'55 Fireflite Coronado

Well, I have a bit more information concerning Coronado literature to add. I've recently acquired a photocopy of a 1955 dealer folder highlighting the Coronado for 1955. This folder was documented to be 12x11 in size, B&W with color chips, and included upholstry fabric samples. This brochure details the "six combinations to choose from" while highlighting the 3-tone color styling. It also lists the custom features that are standard equipment on the Coronado. These are:

1. Three-tone color styling
2. Color sweep
3. Sun cap visor
4. Chrome drip moulding covers
5. Chrome rear quarter finish panel
6. Interior chrome garnish moulding
7. Chrome seat side shields
8. Linen finish vinyl headlining
9. Genuine leather bolsters
10. Nylon matelasse upholstry
11. Nylon, foam ruber backed carpeting (black)
12. Chrome plated rear vision mirror and bracket.

This same folder also details the "new interior smartness" available, and how the interior hues are "perfectly color-keyed with the dramatic exterior 3-tone color styling." This interior was only available in one color combination.

In addition to this dealer folder, I also received photocopies of a confidential bulletin announcing the launch of the new 1955 Coronado available. This bulletin would have included a price list and order blanks for use by individual dealerships. The confidential bulletin is dated for Feb. 14, 1955, and is addressed to "All Desoto Direct Dealers (except in the State of Texas)". This paper specifies pricing and what is included in the Coronado package (special trim, special paint, color sweep, sun cap visor) as well as details the paint and trim codes. A special note beneath this section indicates that the Coronado Package will be designated by body type Code 45 on shipping orders and invoices, which is also indicated on the build sheet I received from CHS.

I watched your video and then saw that Lee Exline asked the very question I had; do you know if you have spark?

I'd take it easy with the starting fluid, too. If you use too much, you can wash the oil off the cylinder walls.

If I were standing there, I'd first pop the distributor cap and manually open/close the points and look there for spark. You might have to lightly file the points (or you can drag some fine siliconcarbide sandpaper through the points to clean them.)

Hi Tim,

After replacing the coil we now have spark into the distributor but none coming from it. The distributor appears new, but we're going through the distributor/points this weekend. Hopefully we'll get it going. Thanks for the tip on the ether. Now that the fuel pump has been replaced, we have plenty of fuel to the carb.

Somehow the last 3 pages of this thread are missing... not sure if the information will be lost forever? There were some really interesting and helpful posts by other members.

On another note, I wanted to update everyone on my car. This afternoon she ran for the first time after the neighbor helped me install a new set of points and a new condenser. She only ran for about 20 seconds, and then ran out of gas (we have it hooked up to a container until we drop the tank and have it cleaned/lines replaced or flushed). It was a thrill to hear her rumble. I only wish I had captured it on video. Hoping for nice weather this weekend so we can work on her some more. We'll let it run for a little while to see if there are any leaks, and see about dropping the tank. Hoping that I can take a video to share with you all then.

Jessica

All of the posts to this thread should be visible again.

Rick

Awesome, Rick. Thanks so much for fixing this!! Very appreciative... lots of great, important info that would be a shame to lose.

Thanks again.

Mac:
I just joined the club after buying Roger Lewis's beautiful '55 Coronado. While perusing the club site I discovered the photographs of your stunning car. Wow! Mine is almost as nice, but the trunk lining has been replaced with incorrect black carpeting. Would you mind telling me the source of the lovely, correct trunk lining in your car? Thanks!

Keith
Durham, NC

Welcome Kieth,

It's great to have another Coronado in the hood. What paint code is yours?

As you may know, the original trunk material consisted of a checkerboard printed burtex matting material and the side panels were a boarding material with a checkerboard pattern printed on it. Over time the boarding material became brittle and cracked up and the matting would get soiled and become unpresentable. It has been impossible to find a replacement for the original boarding material.

My trunk was a diasaster when I got the car, but most of the side panels were there if not in pieces. I took it to a great upholstery shop in Greenville, SC and they ordered the burtex material from someone, perhaps SMS. When it came in it had been shipped from Auto Custom Carpets in Anniston, AL. The shop cut new panels out of a plastic material and covered them with the burtex material. They made a new mat out of this material. The finished product is pretty much original looking.

Hope to see you at some of the Carolinas' Chapter functions.

Mac

Hello Mac:
Thanks so much for your prompt reply. The side boarding material of my trunk liner is in good shape, but the mat has deteriorated badly and was covered with nicely fitted black carpet by the previous owner. Actually, it looks nice & neat and I was satisfied......until I saw how beautiful your trunk looked. I'll contact SMS and see if they have the correct material and if they do I will have a new liner fabricated by my upholstery guy as you did. I think that would be fairly simple, and my experience has been that SMS has just about everything.

The paint code of my car is 430. Turquoise body, white spear and black top.

My car is in excellent condition and really needs very little, but I'm sure I'll post questions and/or comments on the site from time to time. It appears to be a very well designed, user friendly site and I look forward to exploring it.

Cheers,
Keith

Jessica, this was posted on my facebook, maybe you know about it already but just in case.

http://medford.craigslist.org/cto/2457910072.html

I have a 53 Desoto with the checkerboard style of trunk carpet. I obtained the exact material and pattern from SMS. However, it does not come with the burtex backing. Does anyone know where to get this burtex stuff from?

Hi Keith! Welcome to the club! And with a Coronado, no less!

Roger Lewis... would that be the same Coronado from Sacramento? This car was featured in a Cars&Parts magazine article back in 1993.

If you're the new owner of the same car, then congrats! You've got one really nice Coronado! Would you be willing to share a picture of your PT plate? Roger never got back with me regarding adding the vehicle to my database (I have been cataloging known Coronado's with Vin/PT info).

Hi Jessica:
Yes, my recently acquired Coronado is the one that was previously owned by Roger Lewis in Sacramento and was featured in a couple of magazine articles years ago. Roger was kind enough to include those magazines along with an exhaustive file of documentation when I purchased the car. I would of course be happy to send you a photograph of the PT plate to add to your data base. I looked for over 2 years to find a really nice Coronado, and I must say the long wait was worth it. This car is immaculate outside and in and Roger maintained it mechanically to exceptional standards. I've driven the Coronado over 500 miles in the three weeks I've had it and I am more impressed every time I get behind the wheel. Great car!

Keith,

That's fantastic! I am glad that you were able to find this one and give it a great home. It was funny timing when your Coronado first went up for sale, I had just received a copy of the Cars&Parts magazine article in the mail.

Please do send the picture of the PT plate to me (or post it here if you prefer), and any other Coronado tidbits you'd like to share-- especially photos. They help keep me going on the journey to restore mine. I started this database last year with only 6 cars, and now we are well over 20!

Jessica
sandstrom.jessica@yahoo.com