1956 DeSoto Firedome 2 Door Coupe For sale
I have had this car in storage since 2005, prior to that it spent 30 years in a field in Ellensburg Washington. It is currently at the Peoples Storage (6908 NE 181st St, Kenmore, WA 98028) in Kenmore, WA. You can see it from the car wash next door. Skip to the end if you aren't interested in the details.
I am selling this piece of history because the new Mayor of Kenmore is practicing his government overreach by restricting what can be stored outside of the storage facility. Passed the law late at night with no opposition. So this disabled veteran ( 4 years in the Navy, wrecked my back soon after purchase ) must sell. I can't afford to move the car to another facility and have to face the fact that my physical health has gotten worse.
The farmer that I bought the car from actually started it as I pulled up and it didn't smoke or sound too rough, but there may not have been oil to burn and I asked him to shut it off before anything was damaged. So, I have heard the engine run and it needs work. Parts are readily available for the original 291 Hemi. At a minimum bearings, rings, seals, and complete tune up. I have a four barrel manifold to include if you want. I had also intended to re-wire the entire car because someone prior to me thought they were an electrician. I was a E-5 Aviation Electrician in the Navy and my professional opinion is they created a great fire hazard and birthed new electrical gremlins.
Rust. Yes, typical places, passenger floor board is "flintstoned" and drivers side, let's call it not as bad. Behind both rear tires, lower front fenders, basically the typical spots. except the perfection in the trunk. Trunk interior was striped to bare metal, primed and painted with trunk paint. The gas tank is currently out ( refurbished with por-15 ) so the underside of the trunk can be seen without holes.
Body damage. Very little excluding rust, and a very large dent/smash behind the drivers door. Mud, brush, and a large hornets nest prevented me from seeing the three inches of bondo that filled the panel. it has multiple holes from a makeshift dent puller, I think. The sheet metal is quite thick on these cars and proved too tough for the bodyman. Bullet holes. Yes, several. I planned on filling the backside of them and leaving them as character and a testament to it's field car status. But I also just wanted to drive the car, didn't care if it was still "unfinished," just street worthy.
The interior is complete but needing complete restoration. Seat frames are intact and need cleaning and paint. Door cards need new backing. But probably new interior materials throughout. Headliner had been eaten by critters and green shag carpet was full of said critter waste. Everything interior is in my storage locker, inside the building. Including new/old door handles.
The car needs a windshield, they do pop up for sale every so often. Not cheap but they are available. Needs a few trim pieces, and tail light lenses. But the real expensive trim bits and emblems are all there. It would make for a beautiful ground up in the original light blue and white. There is potential in this car, you won't lose money with a smart restoration. Fortunately these old cars can only go up in value, may not be much, but up is up.
My wife and I had envisioned sitting in it watching the ocean on the coast. We love this car and hate to see it go. When I took the pictures of it, it got real dusty while my wife quietly wept. I would keep this beauty in storage until I died. But my hand is forced so my loss is your gain. If you are local and want help let me know. If you wouldn't mind/had the time we would appreciate the occasional update picture. Thank you for reading.
FOR THE TOO LONG CROWD:
Rolling basket case, complete, relatively rare car needs complete restoration.
$4500 or best offer. It's rare, but not that rare.
http://s1383.photobucket.com/user/1956desotoforsale/library/?sort=3&page=1
Email questions to 1956desotoforsale@gmail.com All my devices are tuned to this account so responses will be swift.SOLD
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