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Hi, I recently acquired a '59 Firedome 4dr. I love the styling and lines of the car and plan to use it as a learning tool for welding and fabricating. It is complete except for one piece of chrome trim, floor pans, sills, rockers and a trunk. Oh, and the frame is rotten and broken from the rear spring perch back. In fact, the side with the newish leaf spring sticks up into the trunk!
This being the case, I have a few questions.
1. What gauge metal should be used for the sills?
2. Has anyone used the prefab replacement floor pans and trunks, if so, how wide and long were they? Like I said, I pretty much only have the tunnel over the transmission and the firewall for a tub.
3. Where could I get a replacement frame? Are all of the junkyard frames this susceptible to rust?
Any other advice would be greatly appreciated-thanks in advance!
Desert Valley Autoparts may have a 59 frame. They are in a dry climate. There will be surface rust unless it previously lived in a wet salty area. They are at dvap.com. You will need the Casa Grande yard. If they do have a 59 there should be other parts.
Lisa: Welcome to the forum. I am sure you will find it helpful
Where are you located? We have some regulars who have parts cars and the knowledge to help you
Need something from you. The NDC maintains a summary of 1959 production. Please copy your data plate which is located on the radiator support down low to the right or by the driver's door hinge. Top line should look like 0921 433 M451 1xxxxx 352 We will translate it for you
Thanks for the replies. I am so excited to have this car, even if it has seen better days. I will give the place out west a call about the frame, but I am located in Central IL so if I could find one closer that would be great. Tonight I bypassed the neutral safety switch and found that it does start! Sounds pretty mean without any exhaust pipe so to speak.
The data plate as best as I could read it:
0508 433 M431 110170 352
G H3J KL MI N Z
A B C D E F EEE
I can't wait for the decoded information, thanks!
From the data plate
0508 Car made on May 8, 1959
433 DeSoto (4) Firedome (3) 4 door sedan (3)
M431 1959(M) DeSoto(4) Firdome(3) made in Detroit Jefferson Ave plant(1)
352 Green cloth and vinyl interior
EEE Surf green top body and sweep (lighter green color)
the other letters/numbers are your options
Do you have one or two lines of chrome along the side
How many buttons on the radio?
Do you have swivel seats?
I would like to say that Jeff is a stand up guy who is proud of what he does...and that is being a competent, honest supplier of 59 parts. I have delt with him several times and have never been disappointed.
Good luck during your restoration!
Thanks for the replies. I have emailed Jeff, hopefully he can fix me up. I saw a Desoto yesterday on I-90 just outside of Ohio, I was headed west, it was headed east. That made my day!
Stan, I am going to need all the luck I can get. At least I already have determination.
Bob, one chrome strip, bench seats, can't remember how many knobs on the radio.
It has been nearly a year since I last posted and I have made some progress on the Firedome. After fabricating rocker/sills and floorboards, I now have the car on a different frame. The frame was treated with Eastwood's Rust Converter then Rust Encapsulator (black) was applied over that. While the body was off the frame I applied seam sealer to the underside of the floorboard. The entire underside will be undercoated at a later date. The engine was cleaned and painted. I know that the firewall should be body color but I do not have that yet so the black will suffice for now. Keep in mind that this is a labor of love and with a very, very tight budget. I hope to have the front and rear brakes done in the near future. I just thought I would share an update after seeing all those pictures of the pretty '59's that were at the convention this year-wow! If you would like to see more photos, I have an album on the Forward Look site titled "Lisa's Firedome Fun". Remember-lots of love, very little budget!
Congrats on your hard work and progress! Keep us posted!
I'll go check your photos over on the Forwardlook list, too!
Tim
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
Just an update. The new quarter panels (made by me after looking at many pictures on the web to determine approximate wheel opening shape) were welded in, the rocker panels welded on, all filler sanded, etc. She looks a lot better now (to me at least)!
Very cool!
It's supposed to be fun!
1949 De Soto Custom Convertible (project)
You rock, Lisa! It's so great that you are keeping this wonderful car on the road.
Hope you and your family have a great summer, enjoying your new, old ride!
Really nice job fabbing up those panels and putting that car back together.
Have a nice day
Steve
Yes, nice job Lisa. Where did you end up getting the frame from?
Thanks everyone, it is of course more of a rescue than a restoration, but there can always be a Phase II once my skills get better right? The quarter panels and trunk extensions were all made by hand after looking at many photos on the web and those sent to me by other Desoto owners.
Paul, my frame was purchased from Jeff Nichols in NY. I found another at Moore's in South Dakota.
I still have some loose ends to tidy up and tune up, including the addition of seat belts. The kids can't hardly wait for that ice cream...
