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Hi all,
I just had a question regarding my '59 Desoto Firesweep Explorer... Please forgive me if its a dumbass question. I had a few private chats with Bob T. regarding how many of my particular model may still exist. He was extremely helpful, down to the exact # of my car and date produced and similar great info. He informed me that there were only 6 known '59 Firesweep Explorers in North America{Ive even got the original paint and working factory air}. My question is how might I go about verifying or registering if I have the 7th now known Explorer in the Americas? He did say there are likely a few more in Europe, but that its still likely to only be around a dozen in total known to still exist. But I suppose I would just like the club to know I believe I have lucky #7 of this particular car/model here in N.J. Not in a snotty way, just that I have one of the few remaining operational '59 Explorers from the 1200 that were originally produced and would be more than pleased to have it verified or put on a list somewhere or something like that.... I really just want it known that another one{aside from the other 6} has been found and is part of the club. Im just not sure how one would go about doing that. Would be most grateful for any help/suggestions for this newbe to the Desoto.org club
Thanks abunch-
Mark C.
Without having done much leg work, you might give these guys a shout. One of my former students and graduate of McPherson College's Auto Restoration program is heavily involved with the HVA
https://www.historicvehicle.org/
Tim
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Hi Tim,
Thanks abunch, I will definitely check it out!
thanks again-
Mark-
Mark,
Welcome to the NDC! Your enthusiasm is obvious and refreshing.
With your membership you should be receiving a copy of our latest roster issue of DeSoto Adventures magazine which we publish at the beginning of every year. In each of our bi-monthly issues we post a list of all of our Technical Advisors by year(s). Our 1959 Tech Advisor is Alan Ralston who is rumored to have owned every model of '59 DeSoto known to man! He's located in Mendota, MN and can be emailed to: DeSotoDriver@hotmail.com.
According to the Standard Catalog of Chrysler 1924-1990, there were 1,179 Firesweep Explorers built in '59 and our latest roster listed only two registered to our membership.
One way to memorialize your ownership would be to submit an article to the magazine including all of the history of your "prize" of which you are aware and any photos that you have both of the Explorer and of you and family. You can email all of the above to: desotoadventures@gmail.com (attaching not imbedding the photos in the copy) or snail mail to: Geoff Overley, Editor 526 W.Main St., Mason, Ohio 45040-1626.
Once again, we welcome you to the club and look forward to your sharing your "DeSoto Adventures" with the membership.
Geoff
Hi Geoff,
Humn, I haven't received any of the magazines you mention, but I will definitely hit up Alan for some info... I have to admit, I have hit a few snags with this Explorer, mostly just due to its rarity... but hopefully with a little free time I can get her up and roadworthy. As soon as that happens, I'll definitely send in my info and some pics!
Thanks for all the help!
Mark C.
Hey, Mark;
Since you haven't received any of the club's magazines, it might be worth clarifying that joining the website and joining the club are two different things....
If you haven't already joined the club, we'd love to have you!
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Hi Tim,
Thanks so much for the clarification. I must have just joined the website since I dont recall printing out those NDC forms. But I will be as soon as I print them out and send them on their way. I did try finding out some info from the HVA, but no luck there, but not giving up. So far, the most I've heard that may be out there, approximately, are roughly a dozen in the Americas and maybe 2-3 more in Europe. Would be nice to own such a rare one, and in such relatively good condition. I just need to re-do all the brakes and figure out a fuel delivery issue, then some nice new tires and hopefully she will be roaring down the roads of NJ.
Thanks again for all the help.
Mark-
