1956 Adventurer Restoration

Great video of a great car, Tim. It almost looks like with a few hours of wet-sanding with 2000 grit and power buffing you wouldn't even need to paint her! Keep us in the loop as you make progress with this one!

Why can't I ever find anything like that one

I say "uhh" too much.

Tim,
From the looks of the video, that car should qualify as a"Survivor". Other than the splits in the seat seams, it looks like it would just clean right up...potential "Best of Show" car...

It does look good, especially in pictures.

When you're standing next to it, though, you do see quite a few bumps and bruises in the bodywork and paint.

My own attitude about restoration has progressed from my younger days of "restore everything" to an appreciation for originality, but I still think this one will benefit from restoration; especially since it is not something headed to the market, but a family keepsake.

Tim

Tim,
From the looks of the video, that car should qualify as a"Survivor". Other than the splits in the seat seams, it looks like it would just clean right up...potential "Best of Show" car...

It doesn't happen often, but I agree with Tony. In the near future, this car will be much more valuable if NOT restored.

Have a nice day
Steve

I also enjoy original cars but what happens to the car is up to the owner, and they have hired Tim to restore it. Granted it is a fairly nice example that are getting hard to come by now a days but they want it polished up and show ready. Tim should do what he can to document the restoration so the information can be used to properly restore cars that are worse off in the future. But it is not up to a vote or anyone else to make that decision other than the owner.

If he was turning it into a sled or yanking the engine for a hot rod I would have a problem with that.

You are correct. It is the owner's choice. He can restore it or rod it if he wants. It might look cool chopped and channeled and riding on chrome 20's. I wouldn't like that either and I'd tell him what I thought about it.

Have a nice day
Steve

Let me make one final comment about this car. If that is the original paint, it could very well be the last original gold on black '56 Adventurer in the entire world. If not the last, perhaps the best.

If it has been repainted, then go ahead and do whatever the owner wishes with my full approval......not that you need it.

Have a nice day
Steve

For anyone interested in following the restoration of the '56 Adventurer, I've started a project page on our website at http://www.stellarrestorations.com/1956 ... /index.php

Thanks,

Tim
http://www.stellarrestorations.com

Nice video, Tim
Thanks for sharing it
I,too, love the all originals...amazing just how well preserved it is
Chris

Nice Uh.. video... uh... Tim I'm kidding! Besides, you mentioned it first. It's hard talking to yourself. I noticed that the V in the grille is gold, however it should be a silver one. So, for Adventurers Gold Grille with a silver V. I also noticed that your rear bumper ends DO NOT have the black painted inside that 'indent'. Mine weren't painted either... so I left the paint off when I restored the car and was deducted points for it... So... What do you think?

Inner fenders should be a medium gray color.

If you have any questions about "Adventurers" you can email me!

Really nice car though!

Jim

Tim, thank you for providing all of this interesting information. I will be following it.

Hey, uh... Jim....

Your comment pointing out the gold "V" makes me go "hmmmm...."

So far this car is so "unmolested", I wonder if it might at all be an anomoly that this one has a gold V. Steve McManus has already pointed out that it's an early unit.... I wonder if there were any discrepencies? I have no idea.

It is going to be fun taking this one apart. Yesterday I noticed that the backside of the front header (above the grille, with the DESOTO letters on it) is also painted gray, and the stencil painted part number is still clearly seen.

With just over 120,000 miles, I would assume that the black paint in the rear bumper ends has worn off, rather than never having been there.

We're not quite working on this car full time yet, so I don't have many pictures to update to the website right now, but check back periodically! I'll do my best to tactfully announce worthy "highlights"