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earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | I have always loved the Marks Brothers especially the quick wit of Groucho and after seeing this ad I had to have one of these sharp looking cars. I hunted Australia without success until I saw a 57 2D Fireflite advertised in anAustralian car advert in a car sales mag called Unique Cars. I rang up to make a time to see the car in Melbourne (I live in Brisbane a 1000 miles away), however before I got to see the car it was sold only to be readvertized a year later by the same company AutoArt P/L. The guy who had bought the car had found a 2DR 57 Adventurer and wanted to unload the Flite. I inspected the car and brought it back to Brisbane and with it came a black hole for all my spare cash! http://www.archive.org/details/DeSoto8 (ebay06_03_2005_s26_l_front.jpg) Attachments ---------------- ebay06_03_2005_s26_l_front.jpg (48KB - 388 downloads) | ||
LookForward |
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Regular Posts: 78 Location: Mistake on the Lake | Nice De'soter. Tell us more! | ||
oldefar |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 708 Location: Fredrikstad, Norway. (Europe) | '57 DeSoto is among the very nicest FL cars. Congratulations ! And i sure love that "......and with it came a black hole for all my spare cash!". Certainly got some experience with just that. Just before Christmas I bought (saved) another 2 mopar projects. A regular (no rust) '75 Dart and a '64 New Yorker 9 pass. 4 door hard-top wagon with most options and very little rust (California car). Good luck with your DeSoto, and may the black hole never close old fart | ||
61forfun |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 466 Location: Vancouver, Washington | Very nice..I absolutely love the 57' Desoto's. Looks like you got a real nice project. i hear you on the blackhole...all my projects come with that too, whether I want it or not! | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | The Desoto sat in my warehouse for a year before I convinced myself I hadn't bitten off mre than I could chew. I already had three other projects on the go mainly 70s Fords. However I was smitten by this 6 metre two door beauty. It had surprisingly little rust (for a 57) and as the salesman said it had most of the "jewellery". It came with factory air, power steering and 6 way power seats (none of which still worked). the engine was complete but not running and someone had already replaced the original with an S25 Firedome HEMI. I was getting itchy feet and a pink '58 Firesweep came up for sale again in Melbourne. It looked in very good condition in fact too good at the price being asked. so I flew down christmas eve 3 years ago having told my wife I was only going for a look and nothing more. Well it was better than I thought ... it was cherry!!! with only 40,000 miles on the clock. I spent 3 hours with the seller haggling ofer the price but finally it was mine. Yes, you guessed it, this was going to take some explaining. Well when it arrived and I took her 'for a spin' she loved it. (35ab_12[1].jpg) (6153_12[1].jpg) Attachments ---------------- 35ab_12[1].jpg (32KB - 367 downloads) 6153_12[1].jpg (41KB - 375 downloads) | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | THE '58 Firesweep is a sweet ride but it wasnt long before the 'black hole' needed a top up. A very experienced car restorer I knew had run out of work and was looking for a lazy project to cover the costs of his leased shed. it sounded like a win win for both of us as I busy running my business and had very litle time to work on the '57. (100_3737.jpg) (the 341.jpg) (100_4073.jpg) (100_4399.jpg) (100_4160.jpg) (100_4382.jpg) (IMG_0342.jpg) (100_5152.jpg) (left rear 1.jpg) (left rear 2.jpg) (left rear 3.jpg) (left rear 4.jpg) (left rear 5.jpg) (left rear 5a.jpg) (left rear 6.jpg) (left rear 7.jpg) (left rear 8.jpg) (rear right 1a.jpg) (rear right 2.jpg) (rear right 3.jpg) (rear right 3a.jpg) (rear right 4.jpg) (rear right 5.jpg) (rear right 6.jpg) (137_5970.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 100_3737.jpg (116KB - 384 downloads) the 341.jpg (141KB - 469 downloads) 100_4073.jpg (130KB - 378 downloads) 100_4399.jpg (129KB - 380 downloads) 100_4160.jpg (111KB - 382 downloads) 100_4382.jpg (112KB - 382 downloads) IMG_0342.jpg (175KB - 533 downloads) 100_5152.jpg (128KB - 360 downloads) left rear 1.jpg (117KB - 347 downloads) left rear 2.jpg (112KB - 368 downloads) left rear 3.jpg (116KB - 368 downloads) left rear 4.jpg (120KB - 379 downloads) left rear 5.jpg (126KB - 375 downloads) left rear 5a.jpg (111KB - 375 downloads) left rear 6.jpg (111KB - 354 downloads) left rear 7.jpg (94KB - 374 downloads) left rear 8.jpg (92KB - 366 downloads) rear right 1a.jpg (102KB - 373 downloads) rear right 2.jpg (116KB - 391 downloads) rear right 3.jpg (120KB - 361 downloads) rear right 3a.jpg (127KB - 366 downloads) rear right 4.jpg (122KB - 355 downloads) rear right 5.jpg (110KB - 378 downloads) rear right 6.jpg (97KB - 362 downloads) 137_5970.jpg (90KB - 350 downloads) | ||
muddy |
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Veteran Posts: 114 Location: South Australia | That Fireflite is one cool car Bob,especialy loaded with all the goodies....sadly it can't be a real Chrysler product though,there's no-where NEAR enough rust in it!...Unlike my 'ol Plymouth witch not only has enough rust for it,but probably most other cars on here too! Best of luck mate...way cool. | ||
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 | Your pic #341, above, shows a good view of the big dog 12" x 2 1/2" brakes. These (size) brakes can be retrofiited onto any FWDLK model. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | That Fireflite is one cool car Bob,especialy loaded with all the goodies....sadly it can't be a real Chrysler product though,there's no-where NEAR enough rust in it!...Unlike my 'ol Plymouth witch not only has enough rust for it,but probably most other cars on here too! Best of luck mate...way cool. Thanks Grant, I can't believe how lucky I was considering some of the Chryslers I've seen on this site, especially Raffaele's Italian 57 Adventurer Convertible! The boot floor had the most but when it came out of the sandblaster it had acquired some "lace" in the floor of the cabin. What really surprised me was the total lack of any paint on some of the internal panels. Being a Texas car was probably what preserved it but it had LOTS of hidden dents!! thanks for the post. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Your pic #341, above, shows a good view of the big dog 12" x 2 1/2" brakes. These (size) brakes can be retrofiited onto any FWDLK model. G'day Neil, I take it from your post that there is something special about the "big dog" brakes, were they not standard? I must have a look to see what's on my '58 Sweep. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Once the bare metal and external panel damage to the shell were exposed and the trunk floor repaired, it was off to the sandblaster. Soda blasting wasn't going to remove the abundant rusty surfaces but I was concerned about sandblasting as I had another dude stretch the metal on the turret and rear guards of my super straight 1969 Ford Fairmont. However 'Red' did a fantastic job and for a good price. From there it was a quick trip on the tow truck back to the shed to seal the raw metal surfaces against moisture. Edited by earleebob1 2012-01-02 1:05 AM (body shell 1 .jpg) (body shell 2.jpg) (body shell sandblasting 3.jpg) (body shell sandblasting 5.jpg) (body shell sandblasting 4.jpg) (body shell sandblasting 6.jpg) (body shell sandblasting 7a.jpg) (body shell sandblasting 9.jpg) (1sandblasting 8.jpg) (body shell sandblasting 10.jpg) (100_7608.jpg) Attachments ---------------- body shell 1 .jpg (115KB - 333 downloads) body shell 2.jpg (114KB - 337 downloads) body shell sandblasting 3.jpg (58KB - 367 downloads) body shell sandblasting 5.jpg (86KB - 328 downloads) body shell sandblasting 4.jpg (95KB - 329 downloads) body shell sandblasting 6.jpg (77KB - 336 downloads) body shell sandblasting 7a.jpg (66KB - 343 downloads) body shell sandblasting 9.jpg (111KB - 349 downloads) 1sandblasting 8.jpg (58KB - 343 downloads) body shell sandblasting 10.jpg (123KB - 339 downloads) 100_7608.jpg (107KB - 340 downloads) | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Work on the '57 progressed steadily until Paul Kelly, the guy I had working on the project became too ill to continue. Another very experienced panelbeater came available and has worked on the car full time this past year. (tidying up the rust 1.JPG) (tidying up the rust 2.JPG) (tidying up the rust 3.JPG) (tidying up the rust 4.JPG) (tidying up the rust 4a.JPG) (tidying up the rust 6.JPG) (tidying up the rust 8.JPG) (tidying up the rust 10.JPG) (tidying up the rust 11.JPG) (tidying up the rust 12.JPG) Attachments ---------------- tidying up the rust 1.JPG (85KB - 352 downloads) tidying up the rust 2.JPG (111KB - 349 downloads) tidying up the rust 3.JPG (94KB - 327 downloads) tidying up the rust 4.JPG (85KB - 333 downloads) tidying up the rust 4a.JPG (85KB - 327 downloads) tidying up the rust 6.JPG (74KB - 329 downloads) tidying up the rust 8.JPG (50KB - 337 downloads) tidying up the rust 10.JPG (92KB - 327 downloads) tidying up the rust 11.JPG (78KB - 316 downloads) tidying up the rust 12.JPG (72KB - 323 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | The 2.5 x 12 brakes were standard fare on all big body Chryslers and DeSotos. If memory serves,The Dodge and Firesweep (total Dodge chassis) got 2.5? x 11's on the front and 2 x 11's out back. Plymouth got 2 x 11's all the way around. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Thanks Doc it's good to know. I have them put away in the DeSoto section of the shed. I intend to run a set of PBR discs on the front with 290 mm rotors. (100_7176.jpg) (100_5093.jpg) (100_7179.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 100_7176.jpg (110KB - 324 downloads) 100_5093.jpg (108KB - 337 downloads) 100_7179.jpg (114KB - 350 downloads) | ||
BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | Nice Work! This thing is REALLY coming a long way. Keep the pics coming. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Nice Work! This thing is REALLY coming a long way. Keep the pics coming. Thanks for the encouragement Rick, it's getting to the exciting stage now with the shell and the chassis close to coming back together (for a fitting at least)!!! Bob | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Nice Work! This thing is REALLY coming a long way. Keep the pics coming. ----- -Rick As requested here are a couple more shots. The chassis was in good condition but had scratches and dents here and there from its working life. The chassis was powder coated in black (twice but thats another story) There are a some subtle mods so see if you can pick them. cheers Bob Edited by earleebob1 2012-01-02 5:42 PM (chassis 2.jpg) (chassis 3.jpg) (chassis 7.jpg) (chassis 6.jpg) (chassis 8.jpg) (06052011006.jpg) (06052011005.jpg) Attachments ---------------- chassis 2.jpg (134KB - 330 downloads) chassis 3.jpg (117KB - 326 downloads) chassis 7.jpg (71KB - 312 downloads) chassis 6.jpg (68KB - 323 downloads) chassis 8.jpg (63KB - 330 downloads) 06052011006.jpg (59KB - 308 downloads) 06052011005.jpg (68KB - 326 downloads) | ||
floyd066 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 347 Location: Ocean Park, Washington | These shots really let me see the job I will have repairing my body. They give me hope. Thanks for all your effort and your sharing. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | These shots really let me see the job I will have repairing my body. They give me hope. Thanks for all your effort and your sharing. It's a pleasure and I'm sure you can all identify with the effort involved in bringing one of these sleeping beautys back to life - it takes a bit more than a princes' kiss!!!!! The above photos believe it or not are the distillation of more than 2 years work so far! Bob | ||
Fins/413 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 530 Location: Wake Forest, NC | Beautiful work. I've got a general question, why do folks put a coat of primer on before they do the body work? I've seen this in photos of several restorations. Thanks. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Beautiful work. I've got a general question, why do folks put a coat of primer on before they do the body work? I've seen this in photos of several restorations. Thanks. ----- Fins/413 Hi Eric, as you can see from the photos a lot of body filler had to be scraped off leaving the bare metal. If it was repaired straight away there would be no need to prime first, but with such large areas this is not practical and the panels could become rusty on the raw porous surface. The Deoxydene etch primer also shows up the imperfections better. Once the shell was sandblasted, the very thin corroded panels had become more obvious but had to be sealed before each 'lacy' section could be addressed. My spray painter is paranoid about surface rust preventing good paint adhesion even if the rust is sanded off before primer is applied. I wasn't even allowed to touch the blasted raw metal with my bare hands before it was sealed. Here in Brisbane it is quite humid and we have been known to get a lot of rain ( remember last summers floods). Thanks for your interest, Bob. | ||
ronbo97 |
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Expert Posts: 4036 Location: Connecticut | Fins/413 - 2012-01-03 7:06 AM Beautiful work. I've got a general question, why do folks put a coat of primer on before they do the body work? I've seen this in photos of several restorations. Thanks. After sandblasting, you are left with bare metal. Unless you live where there is 0% humidity, that bare metal will start rusting shortly after being exposed to the air. The epoxy primer is a barrier coat to keep that from happening. Modern epoxy primers are designed to accept body filler, unlike primers of years ago. There is also an etching component in the primer to neutralize any microscopic rust that is left after blasting. Ron Edited by ronbo97 2012-01-03 4:53 PM | ||
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 | In Re: pic #341, the 12" x 2 1/2" brakes were the largest size that were offered in the FWDLK era. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | In Re: pic #341, the 12" x 2 1/2" brakes were the largest size that were offered in the FWDLK era. Thanks Neil I'm going to have a look at putting them on my '58 Firesweep then I can do up the old ones as a spare. | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Great work, Bob! It's always wonderful to see DeSotos going to a good home! You're going to have a couple of great cars, thanks to all of your hard work. Thanks for posting the photos...and please keep them coming! | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Rosy, at last someone with a 57 DeSoto two door! Is that your black and white? Thanks for your post it is encouraging to see the interest in the 57s!!!!! Bob (front guard stripping.jpg) (guards stripped and sealed.jpg) (rear guards straightened and sealed.jpg) (rear guards straightened and sealed2.jpg) Attachments ---------------- front guard stripping.jpg (128KB - 333 downloads) guards stripped and sealed.jpg (113KB - 334 downloads) rear guards straightened and sealed.jpg (78KB - 330 downloads) rear guards straightened and sealed2.jpg (61KB - 349 downloads) | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | I found a few more progress shots of the '57 Flite. These were taken late last year in one of the fitouts. John Dawson, who is now doing the panel work refuses to do anything but the best quality work (he is actually fussier than me, the Virgo!). His brother, Ian is doing all the paint work and is just as anal when it comes to quality. Hopefully, you will soon see the fruits of their labour. (57 flite outside worhshop.jpg) (57 flite outside worhshop2.jpg) (57 flite outside worhshop3.jpg) (57 flite outside worhshop4.jpg) (57 flite outside worhshop5.jpg) (57 flite outside worhshop6.jpg) (57 flite outside worhshop7.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 57 flite outside worhshop.jpg (108KB - 319 downloads) 57 flite outside worhshop2.jpg (98KB - 321 downloads) 57 flite outside worhshop3.jpg (110KB - 325 downloads) 57 flite outside worhshop4.jpg (123KB - 329 downloads) 57 flite outside worhshop5.jpg (111KB - 326 downloads) 57 flite outside worhshop6.jpg (110KB - 319 downloads) 57 flite outside worhshop7.jpg (132KB - 300 downloads) | ||
Handygun |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1118 Location: STL, MO | What happened to the DeS motor? Great work BTW. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | What happened to the DeS motor? Great work BTW The old 341 motor is on a pallet stored in the desoto part of the workshop. It was NOT the original engine but an S25 out of a firedome. It had grenaded itself long before I bought the vehicle. As you can see in the pictures it has plenty of crank case ventilation via the sump. (S25 engine from flite.jpg) (100_4117.jpg) (100_4118.jpg) Attachments ---------------- S25 engine from flite.jpg (111KB - 342 downloads) 100_4117.jpg (116KB - 342 downloads) 100_4118.jpg (118KB - 334 downloads) | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | earleebob1 - 2012-01-04 3:58 PM Rosy, at last someone with a 57 DeSoto two door! Is that your black and white? Thanks for your post it is encouraging to see the interest in the 57s!!!!! Bob Yes, Bob, that is my much beloved '57 Firesweep. I'll attach a photo or two for inspiration. If you haven't already, you must also google "Ed Petrus 1957, the ultimate 1957 DeSoto site" for tons of great info and even more inspiration! "DeSoto and Barbaro, the race horse" Edited by FIN ME 2012-01-07 10:37 AM (WT2 OCT 02 2011.jpg) Attachments ---------------- WT2 OCT 02 2011.jpg (439KB - 342 downloads) | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Oops...that photo was a tad large! Have you made a final decision as to what colours your DeSotos will be when they are all done? I am really looking forward to the photos of your completed cars! | ||
floyd066 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 347 Location: Ocean Park, Washington | Not too many cars look good with skirts, but yours does. Great LARGE picture!!! | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | G'day Rosy, thank you for the great photo. What a striking car. I also think the skirts finish it off. The shot is a little bit large for me to view without scrolling but I will be downloading and printing it for the wall of my workshop. I have visited Ed Petrus' site often and infact Ed has been most helpful with my project. He, like many on this site, know soo much about these beautiful big-finned autos. There are those that say "Cars, like gloves, should be black or white" and your 'Sweep is a great example ot this!! From the start, my Fireflite was going to be classic Red and White, just like all the advertising posters of the day. Having seen all the colour combinations available from the cars on this and Ed's site, it has been hard to make a final decision. With a car this size, the colour combination has to be BRIGHT and BOLD especially with all that CHROME. Ian (my spray painter), has been kind enough to spray some test colours on one of the front guards. Ed Petrus has also gone to some trouble to track down the PPG paint numbers of some original 'Flite colours and found me the code for the original "cloud white". I have attached a photo of what I hope my car will look like (paintwise anyway). The guys start back at work on the car next Monday, so hopefully I will have some progress pix to post soon. cheers Bob Edited by earleebob1 2012-01-07 3:33 PM (my goal.jpg) (test colour 'HipHop red'.jpg) Attachments ---------------- my goal.jpg (223KB - 338 downloads) test colour 'HipHop red'.jpg (80KB - 319 downloads) | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Thank you, John and Bob. That red and white and CHROME combination is going to be beautiful! I've been to Australia, Bob, and I'm way jealous 'cause not only do you live in one wonderful country, you have TWO grrrreat cars! | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | WARNING: THESE PHOTOS MAY DISTRESS SOME VIEWERS! As the '57 will have over 500HP, I decided to go RHD (not that you have to here anymore) as I would feel more in control on a familiar side of the car in case it 'stepped out' under power! The Hemi is a 1957 Chrysler 392 cu in which I had built in Daytona USA and shipped here. Converting the dash and steering to RHD has been by far the MOST expensive part of the restoration so far, but it will leave people scratching their heads – I hope! Edited by earleebob1 2012-01-10 6:44 PM (jigsaw dash motor .JPG) (jigsaw dash 1.jpg) (jigsaw dash 2.jpg) (jigsaw dash 3.jpg) (jigsaw dash 4.jpg) (jigsaw dash 5.jpg) (jigsaw dash 6.jpg) (jigsaw dash 6a.jpg) (jigsaw dash 7.jpg) (jigsaw dash 8.jpg) (jigsaw dash 9.jpg) (jigsaw dash 10.jpg) (jigsaw dash 10a .jpg) (jigsaw dash 12.jpg) (jigsaw dash 13.jpg) (jigsaw dash 14.jpg) (jigsaw dash 15.jpg) (jigsaw dash 16.jpg) (jigsaw dash 17.jpg) (jigsaw dash 18.jpg) (jigsaw dash 19.jpg) (jigsaw dash 20.jpg) Attachments ---------------- jigsaw dash motor .JPG (77KB - 343 downloads) jigsaw dash 1.jpg (106KB - 336 downloads) jigsaw dash 2.jpg (130KB - 343 downloads) jigsaw dash 3.jpg (137KB - 343 downloads) jigsaw dash 4.jpg (122KB - 332 downloads) jigsaw dash 5.jpg (124KB - 318 downloads) jigsaw dash 6.jpg (117KB - 321 downloads) jigsaw dash 6a.jpg (123KB - 334 downloads) jigsaw dash 7.jpg (94KB - 339 downloads) jigsaw dash 8.jpg (115KB - 343 downloads) jigsaw dash 9.jpg (128KB - 324 downloads) jigsaw dash 10.jpg (109KB - 363 downloads) jigsaw dash 10a .jpg (105KB - 357 downloads) jigsaw dash 12.jpg (90KB - 336 downloads) jigsaw dash 13.jpg (102KB - 322 downloads) jigsaw dash 14.jpg (104KB - 347 downloads) jigsaw dash 15.jpg (104KB - 330 downloads) jigsaw dash 16.jpg (97KB - 328 downloads) jigsaw dash 17.jpg (105KB - 337 downloads) jigsaw dash 18.jpg (82KB - 326 downloads) jigsaw dash 19.jpg (105KB - 331 downloads) jigsaw dash 20.jpg (69KB - 341 downloads) | ||
Great Lakes Belv |
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Veteran Posts: 225 Location: Michigan | W O W !!! This thread just gets better and better, I tip my hat to you sir. Amazing | ||
ThomasD500 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 508 Location: Orlando | Where in Daytona did you have your motor built, if you don't mind me asking? | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | G'day Tom the Hemi was built by DAD Daytona Auto Designing run by Joe Bergeron. He and his son built the motor. I visited him when it was almost completed to meet him and check on the work. He is a Hemi man through and through and a nice bloke to boot! Here is a link to one of the test and tune videos. The engine is started about 1.20 min into the clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u133upcVgBY | ||
oldefar |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 708 Location: Fredrikstad, Norway. (Europe) | Thank you very much for all the pictures. This is really what i like. Couldn't find anything better on any site. Don't see much of this in this country anymore. Garagelife was very good a while back. At times, even better than cruising. Haven't been able to work in the garage for a while because my "black hole" now is my houses and properties. Really want to go back to the garage now, instead of moving out of the country. But, unfortunately, I am not going to be 200 years or more, of which I would have to be to restore all my projects. Aint gettin' any younger ither. Just looking at that empty bodyshell makes my heart jump. The '56 to '61 Desotos are sooo beautyful, especially the '57 models. Sight. old fart | ||
ThomasD500 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 508 Location: Orlando | earleebob1 - 2012-01-10 7:23 PM G'day Tom the Hemi was built by DAD Daytona Auto Designing run by Joe Bergeron. He and his son built the motor. I visited him when it was almost completed to meet him and check on the work. He is a Hemi man through and through and a nice bloke to boot! Here is a link to one of the test and tune videos. The engine is started about 1.20 min into the clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u133upcVgBY I had him rebuild my 325 Dodge hemi. I just got it back last weekend. I visited him on a regular basis watching the progress on my motor. I agree, he is a good 'bloke' ;) Here are a couple pics of my motor:
(PIC_0394.jpg) (PIC_0395-1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- PIC_0394.jpg (164KB - 331 downloads) PIC_0395-1.jpg (193KB - 334 downloads) | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | At the rate I'm going your engine will be started up before mine! I see your Hemi has the same trademark silver grey colour as mine!! | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | AMAZING work! You are fearless, my friend. | ||
big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7806 Location: Williams California | Excellent work!!!! ---John | ||
BarnFind57 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 957 Location: Signal Mountain, TN | VERY NICE WORK!!!! Really enjoying this thread myself. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | Thank you everyone for the favourable comments, I wasn't sure how the butchering of the dash would be received! The dash work ws carried our by a brilliant Australian fabricator by the name of Paul Kelly who has built several custom rods, 'lead sleds' and show cars. The 18 or so photos dont really do justice to the amount of work and design involved. Unlike the easily swappable Dodge (or even Mustang) dashes, almost everything had to be re-made in mirror image because it sloped the wrong way. The windscreen wiper actuators had to be totally redesigned so that they didnt foul on the steering column and Vintage Air A/C. I was determined to have a push button tranny and, that it had to look like it was meant to be there. The second phase of the dash reconstruction was undertaken by John Dawson, who has restored and Bob Hamiltonized a couple of my other cars including a very quick '56 Holden (baby chevy) sleeper equiped with a 450HP six cyl M3 BMW engine and g'box ( but that's another story). After Kelly became ill, John stepped in to finish the dash and indeed the rest of the project. | ||
b5rt |
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Expert Posts: 2519 Location: central Illinois | Man that's a whole lot of extra work just to drive on the wrong side. Just kidding. That Hemi sounds pretty good. I'm wondering about hood clearance/air cleaner issues. Looking mighty fine!!! | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | LOL Greg, I was waiting for that comment! I resisted the urge to remind all of the 'left hook' people of the error of their ways as I'm sure it has been said before. I do have the advantage of having two DeSotos (book-ends) one LHD and one the way God intended RHD! I have provided some photos for all those who have difficulty coming to grips with this driving concept. I had this same problem with Beta vs VHS, cassettes vs 8 Track and IBM vs Apple. In all cases the better option was ignored and the inferior system adopted!!! As far as the bonnet (oops hood) clearance on the motor, Joe (DAD) stuck the air ram on while he was testing for appearance but he did forget about how little clearance we have with the high-rise manifold and velocity enhancing spacers. Even without the ram or the 1" spacers, we have only 670 mm (2 3/4") from the top of the carbs to the bonnet (er.. hood). It is going to be tight but I have decided to use two modified 4BBL desoto adventurer low profile units. If worst comes to worst we will mill some meat off the inlet manifold. Edited by earleebob1 2012-01-12 10:17 AM (11102011746 flip.JPG) (21102011795 flip.JPG) (jigsaw a.jpg) (09122011973.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 11102011746 flip.JPG (54KB - 324 downloads) 21102011795 flip.JPG (50KB - 329 downloads) jigsaw a.jpg (79KB - 334 downloads) 09122011973.jpg (72KB - 336 downloads) | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Your project runs counter to my sensibilities, but it is impressive work, nonetheless. Enjoying this thread a lot. | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | What are you trying to say, Doc! Glad you are enjoying the thread | ||
earleebob |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1120 Location: Brisbane, Australia | The final part of the RHD conversion was the fitting of the power steering unit which was transplanted from a Toyota Crown. To facilitate this we had to reposition the engine and at the same time lower it in the engine bay to permit the carbs to clear the hood. The engine originally was offset 1 1/2" to the right to clear the original p'steering unit so we moved it 3" to the left. Some further adjustments were necessary to the drive train for all this to line up. Edited by earleebob1 2012-01-13 10:27 PM (11102011744b.jpg) (21102011790b.jpg) (21102011792b.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 11102011744b.jpg (68KB - 327 downloads) 21102011790b.jpg (69KB - 345 downloads) 21102011792b.jpg (74KB - 357 downloads) | ||
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