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Exner Expert 10K+
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Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
Not mine. Jeffrey B's. Looks like an early build 58 Desoto Firedome. Jeffrey asked if I could do the interpretation. I said that Igor (frwl) would be better. I will shout out
to Igor.
 (JeffBs58 DesotoFireDome_IBMCard_1024.jpg)
 (JeffBs58 DesotoFireDome_CowlTag_1_1024.jpg)
 (JeffBs58 DesotoFireDome_CowlTag_2_1024.jpg)
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 JeffBs58 DesotoFireDome_IBMCard_1024.jpg (106KB - 27 downloads)
JeffBs58 DesotoFireDome_CowlTag_1_1024.jpg (118KB - 26 downloads)
JeffBs58 DesotoFireDome_CowlTag_2_1024.jpg (68KB - 28 downloads)
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Expert
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Thanks for sharing, Dave!!!
IBM CARD UPPER ROW:
CARD CODE 6 – no idea
SCHEDULE 012 – twelfth day since production is beginning
ITEM 017 – seventeenth car built that day
REGION 10 – no idea
DEALER 36285 – no idea
BODY 432 – DeSoto (4) Firedome (3) Sportsman 2-Door Hardtop (2)
PAINT XDX – Pearl White roof colour (X) Midnight Blue body colour (D) Pearl White Sweep colour (X)
TRIM 631 – Blue Vinyl and Blue Frontier Homespun Fabric – Standard trim for Firdedome Sportsmans
TR 3 – order code 293 – Torqueflite Transmission
AX 2 – order code 552 – 3.15 to 1 Rear Axle Ratio
PS 1 – order code 301 – Power Steering only (NO factory Power Brakes, Seat or Windows – those columns are empty)
AC / Heater – 5 – order code 345 – Heater with Defroster; No A/C
DEALER CODE 36285 – no idea
DEALER ORDER 001 – no idea
IBM CARD MIDDLE ROW:
352 – Rear Air Foam Seat Cushion – optional for $11.00; Front Cushion is Standard on the Firedomes
412 – Color Sweep including Lower Moulding – optional for $43.45 (Standard on both Fireflite Sportsmans and Convertible)
431 – IPSO abbreviation – Instrument Panel Safety Cushion for $19.75
441 – Music Master Radio for $90.00 (less expensive than Electro Touch Tuner, code 443 for $110.00)
466 – Solex Tinted Glass all window areas – $35.20
481 – Rear Quarter Stone Shields for $7.00
511 – Wheel Covers for $18.00 – Standard on Fireflites and Adventurers
53 & 54 – 15 – TIRES – 8.50 x 14 Rayon – White Side Wall – for $46.00 (Standard were same size tires but BSW)
552 – 3.15 to 1 Rear Axle Ratio
POWER PLANT 504 – no idea
SERIAL NO. – SL – 2-1883 – must have correct view as LS2-1883 where:
L – 1958 model year
S – DeSoto Division (brand)
2 – Firedome Series
1883 – Consecutive Unit Number
“Date Built” and “Date Shipped” you’ve seen already without me;
My guessing the “SCHEDULE 012” in upper left corner should means the Sept 26, 1957 – twelfth day of production;
So, the ’58 DeSoto production would be started on September 14, 1957 (26 – 12 = 14), but that is just guessing…
THE DATA TAG UPPER ROW:
SCH 012 – twelfth day since production is beginning
SEQ 017 – seventeenth car built that day
BDY 432 – DeSoto (4) Firedome (3) Sportsman 2-Door Hardtop (2)
PNT XDX – Pearl White roof colour (X) Midnight Blue body colour (D) Pearl White Sweep colour (X)
TRM 631 – Blue Vinyl and Blue Frontier Homespun Fabric
TR 3 – order code 293 – Torqueflite Transmission
THE DATA TAG MIDDLE ROW:
AH 5 (Air Conditioning and Heater) – order code 345 – Heater with Defroster
SS 1 (Stone Shields) – order code 481 – Rear Quarter Stone Shields
THE DATA TAG LOWER ROW:
CS 2 – (Color Sweep) – order code 412 – Color Sweep including Lower Moulding
Hope this helps to Jeffrey.
Igor. |
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Location: The Centennial State | Props to Igor! He has these codes down! Region 10 is Kansas City, MO - same as my car. |
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10918
Location: Lower Mainland BC | Lancer Mike - 2025-11-27 11:56 AM
Props to Igor! He has these codes down!
Region 10 is Kansas City, MO - same as my car.
Yes he (Igor) does know his sh*t. 
Regarding Region 10, Jeffrey told me "Stellantis Historical says my car was purchased new in Escanaba, MI at Riverside Auto Sales.
I visited Escanaba in January 2025 - same Chrysler dealership at the same address - different building."
Edited by 56D500boy 2025-11-28 10:40 PM
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1101
Location: PL / EU | That's interesting
On my list:
Riverside Auto Sales, Escanaba MI = 63720 / 42 (Detroit MI)
Poll Motor Co., Sheridan WI = 36285 / 74 (Denver)
And now: Riverside Auto Sales, Escanaba MI = 36285 / 10 (Kansas City MO)
From Escanaba to Kansas City is 600 miles, Detroit is half that distance and in the same state.
I also have the address of the DeSoto dealership Riverside Motors, Westport CT (verified as 1960)
what a mess (as usual at Chrysler  )
Edited by RDP 2025-11-29 1:06 PM
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Location: The Centennial State | Sounds like it could go to a regional depot and then it was highly variable where it went from there. SCH 12 is the earliest 1958 De Soto I have yet seen (not saying much there - I haven't seen all that many data tags)
Edited by Lancer Mike 2025-11-29 7:10 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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Here what I found in my database: most earliest SCHEDULE data tags for 1958 DeSotos: 011 - 013 - 018 - 019
 (SCH 011.jpg)
 (SCH 013.JPG)
 (SCH 018.jpg)
 (SCH 019.jpg)
Attachments
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SCH 011.jpg (86KB - 30 downloads)
SCH 013.JPG (99KB - 32 downloads)
SCH 018.jpg (44KB - 28 downloads)
SCH 019.jpg (48KB - 33 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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Have you guessed what the "C" slot does mean already?
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Location: The Centennial State | Should be the convertible top color: 1 is usually black 2 is usually white 3 green? 4 blue? |
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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That's true Mike!!!
What about "ST 9" slot on the upper photo? What STYLE is it?
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10459
Location: So. Cal | Just a guess, but maybe ST = Station Wagon: 6 passenger, 9 passenger |
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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Unfortunately NOT, Nathan
The BDY 455 is DeSoto (4) Fireflite (5) Convertible (5);
The C4 slot in the lower right corner is a Blue Convertible Top Color...
It is a Convertible, not a Station Wagon... |
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Location: The Centennial State | Style? Spring Special maybe? Hard to think of a "style" of Fireflite convertible, but BBX is not a spring color scheme and the build date is way too early. Style...style...I'm stumped! Right hand drive? I'm stumped!
Edited by Lancer Mike 2025-12-01 10:23 PM
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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Ok.
Is that your car?
The STYLE is 1 and the PAINT is PPP originally (although the paint scheme code is PPX now);
The monotone-painted cars have “1” under “ST” slot on the cowl tag – it is confirmed by IBM card;
 (1(1).jpg)
 (1(2).JPG)
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1(1).jpg (135KB - 26 downloads)
1(2).JPG (202KB - 36 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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The standard two-tone painted cars (roof in one colour, body and sweep in other one) have “2” under “ST” slot on the cowl tag – it is confirmed by IBM card too; Here the link:
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=65522&...
 (2(1).jpg)
 (2(2).jpg)
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2(1).jpg (240KB - 31 downloads)
2(2).jpg (228KB - 31 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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Well, look at this:
Standard two-tone, as above, while the data tag shows “9” below “ST” slot, but IBM card shows “2”…
Here the link:
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=47225&...
It looks like ST “9” same as ST “2”…
Any thoughts?
 (9(1).jpg)
 (9(2).jpg)
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9(1).jpg (214KB - 31 downloads)
9(2).jpg (217KB - 27 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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While the Monotone all-over Black “PNT AAA” car has ST “8” same as ST “1”…
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=22942&...
 (8(1).JPG)
 (8(2).jpg)
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8(1).JPG (106KB - 28 downloads)
8(2).jpg (161KB - 31 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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It maybe until some day of model year is used “8” and “9” and after some day were used “1” and “2”…
Just guessing...
I need to check out all cowl tags SCH column for '58 DeSotos in my database; |
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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SCHEDULE FOR 1958 DESOTOS BUILT WITH “ST” CODES
SCH 011 – ST9
SCH 036 – ST9
SCH 048 – ST1
SCH 049 – ST1
SCH 049 – ST1
SCH 088 – ST8
SCH 097 – ST2
SCH 149 – ST9 (!!!) – it is July 2, 1958
SCHEDULE FOR 1958 DESOTOS BUILT WITHOUT “ST” CODES –
MOSTLY ROOF AND FINS IN ONE COLOUR; BODY IN OTHER ONE:
SCH 012
SCH 013
SCH 013
SCH 018
SCH 019
SCH 023
SCH 030
SCH 033
SCH 040
SCH 049
SCH 049
SCH 050
SCH 053
SCH 056
SCH 059
SCH 061
SCH 085
SCH 087
SCH 120
SCH 138
SCH 144
It looks like my guessing is wrong…
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Expert
Posts: 2282
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The Hamtramck-built '58 Firesweep did that;
Like on the '58 Dodge they've stamped style number ahead a paint code: 1AAA or 3XDX for example...
221 - STYLE – 1-Tone
222 - STYLE – 2-Tone – Standard
223 - STYLE – 2-Tone – Special
224 - STYLE – 2-Tone – Deluxe
225 - STYLE – 2-Tone – Deluxe – Regal Lancer Spring Special Color
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Location: The Centennial State | frwl - 2025-12-02 8:13 AM . Ok. Is that your car? The STYLE is 1 and the PAINT is PPP originally (although the paint scheme code is PPX now); The monotone-painted cars have “1” under “ST” slot on the cowl tag – it is confirmed by IBM card; Yep! That's mine! The second owner collected the lower trim and painted the pearl white sweep. Very interesting about the ST 1, 2, 8, 9, and blanks. My build date is December 5, 1957. |
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Location: The Centennial State | I can understand the paint style codes for 1958 Dodges - there were so many paint schemes available. But with De Soto, the PNT code really told all you needed to know within the three letters and their order. Did the 1958 Chrysler line up use ST codes? Could that help solve the mystery? |
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Location: The Centennial State | frwl - 2025-12-02 8:35 AM . SCHEDULE FOR 1958 DESOTOS BUILT WITH “ST” CODES SCH 011 – ST9 SCH 036 – ST9 SCH 048 – ST1 SCH 049 – ST1 SCH 049 – ST1 SCH 088 – ST8 SCH 097 – ST2 SCH 149 – ST9 (!!!) – it is July 2, 1958 SCHEDULE FOR 1958 DESOTOS BUILT WITHOUT “ST” CODES – MOSTLY ROOF AND FINS IN ONE COLOUR; BODY IN OTHER ONE: SCH 012 SCH 013 SCH 013 SCH 018 SCH 019 SCH 023 SCH 030 SCH 033 SCH 040 SCH 049 SCH 049 SCH 050 SCH 053 SCH 056 SCH 059 SCH 061 SCH 085 SCH 087 SCH 120 SCH 138 SCH 144 It looks like my guessing is wrong… :( Maybe it would help to show the paint codes in this list? |
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Location: The Centennial State | Am I seening things or is there a 1 under the C code on this car?
 (data plate.JPG)
Attachments
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data plate.JPG (106KB - 28 downloads)
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Expert
Posts: 2282
| Lancer Mike - 2025-12-02 10:47 PM
Did the 1958 Chrysler line up use ST codes? Could that help solve the mystery?
Nope. Even had not "ST" column either on the data plate or the IBM card.
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=80072&... |
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Expert
Posts: 2282
| Lancer Mike - 2025-12-02 10:58 PM
Am I seening things or is there a 1 under the C code on this car?
I think it is "7" - Rear Seat Speaker, order code 327;
This is sedan, it had not soft convertible top;
The slot "C" shows the order codes "32x"
321 - CONVERTIBLE TOP COLOR – Black
322 - CONVERTIBLE TOP COLOR – White
323 - CONVERTIBLE TOP COLOR – Blue
324 - CONVERTIBLE TOP COLOR – Green
327 - REAR SEAT SPEAKER – Not Available on Convertible and Wagons
Not sure for 1958 DeSoto, but 1958 Chrysler Lineup contains order code 328 as well:
328 - LOCKED LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT on 2-Seat Town and Counry Wagons
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Expert
Posts: 2282
| Lancer Mike - 2025-12-02 10:51 PM
frwl - 2025-12-02 8:35 AM . SCHEDULE FOR 1958 DESOTOS BUILT WITH “ST” CODES SCH 011 – ST9 SCH 036 – ST9 SCH 048 – ST1 SCH 049 – ST1 SCH 049 – ST1 SCH 088 – ST8 SCH 097 – ST2 SCH 149 – ST9 (!!!) – it is July 2, 1958 SCHEDULE FOR 1958 DESOTOS BUILT WITHOUT “ST” CODES – MOSTLY ROOF AND FINS IN ONE COLOUR; BODY IN OTHER ONE: SCH 012 SCH 013 SCH 013 SCH 018 SCH 019 SCH 023 SCH 030 SCH 033 SCH 040 SCH 049 SCH 049 SCH 050 SCH 053 SCH 056 SCH 059 SCH 061 SCH 085 SCH 087 SCH 120 SCH 138 SCH 144 It looks like my guessing is wrong… :( Maybe it would help to show the paint codes in this list?
Ok. Here it is:
SCH 012 ST – PNT XDX – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 013 ST – PNT JAJ – Firedome Convertible – Top Color 1
SCH 018 ST – PNT UAU – Firedome Convertible – Top Color 1
SCH 018 ST – PNT XAX – Firedome Convertible – Top Color 2
SCH 030 ST – PNT XPX – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 040 ST – PNT XJX – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 049 ST – PNT XUX – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 049 ST 1 PNT PPP – Firedome Convertible – Top Color 2
SCH 053 ST – PNT XUX – Firedome Sedan
SCH 053 ST – PNT XUX – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 053 ST – PNT XJX – Firedome Sedan
SCH 062 ST – PNT XHX – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 088 ST 8 PNT AAA – Firedome Sedan
SCH 097 ST 2 PNT XWW – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 120 ST – PNT KLL – Firedome Sedan – Spring Special
SCH 144 ST – PNT PXP – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 149 ST 9 PNT AKK – Firedome Hardtop
SCH 011 ST 9 PNT BBX – Fireflite Convertible – Top Color 4
SCH 012 ST – PNT XPX – Fireflite Hardtop
SCH 019 ST – PNT XPX – Fireflite Hardtop
SCH 023 ST – PNT 999 – Fireflite Hardtop – Special Order Paint
SCH 033 ST – PNT EXE – Fireflite Sedan
SCH 036 ST 9 PNT XXU – Fireflite Hardtop
SCH 043 ST 1 PNT CCC – Fireflite Sedan
SCH 056 ST – PNT XJX – Fireflite Hardtop
SCH 059 ST – PNT BBX – Fireflite Convertible – Top Color 2
SCH 138 ST – PNT LHL – Fireflite Hardtop
SCH 146 ST 1 PNT XXX – Fireflite Hardtop
SCH 039 ST – PNT VXV – Adventurer Hardtop
SCH 048 ST 1 PNT XXX – Adventurer Convertible – Top Color 2
SCH 049 ST – PNT VXV – Adventurer Convertible – Top Color 2
SCH 050 ST – PNT VXV – Adventurer Convertible – No Top Color Code
SCH 085 ST – PNT VXV – Adventurer Convertible – Top Color 2
SCH 085 ST – PNT VXV – Adventurer Convertible – Top Color 2
SCH 087 ST – PNT XVX – Adventurer Hardtop
SCH 150 ST – PNT VXV – Adventurer Convertible – Top Color 1
Hamtramck-Built Firesweep:
SCH 1004 PNT 3XDX – Firesweep Hardtop
SCH 1008 PNT 3XNX – Firesweep Hardtop
SCH 1011 PNT 3XDX – Firesweep Hardtop
SCH 1021 PNT 3XBX – Firesweep Hardtop
SCH 1021 PNT 3XPX – Firesweep Convertible – Top Color 1
SCH 1021 PNT 3PXP – Firesweep Convertible – Top Color 1
SCH 0106 PNT 1AAA – Firesweep Convertible – Top Color 2
SCH 0624 PNT 1AAA – Firesweep Sedan
SCH 0625 PNT 1FFF – Firesweep Sedan
Los Angeles-Built Firesweep:
SCH 1004 PNT XMX – Firesweep Hardtop
SCH 1008 PNT MOO – Firesweep Hardtop
SCH 0318 PNT OMO – Firesweep Sedan
SCH 0722 PNT EEE – Firesweep Hardtop
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Location: The Centennial State | So 1s and the 8 seem to account for all the solid color codes on your list, except for the 999 - interesting. The 2 and the 9s seem to correspond to a ##* or a #** color scheme, EXCEPT for SCH 059! All the blanks, except for SCH 059 are #*# color schemes, except for the 999 I think we can throw out the 999 as an anomaly
Edited by Lancer Mike 2025-12-03 9:22 PM
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Location: The Centennial State | Using the PNT codes as roof/body/sweep, maybe the styles are: 1, 8 - solid color, monotone 2, 9 - a basic two-tone with roof and body the same color and a contrasting sweep, or body and sweep the same color with a contrasting roof; finally blank - the deluxe two tone with roof and sweep the same color and a contrasting body |
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Expert
Posts: 2282
| Lancer Mike - 2025-12-03 9:13 PM
EXCEPT for SCH 059! All the blanks, except for SCH 059 are #*# color schemes
I was wrong for 059 - right PNT XCX - Sorry, my typo...
 (1.jpg)
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1.jpg (51KB - 29 downloads)
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Location: The Centennial State | As to what distinguishes the 1 from the 8 and the 2 from the 9, who knows? Both sets have 6 numbers separating the end points
Edited by Lancer Mike 2025-12-04 11:52 PM
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58 Desoto Firedome IBM card and Cowl Data Tag begging for interpretation
