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1958 Fireflite Convertible
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2016-05-14 9:48 PM (#511588 - in reply to #511559)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
No cars in the living room, sorry ....

If you like the lamps, you're going to love the bathroom I am building. Look for it
in the Making Neil Proud thread as it comes together. Currently rolling rafters for the
roof.
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Chrys 68
Posted 2016-11-29 3:08 PM (#527489 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



Elite Veteran

Posts: 673
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Location: Malung, SWEDEN

Hi Doc! How is it in the shop? I´m curious  to know if something new has happened with the DeSoto.

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hemidenis
Posted 2016-11-29 8:50 PM (#527506 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



Expert

Posts: 3887
20001000500100100100252525
Location: Northen Virginia
me too, last time we saw it it was in pieces...
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2016-11-30 2:02 AM (#527523 - in reply to #527506)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
I got a roof on the shop the first Sunday in November (after the wettest
October on record ! )

The DeSoto is happily sitting there as always. It is broken down a little, ...
the fenders are off, and the rear is still not emtirely back together. With the
new 2nd floor on the shop, much of the "clutter" on the 1st floor can/has been
organized and put away, allowing much more free space to work on the cars.
I have heat and a roof over me, so now I can work on whatever I want WHEN
I want !

I spent tonight putting the transmission together on my Model T. Got as far
as the bands and triple gears. Will probably finish that project next Tuesday
night ? I really want to have that truck ready to go play next summer, so that
is my car priority. But I am sure the DeSoto and Plaza will get some attention
over the winter. The Plaza is ready for final body work and the DeSoto is mid-
project on wheel tub/lower 1/4 reconstruction of the passenger side, ... easy
to pick up at any point to continue.

I'll post pix when I get to working on it.


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60 Imp
Posted 2016-12-02 5:56 AM (#527713 - in reply to #527523)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible


2000100050025
Location: North Australia
Good work Doctor.
It's good when a plan comes together. I am keen to see your handiwork, F0rd, barn and bathroom all.

Steve.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2016-12-02 1:03 PM (#527732 - in reply to #527713)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
This is a late season street photo of the shop. Whole 2nd floor over
the front half of the building was built this year. A low pitch temporary
roof will kee the elements out for this winter. Next summer I'll build
the eleborate permanent roof.

The bathroom involves a reversal of the old 12/12 pitch roof to a 2/12
"flying V" type. The long range plan is the do the whole house like this,
with a 1/12 downslope on the other side. Being a bath, I only used clere-
-story windows for light. The rest would be more open. I am currently
fabricating counter supports to hold the free-flying countertop. That set,
I can make hard plans for outlet locations, mirror, and tile. It will all be
no-hold-barred Googie, so exacting plans and measurements are critical.

The old truck engine is moving along nicely.




(shoptemproof16oct 2016.jpg)



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Attachments DSC04661.jpg (88KB - 633 downloads)
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60 Imp
Posted 2016-12-12 6:44 AM (#528465 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: RE: 1958 Fireflite Convertible


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Location: North Australia
Some nice looking work there Amigo. What is the plan with the Big Block 4 cylinder?

I hear the weather is cooling off a bit?? Better get her finished and haul some wood maybe?



Steve.

Edited by 60 Imp 2016-12-12 6:46 AM
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hemidenis
Posted 2016-12-12 7:59 AM (#528469 - in reply to #386187)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



Expert

Posts: 3887
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Location: Northen Virginia
Model T, Plaza, Fireflite, Shop construction, darn... that got to be a chunk of change like Jay Leno's Garage budget!
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2016-12-12 8:09 PM (#528513 - in reply to #528469)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Lumber is cheap, compared to hiring the work done. My hired
hand hasn't been paid in 50+ years and it seems just letting him
hang around this old stuff is payment enough.

Same thing goes for the work on the cars. Do it yourself, it isn't
that much money out of pocket.

The four-banger is a stock Model T engine (the original) from my
truck. I blasted No.1 and 2 rod bearings in it last year while hauling
a very heavy load of paving bricks. The front oiler catch funnel had
plugged up with cast off fuzz from the bands and starved the front
for oil. No damage was done, but I stuffed a spare engine in it and
began work to build the engine for speed/power. Changing out the
rear gears and adding an overdrive transmission, I will take it from
a 20mph max vehicle to a 55mph vehicle. Not that I'd ever want to
go that fast in that truck (limited braking potential), but for open road
excusions it might be nice to pull 45 or so.

Cooling off ? We were down in the single digits (fahrenheit) last week
and are going there again tomorrow. That's OK. I have heat and a roof
over head. It isn't done yet, but it works !



Edited by Doctor DeSoto 2016-12-12 8:12 PM
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2017-04-18 1:15 AM (#538288 - in reply to #528513)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
Well, it is spring and plans keep pushing forward. The bathroom is
plumbed, wired, insulated, sheetrocked, finished, painted, and today
I will order floor tiles and the glass shower tile shortly.

The engine was completed and run on the test stand about 8 weeks
ago. With the balance (they were not balanced originally), it ran SO
smooth. Real happy.

With that done, I revisited the partially rebuilt rear end and got it
finished. Pulled the old rear end from the truck yesterday. I can swap
a Forward Look rear end in 2 hours. This one took all day just to get
it out. Rather complicated.

While the Forward Look cars remain out there a few large steps, the
steps before them keep getting picked away and they keep getting
closer to the front burner.
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2017-09-09 11:43 AM (#548036 - in reply to #538288)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: The Mile High City
Alrighty Doc: give us an update and let us discuss. Has the Fireflite flame dimmed a bit? What's going on?
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2017-09-09 1:14 PM (#548043 - in reply to #548036)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
It was always my dream to drive the wheels off the DeSoto. But
having already had it hit by a crackhead driver, leaving me entirely
on the hook for repair costs, and the ever escalating value of the car,
cost (or outright inability to get parts) and I am growing less and
less enthusiastic about restoring it, only to place it out on the roads
again to either get it hit once more or have parts stolen off it, should
I leave it parked somewhere. How secure do you think a 58 Fireflite
convertible would be, left at the Hanc0ck trailhead for a day, while
I hike up to Alpine Tunnel ??? Or out in the middle of nowhere in
Wyoming, while I go dig along the old Transcontinental railroad ???
These are the things I want to do with the car. I have no interest
in hanging around car shows or keeping a six-figure paperweight
around to hold down the shop floor. I'd rather see someone else
get some pleasure out of owning it.

It seems the car show and "collection" guys have finally won the
game, and while I fantazised of bucking the trend, it looks like all
these incredible rarities are destined for museum status and will
never be regular drivers again. I think it is time.
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2017-09-09 8:25 PM (#548071 - in reply to #548043)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: The Mile High City
Doc, while I can sympathize with you about the crack-head drivers (see several threads), I don't think you have to worry much about thieves either making off with the De Soto or stealing parts from it. Like you, I much prefer the drive to the show. I've taken the family on several trips and I regularly take the car to the mountains. People don't mess with it. They like to check it out.

The crack-heads are an ever increasing worry, especially with the cell phone use - but I just try to stay on the two-lanes as much as I can. I tell you what: I think you need your batteries recharged. Why don't you come out to Denver next summer and we can drive the De Soto a good long ways. That might do the trick!
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2017-09-11 12:15 AM (#548127 - in reply to #548071)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: Parts Unknown
As much as I love the car as rolling art and for the rarity and
incredible design, I really want to stick a manual trans in it and
other things that really go against my better senses about what
a special car should have. I already have that in my Coronet,
and the Plaza fills the special "fin need". I have a shop/house
to finish and so many other projects. It boils down to a quality
vs. quantity argument, and kinda like giving up one's child for
adoption as the best future for the kid, I think the DeSoto would
be better off as a rare historic vehicle in the hands of someone
who would restore it properly. At 56, how many vehicles and
houses and other things can I afford the time and money to
restore and then actually go enjoy them ?
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2017-09-12 9:06 PM (#548258 - in reply to #548127)
Subject: Re: 1958 Fireflite Convertible



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Location: The Mile High City
Doctor DeSoto - 2017-09-10 10:15 PM

At 56, how many vehicles and
houses and other things can I afford the time and money to
restore and then actually go enjoy them ?


Looking at Magnus' thread, you can do a lot with your time, Doc.
In the end, the De Soto is just an object. It is not a child, it is not a love.
I guess if it is time to let it go, so be it. Get it done quick and complete, though.
If it is just not time, you seem to have the room. Enjoy it as much as you can.
It is a tough call. The offer stands, though.
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