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1958 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr ht-GOOD DRIVER (San Francisco) Moderators: ronbo97 Jump to page : 1 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
Forward Look Swap Meet -> For Sale - EBAY, CRAIGSLIST & OTHER FINDS | Message format |
mstrug |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 6487 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | https://sfbay.craigslist.org/sfc/cto/5964947186.html This is an extremely hard to find 1958 DeSoto Adventurer 2dr ht. Only 350 made. Not sure how many are left but I have heard that there are less than a dozen. Has a good running 361 V8 wedgehead engine with factory dual Carter AFB four barrel carburetors. I looked up the engine number and it is a 361 but a later engine, not the original the car came with. I have the production order and that shows engine number: LS3-S 21132. The number on this engine is: VT 36 and then just below that: 4 10. By tracing the casting number(1945429), I have figured out that it is a 361 Chrysler engine from 1965. According to the original owner's wife, he thought he was having the original engine rebuilt in the early 1980s. It wasn't until years later someone showed him the engine numbers. The shop may have pulled a fast one on him or maybe the original engine had a cracked block in it. When I bought the car, the original owner's wife was trying to remember why the engine was switched out but couldn't remember exactly why. She had told me that the engine was overheating a lot before the rebuild, which may explain a cracked block. She believed that the dual carb and manifold set up were transferred from the original engine. Just wanted to be upfront about the engine not being original to the car. A little history on the car: I have owned this car for 22 years. I bought it from the original owner. Car has always been in San Francisco, purchased new at Water's Chrysler on Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco. The original owner won the Irish Sweepstakes in late 1957 and walked into the dealer with cash and bought the car on the spot. It was the most expensive car at the dealer($5000). I have put around 8,000 miles on it since I've owned it. It has power steering, power brakes and power windows. All the gauges work, including the speedometer. Radio is not working, blower for heater works but I don't believe there is heat. The trunk pan, floorboards and rockers do have rust as well as the hood. I have an extra solid 1958 Chrysler hood for it. The Chrysler hood is the same but the holes line up different for the DeSoto letters. Car needs paint, chrome is not that great, interior needs work. All the long stainless mouldings are there but most have dings. All the Adventurer specific items are mostly there, the "Adventurer" script along the rear fenders and the "Adventurer" script on the dash and the rear seat. Also has the 150mph speedometer. The only missing Adventurer item are the spinner hubcaps, which were stolen many years ago. I have '58 Chrysler wheel covers on the car which look presentable. Has current registration through 12/17 with CA black plates. The car needs attention but it is mostly original and it is a very good driver. This is a unique car that rarely comes up for sale. Try finding one for sale in any condition. $20,000 FIRM | ||
moparsteve |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1155 Location: somerville mass | nick nichols car... been trying to sell on clist off and on for a long time... guys this is an adventurer... you can drive every day.. turn heads.. at a reas price! same car... i think the motor was swapped out for a 354 or something.. does this make it non genuine? 20000 bucks man... what the hell! | ||
mstrug |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 6487 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | I'd get it if I won the lottery or had a job...got laid off...Daaaannnnggggg! | ||
b5rt |
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Expert Posts: 2519 Location: central Illinois | No one wants to step up and spend that kind of money on a car that needs everything. It would be interesting to advertise an auction then ebay it and see where bidding goes. | ||
Kungfupanda |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 362 Location: North Carolina | b5rt - 2017-01-20 9:11 AM No one wants to step up and spend that kind of money on a car that needs everything. It would be interesting to advertise an auction then ebay it and see where bidding goes. Exactly. It may be pretty rare, but someone would have to have very deep pockets to restore this one to a decent level. What do you think on the resto? 50k? | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | didn't realize the rust was that bad. The whole car is trashed but its there. | ||
hemidenis |
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Expert Posts: 3887 Location: Northen Virginia | the restoration cost more than the car completed. It will be in a boat heading to Europe a long time ago if it worth that kind of money. | ||
Nick Nichols |
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Veteran Posts: 214 | I had offers of $20,000 five years ago when I wasn't ready to sell. I had it on eBay a few months ago and it got to $17,500. When you want to sell, buyers disappear, when you don't, they reappear. Since I had the offers of 20k five years ago why would it be worth less now? Bad economy, car values going down?? I see however dozens of cars on craigslist and eBay going for a lot more now than 5 years ago(or at least asking more). 4 door sedans are way up there, as well as other models. Am I missing something? I know my car is rusty but isn't it worth restoring since it is rare? Is the rust the main issue, or is it the non original engine even though it is a 361 with the original twin carb set up? Nick | ||
drosera88 |
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Expert Posts: 1267 Location: San Antonio TX | Nick Nichols - 2017-01-20 10:45 AM I had offers of $20,000 five years ago when I wasn't ready to sell. I had it on eBay a few months ago and it got to $17,500. When you want to sell, buyers disappear, when you don't, they reappear. Since I had the offers of 20k five years ago why would it be worth less now? Bad economy, car values going down?? I see however dozens of cars on craigslist and eBay going for a lot more now than 5 years ago(or at least asking more). 4 door sedans are way up there, as well as other models. Am I missing something? I know my car is rusty but isn't it worth restoring since it is rare? Is the rust the main issue, or is it the non original engine even though it is a 361 with the original twin carb set up? Nick I'd be willing to bet you can still get $20k for it. I don't feel your price is out of line considering that you were within $2.5k of your asking price on Ebay. I think the trouble is finding the right buyer. Most people aren't going to be interested since the scope of what this car needs combined with it's rarity makes this a very intimidating buy to the average guy looking for a weekend project or casual cruiser (I fall into this category, as even if I had the cash, I'd be afraid of botching the restoration of such a rare machine). These types of people are the ones most likely to be browsing Craigslist. You should try branching out to other publications that cater more toward wealthy collectors (where cost of restoration is less important as they actually want the vehicle and don't care whether they can make a profit off it) and experienced restorers (where the cost of restoration can be mostly recouped by performing most work themselves). You may also want to try perusing local swap meets and cruises, as you can run into people who aren't actively looking for another car but might be interested when you bring up the fact that you have an incredibly rare vehicle you are trying to sell. | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | yeah if your in no hurry, it'll eventually sell I would think, these are not falling out of the sky The engine and the rust hurt, the interior needs completely redone, a lot of these parts are impossible to obtain unless you were a 70s-80's FWL hoarder or have deep pockets(even then you can get them), there are dents I think on every thing, but its all there and running. Its an amazing car, get what you want out of it. | ||
mstrug |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 6487 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | Got a job! (I think) That ain't but a little rust. Come on guys; Get It B4 some Swede does. Marc. | ||
mikes2nd |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5006 | congrats, that was quick, jobs are fricking going beserk... I have to stop answering my phone so many people are calling "you want a new job?" "want a new job???" want a new job??? hiring everywhere... | ||
Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | This poor car is trashed. The potmetal looks like cheese grater material, the chromed steel is a mess. This is a super rare car, but it is going to need EVERYTHING ! ..... including a deep dig to root out the rust in the body. The engine block is an easy enough fix. A little work would turn up an L-code 361 block with casting numbers close enough to allow a restamp of the engine number and be spot-on correct. The wheelcovers are unobtainium. One reason I never sold my set. It took me YEARS of hunting when stuff like this could be found. I cannot imagine what it would take today. But if a guy wanted a 58 Adventurer coupe, this would a rare chance to get his mitts on one. I don't know that $20K is out of line, given what lesser cars are selling for. I think it is more the daunting task of restoration and finding those special Adventurer parts that will keep the snowflakes from jumping in. At one time I thought about trying to buy this car, but it wasn't for sale. Since I have the wheelcovers, that part would be a non-issue. I would have just preserved it, as-is, with just enough cleanup to be correct. At what point are they all restored ? But I have my hands full with my Fireflite and Plaza. I don't have enough years left to take on another ! | ||
Viper Guy |
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Expert Posts: 2002 Location: Branson, MO | $20K for the car, $50 to $60K for restoration (to factory original of course), 10 to 15 years later?????? I don't think so. | ||
mstrug |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 6487 Location: Newark, Texas (Fort Worth) | Just buy and drive...Win-Win! | ||
GregCon |
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Expert Posts: 2524 Location: Houston | It really interest me that this car is in the SF area, which has to be one of the less amenable places in the US to own such a car. Jeez....just think of having to park it on a hill knowing the handbrake is all you have to rely on! I'd also be curious if it's parked indoors or is left out to endure the weather. | ||
firedome |
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Expert Posts: 3153 Location: NY & VT | Honestly if it were me I'd have taken the $17.5k and run, what the heck, $2.5k is not that far off. Given what it needs it's a fair offer imo. | ||
Nick Nichols |
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Veteran Posts: 214 | Yeah, I probably should have taken the $17.5. Not that far off of 20k. | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful | Nick, are you still trying to sell this car? I thought it was sold in 2017. (frontpassenger.jpg) (drivers.jpg) Attachments ---------------- frontpassenger.jpg (137KB - 84 downloads) drivers.jpg (117KB - 80 downloads) | ||
Nick Nichols |
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Veteran Posts: 214 | I’ve been throwing it up on Craigslist here and there, no interest. My price is too high I’m sure. I’ll just keep driving it I guess. Could try eBay again I suppose. Nick | ||
57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3966 Location: DFW, TX | I just love that this Adventurer is still being used as "a car." It is pretty rough, but it is quite a sight! Nick, I'm curious, what kind of responses do you get from people in SF when you drive this Desoto around? Or any of your old cars? | ||
Nick Nichols |
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Veteran Posts: 214 | Most people are shocked that the car even runs. Maybe 20 years ago, you would see some 50s cars around. Nowadays, me and a friend of mine are the only ones that actually drive these cars here in SF on a daily basis. Yes, there are old car shows around the Bay Area, but to see them driving the streets is quite rare these days. My daily drivers these days are my 58 Chrysler New Yorker and a 61 Studebaker Hawk. The Adventurer gets out about twice a month. Older folks always smile and chat at gas stations and remember the cars from back in the day. Young children are always fans of the cars pointing at them as their mothers hurry them across the streets. I'm sure the children are laying their eyes on these cars for the first time and their eyes are usually glued to them. Nick | ||
saforwardlook |
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Member Posts: 32 | I really like the 58 Adventurers the best, but there is currently a 57 Adventurer for sale that has been fully restored and looks good to me. The price seems too low, as the restoration costs had to exceed the $75K asking price. But it is an example of what is available out there for less effort and money when done than Nick's car. Doesn't seem right, but this is the reality these days. Us old guys don't connect well with the younger generations who have a lot on their minds rather than cars that are more than 60 years old these days..... https://detroit.craigslist.org/mcb/cto/d/clinton-township-1957-desot... | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful | I saw on Facebook that a lady was offering 20k. Then all the ads disappeared. Did you get it sold this time? | ||
Nick Nichols |
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Veteran Posts: 214 | I’m not on Facebook. Nobody’s offered me $20,000 that I know of. Where on Facebook was this offer made? Nick | ||
fc7_plumcrazy |
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Veteran Posts: 127 | Hi Nick, it wasn't really an offer. Someone posted your craigslist ad in the facebook group "The Forward Look MoPar Network". It got discussed and mentioned that you are the owner several times. Then at the end a woman wrote "would you sell this for 20.000?". That is all. She either hasn't noticed that it was not the original posters car even though it was mentioned and discussed clearly. Of course the price was discussed (as usual). Maybe that was her input to the discussion of saying "would you let it go for xx amount?" Best wishes Carsten Edited by fc7_plumcrazy 2019-02-22 2:03 AM | ||
58DeSoDodge59 |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 1112 Location: Wild Wonderful | fc7_plumcrazy - 2019-02-22 1:57 AM Hi Nick, it wasn't really an offer. Someone posted your craigslist ad in the facebook group "The Forward Look MoPar Network". It got discussed and mentioned that you are the owner several times. Then at the end a woman wrote "would you sell this for 20.000?". That is all. She either hasn't noticed that it was not the original posters car even though it was mentioned and discussed clearly. Of course the price was discussed (as usual). Maybe that was her input to the discussion of saying "would you let it go for xx amount?" Best wishes Carsten Yes. What he said. I just thought that you saw it, and got in touch, then sold it. I thought that is why all of the Ads disappeared. Boy, if I had the money, it would buy it. | ||
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