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I bought this car just because of this photo of the steering wheel. If you have seen any of my posts and my searching for a wheel, well, this one hit me like a lightning bolt.
After talking to the owner and his story, I bought the car...now to get it to my home in Kansas from its location in CT. The Hurricane Sandy has thwarted my plans, now having to get a new shipping company and start all over...
The story is that the guy's Grandmother bought it brand new, babied it and finally it was parked in 1971 in a shed....I bought it and promised not to part it out and I am seriously excited about this car!
Looks pretty darn good!
Have a nice day
Steve
Larry, the car looks real original from the interior photo and for that matter the exterior also. The carpet is original but needs to be handled carefully. The brake master cylinder is accessed from under the carpet. Just pull the carpet out carefully and make sure the brakes are bled with good clean brake fluid. Take care of anything else under there at this time. Good luck.
More photos...
Thanks and I am anxious to get my project going as well.
I live in Kansas and was wondering if there were any members who know a good mechanic to go thru the engine/tranny for me to make it bulletproof? Tim Bowers will probably be used for bodywork as he is close to my home.
Any thoughts and suggestions are appreciated.
I did buy a complete 276ci motor, tranny and rearend on my last leave so I have those as possible rebuild material or trade items or cores as needed from a parted out '52 there in Wichita, KS.
Larry,
Very nice original car. I'm no expert on '52 interiors but those look like aftermarket seat covers on the front and rear seats. If so, and considering the excellent condition of the rest of the interior, you may find that the original seat material is very good shape under the seat covers. Back in the day, many folks immediately put seat covers over perfectly good seats to protect them from stain and wear. Remember clear plastic seat covers?
Mark
Thanks Mark,
Yes, the owner told me his Grandmother had put those covers on almost immediately after buying the car, so my fingers are crossed. I have a ton of photos and spent some time on the phone and email before buying the car, so I am seriously excited!
Yes, I remember plastic covers all to well. I am 47 and we had them all over the house back in the day.
Hi Larry!
I have a great idea! Have Alina and I drive your car from CT to KS!
Most Sincerely,
Ralph M Bohm
'50 Desoto CarryAll
Larry,
Congratulations on finding such an obviously well cared for car. Hopefully, you will not find the need to tear in to an engine with only 77,000 miles on it.
It appears your car has a #378 paint code (marine green lower and fern green upper). There were two trim codes recommended for your paint code. Code 263 was for brown cloth and code 226 was for checkered cloth. It would be interesting to know if the present checkered upholstery is the original material.
Good luck with your project.
Mac
Yes Larry. The one in the back definitely has a seatcover - I cannot see the front well enough to tell. My grandparents put the same type on their 53 DeSoto which I have. They preserved the seats real well. I still have the covers and want to get them repaired. The lower material started to tear in places. Real good find.
I'm surprised to see the '52 has double belts for fan and alternator. My '55 just has singles.
Steve
Larry,
If you're still looking for Transport, there guy on another board called Forwardlook that is supposed to be reasonable and reliable enclosed transport.
His name is Jim. Phone is 260-804-6695.
E-Mail is: enclosed_mopar_transport@hotmail.com.
Good luck,
Steve
Thanks to all for the looks and comments....
I have contacted Straight from straightroads.com, he referred me to a lady called Tina Bassett, her and I are talking now...gotta get it to KS soon tho.
The engine pic shows parts that are not on my other '52 as well. I will not be able to give further info until I get back to the States in late January, so will update then.
As I said before, I am excited to get going on this project and I hope all you who read this have felt the excitement I have now at one time or the other.
The seats...well, I really think that they have covers on them and I will post photos after I take them off.
Thanks to all for now,
Larry