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You might try Tim Stanghor down in Whitewater, KS on the starter. He has a '56 Fireflite 2 door hardtop parts car that may have a rebuildable starter for you.

316-210-2002

No need to "upgrade" (?) to 12V system. The '55 6V system works great. My '55 DeSoto usually starts right up after sitting in the garage all winter. BUT, if you insist.... No need to change the starter. A 6V starter will spin like the dickens on 12V and last a long time, and won't even know you changed polarity. I think I have a couple '56 Starters, but you don't need one. Tim points out that a bolt-on 12V upgrade from a '56 DeSoto is perfect. I too have some, but I repeat for emphasis, no need to convert to 12V, 6V works great.

Have a nice day
Steve

Oh, NS SW is on the lt side of the transmission and the starter relay is on the left inner fender.

Have a nice day
Steve

6 volt does not seem to be working. very dim lights. trouble starting even with new battery, battery charge after use. lots of kinks.

Roger told me wrong to ask starter but he meant generator convert from 6v to 12 volt. He meant 12 volt rebuilt or rebuildable generator. 12 volt 1956 chry/desoto with power steering.

I'd call Tim Stanghor on the generator/PS setup, too.

Remember that a 6 volt system has to use more current to accomplish the same tasks as a 12 volt system.
If you are having multiple problems, I'd suggest that you clean up all of the battery connections, especially the ground connections. Pay particular attention to the battery connections and where the battery grounds to the engine. There also should be a grounding cable from the engine to the body.
Understand that in a direct current environment, the ground path must be free of any corrosion because any bad connection acts like another load and reduces the available voltage.
Look for some future Adventures articles on this and other DIY/Technical topics.
Geoff

My 2 cents.....I'm in the same camp as Steve and Geoff. Bring your existing 6v system up to spec. 6v cars were around and functioning for over 40 years. Whenever I get a 6v car with electrical issues I rebuild or replace most of the components if they look anywhere near old. New 00 battery cables with good connections are a must. You'd be surprised how many 6v cars out there have 12v cables. New regulator and rebuilt starter and generator. Replace any suspect wiring. Good clean grounds everywhere. If you want to go to 12v fine but remember you'll do all of the above plus replace all the bulbs and adding a resistor to make the fuel gauge, clock, radio work. I had a 55 DeSoto ( the best $1000 car I've ever owned) as a daily driver and the only time it didn't start was on a -23 degree morning. Good luck whichever way you go.