Re: [FWDLK] 55 Desoto Models?

[Ross Klein <tailfins@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Roger,

Right you are! The '55 and '56 DeSoto promo's by JoHan were Fireflite
sedans, not hardtops. From '57 thru '59 the models were 4dr. hardtops and
the '60 was the Adventurer 2dr.hardtop and the last of the DeSoto
promomotionals. For those who want models of Desotos other than these years,
there is quite a variety available in 1/43 scale. There are several '46-48
sedans including a N.Y. City taxi from Vitesse, a beautiful '49 convertible
from Motor City (very expensive) and a very nice '52 Firedome sedan from the
Franklin Mint. Several years ago, Collector Classics of Argentina did a
series of '56 DeSotos including an Adventurer H.T., the Indy 500 Pace Car
and Fireflite H.T. and convert. These are quite difficult to find nowadays.
Western Models does a '57 Firesweep sedan (also as a taxi) and '59
Adventurer H.T. and convertibles. Brooklin models has just released a '59
Adventurer and will be releasing a '49 DeSoto woody wagon early next year.
Soon I will have pictures of  these DeSoto models as well as others from my
collection of over 3,000 pieces on my website -- link to the website is
here: http://www.geocities.com/finsnchrome/finsnchrome.html

Happy collecting!

Ross Klein
'56 Imperial 4 door sedan and '60 DeSoto Adventurer
'Life's too short to drive 'ordinary' cars"
----- Original Message -----
From: "van Hoy" <vanhilla@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, December 02, 2000 12:20 PM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] 55 Desoto Models?


According to Collectable Automobile, Vol 5 # 2, August, 1988, "JoHan was
again the company with the best of the larger 1/24 scale models.  From 1955
through '59, it produced the Fireflite four-door hardtop as a promo or
friction."  "Body detailing was excellent, but...these promos/frictions
didn't come with interiors."

My recollection is that they were 1/25 scale sedans for '55-'56 and hardtops
from '57-'59, as pictured in the article.  I got one as a Christmas present
in 1955, turquoise with white top and sweep; no I don't still have it, it
was stolen in fifth grade.  I do have a picture of that Christmas with the
model though .

--Roger van Hoy, '55DeSoto, '42DeSoto, '66Plymouth, '73Duster, '81 Imperial,
Washougal, WA
    -----Original Message-----
    From: John Compton <desotojohn@xxxxxxxxxxx>
    To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
    Date: Friday, December 01, 2000 10:15 PM
    Subject: [FWDLK] 55 Desoto Models?


    There seems to be plenty of 56 Desoto models on ebay, but I never see 55
models.  Did any model manufacturer make them?

    Has anyone "converted" a 56 model into a 55?  Seems like a new grill and
a gentle massage to the wings ought to do it.

    John Compton
    Fullerton, CA