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My brother got an old Desoto for restoration. I thought a good place to start would be with a real id .. turned out to be a non-trivial project. I’m hoping someone will recognize what we’ve got.
I have a couple of very poor photos that I'll try to attach.
Anybody know us?
Bruce’s distinguishing characteristics:
* 4-door .. sedan (not a hard-top, since it has fully-framed door-windows, with a B-pillar in between)
* side chrome line isn’t straight; it slopes down from front to rear with a curvy V-shape on the passenger door,
at which point it slopes up again going to the rear
* passsenger doors have a “V8” emblem, under the chrome trim line
* rear wheel wells are straight & very low (most cars' are rounded & higher & show almost the whole tire)
* rear wheel wells have an extruded ridge above, running to the rear
* there are 2 rear lights on each side, small & round, one above the other
* there are 2 tail-pipes, located at the extreme sides (most cars' seem closer to the center)
* tail fins are NOT part of the body shape, but smaller bolted-on chrome parts
* gas-filler is on passenger-side
* model year supposed to be 1956
* we were told the engine is a "352 Hemi" but no web searches any 352 versions
The car is a 1955 Dodge. Can't tell which model. I've attached a photo.
Ron
definitely a 55 Dodge
Musing about the "352" hemi: in 1955, Dodge offered a 270ci hemi. In 1956, it was upgraded to a 315 hemi and finally in 1957, there was a 325 hemi. Hard to see where 325 was transposed from 270 but maybe a later engine was installed and the numbers were transposed.
The folks on www.forwardlook.net can help you identify what you have if you can post a photo and ask for help.
Ron:
That photo sure looks like a winner.
What are the car's details?
Ron:
That photo sure looks like a winner.
What are the car's details?
Not sure what you are asking. It's a random photo I found on the internet.
Ron
I've been searching such photos too.
What I was hoping for was narrowing down the id.
It seems pretty hard to distinguish, between
Royal & Custom Royal & Coronet,
all or most of which also had Lancer versions,
(and I don't know where the Sportsman & Seville
designations fit in, but that may only be Desotos).
Looks like Chrysler played fast & loose with names
in those years.
But you are safely in the majority, as everyone
seems to agree it's a '55 Dodge.
Hola Bruce
Here is a 1955 Dodge Brochure. Slowly look at what you see in The Photos that is an Option. Make a list of them and then go to your car to look for the same item.
Also be "mind-ful" that what is An Appointment on a senior model - may be a option on a lessor car.
Rodger & Gabby
COS
FltSgt@outlook.com
