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Like many of you I often order parts via the internet for my daily drivers and older vehicles from RockAuto. RockAuto sends me a monthly e-newsletter which I rarely read. Something was telling me to look closely at this month's newsletter and lo-and-behold the feature car is Brent Jacobsen's '52 Firedome Sportsman. Great feature story, Brent!
Brent's 1952 DeSoto Firedome
This is my 1952 DeSoto Firedome. The DeSoto was a car made by Chrysler Corporation from 1928 through 1961, and positioned between the Chrysler and Dodge in the Chrysler product line-up.
I bought this DeSoto in 1980 from a lady in eastern Oregon who was insistent that if I buy the car it should not be "hot rodded." She and her husband had traveled all over the western U.S. and Canada in the car. It still has a 1956 Canada National Parks sticker in the front window to prove it!
After I bought the car, I drove it cross-country to Michigan. I have owned the car ever since, but in 2015, I had to recondition much of the chassis which was suffering a lot of age related failures. I also rebuilt the engine, the brakes and some of the power steering and electrical system. You would think that with a car of this age, parts would not even be listed, but RockAuto had a surprisingly complete parts listing for it! I was able to find piston rings, brake cylinders, belts and all the ignition parts. Also refreshingly surprising were the parts under "Tools & Universal Parts" where I was able to find bulk spark plug wire, terminals and even the pliers to crimp them on! Not to mention the comb to straighten the radiator fins!
I have nicknamed the car Millie after the lady I bought it from. I am sure she would be happy to see her beloved DeSoto still humming along on road trips and going to car shows.
Brent in Michigan
P.S. For the gearheads I have included a photo of the engine compartment showing the original DeSoto Hemi engine in all its factory stock glory. Notice the power steering pump on the back of the generator that does not leak oil anymore because RockAuto had the oil seal for the input shaft!
Here is a link to the newsletter: https://www.rockauto.com/Newsletter/
Super neat! Thanks for sharing.
"It's delightful, it's delovely, it's DeSoto"
That's a good looking car!!!
Jim
Thanks Guys. I guess I wrote them a good ad.
The car is a lot rougher than it looks in that photo. I've been concentrating on the engine compartment and chassis, but the interior needs work as does all that chrome. Lots of fun still to be had fixing this old machine!
Brent Jacobsen
Owner of a 1952 Desoto Firedome
Everyone will get to see that picture again in July....
