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"firedome" gets a Firedome...
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firedome
Posted 2018-04-26 12:57 PM (#562315)
Subject: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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that, via Passport Transport, came to central upstate NY from Kansas today. We've had many, if not most, ForwardLook cars over a period of some 40 years, but it's our first real Firedome, despite the longtime screen name here (I just liked that name!)

Here's a 1 family owner 4 dr 383 4 bbl with 84k miles and pretty rare (for a '59 DeSoto) factory A/C, but radio delete! I figure the original Iowa owner must have been both hot & deaf. PS, PB, TorqueFlite, but no power seats or windows - just as well, considering how they usually act up when this old. On the road up to 10 years ago and parked due to age. Minor rust but pretty solid overall, at least much more so than anything that's spent its life here in the Northeast. According to data plate original paint was Caribbean Blue Poly medium metallic blue and Arctic Silver Poly accents, but was repainted baby blue & white many years ago. All original interior in fairly decent shape. Original type radio in the trunk, never installed. Over all should be fun to play with, and Doc's favorite year to boot, complete with hamburger buns! ;-) Always good to be back in the FL fold, in my estimation every one is worth being preserved and enjoyed.

Edited by firedome 2018-04-26 3:38 PM




(1959-desoto-firedome-3.jpg)



(IMG_0833.jpg)



(1959-desoto-firedome-10.jpg)



(IMG_0835.jpg)



(1959-desoto-firedome-7.jpg)



(1959-desoto-firedome-13.jpg)



(1959-desoto-firedome-5.jpg)



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Attachments 1959-desoto-firedome-3.jpg (52KB - 155 downloads)
Attachments IMG_0833.jpg (140KB - 145 downloads)
Attachments 1959-desoto-firedome-10.jpg (49KB - 146 downloads)
Attachments IMG_0835.jpg (105KB - 154 downloads)
Attachments 1959-desoto-firedome-7.jpg (47KB - 158 downloads)
Attachments 1959-desoto-firedome-13.jpg (48KB - 147 downloads)
Attachments 1959-desoto-firedome-5.jpg (58KB - 141 downloads)
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firedome
Posted 2018-04-26 1:11 PM (#562316 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: RE: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Location: NY & VT
Inner door shows original metallic Caribbean Blue Poly paint in contrast to the outer door repainted lighter non-metallic color.



(1959-desoto-firedome-9.jpg)



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Attachments 1959-desoto-firedome-9.jpg (61KB - 151 downloads)
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-04-26 1:15 PM (#562318 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...


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pretty clean car, obviously garaged forever
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SavoyPlaza
Posted 2018-04-26 2:39 PM (#562325 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: RE: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Excellent score! Looks really solid and complete.
Pete
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firedome
Posted 2018-04-26 3:31 PM (#562326 - in reply to #562325)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Thanks!
Before I'm too old I do still want another '57-9 Forward Look 4 door Hardtop (we had 2 of them before), imy favorite body style, even better than 2 FL converts I've had, but this one will be fun for now. Really missed having a FL car and I like saving them from annihilation. This one seemed deserving: nice chrome, no pits even in pot metal pieces like those desirable mirrors and tail-light housings (came with 3 extras too!), plus good door and trunk gaskets lead me believe it was always garaged, and I was told it was, for whatever that's worth!


Edited by firedome 2018-04-26 3:35 PM
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Powerflite
Posted 2018-04-26 4:22 PM (#562331 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Nice. Looks like it has '55 DeSoto caps on 15" wheels just like my '58. After adding electronic ignition, getting the fuel and brakes up to snuff and a little clean up work, you should be good to take it anywhere. After that, maybe just sand and paint the roof to preserve it and make it look better, and you'll be hitting the roads in style again.
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2018-04-26 5:40 PM (#562337 - in reply to #562331)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Location: The Mile High City

Way to go, Roger!

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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2018-04-27 12:44 AM (#562353 - in reply to #562337)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Got relish ?

I am guessing that you are feeling better ? You were telling of
a lot of pain and such when you sold the 58 Windsor.
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firedome
Posted 2018-04-27 1:33 PM (#562366 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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The Windsor was hard to let go, regretted it right away. Polymyalgia rheumatica is the same after 4 yrs, it still takes 3 x as long to do anything, and the best tool in the garage has become a well-padded chair. But ornery as ever and missed having a FL car, even if just to stare at. Our summer cottage is only 70% done, progress has ground to a halt. What can be done will be done, or not. The 'Dome may never be pretty but will inch forward one way or another and hopefully be saved. I still dream of owning a really nice 4 dr hrdtp, especially a '57 or '58, before the bucket list or I am done, these projects are getting too difficult for me to finish but are all that's remotely affordable these days. If I can at least pass this one on to a good owner I'll be very happy, meantime it's just nice to have one in the garage again. This one is worth some effort. I've preached before about saving sedans, so try to practice that in reality as well.

I was wrong about the carb, it's a 2 bbl, which wasn't std for a 'Dome... odd. Now I'm wondering if it's a newer B block, or even not a 383. I have a hard time getting under to look for a block casting # and don't know enough to ID it from other details. Under the crud it appears the valve covers are blue/green, like later ones, but could be a repaint. The machined pad behind the distributor seems to say only "L"... ? Low compression maybe? a 361? Huh?

Edited by firedome 2018-04-27 2:06 PM
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57burb
Posted 2018-04-27 3:44 PM (#562374 - in reply to #562366)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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I believe Dodge and Desoto wedge V8s all started with 'L' for 1958.

Congratulations on finding such a neat car! The '59 Desotos had the wildest fins out there.
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Powerflite
Posted 2018-04-27 6:38 PM (#562381 - in reply to #562366)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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firedome - 2018-04-27 10:33 AM

....I was wrong about the carb, it's a 2 bbl, which wasn't std for a 'Dome... odd. .....


Are you sure about that? The 2bbl was standard issue on the 361 in my '58 Firedome. I would expect the '59 Firedome to also come with a 2bbl as standard. But I am just guessing about '59 since I have never owned one.
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Viper Guy
Posted 2018-04-27 10:57 PM (#562399 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Two barrels were standard on all models except the Fireflites and Adventurer.
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2018-04-28 2:45 AM (#562409 - in reply to #562399)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Yup, .... 2bbl standard on Firesweep and Firedome. Optional "Power Pak"
got you a 4bbl and dual exhaust.

The "L" means 1958. Should be followed by a "36" for 361 or "38" for 383.
All 59 engines should be prefixed with an "M" code for 1959, followed by the
same 36 or 38 to denote displacement. I am unsure how the 59's broke out
for jumping a Firedome up in displacement to a 383, except in the case of the
"Adventurer Powered" option, with got it equpped with the full-shammy dual
quad 383 that all Adventurers got as standard equipment. I am unaware, but
can't say it wasn't somewhere in the options lineup, to get a 383 4bbl in a Fire-
-dome. I just never followed 59 stuff that closely.
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bbrasse1
Posted 2018-04-28 7:59 AM (#562412 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...


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Nice score Roger!
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firedome
Posted 2018-04-28 7:15 PM (#562449 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Thanks Bill , come see us in VT, and I'd love to see yours too... I just bought a boat in Chazy, where our old lake place was!
Selling the ProSport 2200WA you saw when you picked up the tires.. need a nice fishin' boat? LOL

Guys as far as I can see the only thing embossed on the machined pad is an L, nothing else.
Tomorrow I'm gonna take lots of Ibuprofen and some Flexaril and try to get under it to see the block casting #.

Are you sure about the carb Doc and all? My '59 factory brochure says 'domes have a 383 4 bbl, Firesweeps have a 2 bbl.
It has me stumped. Also the seller said it has a 361, which makes no sense unless replaced.

The wheel covers BTW are '58 Dodge on 14" wheels... go figure! Why would a 1 owner family switch 'em?|
My guess is they were stolen, being it was mostly near Kansas City, but originally sold in Ottumwa Iowa.
It came with the original dealer sales invoice.. never had that for a car before!!


Edited by firedome 2018-04-28 7:23 PM
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Viper Guy
Posted 2018-04-28 11:50 PM (#562458 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Here ya go..........Firedomes were standard with a 383 2 barrel, and Firesweeps were standard with a 361 2 barrel. This page is straight from my 1959 full line product brochure.

Edited by Viper Guy 2018-04-28 11:55 PM




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firedome
Posted 2018-04-29 5:44 PM (#562482 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Ya'll are correct, I was going by memory of the brochure, very bad idea at my age... actually looking at is confirms 2 bbl 383, for 'domes, 2 bbl 361 for 'sweeps.
Still need to get under and look at the block casting.

Anyone have a 2 bbl air cleaner? Mine is missing, as shown in the engine pic.
Vacuumed out a crap-load of squirrel garbage off the top of the block, seeds, nut shells &c... darn rodents!
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2018-04-30 1:03 AM (#562512 - in reply to #562449)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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DeSoto was pretty good for consistency when it came to models
and standard equipment, such as engines and appliances. Through
the FL years, the Firedome was always the low rung model. When
the Dodge-based Firesweep came into the lineup, the Firedome was
now the low rung, big body car. In the years that Firesweeps and
Firedomes were sold as lineup mates, the two shared a lot of common
items, from the way the engine was built, to the interiors. The exception,
because Firesweeps are essentially Dodges with DeSoto skins, is the
Dodge-supplied engines, which for 59, Dodge had the 361, while real
DeSotos (not built at the Dodge plant) had the B-block 383.

When I had my wrecking yard, I saw all these cars as the parts they
were built from. Knowing what is common to the various models and
what is not made a big difference in whether a car was valuable for parts.
Need an interior door handle for a 58 Firedome ? 57-58 Firedome and
Firesweep use the same, as does Chrysler Windsor and Saratoga. The
same part on Fireflite, Adventurer, New Yorker, and 300 are different.
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firedome
Posted 2018-04-30 10:03 AM (#562525 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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It's good to know that kind of parts commonality, wish there were a Hollanders-type guide that showed that kind of detail, particulary trim, mechanicals are fairly easy. The Mopar Passenger Parts Catalog I have covers only '59s, so interchangability of parts from other years is unknown, didn't know door handles differed between DeS models for example.
The 'dome models do seem to have somewhat nicer seat cloth materials and patterns than the 'sweeps, at least from pics in the brochure and real live originals I've seen, my '58 'sweep interior was just slightly above taxicab level, plus rubber vs carpet on floors, at least in '57/58. and foam rubber rear seat padding vs none in 'sweeps. Not exactly earthshaking, but I guess they were attempting at least a minor degree of differentiation of "luxury" features.
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big m
Posted 2018-04-30 10:53 AM (#562527 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Nice find, Roger,

Looks to be a well preserved car for the most part. Hope you have some fun with this one!! I've only had one '59 with A/C, must have been scarcely ordered.

---John
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firedome
Posted 2018-04-30 11:37 AM (#562531 - in reply to #562527)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Thanks John! It's reasonably solid, though the seller was kind of optimistic in describing floors, trunk, pics don't always tell the true story either... part of the burden of living in the NorthEast. Depending on how far I go with this thing, (I'm still wanting a 57-59 4 dr hardtop before Father Time completely takes over...) I might be looking for some parts. Thanks again for the kind words!
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mikes2nd
Posted 2018-04-30 1:31 PM (#562537 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...


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those AC units must weigh like 100 lbs...
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firedome
Posted 2018-04-30 6:18 PM (#562559 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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They're heavy like a tank and built like one too, darn near bulletproof in cars I've had with them, that V2 compressor lasted into the '80s. I still have cans of R-12 on the shelf from when they were 88 cents a can at K-Mart (I'm old).
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Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2018-04-30 11:04 PM (#562571 - in reply to #562559)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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While I am not any sort of expert on 59's, specifically (for reasons
well known around these parts ??), I am realtively familiar with
them, as the facelifted versions of the 57-58 cars. I am happy to
answer any questions I can on this interchange stuff. I do have the
55-58 parts book, so if all else fails, we can compare the 59 numbers
from your book against those in my book.
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firedome
Posted 2018-05-01 8:59 AM (#562603 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Thanks...luckily it needs very little trim-wise, a couple pieces is all. A lot will depend on how far I decide to take this, right now's main goal is to save from obliteration, it's on life support right now. But it can only go so far 1. due to ongoing physical and $$$ limitations and 2. a 4 dr 57-59 Sportsman is still the ultimate to me, so keeping my powder dry in case the right one shows up. I'd sell off whatever I have to to make that happen. A brass-era pre-1915 car is the other, maybe unattainable, dream, but meanwhile this is a lot of fun... it's tire changing time today.

Edited by firedome 2018-05-01 9:02 AM
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fast59desoto
Posted 2018-05-01 2:02 PM (#562616 - in reply to #562315)
Subject: Re: "firedome" gets a Firedome...



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Nice find Roger!
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