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Restoration of a Junkyard Rescue 1956 Fireflite Jump to page : 1 2 3 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | Creating this thread is something that I've been intending to do for some time now. I am hoping that by posting as progress is made, I can use it as an opportunity to both ask and answer questions. I know quite a bit about 1956 DeSotos, but there always seems to be something to learn. My goal with the car is to do a nut-and-bolt restoration on the car back to 100% factory original, with the one exception being a set of glasspacks. It came white/yellow as shown in the photos with the white/black/silver cloth & leather interior. The car was very stripped down for a Sportsman, coming with mostly only what was standard for the model. I will not be adding a bunch of options and intend to stick with the factory colors and options. History of the car: According to FCA, the car was sold new at Wheeler Motor Co. in Ada, OK. The ten years following are still currently unknown as I have not found a way to track down the original owner or owners. Nevertheless, the car did not have an easy first ten years because by about 1966, the car ended up in an Oklahoma junkyard. From tearing down the engine later on and finding a badly bent crank and a broken main cap (shown below), I would have to say that someone was really beating on the car and that's why it ended up in a junkyard. Anyhow, after only about a year of being in the yard, a fellow named Bob Merritt from Kansas bought the car (amongst other salvageable cars) and stashed it in a building. The car sat until sometime in the late seventies/early eighties when the building collapsed from snow on the roof. Several cars were totaled while others only suffered minor damage. The DeSoto ended up with a crushed roof and a large dent across the hood and passenger fender. At this point, the car was sold to a fellow in Indiana, just outside of Chicago. He began the process of restoring the car, doing some minor body work and paint on the rear of the car, including replacing the roof. He also had the seats and door panels re-done, the bumpers/guards/parking light housings re-chromed, and a Firedome motor partially re-built. He also located another fender and hood to replace the dented parts. At this point, he lost interest in the car and put it up for sale. In November 2002, my father purchased the car. After sitting for a while and me wanting a DeSoto, he sold me the car. On July 4, 2004, I officially began purchasing my first car at the age of 12. I didn't have much money at the time, but we decided to have the original engine rebuilt by a fellow who had done many early hemis and was starting to slow down in the number of motors he was rebuilding. We weren't in a hurry, so he worked on it on the side over the course of about a year and a half. He discovered the bad crank and broken main cap. Luckily though, the block was not cracked and I have since confirmed (I was 99% sure before) that the engine is original to the car. After that, the car sat virtually untouched for a few years while I was in high school. As I started college, I still didn't have much money, but I did have my summers free. So over the course of the 4 or so years going to school for engineering, I started to finish the motor. After progressing a bit, I discovered some things I wasn't happy with internally, such as lack of assembly lube and seized/dirty rockers. I can only chalk it up to the builder's declining health and memory because I know he had quite a reputation. After reversing some of my progress (I tore the engine down to the internals), I started assembling again. After graduating from college in February 2015 and paying off student loans, I started saving for body and paint work (I fully admit I cannot do this work and wouldn't start on this car even if I learned). As of now, the car is scheduled to go to have this done this coming winter. In the meantime, after about 5 years of working on free weekends and evenings, the engine and transmission are nearing completion and almost ready for starting on the stand. Enjoy the photos below showing everything up to now and I will post more as progress is made! Edit: I am considerably older now (24) and the car has been stored inside for a number of years. Edited by Fireflite56 2016-08-31 12:08 AM (100_0330a.jpg) (100_0322a.jpg) (desoto engines on dyno.jpg) (exhaust manifolds.jpg) (rockers.jpg) (IMG_1499a.jpg) (IMG_1736a.jpg) (IMG_2561a.jpg) (IMG_2565a.jpg) (IMG_2597a.jpg) (IMG_2730a.jpg) (IMG_2790a.JPG) (IMG_2780a.jpg) (IMG_2782a.jpg) (IMG_2798a.JPG) (IMG_2800a.jpg) (IMG_3012a.jpg) (IMG_3385a.jpg) (IMG_3386a.jpg) (IMG_3387a.jpg) (IMG_3389a.jpg) (IMG_3485a.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 100_0330a.jpg (401KB - 571 downloads) 100_0322a.jpg (327KB - 588 downloads) desoto engines on dyno.jpg (144KB - 590 downloads) exhaust manifolds.jpg (80KB - 580 downloads) rockers.jpg (101KB - 595 downloads) IMG_1499a.jpg (371KB - 594 downloads) IMG_1736a.jpg (455KB - 576 downloads) IMG_2561a.jpg (444KB - 578 downloads) IMG_2565a.jpg (398KB - 569 downloads) IMG_2597a.jpg (441KB - 594 downloads) IMG_2730a.jpg (469KB - 584 downloads) IMG_2790a.JPG (44KB - 579 downloads) IMG_2780a.jpg (384KB - 591 downloads) IMG_2782a.jpg (342KB - 586 downloads) IMG_2798a.JPG (58KB - 635 downloads) IMG_2800a.jpg (420KB - 588 downloads) IMG_3012a.jpg (420KB - 596 downloads) IMG_3385a.jpg (406KB - 593 downloads) IMG_3386a.jpg (366KB - 581 downloads) IMG_3387a.jpg (341KB - 574 downloads) IMG_3389a.jpg (409KB - 572 downloads) IMG_3485a.jpg (481KB - 562 downloads) | ||
soiouz |
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Expert Posts: 3480 Location: Montreal, Canada | Great work, nice pics and car! | ||
ronbo97 |
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Expert Posts: 4042 Location: Connecticut | Great colors. Yellow/white has always been a favorite combination of mine. Enjoy the journey. BTW, the red Fireflite lettering for the spark plug covers is available as decals from a vendor on ebay. If I find the link, I'll post it. Ron | ||
SavoyPlaza |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1172 Location: Georgia | Excellent work thus far, David. Good story, too! Keep us updated with your progress. This looks like it will be a lifetime car for you! I've still got a '62 Belvedere I bought in 1989, I just drove her to breakfast this morning. Pete | ||
wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13049 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Nice work and good to see some young guys in this hobby! I'll be watching the progress and so will many more... | ||
DepsilonD |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 792 Location: Buena Park, CA | Great story and excellent work. I will be following along with your build. | ||
57desoto |
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Expert Posts: 1488 Location: New Castle PA | As with everyone else, I say "WAY TO GO!!!" | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | Glad to see a youngin keeping these cars alive!!! Now, get back to work. lol | ||
moparsteve |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1155 Location: somerville mass | excellent work man! drivetrain looks good correct and clean... how is the interior? push button 2 spd powerflite no less! 55 had a toggle lever shifter on the dash...do you have any extra trim/emblems like "powerflite"? what options does it have? order away! put the drive train in and get it running.... prob brakes exhaust are def. needed.... good to see you young guys pick up where you dad or grandfather left off! i was born in 54 so this car is 60 years old if a 25 yr old guy bought it new hed be 85 now! a few fwd look members here have left us so a few o us nd to teach the young depending how many cars survive and availibility of parts. good job... a lot of desoto fans here esp doctor desoto! be sure to see a 1956 marx bros desoto show/commercial! | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | I thought that big smile looked familiar. If he's the David I think he is, he comes by his talents naturally, growing up in a real tried and true DeSoto family. Great family, and a super great young man who is very enthusiastic and very knowledgeable. Happy to see you here, David, and to see the work that you've been doing on your wonderful '56! It's going to be classy! David putting the final touches on his parents' perfect '58 Adventurer just a few years ago: . Edited by FIN ME 2016-09-01 4:36 PM (adventurer58.jpg) Attachments ---------------- adventurer58.jpg (153KB - 572 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | Thanks everyone for all the kind words! Rosy, you are absolutely right, I am a 4th generation DeSoto owner (though a slight correction here is that the Adventurer is actually my aunt and uncle's car). As requested, the car came with the following: Power steering (standard on a Fireflite) Power brakes (standard on a Fireflite) Standard AM radio with single manual antenna (standard on a Fireflite) Windshield washer Cloth/leather interior (standard on a Fireflite) Visor windshield trim (standard on a Fireflite Sportsman) E-brake light (optional) Solex (tinted) glass (optional) Prismatic (day/night) rear view mirror (optional) Rear license plate frame (this is the 3-piece unit) I don't have the paperwork in front of me, but I believe it also came with a rear speaker. Also, the options list calls for "exterior mirror" which is indicated that on a Sportsman or convertible would be a passenger mirror because the driver's is standard. However, I have found no signs of the car ever having had one. The car will get the two that it's technically coded for during the restoration. Overall, the car is very stripped down for a Fireflite Sportsman considering the clock, radio, interior (leather), antenna, power windows, power seat, and other such options the car could have come with. Edited by Fireflite56 2016-09-02 12:09 AM | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Fireflite56 - 2016-09-02 12:08 AM ...the Adventurer is actually my aunt and uncle's car... Oops...I forgot that detail... Even David's extended family are DeSoto folks! Very nice car you have there; I'm hoping to see it in person one day. | ||
60 Finatic |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 481 Location: near St Augustine, FL | David, Not showing off the other treasures while still trying to corner the market? | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I think Dan is referring to the two cars I just bought in July. They had been sitting on a driveway since 1987. (1959s.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1959s.jpg (138KB - 545 downloads) | ||
Viper Guy |
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Expert Posts: 2003 Location: Branson, MO | Wow! And I thought I was a "dyed in the wool" DeSoto Guy. Nice - keep us posted with your progress. | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I took advantage of a 3-day weekend and made a lot of progress! A friend had fabricated a mount for the transmission tail so that we can run it on the stand and we attached that early Saturday morning. Other progress included plugging the hole for the power brake vacuum line, tightening the carburetor-intake studs and installing the carburetor (tightening of nuts pending a repaint of a bracket this week), installing the distributor (not bolted down), attaching the by-pass hose, and doing some miscellaneous bolt head touch-up. The starter was also re-installed after I re-painted the solenoid that was scratched during installation of the trans cooler lines. (IMG_3489a.jpg) Attachments ---------------- IMG_3489a.jpg (428KB - 549 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I have been putting a lot of time into this the past several weekends and I think this coming weekend may finally see the engine running! As you can see, I now have a coil and plug wires on (still need to be trimmed) with the correct style and color boots. The push-button cable is also re-installed, as are a few other small items. This past weekend, I turned a wrench on the actual car for the first time in several years. I wanted to pull the dash anyways and figured I could hook it up to the engine to monitor oil pressure when the motor is being broken in. I won't be reusing the harness as it is very dry, but I wanted to label the ends just in case I need to reference them later. This week, I'm taking care of a few final items, such as exhaust pipes, that should help get the engine ready for the weekend! (IMG_3655A.jpg) (IMG_3658A.jpg) (IMG_3632A.jpg) (IMG_3653A.jpg) Attachments ---------------- IMG_3655A.jpg (324KB - 543 downloads) IMG_3658A.jpg (312KB - 550 downloads) IMG_3632A.jpg (265KB - 545 downloads) IMG_3653A.jpg (360KB - 538 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | Once left for dead, this motor is running for the first time in half a century! This video was the first shot at starting it and it fired up with authority! Not so much as a sputter and we didn't even have to touch timing or carb adjustments after starting it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5fqV46uVt8 | ||
60 Imp |
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Location: North Australia | Oh Yeah. That looks and sounds good. Nice work. Looking forward to the next installment............. Steve. | ||
oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | Ya done well. Since your close to being finished with that one you'll need another Sportsman. This one is For Sale here in Arkansas. Edited by oldwood 2016-10-18 11:51 AM (060.JPG) Attachments ---------------- 060.JPG (198KB - 545 downloads) | ||
wizard |
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+ Posts: 13049 Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Great progress! Very nice video, the engine sounds good and strong. | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | This weekend, my '56 saw the light of day for the first time in over 8 years. We have since removed most of the front clip in preparation for temporarily installing the engine/transmission. I am doing this so that it can be transported to where the body/paint work will be done so that the completed engine/trans can be installed before the front clip. Edited by Fireflite56 2016-10-23 8:42 PM ('56 - garage.jpg) Attachments ---------------- '56 - garage.jpg (83KB - 534 downloads) | ||
DieselJeep |
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Regular Posts: 86 | That is awesome. Congrats on getting her running, and into the sunshine again! | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Great progress! It's going to be soooooo awesome.... | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | The engine is temporarily installed (for transportation) and the car is pretty much ready for the body/paint work. This is the one major part of the restoration that I know I can't do myself at this time. I would like to learn, but not on this car. (Engine Installation.jpg) (Engine Installed.jpg) (Factory Marking.jpg) (Window Trim.jpg) (1956 DeSoto.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Engine Installation.jpg (68KB - 527 downloads) Engine Installed.jpg (78KB - 526 downloads) Factory Marking.jpg (37KB - 538 downloads) Window Trim.jpg (83KB - 551 downloads) 1956 DeSoto.jpg (63KB - 534 downloads) | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Ahhhhhhh...the "what did I get myself into stage"... I can't wait to see her all painted up and shiny, being the bling junkie that I am. Sorry if you've already commented on this, but how's the body? Need any straightening? My car needed a very slight adjustment by the blocker. Good work! | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | Rosy, Fortunately most of the car has never been touched as far as body and paint go, so I know nothing's hiding. Because a building had collapsed on it back in the '70's, the hood that is on it will replace the original, the passenger fender will be replaced, and the roof has already been replaced. There are a few small dents and creases (you can see one at the bottom of the fender). There may be a few pinholes in the front floor pans from water getting in and sitting, as well as a tiny amount of filler in the dog legs. Other than that, the car is super solid! The photo with the trim inside the car is a good illustration of this. | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Solid, brother! | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I am excited to announce that the car was picked up for body/paint work this past weekend! This will be a high-quality, frame-off procedure. Here are a few photos from my own documentation of the car before it departed. Edited by Fireflite56 2016-11-21 7:56 PM (IMG_3707A.jpg) (IMG_3714A.jpg) (IMG_3720A.jpg) (IMG_3746A.jpg) (IMG_3763A.jpg) (IMG_3768A.jpg) (IMG_3770A.jpg) (IMG_3780A.jpg) (IMG_3783A.jpg) (IMG_3772A.jpg) Attachments ---------------- IMG_3707A.jpg (337KB - 504 downloads) IMG_3714A.jpg (324KB - 494 downloads) IMG_3720A.jpg (390KB - 508 downloads) IMG_3746A.jpg (318KB - 502 downloads) IMG_3763A.jpg (247KB - 489 downloads) IMG_3768A.jpg (249KB - 492 downloads) IMG_3770A.jpg (246KB - 500 downloads) IMG_3780A.jpg (276KB - 497 downloads) IMG_3783A.jpg (320KB - 500 downloads) IMG_3772A.jpg (203KB - 499 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I got the first batch of photos today! The car has been at Stellar Antique Auto Restorations in Kansas since right before Thanksgiving for the body/paint work. So far the only bad news is a cracked windshield (an accident during removal) and some rather unusual rust on the underside of the trunklid as shown in one of the photos below. I am working on getting wiring, battery cables, and a few other odds and ends on my end for when the work in Kansas is completed. Edit: The photo of the body is on arrival back in November. Edited by Fireflite56 2017-01-28 4:37 PM (31760384683_f5ab6b6bb2_z.jpg) (31760399223_079696dfb8_z.jpg) (32419293432_8696539278_z.jpg) (32419508362_6192272829_z.jpg) (32531533586_fda4b1ecd7_z.jpg) (32531633636_197fa548bd_z.jpg) (32572142815_a2be110cf5_z.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 31760384683_f5ab6b6bb2_z.jpg (64KB - 505 downloads) 31760399223_079696dfb8_z.jpg (70KB - 514 downloads) 32419293432_8696539278_z.jpg (71KB - 568 downloads) 32419508362_6192272829_z.jpg (70KB - 518 downloads) 32531533586_fda4b1ecd7_z.jpg (72KB - 503 downloads) 32531633636_197fa548bd_z.jpg (53KB - 516 downloads) 32572142815_a2be110cf5_z.jpg (70KB - 528 downloads) | ||
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3155 Location: NY & VT | Great work, it's going to be beautiful! I had inside trunk lid rust similar to that in a '61 Belvedere and a '58 DeSoto - it seems mice like to hide out in the winter in the stamped inner panel channels especially in the corners and their urine does a real number on the steel. They can be incredibly destructive buggers, I bet that's what happened here. | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | A mouse getting into the trunk at some point is also my leading theory because the car is very clean otherwise. I meant to post this quite a while ago since I've had it since June, but this is my build card decoded from FCA. I had been able to decode all the options on my own already, but in addition to confirming what I decoded, it provided two additional pieces of information. It gave me the motor number (the only other way to obtain this is if you have the original owner's certificate that was stuck in the cover of the owner's manual), which I was able to match to the engine and confirm my strong suspicion that I had the original motor. It also gave me the original dealer's name, which I did not previously have. (FCA Historical - 1956 Fireflite.JPG) Attachments ---------------- FCA Historical - 1956 Fireflite.JPG (111KB - 495 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | A few additional photos from today showing the holes in the underside of the trunk and an unidentified trans leak (engine has not been run since October). Some small weak spots were also identified in the rockers, particularly where the door seal interfaces. (IMG_0771A.jpg) (IMG_0772A.jpg) (IMG_0773A.jpg) (IMG_0774A.jpg) (IMG_0778A.jpg) Attachments ---------------- IMG_0771A.jpg (115KB - 517 downloads) IMG_0772A.jpg (92KB - 498 downloads) IMG_0773A.jpg (79KB - 518 downloads) IMG_0774A.jpg (88KB - 538 downloads) IMG_0778A.jpg (125KB - 513 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I am a bit behind on posting, but the body came off the frame last Friday! (16807337_1269451733144351_8115515701073650541_n.jpg) (16831864_1269451749811016_4137376620586278928_n.jpg) (16831978_1269451766477681_3459201503707709868_n.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 16807337_1269451733144351_8115515701073650541_n.jpg (67KB - 502 downloads) 16831864_1269451749811016_4137376620586278928_n.jpg (101KB - 508 downloads) 16831978_1269451766477681_3459201503707709868_n.jpg (81KB - 482 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I received a fresh batch of photos today showing the progress of the body and paint work on the '56! The replacement passenger fender (to replace the original with the huge dent) was a good fender, but had an older, poorly done repair where it appears an antenna hole (should not have been on that fender) was once drilled. Tim removed the old patch and repaired it properly, using lead filler for final smoothing. The gas tank had 50+ year gas (chunks), but seems to be otherwise good! I had suspected the front floors may need a little attention from water retention at some point in the past. The photo of the passenger floor with the screwdriver through it confirms that. (32393904743_6a5e006bfd_z.jpg) (32393902923_16d4887cf2_z.jpg) (32393901433_8998f4728d_z.jpg) (32364606284_abc2d8fc60_z.jpg) (32826353410_66c8fd4ae4_z.jpg) (33208921765_f3991682af_z.jpg) (33081198371_74f6e4bc10_z.jpg) (33081139331_9d16fb8cf6_z.jpg) (33167325136_567e397d1e_z.jpg) (33208897855_97d72c4257_z.jpg) (33208816045_8117e5f1c9_z.jpg) (32364730764_46cd37c7bd_z.jpg) (33208949965_34f2aeaf5d_z.jpg) (33208949805_59825e2b2b_z.jpg) (33208949665_3ae3cc4536_z.jpg) (33208949535_237bb27163_z.jpg) (33052105602_ba75a15397_z.jpg) (33208825795_a0a1a2ed79_z.jpg) (32364596264_16e921ff16_z.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 32393904743_6a5e006bfd_z.jpg (81KB - 505 downloads) 32393902923_16d4887cf2_z.jpg (104KB - 479 downloads) 32393901433_8998f4728d_z.jpg (71KB - 505 downloads) 32364606284_abc2d8fc60_z.jpg (51KB - 495 downloads) 32826353410_66c8fd4ae4_z.jpg (139KB - 517 downloads) 33208921765_f3991682af_z.jpg (104KB - 513 downloads) 33081198371_74f6e4bc10_z.jpg (121KB - 492 downloads) 33081139331_9d16fb8cf6_z.jpg (80KB - 482 downloads) 33167325136_567e397d1e_z.jpg (79KB - 502 downloads) 33208897855_97d72c4257_z.jpg (92KB - 498 downloads) 33208816045_8117e5f1c9_z.jpg (84KB - 490 downloads) 32364730764_46cd37c7bd_z.jpg (98KB - 505 downloads) 33208949965_34f2aeaf5d_z.jpg (63KB - 483 downloads) 33208949805_59825e2b2b_z.jpg (98KB - 513 downloads) 33208949665_3ae3cc4536_z.jpg (61KB - 518 downloads) 33208949535_237bb27163_z.jpg (69KB - 485 downloads) 33052105602_ba75a15397_z.jpg (31KB - 514 downloads) 33208825795_a0a1a2ed79_z.jpg (40KB - 500 downloads) 32364596264_16e921ff16_z.jpg (29KB - 510 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | While my car is off getting the body and paint work done, I am tending to a few other projects for the car. The headliner sample sent from SMS was not correct, so I sent them a sample of the original headliner from the car, which I have included a photo of below in hopes that it may help someone else who does not have a good reference for a Fireflite Sportsman 2 Door. These are the small details that can normally be impossible to find in photographs on the internet. I also, with the help of a friend who repaired sound systems for a living, took apart the radio to test the different components as it was not working on the bench. I will be needing a new vibrator, light bulbs, and speaker wires. All of the mechanisms operate as they should and all of the tubes work! I will also need to polish up the dial arm and re-paint the white backing plate (made of tin) for the numbers. The chrome is extremely nice on this unit, so even for a rotisserie restoration, I won't be re-chroming it. Once the surround is re-painted and the car is back, it should be ready to pop into the dash and hook up! (IMG_3919A.jpg) (Radio A_1.jpg) (Radio C_1.jpg) Attachments ---------------- IMG_3919A.jpg (130KB - 499 downloads) Radio A_1.jpg (126KB - 492 downloads) Radio C_1.jpg (104KB - 486 downloads) | ||
The Chrysler Kid |
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Expert Posts: 1384 Location: Ocala, Florida | Wow, great car and great work! | ||
RUSTORICHES |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 494 Location: Alberta | This Desoto is my favourite , I just sold one like this at Christmas after removing the 354 Hemi someone had transplanted under the hood. If I was your age I'd probably be doing the same as you now. There's a lot of car here by the pound and well designed I was always attracted by the shift lever on the dash. I'm curious why the thermometer hook into the radio? | ||
Viper Guy |
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Expert Posts: 2003 Location: Branson, MO | Only the '55s had the shift lever on the dash. The '56 was the first year for the push buttons but, they too, were on the dash. | ||
RUSTORICHES |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 494 Location: Alberta | Here's a photo off the net if you're like me I spend a bit of time just admiring someone else's workmanship from time to time [full time] (55-desoto-hh-1.gif) Attachments ---------------- 55-desoto-hh-1.gif (107KB - 495 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | Randy - thanks! Glen - I was confused about your thermometer comment at first, but what I assume you are taking for a thermometer is actually the front glass cover with the station numbers on it. I removed it to access the light bulbs in the front, but left the wires connected. | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Looking really good, David! Looking forward to seeing this masterpiece in person some day. | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | Rosy - thanks! I look forward to having it at some of the NDC conventions when it's finished! Last Thursday (April 13), the shell made it to the media blaster and should be done sometime this week. The fenders, doors, and other sheet metal previously stripped have had all the necessary metal repairs and are on their second coat of primer. I think I finally have a solution with SMS for headliner (original sample is the triangular piece) after a couple letters back and forth, so that should be ordered by the end of the week. The wire harness has moved up the queue and is scheduled to be made in the next week (YnZ's) and should be here by late next week or early the week after. The radio is all ready to go with new speaker wires, light bulbs, and everything cleaned and tested, except for the vibrator. That should be finished by the end of the week and I'll post an update at that time! (Media blasting.jpg) (SMS 4-17.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Media blasting.jpg (78KB - 496 downloads) SMS 4-17.jpg (206KB - 484 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | I received a few more photos from the restoration shop that's handling the body and paint work. Nothing too exciting until the shell comes back. The passenger fender was a spare to replace the original, which had a very large dent across the top, and required holes to be drilled for the trim. (33297685773_6a1ffddb75_z.jpg) (33978754301_ab5193bc1b_z.jpg) (33297736033_638e3931a6_z.jpg) (33297728483_3712c54815_z.jpg) (33724133500_84ca636b6a_z.jpg) (33951948562_b58b9d89aa_z.jpg) (34068253526_3e08320217_z.jpg) (34068255096_1a68ce3ea7_z.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 33297685773_6a1ffddb75_z.jpg (46KB - 484 downloads) 33978754301_ab5193bc1b_z.jpg (33KB - 504 downloads) 33297736033_638e3931a6_z.jpg (92KB - 494 downloads) 33297728483_3712c54815_z.jpg (56KB - 488 downloads) 33724133500_84ca636b6a_z.jpg (34KB - 473 downloads) 33951948562_b58b9d89aa_z.jpg (34KB - 475 downloads) 34068253526_3e08320217_z.jpg (31KB - 469 downloads) 34068255096_1a68ce3ea7_z.jpg (26KB - 506 downloads) | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Kilgore: "Smell that? You smell that?" Lance: "What?" Kilgore: "Primer, son. Nothing else in the world smells like that. I love the smell of primer in the morning. You know, one time we had a car spray bombed for 12 hours. When it was all over, I walked up. We didn't find one of 'em, not one stinkin' dent. The smell, you know that solvent smell, the whole garage smelled like......VICTORY! Victory. Someday this resto's gonna end." (Looking good!) . (PRIMER.jpg) Attachments ---------------- PRIMER.jpg (51KB - 473 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | The shell came back from being blasted yesterday! Here are a few photos showing the spots that will need attention. Everything was pretty much as expected except for the dent (filled) on the passenger quarter panel and the pinholes on the bottom of the driver's quarter. There are definitely spots to address, but it's nice to finally see the car stripped down and giving up its secrets! (IMG_1277A.jpg) (IMG_1278A.jpg) (IMG_1279A.jpg) (IMG_1281A.jpg) (IMG_1282A.jpg) (IMG_1283A.jpg) (IMG_1284A.jpg) Attachments ---------------- IMG_1277A.jpg (74KB - 475 downloads) IMG_1278A.jpg (95KB - 484 downloads) IMG_1279A.jpg (76KB - 474 downloads) IMG_1281A.jpg (73KB - 473 downloads) IMG_1282A.jpg (88KB - 493 downloads) IMG_1283A.jpg (103KB - 475 downloads) IMG_1284A.jpg (95KB - 481 downloads) | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | The radio is fixed and working well! I am too young to remember the CONELRAD emergency plan, so I had to do some research to figure out exactly what the little circle/triangle symbols meant on the glass window. (Radio D.jpg) (Radio E.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Radio D.jpg (52KB - 501 downloads) Radio E.jpg (59KB - 481 downloads) | ||
56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9904 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Fireflite56 - 2017-05-02 7:52 PM The radio is fixed and working well! I am too young to remember the CONELRAD emergency plan, so I had to do some research to figure out exactly what the little circle/triangle symbols meant on the glass window. I means that in the event of a nuclear war or tornado or flood, tune to these channels for instructions on how to kiss your love ones and your ass goodbye. | ||
FIN ME |
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Expert Posts: 2788 Location: USA - KY | Fireflite56 - 2017-05-02 7:52 PM ...I am too young to remember the CONELRAD emergency plan... Oops, that's right! And you're way too young to remember this either: "Apocalypse Now" -1979: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRp7tYWnJJs (You must have wondered just what the heck my previous post was about. ) Great job on the radio, David! The radio in my car is iff-y, so I am envious. I really like the "duck and cover" sticker. A real "blast" from the past, if you'll pardon the "pun". The attention to detail that you're putting into your car's restoration is really going to pay off. It's going to be a beauty. Edited by FIN ME 2017-05-09 6:41 PM | ||
Fireflite56 |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 341 Location: Wisconsin | It has been a while since I last posted an update, so here are a few photos of the rust repair in the rear quarter. In other news, the harness showed up about 2 months ago now from YnZ's and I am still working with SMS to procure the correct headliner. (20626278_10155596496889419_536625821171488630_o.jpg) (20626148_10155596495344419_2631026226255628107_o.jpg) (20627016_10155596496649419_8316048822161708271_o.jpg) (20638654_10155596495314419_425600727307205333_n.jpg) (20622242_10155596517179419_3699330369343484634_n.jpg) (20626965_10155596494614419_3305443624451871650_o.jpg) (20643425_10155596496209419_2796053371205947247_o.jpg) (20626981_10155596493104419_6023211799352113898_o.jpg) (20626538_10155596493484419_5108282130377759622_o.jpg) (20728778_10155596496684419_4715732151013535143_o.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 20626278_10155596496889419_536625821171488630_o.jpg (210KB - 463 downloads) 20626148_10155596495344419_2631026226255628107_o.jpg (272KB - 470 downloads) 20627016_10155596496649419_8316048822161708271_o.jpg (284KB - 452 downloads) 20638654_10155596495314419_425600727307205333_n.jpg (118KB - 454 downloads) 20622242_10155596517179419_3699330369343484634_n.jpg (50KB - 453 downloads) 20626965_10155596494614419_3305443624451871650_o.jpg (274KB - 478 downloads) 20643425_10155596496209419_2796053371205947247_o.jpg (287KB - 463 downloads) 20626981_10155596493104419_6023211799352113898_o.jpg (222KB - 461 downloads) 20626538_10155596493484419_5108282130377759622_o.jpg (345KB - 463 downloads) 20728778_10155596496684419_4715732151013535143_o.jpg (213KB - 455 downloads) | ||
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