4925
Advanced Auto Trim, 2612 Little York Rd., Houston, TX 77093, 713 694-5528
The project took about 7 months & more $$ than I want to admit to.
02/15/14 CAR ARRIVED FROM IOWA
02/28/14 COMPLETED ENGINE REPAIRS
03/26/14 STARTED FLOOR REPAIRS
04/11/14 COMPLETED FLOOR REPAIRS -16 DAYS
04/13/14 INSTALLED NEW EXHAUST SYSTEM
04/29/14 COMPLETED BRAKE REPAIRS
04/29/14 STARTED BODY & PAINT WORK
05/27/14 STARTED CHROME PLATING WORK
06/26/14 COMPLETED CHROME PLATING WORK – 30 DAYS
07/08/14 COMPLETED BODY & PAINT WORK – 70 DAYS
08/01/14 COMPLETED A/C INSTALLATION
08/10/14 COMPLETED INSTALLATION OF NEW GAS TANK AND 12 VDC PUMP
08/19/14 COMPLETED FRONT SUSPENSION REBUILD
08/27/14 STARTED UPHOLSTERY WORK
09/06/14 COMPLETED UPHOLSTERY WORK -10 DAYS
http://youtu.be/YK5DWrYw-iE
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7807
Location: Williams California | Wow!
That was an unbelievably quick time frame, Bill! Plus the car came out so well. It looks great!!
---John |
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Location: The Mile High City | Totally awesome! We have a fellow at work whose mantra is
do it now
get it done
have more fun
it looks like you subscribe to the same motto! Wise words in the world of car restoration.
Congratulations.
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Just want folks to know that baker53 has also helped me during the resto of my '57 Firesweep. His all-original car (even the after-market AC) provided very valuable info, as the work on my car continued...wish I could turn out a resto as quickly as Bill!
Bill even sent me all of the original seat and door vinyl from his car, which was SO helpful when it came to the reupholstering of my DeSoto. Bill is an example of the type of great person one meets when they get involved in the old car hobby.
Thank you, Bill, and congratulations again on a resto well done!
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | Thanks for the nice comments Rosy. I sure hope the material will be of some use. BTW, I had an email from another FL member that said my video that I posted earlier no longer worked. I have posted another URL, hopefully, this one will work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmwdynA1Qsk&index=4&list=UUMxgi9XLxk...
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Expert
Posts: 1295
Location: Nasco , SWEDEN | AWESOME, GRRRRRRRRREAT JOB! |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | I think all is done on the Firesweep for now. I've been driving the car a bit and have about 1000 miles on it and all seems to be working well. It is great to have a Firesweep once again after 52 years. I attached some pictures of the completed car.
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | Pictures were too big for the FL site. I'll re-size them and attach them later. |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | Pictures of the completed 1957 DeSoto Firesweep Sportsman:
 (60.jpg)
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 60.jpg (305KB - 85 downloads)
66.jpg (216KB - 92 downloads)
71.jpg (186KB - 94 downloads)
72.jpg (220KB - 95 downloads)
74.jpg (199KB - 94 downloads)
75.jpg (270KB - 96 downloads)
78.jpg (312KB - 102 downloads)
82.jpg (354KB - 87 downloads)
84.jpg (355KB - 93 downloads)
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Wow, the car looks great ... and the non stock interior is very tastefully done, - I've seen a lot that go way over the top but yours looks great. Is that under-dash evaporator a Mark-IV unit? |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 428
Location: McCleary WA | VERY NICE! Is that the same coral color as my '57 Dodge? Hard to tell from the photos, but the firewall photo in particular looks very close. The interior is great - and is making it even harder for me to stick with my original (ugly) gold. Very good, and even faster than my accelerated schedule - I started in February and am just now headed to the painter and chrome shop. |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | Thanks Ian. Not sure if it is a Mark IV unit or not. The seller said it was dealer installed. The original compressor was a York. On the interior, it is done like the one I had in '62. I was trying to replicate that car as much as possible. This one has P/S, P/B and A/C which my first one did not have.
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | Darryl T - 2014-11-22 1:59 PM
VERY NICE! Is that the same coral color as my '57 Dodge? Hard to tell from the photos, but the firewall photo in particular looks very close. The interior is great - and is making it even harder for me to stick with my original (ugly) gold. Very good, and even faster than my accelerated schedule - I started in February and am just now headed to the painter and chrome shop.
Hi Darryl, It is the original color that was on the car. I believe Desoto called it shadow orange. I also started on this one in Feb. I happened to hit the paint shop and the upholstery shop when they needed work. Thanks for the comments on the car. OK on your 57 Dodge; I have a friend that is looking for a 57 Dodge 2 door hardtop like the one he had in high school. I hope yours comes together smoothly.
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | baker53 - 2014-11-22 12:00 PM
Thanks Ian. Not sure if it is a Mark IV unit or not. The seller said it was dealer installed. The original compressor was a York. On the interior, it is done like the one I had in '62. I was trying to replicate that car as much as possible. This one has P/S, P/B and A/C which my first one did not have.
The York compressors were generally were installed in conjunction with a Mark-IV under-dash A/C, which is what is in my Saratoga, although my under-dash unit is an older style that what yours is. Yours certainly looks like one of the Mark-IV units, they were the most popular after-market systems installed back in the day. My compressor blew seals a few years ago and last summer I bought a brand new York compressor from Air Manufacturing Corp. in Graham, Texas. With the same style compressor I had no need to change any brackets.
Edited by imopar380 2014-11-22 4:01 PM
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IMG_0006.JPG (176KB - 88 downloads)
Mark-IV_Evap.JPG (107KB - 93 downloads)
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Posts: 1488
Location: New Castle PA | FABULOUS car, Bill. Excellent work you've done! |
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Expert
Posts: 2788
Location: USA - KY |
Your Desoto looks totally wonderful, Bill! Great job!
I love that rear three-quarter photo - fins galore!
Darryl T - 2014-11-22 2:59 PM
...Is that the same coral color as my '57 Dodge?
The Firesweep colour is called "Dusty Orange" - it does look similar to the '57 Dodge colour called "Tropical Coral", doesn't it?
...and just for kicks, here's a photo of a modern "Vintage Air - Mark IV" under dash unit compared with the original on Bill's car:
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Edited by FIN ME 2014-11-23 9:28 AM
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originalmarkIV.jpg (82KB - 90 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 4042
Location: Connecticut | Your Firesweep sure looks great in that color. The body shop did a nice job. I'm curious as to how the shop managed to strip and repaint the inner trunk lid without damaging the original material that's sandwiched between the lid and the brace. I'm wrestling with that for my 59 Dodge. Ron |
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Posts: 1886
| That car looks awesome!!!! |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | 57desoto - 2014-11-22 4:34 PM
FABULOUS car, Bill. Excellent work you've done!
Thanks Ed. Could not have done it with your sage advice. I sure appreciate all the time you took in answering my "novice" questions. Once again, also want to thank the other FL members that offered advice, suggestions and compliments. |
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX |
...Is that the same coral color as my '57 Dodge?
The Firesweep colour is called "Dusty Orange" - it does look similar to the '57 Dodge colour called "Tropical Coral", doesn't it?
...and just for kicks, here's a photo of a modern "Vintage Air - Mark IV" under dash unit compared with the original on Bill's car:
.
Sorry I had the color wrong. It is, as you mentioned "Dusty Orange" not "Shadow Orange" as I stated. I have to blame that on getting older.
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | ronbo97 - 2014-11-23 9:54 AM
Your Firesweep sure looks great in that color. The body shop did a nice job. I'm curious as to how the shop managed to strip and repaint the inner trunk lid without damaging the original material that's sandwiched between the lid and the brace. I'm wrestling with that for my 59 Dodge. Ron
Thanks for the comment on the color. I am not sure how they stripped the paint on the underside of the trunk lid, but I remember seeing the sandwiched panels all masked off. They might have just sanded the underside, but I do not know for sure.
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Veteran
Posts: 279
Location: Klein, TX | The 57 Desoto Firesweep received a little press in the Houston Chronicle yesterday. http://blog.chron.com/heidispics/2015/01/1957-de-soto-firesweep-spo...
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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 | Refinishing the underside of a trunk lid is a beotch of a lot of fine preparation detail work.
Wire-wheeling-off, and hand-sanding the OEM paint is probably the only-best way to prep the trunk for painting, without damaging the
asphaltic sound deadener panels.
I have a LOT of photos 0f various cars' deadener panels, and their OEM finishing/appearances vary greatly, but most of them show
varying degrees/extents of care-less installation.
Apparently, the trunks' halves were mechanically clamped together immediately after the inner and outer sections were painted, because
you will see some really bad examples of paint runs and dribs/drabs on the undersides of the trunks.
Detroit-built cars have body-color painted trunk undersides, while the L.A. and the other assembly plants have a generic blue/gray-ish
finish, which varied in appearance, reportedly due to the factories mixing-up their left-over body paints to finish the
trunks' undersides.
Again, got lotsa photos on file showing the typical (lousy-) OEM trunk underside finishing.
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Expert
Posts: 1508
Location: new york | Look's Great! The Firesweep is so clean! Enjoy! HAPPY MOTORING! |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 612
Location: Kingston Springs , TN | Nice newspaper article; stunning automobile!
Mike |
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1957 Desoto Firesweep
