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Hello everyone,
I am new to the boards and just got a 55 Desoto Fireflite. The car is in decent shape but does need some work. I am looking to redo the interior and want to get the material ordered while I am working on the mechanical items. Any recommendations on where I can get the best quality fabric? I would like to make the car as close to possible as original so if anyone has pictures of what that looks like it would be greatly appreciated.
I hope to get some pictures of the car up here today.
Kenny
Kenny
Welcome To The Site.
Are you also a National De Soto Club Member ? Where are you located at ?
Here is a link to what many say is "the best of the best" fabric vender's.
Speak with them and they will send you fabric samples.
http://www.smsautofabrics.com/
****
look to the left at ... Resources ( click on it ). At 1955 is a Tech Advisor
that you can use.
Rodger & Gabby
COS
FltSgt@outlook.com
Thanks for the response. I ordered some samples and look forward to getting started. I am located in Suffolk VA. I just signed up for the National club today. Thanks again for the information.
Kenny, welcome to the NDC and this forum. It is going to help to have pictures of the interior. Hopefully someone will take some for you. I got the material for my '52 from SMS. They sent me some samples but none of them were correct. When I sent them pictures of an interior that was the correct pattern but a different color they were able to match it in the color I needed. They will probably send samples of material that is correct for the early fifties Mopars but not necessarily correct for your '55. SMS was very good to work with and did make an effort to find the right material. A bit pricey, but if you want the correct material they are probably your best source.
But order from SMS as soon as reasonably possible, because receiving your materials can be a nightmarishly long wait!
Take notes of your conversations with the sales people, and also of any other correspondence until you get your stuff so that you can at least remind them of what they promised the last time you spoke to them.
I just last week received the door panel kit for the '56 Seville that I ordered at the end of October '12. The rest of the yardage that I ordered for the car came in a reasonably quick timeframe.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Thanks for all the advice. I will get my material ordered as soon as possible. My main concerned is not knowing what the material is supposed to look like. My drivers side door panel and passenger side don't even have the same material. The Carpet in the back seat and front seat are also different. I have a little work to do but it wil look great when done.
I am still trying to upload some pictures but I am having some problems. Does this site support MAC computers for uploads?
We're working on a '55 Fireflite 4 door sedan, and the original materials were in the car. The original seat covers were underneath some aftermarket covers. I can send you some pictures if you end up needing them.
The '55 Tech advisor should also be able to help you out with issues of authenticity.
Provide the trim number found on your data tag to SMS and they have a good chance of providing the correct material choices from that information, but like Les said, you have to double check and make sure on your own.
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
To supplement what Tim said, a couple of questions
what model FF do you have 2 door hardtop? 4 door sedan? convertible?
Does your car have a sweep or a straight line of chrome?
From the data plate in addition to the TRM number, what is the PTN number? In what combination is yours?
From there we can provide some more help for you
Good luck
Bob,
4 door sedan hardtop
Straight line of chrome
Just pulled the data plate. (It felt like Christmas morning)
Model - TP
Body - 35
Paint - 383
Trim - 460
SFONO - 35
Sched - 61
Body Number - 8624
TR - 3
HR - 5
EC - 1
FC - Blank
AR - Blank
EW - Blank
SO - 1
PB - 5
KI - Blank
DM - Blank
Kenny,
Your paint code indicates your car has the Lexington Green lower color with the Cove Green top. The trim code 460 indicates it has a green cloth trim. I ordered the green cloth for my 55 Coronado from SMS. I believe the cloth in the Coronado would be different than that in yours. Also the pattern is probably different. I will attach a picture of mine which may not be of much help.
When attaching your pictures, do not use the "add the file" button. For some reason, using this button prevents the picture from being attached.
Mac
Mac,
I really appreciate the help. I ordered some samples from SMS and will see what they have.
So if I don't use the add file button how do I get the pictures up here?
Here is my facebook page with the photos added.
https://www.facebook.com/Kenny.Sayre/media_set?set=a.10151708331410678.525125677&type=3
It kicked my butt all night but I figured out how to post pictures.
Ken
Hint: Never drop/ slam the Hood for soon you will see the chrome breaking
at the nose.
Close it slowly and after it is "there", use both hands - palms open to push down
at the front center of The Hood to make it click shut.
Good Photos !
Rodger & Gabby
COS
FltSgt@outlook.com
Welcome to the club. Your Fireflite looks great. I'm looking forward (no pun intented about the "Forward Look" of the design of your car) to seeing you and your Fireflite at one of our annual conventions.
BTW, you have a sedan, not a hardtop. Yes, the top is hard, but it's not a hardtop. A hardtop, by definition, does not have a B pillar (behind the front doors) supporting the top. De Soto did make four-door hardtops, but not until 1956.
Bill