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59 explorer |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 384 Location: Hershey PA | Starting a separate tread on the 1958 DeSoto Spring Special From the DeSoto Retailer April 1958 "A fluted anodized aluminum sweep spear on the sides plus three new colors highlight the Spring package now available as optional equipment on all DeSotos. The glamorous sweep spear is "fluted". with channels grooved out of the anodized aluminum, which is corrosion resistant. The new Spring dress will be available on all 18 models with the exception of the convertibles and Adventurer. The new colors are Heather Blue and Spring Rose available on the Fireflite and Firedome models, and Persimmon Red on Firesweeps.... With the new DeSoto exterior are eight stainless steel deck accent strips and sill moldings of stainless steel." Pictures are appreciated If possible, please PM a copy of the pictures to me 59 explorer | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | So, according to Hoyle, the Spring dress was NOT available on convertibles. Interesting, since two Sweep ragtops exist today. One is known to be a latter day creation, the second, an over-optioned red "auction queen" of unconfirmed origin. I never knew this exclusion before ! I never cared for the spring extra gee-gaw myself (on my own cars), but it can look real nice on certain paint schemes. As I have seen them, DeSoto offered the package as separate items and one is more likely to see the special paint, or an incomplete "set" than they are to see a fully decked Spring Special car with the whole enchilada. Dodge's Spring Special was like this too. The quote about the sweep inserts being "grooved out" is misleading. It is a stamped, or rolled pattern of fine horizontal ribs, much like the pattern of old school metal roofing. The deck lid accent bars are vertical (Chrysler used horizontals in the same location to each side of the shadow box), and the reference to stainless sill mouldings are what we commonly call "rocker mouldings" these days. The latter became a common item to many 59's. | ||
58wedge |
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Veteran Posts: 133 | Was a spring special pinkish colour-firesweep conv projekt (orginal-car)for sale years ago nort-west somewere dont remember , it was sold to a restorer in south CA, (think i saved some oictures of it somewere,i see if i can find)just for info w-out stepping on any toes.. | ||
d500neil |
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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 | Good thread, but this should be moved over to the Members Rides message board; not posted here, in this "Everything-Else Board". | ||
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT | I think the OP has a '59, not a '58, so it's just an info thread on '58 SSs. BTW did '58 DeS SSs have the wide stainless strip above the rain gutters as did the SS 2 and 4 dr hrdtp Chryslers, like my own? That trim is not mentioned in the dealer puff piece, above. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Negative on the roof trim. That was a standard, across-the-board option on all hardtops in both 57 and 58 (standard on Fireflite, which meant Adventurer got it too). As for moving the thread to the Member's Rides section, why ? Thus farly, no poster owns a Spring Special and the thread is intended to highlight/discuss this unusual model. Seems to me like it is exactly where it should be for future reference. Yoo 'sprain now, Roocy ! | ||
roadkillontheweb |
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Expert Posts: 1357 Location: Iowa USA | The Binder sale included a 58 Spring special. (binder237.jpg) (binder236.jpg) (binder239.jpg) Attachments ---------------- binder237.jpg (39KB - 251 downloads) binder236.jpg (29KB - 243 downloads) binder239.jpg (43KB - 253 downloads) | ||
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT | Almost went to Spencer for that auction, we have family there and in Ames. Love that model, year,, aluminum side trim, and orange is my favorite color! It had a stuck engine though, and from these pics, apparently some rust as well, but iirc the interior was nice... someone from MN bought it for around $5k and immediately flipped it to Sweden. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | If I am understanding the tea leaves, the car above has all three SS trim items ... rocker mouldings, rear deck accent bars, and sweep inserts. The paint color is NON-SS autumn rust. As all elements were separately optional, it is unusual to see all the parts on one car. Most buyers opted for this or that, but not the whole package. So, for those tracking, these pix are a good example of the trim one would look for to PID a Spring Special 58 DeSoto. | ||
The Adventurer |
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia | Note it has the optional Gravel guards which I think look good | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Most 57 and later DeSotos seem to have the gravel guards and based on the regular requests by members here looking for them, they are popular with just about everyone. I think they kinda break up the smooth flow of the wheel opening lines and will likely restore my car without them to better show off that wheel opening. | ||
The Adventurer |
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia | My 2 x Fireflite 4 doors never had them and they were fully optioned . But I agree for coupes , as I really only like them only on 4 doors not coupe/ragtops . | ||
roadkillontheweb |
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Expert Posts: 1357 Location: Iowa USA | Chris bought the car brand new and it was one of his primary drivers. It had a hitch and they used it with a trailer to go pick up a lot of the earlier cars in the collection. (binder242.jpg) Attachments ---------------- binder242.jpg (58KB - 265 downloads) | ||
58 DESOTOS RULE |
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Expert Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH | I have a 1958 De Soto Firesweep 2-door Spring Special which I have owned since 1981. The car when I bought it was painted Haze Blue metallic which was listed on the Diezler color chip chart as a Spring Special color for Firesweeps. I think it was probably a repaint however. It has the chromed vertical bars on the trunk deck as well as the anodized spear insert and chrome rocker mouldings. It does not, however, have the gravel guards and shows no sign that it ever had any. | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | I have a Firedome. It has the 736 interior, but it has been replaced. I need to know what that original interior looks like. Please post some pictures. I need to see the seat design and the door panels. This is what I have left over from years of changes. (wrong 004.jpg) Attachments ---------------- wrong 004.jpg (149KB - 245 downloads) | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | Here are some pics that I found on the web. Pick yours out and tell us about it. Mine is the first one. It looks fairly good in this picture, but the first six inches from the bottom is all Bondo. Edited by 58DeSoDodge59 2014-12-26 12:48 AM (58desotowhitess.jpg) (58_DESOTOgray.jpg) (1958 DeSoto ss.jpg) (2002strawberryfest13.jpg) (4791562112_e74a3a475f.jpg) (FLDES1.jpg) (Macungie2007 0019.jpg) (Old Desoto spring.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 58desotowhitess.jpg (75KB - 241 downloads) 58_DESOTOgray.jpg (210KB - 249 downloads) 1958 DeSoto ss.jpg (97KB - 235 downloads) 2002strawberryfest13.jpg (92KB - 233 downloads) 4791562112_e74a3a475f.jpg (169KB - 267 downloads) FLDES1.jpg (84KB - 245 downloads) Macungie2007 0019.jpg (134KB - 264 downloads) Old Desoto spring.jpg (156KB - 287 downloads) | ||
The Adventurer |
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia | I have a 58 Firedome coupe with survivor Red/Grey trim (whats left of it it) if you email me I can send you pics , as uploading them here drives me nuts . | ||
CustomRoyal |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 322 | From Desoto (100_3738 (1024x768).jpg) Attachments ---------------- 100_3738 (1024x768).jpg (446KB - 244 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Am I reading this right .... This package not available on Adventurer convertible or "2 door" (coupe) ??? I think this is kinda of obvious. -------------------------------------------- This package IS available on other model convertibles, including Fireflite ??? The reason I ask is that previously it has been mentioned that NO convertibles were available with the package, but it appears that a less-than-clearly-worded bit up top about the Adventurers could be read as ALL convertibles. Since two (of questionable origins) convertibles are out there with the full kit, and it makes no sense to me that the "blingy" convertibles would be restricted from wearing the dress up kit. | ||
miquelonbrad |
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Expert Posts: 1737 Location: Hay Lakes, Alberta, Canada | It is poorly worded...I would think that the convertibles wouldn't have been restricted from having the spring trim; really none of the extra trim has anything to do with body style, sans for the ribs on the station wagon tailgate. | ||
58 DESOTOS RULE |
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Expert Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH | This car is mine and I would be interested in knowing how you obtained this image as it's a very old photo and I don't remember ever posting this picture on line.In fact, I'm not sure I even know where the original of this picture is located now.This photo was taken not long after I bought the car from a collector in Roswell, NM in April 1981. It is parked in the driveway of my parents house in Appleton, WI. My parents passed away at least ten years ago and the house that they lived in in that city was torn down years ago when my father sold the property to move to Ohio.(1998) The collector I bought the car from had had the Torqueflite rebuilt before he sold it to me, but I had to have the engine rebuilt after I had had it in service for a few seasons. The engine was not original to the car but had come from a 1960 Plymouth and it is a standard 383 V-8 with a two-barrel Carter BBD carburetor. The interior is not correct but was a cheap tuck and roll abonimation that a previous owner had had installed. It is black so you may be sure that it is very hot in the car in the summer because of it. The front end was restored professionally by a fellow who used to have a restoration shop in Brown Deer, WI. I believe he has closed his shop now though. Upper and lower ball joints and tie rod ends were obtained from Kantner Products as were strut rod bushings.The rear springs need to be arched though as they cause the car to sit lower than I would like. The car has power brakes, power steering, and power windows. It also has a power seat and electric clock (which I had converted to a quartz movement in 1983.) I added an alternator and a Direct Connection electronic ignition distributor in the 1990s to make the car a daily driver but I haven't used it lately. I had the car rustproofed with the Ziebart brand of undercoating in 1981 when I first got it and it has very solid metal. There is the usual weak areas in the rear quarters and I don't doubt that there is some bondo in there but the flanks seem to be pretty straight. I used to be in the military, hence the bumper sticker about joining the Army that you see in the old picture.
Thanks for the chance to expound upon my De Soto. Edited by 58 DESOTOS RULE 2014-12-27 12:32 AM (Steve_1958 De Soto Firesweep SS.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Steve_1958 De Soto Firesweep SS.jpg (156KB - 240 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Stephen ~ Do you know if your car was blue under the S/S sweep inserts ? | ||
58 DESOTOS RULE |
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Expert Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH | Doctor DeSoto - 2014-12-27 1:29 AM Stephen ~ Do you know if your car was blue under the S/S sweep inserts ? It was blue underneath the Spring Special sweep inserts, but I am reasonably confident that the car was repainted before I owned it. I suspect the original color was light green as that is the color in the footwell underneath the dashnoard where the carpet has come away.I don't know who may have repainted it but it could have been the man I bought the car from as he was a car collector and was pretty handy. I admired a 1950 Dodge roadster he was working on in his garage. I don't have ready access to the build plate right now as the car is in storage in Wisconsin but I can check it in the spring the next time I go there. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Well, the actual question would be then, on a two-tone car (when outfitted with the S/S sweep inserts) ... was the color sweep actually painted the accent color ? Or was the body only shot in main color and then the inserts installed to provide the "color" ??? Repaints only confuse the issue. We are looking to determine how the factory did it and coded the data tag. With power seat AND windows, that Firesweep is one LOADED car !!! Heck, most Fireflites didn't get those two fancy pants options ! I am impressed ! | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | So lets compare tags. Here is mine. AKK is Black top, Gray body, Gray sweep. ST is for Style. So the 9 under the ST could be for Spring Special. I would also like to know what the 4 is under the B . ? My car has been repainted so many times, we can not use that for information. It has at least 3 shades of Gray on it and at least 2 shades of white. (2014merrychristmas 042.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 2014merrychristmas 042.jpg (238KB - 241 downloads) | ||
The Adventurer |
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia | Stephen that pic of your car is out there on the net as I have that image also . And if you see the leading edge of your car just above your rear bumper you can see what looks to be willow green , or at least a light green colour ? | ||
58 DESOTOS RULE |
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Expert Posts: 2308 Location: The Bat Cave, Fairborn, OH | The Adventurer - 2014-12-27 4:25 PM Stephen that pic of your car is out there on the net as I have that image also . And if you see the leading edge of your car just above your rear bumper you can see what looks to be willow green , or at least a light green colour ? Well, I probably put that picture up a long time ago and forgot I'd done so. I'm only puzzled, not annoyed to see it again. I noted the lip just above the rear bumper in the photo too. I had started to do some sanding to get some fresh paint on the car and I noticed that underneath the Haze Blue metallic the original color seemed to be willow green. I don't have a picture of the build plate from inside the engine compartment but I would be interested in seeing if the paint code on the plate is for Willow Green. I will have to remember to take a camera and shoot some pictures the next time I'm up in Wisconsin. That probably will not be until May or June though. Here's a few shots of her in process. (detail of speedo 1958 DeSoto Firesweep.jpg) (Front 1958 DeSoto Firesweep.jpg) Attachments ---------------- detail of speedo 1958 DeSoto Firesweep.jpg (173KB - 246 downloads) Front 1958 DeSoto Firesweep.jpg (142KB - 305 downloads) | ||
The Adventurer |
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia | Cool Stephen , love to see more pics when you get to the car again next year . | ||
christine-lover |
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Expert Posts: 2996 Location: Sept. 1958 | When I was at Hershey this past October admiring Brad's 58 Firedome Convertible, I overheard a fellow talking to him. This guy was telling him about a 58 Firedome Convertible he found and purchased in Ohio, said it had all the Spring Special trim on it, most of which fell off while in storage in the barn. He described the car was wasted, rotted into the ground and would need a donor, he sold it and later the car ended up in Brazil. Edited by christine-lover 2015-01-04 6:29 PM | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | More pictures from the web. Does anyone know what happened to this first one? Edited by 58DeSoDodge59 2015-04-20 8:04 PM (01.jpg) (03.jpg) (58sspostcard.jpg) (desoto58fireflite1e.jpg) (firesweepssnorocker.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 01.jpg (29KB - 238 downloads) 03.jpg (31KB - 251 downloads) 58sspostcard.jpg (150KB - 260 downloads) desoto58fireflite1e.jpg (92KB - 227 downloads) firesweepssnorocker.jpg (27KB - 236 downloads) | ||
The Adventurer |
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia | The Willow Green car in the first 2 photos was for sale in Bend Oregon on Craigs list last year . I tried and tried to buy it and finally got onto the people , only to find they were very unhelpful and possible untrustworthy . They wanted $5000 for it as is and no motor , and broken rear window . Not sure who ended up buying it though . I wondered myself . | ||
mogge65 |
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Expert Posts: 1295 Location: Nasco , SWEDEN | http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=28014&... | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | Wow. Nice thread. Really nice cars. Is this a car show at a gas station? I like the pink car. (DSC00092.jpg) (DSCN6688[1].JPG) Attachments ---------------- DSC00092.jpg (227KB - 246 downloads) DSCN6688[1].JPG (196KB - 249 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | The Sweep which I got the decklid bars from that I sent to you was similar to this pink car, except the color was the Spring Special Lilac Metallic. In spite of it being a hammered Sweep sedan, abandoned for years in an orchard, it was still quite stunning in that color. Wish I had taken photos of it. | ||
mogge65 |
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Expert Posts: 1295 Location: Nasco , SWEDEN | it's a typical cruising in sweden in summertime Kurt. i took the pic in a town called Trollhättan (famous for automobil manufacturing, saab) it's my brother who imported the Desoto in the pic to sweden. | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | Cool. Keep cruising, always. | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | Okay, for all you guys that actually have a 58 Desoto Spring Special, I have one question. Does your ID tag have one or both of the circled numbers? (58ssdesotocircle.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 58ssdesotocircle.jpg (215KB - 242 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I checked a couple of my 58 tags and neither have those "slots" marked with a number. Haze Blue Metallic was "supposedly" a "spring" color, but my convertible exhibits no Spring Special trim. It was built 06 January. Do we know when the SS trim items became available ??? | ||
LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1906 Location: Ontario, Canada | Codes and such! Been there, done that, more than 30 years ago! When did SS trim become available?? When did the factory issue "new" broadcast sheets/ body plates to reflect this new trim??? Good luck guys. I sure as hell can't find any answers. We have all seen body plates embossed that APPEAR to be applicable to SS items. But, without broadcast sheet/punch card examples for KNOWN cars, it is nothing but guess work. Greg | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Such a "Debbie Downer" you are ! Perhaps a better alternative is to Garlick a story up about it .... hand built for the King of Sweden and gifted to Elvis upon his visit to Stockholm in 1958. It was later discovered on the moon and returned to earth with the Apollo missions before being driven cross-country on route 66 by Marilyn Monroe and Cher in a prototype test run for the Thelma and Louise movie ! | ||
d500neil |
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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 | Greg knows from whence he speaks. Trust, but verify. (and: en vino veritas!) | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | d500neil - 2015-06-02 11:51 AM Greg knows from whence he speaks. Trust, but verify. (and: en vino veritas!) Trusting, Yes. Now trying to verify. | ||
mstrug |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 6518 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | Speaking of odd colors, what is this factory(?) color on this 1957 Desoto? http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/collector-cars/50s-cars/restoring-a-19... (57desotoreddish1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 57desotoreddish1.jpg (143KB - 238 downloads) | ||
Chrycoman |
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Expert Posts: 1819 Location: Vancouver, BC | It's not factory. That car came from the factory done in white. | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: Wild Wonderful | Doctor DeSoto - 2015-06-02 1:24 AM I checked a couple of my 58 tags and neither have those "slots" marked with a number. Haze Blue Metallic was "supposedly" a "spring" color, but my convertible exhibits no Spring Special trim. It was built 06 January. Do we know when the SS trim items became available ??? Sorry Doc, but Haze Blue was not a spring color. Heather Blue was the spring color. The first mention of the Spring Specials was in the April edition of the Desoto publication of People and Places. So when did they print it? My guess would be the beginning of March. So they probably built the first ones at that time. That way they could be at the dealers, possibly the first day of spring. Also, the first ad of the Spring Special, with actress Jeanne Crain, was on April 19th 1958. Here is the back of the April 1958 edition of People and Places. It was sent to a dealer in NY . (springsale.jpg) Attachments ---------------- springsale.jpg (147KB - 233 downloads) | ||
The Adventurer |
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Elite Veteran,, James Passed away March 2021, He will be Missed Posts: 1028 Location: Melbourne, Australia | Yes it was Heather Blue Kurt , I am the doc knows this but due to brain fade we all get has momentarily forgotten and confused the 2 colours . | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Thanks for the correction. Not sure where I got that intel, but it was a long time ago and now I discover I've been wrong all these years ! | ||
d500neil |
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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 | Can someone, now, kindly post-up the color charts for both the Spring Special motif, and, for the 'regular' DeSoto colors? | ||
mstrug |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 6518 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | http://paintref.com/cgi-bin/colorcodedisplay.cgi?year=1958&make=DeS... http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/161718432480?lpid=82&chn=ps Edited by mstrug 2015-06-06 6:17 PM (1958_desoto_color_chart.jpg) (1958_desoto_spring colors2.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1958_desoto_color_chart.jpg (183KB - 2388 downloads) 1958_desoto_spring colors2.jpg (239KB - 247 downloads) | ||
59 explorer |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 384 Location: Hershey PA | just remember that the 1958 Desoto Heather Blue is not the same as 1959 Desoto Blue.... | ||
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