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Dream Car Moderators: big m Jump to page : < 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 > Now viewing page 3 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
Forward Look Local Regions -> Pacific Northwest Region | Message format |
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I will only have 21 days this time (including travel time) so I won't get too far from home. Not sure if I will press on for a 3rd year. If not, I'll be home for good in Sept. I have a long time date to scout something up river by Bingen. Maybe when I come down to pick up the door panels we can coordinate a beer or three ? What did Uncle have you doing ? | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Late to update. Interior fabrics and door panels were ordered in June. Stumbled into rod shop in BF Egypt backwater Oregon that was doing some dynamite fabrication work turning a 56 Buick Super 4HT into a wildly chopped and channeled 2HT. I was duly impressed with this guy's work. The wifeperson got all fired up with visions of a driver Plaza, and this put the wheels in motion to have the body and paint done. I wasn't too keen on having this work done a hard ten hour drive from home for any inspections or parts movement that inevitably comes up, so I got to scratching my bean about shops I I have seen that I'd trust to do the work. Looks like I have found the shop to do this and will have the old girl pulled up north as soon as Big M and I square up for services rendered. Will be asking lots of sourcing questions upstairs soon. | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7805 Location: Williams California | Brent- I have been buried here since I arrived back, and will get you the list of needs Monday. We did get a '58 ignition switch re keyed and installed in the car, though. ---John | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Sounds great, John. The wifeperson has ants in her pants to get cooking on this and what fool Forward Look guy would not want to support his girl-person's hot desire to get one of his cars restored ? I enjoy a unique female in my life who actually gets into this. I don't want to discourage it in any way. PM me with your phone number. I am 12 hours time difference off from west coast time and can call you to discuss what parts we still need, etc. a lot easier than typing a lot of email. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | WHAT A GREAT THREAD - THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE AS GOOD AS RAFFE'S ITALIAN JOB!!!!!!!! Brent, congratulations on finding your dream car! | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I really wanted to do this car myself, as I have a very fine line between being meticulous and not over-restoring something. But that chick I shack up with has got a bee in her bonnet to be seen around town in a buzzard puke Plaza and with the shop still some time from completion (for a place to get the tools out and do the work), the car would be out further still in getting completed. I asked Big M to give it his best, but he says he's swamped and could not get to it. So, with a an excited FL driver-to-be pressing to make it all purty muy pronto, I have had to press my brain for guys I would trust do get that "balance". I think I have found the right guy to do the work who understands where I am coming from on this. The good news is this will be an easy restoration, given the almost perfect body on it. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | And, .... with this car done, that puts the Fireflite back on the front burner to do as soon as the shop is functional ! | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | The wifeperson reports an email from SMS saying the interior fabrics and door panels were shipped 16 July. Got a quote of $4K +/- to restore the seat frames, paint, repad, and sew all the pretty fabric up, skin them, and assemble the interior to perfection. Anyone have a source for windlace ? Have arranged the body work and paint as well. Green Plaza, here we go ! The dog dish dream is about to come true. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | After a few fits and starts, the Plaza was supposed to be picked up from Big M's place yesterday, for the trip up to Spokanistan, where it will be stripped, and have the body work and paint done, and the interior installed. Moving right along ... ! Pix as I get them. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Interesting to engineer a restoration from the other side of the globe. After some quiet, got an email this AM saying the Plaza had arrived in Spokane and soon the tear down and assessment process will begin. So will my questions about where guys like youzall recommend getting parts. First up is lenses. Looking for excellent reproduction tail light and parking light lenses. Also, is the sedan windlace a fabric type like the headliner, or is it the "meshy" looking stuff, or something else ? Sources ? Who is our best go-to source for front end kits ? Still looking for a 4bbl intake, carb, and air cleaner for a 58 (AFB type). | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | When I originally bought this car, I knew I was deep in my deployment and would be gone a long time. I asked John Fowlie if he'd like to throw his magic at the car, but John had other things like his own projects and business to attend to (the nerve ! ), and that wasn't going to work out. While home on leave, I stumbled on a guy in B.F. Egypt building a 56 Buick coupe out of a 4 door. His work was incredible and I got to thinking about getting the Plaza project rolling. After some head scratching, I remembered talking with Glenn Vaughn about doing some fab work on the DeSoto a few years ago and dropped him a line. Business was discussed, and last week Glenn met up with John and moved the Plaza up to the Spokane area. The plan is to do a frame-on resto to a factory quality finish, ... a subject of some discussion between us .... no trailer queen finish, but a nice, tight level of detail, with improvements on fit and finish where needed. Here is the car once unloaded, and being fitted for an awesome rear spoiler made of 1/2" IP. The parts car I got was a 35 Packard Super 8. It will be interesting to see what interchanges. : Edited by Doctor DeSoto 2012-08-13 11:42 PM (Plaza PF 1.jpg) (Plaza PF 2 interior.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Plaza PF 1.jpg (37KB - 375 downloads) Plaza PF 2 interior.jpg (33KB - 364 downloads) | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | I love following this project! I feel like I'm a part of it in a way, having spotted that green beauty for sale!... | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | You started this problem !!!! I enjoy following others' long running posts of projects. It is inspiring. I got an email yesterday saying the seat frames are terribly rusty and it will be cheaper to procure better ones than to restore these. I expect photos of the disassembly soon. Will post as I get them. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Damm, ... I am getting all itchy to get moving on this, but it is a clusterstuppe, every step of the way. Finally got the car up to the shop and am waiting word on what is missing or needing replacement. The only response I got for lense sources was Gary Goers, so I went online and sent away for two copies of his catalogue - one for home reference, the other for me here. In spite of the simplicity of the APO mailing, both copies went to the house, so one is now being forwarded to AFG. More waiting. I thought that our OEM tires being made again was really great, but immediately ran into complications. Goodyear Custom Super Cushions are not made as a 14" blackwall. Normally, a blackwall is not even on my radar, but the whole point in doing a Plaza was the bare bones fleet car look, complete with dog dishies and blackwalls. So, just turn 'em whitewall in, right ? Not so much. The cut sidewall is obvious even when turned in and stained black, and the proper mounting of the trunk spare is going to show the whitewall. I'm picky about little details like that. I like that unmolested, Grandma Pittipoo look. So, I kept pressing other vendors, but it appears they simply are not made that way. Plan B was going with a 15" wheel, as the Custom Super cushions ARE sold in a 15" configuration with the plain black wall. But these must fit the dog dish, and THAT has been a no-go thus farly. Stalled again. The resto shop says the seats are really crusty, and it would be cheaper to find a better set than clean these up and repair them. Big M has a set, but the shipping is stout on piano-sized objects like this. I found a set locally, but cannot get the seller to use key words like "really nice" and "still with black paint on them". So, I am waiting .... If I were home, I'd just drive out there and have a look myself, but all I can do is check up on this stuff between missions. I pitched countless seat sets in the cars I junked ... ... many still in shiny black paint. No one wanted seats back then. How many buyers are looking for sedan seats today ? It's not like we're talking about power swivels here ! Yet you'd think I was looking for 24k gold bumper wings for this dog. Itchin' to git stitchin' | ||
bel5758 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 716 | Yeah....because you don't have enough to do at your current location! (Cool though that the tech allows you to keep up on thing here while over there) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Kelsey advises the 8.00 x 14 tires will work fine on either 5.5" or 6.0" wheels. I ordered a set of 5 today. I guess this gets the ball rolling. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | After a lot of rush to get the car out of California and up to Washington, the project stalled, awaiting an open slot on the shop floor. First order of business was to tweak the engine and tranny to verify they are as good as we hoped they were. All checked out and the beast runs great. No knocks or funny noises, good compression ... Next is the brakes and bearings. These were pretty good too, and after a little cleaning and some new linings, are going back together shortly. We will drop the rear end and springs, clean them up and get them in paint while we're at it. Still awaiting word on the gear ratio. I directed them to do a thorough rebuild of the ball and trunnion, if it is good, or let me know it is not so I can get on the parts search. What is the latest word on B&T joints ? Are they available ? The fuel tank was pulled, boiled, and sealed. Once confirmed as a going and stopping machine, the body breakdown will begin for the paint and interior. Should the drivetrain prove to have issues, these can be getting done while the body and paint are being worked on. Tires are on hand. A FL'er directed me to some NOS tail light lenses, and those are in hand as well. I'm a picky bast#@ when it comes to exhaust, and with the engine confirmed as "solid", a system will be put together to spec. Will get the front end parts soon, and have requested an inventory of needed rubber to order from Goers as the breakdown begins. I gave the resto guy a bunch of anal retentive grief about getting the P&A and Argent paint right, and judging by the drums, he got the P&A right on the money. I look forward to see this get moving into the serious stage ! (doing brakes oct 2012.JPG) (brakes rf as found.JPG) (brakes lf as found.JPG) (brakes rr as found.JPG) (brakes lr as found.JPG) (spindle right oct 2012.JPG) (spindle left oct 2012.JPG) (axle right oct 2012.JPG) (axle left oct 2012.JPG) (brakes front cleaned up.JPG) (brakes rear cleaned up oct 2012.JPG) Attachments ---------------- doing brakes oct 2012.JPG (41KB - 413 downloads) brakes rf as found.JPG (48KB - 381 downloads) brakes lf as found.JPG (54KB - 368 downloads) brakes rr as found.JPG (43KB - 360 downloads) brakes lr as found.JPG (48KB - 400 downloads) spindle right oct 2012.JPG (37KB - 415 downloads) spindle left oct 2012.JPG (45KB - 393 downloads) axle right oct 2012.JPG (36KB - 394 downloads) axle left oct 2012.JPG (43KB - 370 downloads) brakes front cleaned up.JPG (42KB - 383 downloads) brakes rear cleaned up oct 2012.JPG (40KB - 379 downloads) | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | Hey Doc As much as I am probably going to get roasted I dont supose you got any pics of the chevy next to your car? | ||
61ChryslerMan |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 470 Location: the Great Northeast | No Chevy for you!!!! You can find them on other sites, not here!!!! ;-) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Being the nice guy that I am, I can ask Glenn to get a shot of it for you. However, duly note that this request for Chevy photos will be recorded in your disciplinary file. Whaddya gonna do ? You dress 'em up warm and send 'em to school, .... and they eat the books ! | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | It reminds me of a car in a great Aussie petrol head movie called Running On Empty. I have to say, it was the 57 chev that first lured me into fins and its because the Plymouth has bigger fins that I like the Plymouth. The other thing is, if I could find a blower manifold to fit the poly, I would be going down that road also. Now I have shown my true colours lol. In my defence, I will say that if I got hold of a cross ram engine, I wouldnt take them off to fit a blower. Wonder if you could put 2 small blowers on a cross ram | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Ah, .... I get it now ! You are the guy who would rear down the house in North by Northwest and put up a pole barn ! | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | Doc It wouldnt surprise me if at some stage, I didnt actually build my own blower manifold just to see if I could make it work How long till you get home to do some of your car yourself? Or is it the plan to have it done before then | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | There will always be more to do on this or any other old car. But the plan is to have it "done" before I get home. With de-scoping in full swing, no telling how long this game will last. There has been talk of deploying some of us to Afrika. I'll believe it when I see it. | ||
56royaldodge |
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Account deactivated by owner's request Location: On this barrel | You going to drive that around Africa? | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Yeah, ... that's the plan. I'm going to restore it, have it shipped to Afrika, and beat the sh!t out of it. You must be clairvoyant ! We do most of our gittin' around in these: (huey.jpg) Attachments ---------------- huey.jpg (44KB - 368 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Rear brakes, repainted, replated, rebuilt. (brakes rebuilt lr.JPG) (brakes rebuilt rr.JPG) Attachments ---------------- brakes rebuilt lr.JPG (44KB - 339 downloads) brakes rebuilt rr.JPG (44KB - 344 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Couple more of the flying Plaza. (brakes on lift rr oct 2012.JPG) (brakes on lift rf oct 2012.JPG) Attachments ---------------- brakes on lift rr oct 2012.JPG (39KB - 361 downloads) brakes on lift rf oct 2012.JPG (36KB - 396 downloads) | ||
FIN_NV |
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Expert Posts: 4589 Location: Northern New Jersey | Red Rims? Aren't those for Chevys and Fords? | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Looks like they're on a 59 Chev to me. Huatchoo talkin' about ? You guys got any other questions about the concrete floors, the car lift, or anything else in the background ? | ||
56royaldodge |
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Account deactivated by owner's request Location: On this barrel | What was the official name given to that color of green? Buzzard Puke Green? | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Plymouth called it "Misty Green", Ditzler called it " DQE-42176-DAL", Canman called it "Buzzard Puke Green". | ||
56royaldodge |
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Account deactivated by owner's request Location: On this barrel | Do I need to take that 56 Dodge wagon off your hands to make room for the Buzzard? | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | Hey Doc That trans lift thing looks pretty interesting | ||
56royaldodge |
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Account deactivated by owner's request Location: On this barrel | Where did they get those pink shop rags? | ||
bel5758 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 716 | Darn I really dig those flourescent lights....do you know what make and model they are? | ||
57plymouth |
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Expert Posts: 3577 Location: Blythewood, SC | I like the fastener sorter. Where can I get one? | ||
56royaldodge |
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Account deactivated by owner's request Location: On this barrel | Do you know how much they paid for that trash can? I need to replace one just like it. | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | Nice to see the project going forward. Pretty car! Doc, you found the lenses, but do you need the steel Plaza-only tailight surrounds? Yours look pretty crusty, and I have at least one good pair here, that I don't need. PM me if interested. | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I will take any Plaza-specific parts I can find. The resto shop has said they will gut the car as soon as the basic mechanics are dialed in. They are currently doing the front end and making the rear end and springs all purty, so I expect that soon I will be getting "the list" of bad stuff I need to scramble for. Looking at the recent photos, it's hard to believe this is the same car from Parker, Az. Speaking of which, my new XO grew up in Parker and told me all about the fenced-in "hoarder fortress" behind the closed-down furniture store where this car sat from 1964 till 2011. The steering wheel is about to be sent off for recasting. Not much else to report right now. | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | Nothing like having a "Stripper" in the Family. Lookin Good!!! | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | Doctor DeSoto - 2012-11-04 12:55 AM I will take any Plaza-specific parts I can find. Ok, I'll keep 'em tailight bezels for you. | ||
ttotired |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 8443 Location: Perth Australia | Who are you getting to do you wheel Doc? | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I am going with Quality Restorations, Inc. of Poway, Ca. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | hey Doc will they take on a basket case like this?? Attachments ---------------- the basket case.jpeg (162KB - 387 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | That is not bad at all. The kicker is DO they have a mold already made up to recast the wheel ? It is our good fortune as 57-58 DeSoto owners, that the wheel is shared by Chrysler, and by extension, 300's, so demand is high and he already has the mold to do them. He asks for color samples of your desired colors, and the rest is on him. POC is Dennis @ Quality Restorations Inc. 13983 Humo Dr. Poway, CA 92064 858-271-7374 You think yours is toasted ? Look at mine ! Edited by Doctor DeSoto 2012-11-05 8:34 AM (steering wheel dash april 2011.jpg) Attachments ---------------- steering wheel dash april 2011.jpg (58KB - 381 downloads) | ||
56royaldodge |
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Account deactivated by owner's request Location: On this barrel | So is your car the ugly promiscuous step sister of Christine? | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Thanks doc that's a great lead. Also some time ago you offered a body tag for my '57 Flite. Mine has none other than the one on the base of the left A pillar. It looks like there may have been one the top of the firewall but it is long gone. Do you still have something that might do the job? Cheers | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Happy to help. It was other guys here on the list that provided this, amongst many other leads. Just passing it all along ! I parted two white with red 57 Fireflite 2HT's and saved the tags. Someone else wanted a set for a 58 Firedome 2HT back around Jan this year, and I could not find them when I was home on R&R. The answer is I still have at least one set of tags for a white/red 57 Flite coupe. I just gotta get home with enough time to go through my stuff in the shop to find them. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Doctor DeSoto - 2012-11-06 6:56 PM Happy to help. It was other guys here on the list that provided this, amongst many other leads. Just passing it all along ! I parted two white with red 57 Fireflite 2HT's and saved the tags. Someone else wanted a set for a 58 Firedome 2HT back around Jan this year, and I could not find them when I was home on R&R. The answer is I still have at least one set of tags for a white/red 57 Flite coupe. I just gotta get home with enough time to go through my stuff in the shop to find them. that would be great to have a red and white tag set to top off my project please put my name on them! cheers | ||
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