I just picked up this '56 DeSoto wagon and no matter how much I stare at it, I just can't get a clear vision for the end goal. The paint will stay the original yellow, as-is, but with a clear coat. The roof and inset sweep will be silver or charcoal. I need help with wheels! Wide whites, colored steelies, chromies, Salt Flats, chrome Supremes, polished Halibrands... something more modern? I picture it lowered, with a slight rake. Fat rear tires, probably on a deep wheel to bring it out to the fender. I'm open to all suggestions...please help! Thanks, Robb
I'd leave the wheel covers on it, or maybe find some others that look even better. And I'd forgo the clear coat, too.
Centerlines Competition Series Qualifiers on the front and Convo pros in the rear. Ok I get the color scheme and the rake, what look are you after? I would think if it wee me I would be looking at steelies and skinny whites but that is just me. Maybe some spyders or chrome lugs to set it off a but.
Stance and wheels (should) convey everything that your car is to you. I think stock wheel covers work well on a '55-56 Chrysler product (15" wheels) as long as they're in good condition and the right whitewall is used. Lower it some to give it proper attitude, and voila. There were some great wheel covers used on '57-61 Mopars as well, if you're willing to move to 14" wheels. A really low stance and '60s mag wheel always looks great on a wagon with boards on the roof. Cool Firedome you have there. It looks rock-solid, so maybe consider a real paint job. It's worth it. I'd be on the hunt for a pair of Fireflite headlight buckets. Good luck!
How 'bout a set of painted 55 Chrysler 15 inch wires? Have the rears widened and run a fat tire on the back with skinnys on the front. Or find a set with good chrome. Maybe a good photoshopper could photoshop the wires onto your wagon to see if it's some thing you like.
I am not a fan of white sidewall tires, so it would be blackwalls for me. I think the salt flat wheels look good, but a wider steel wheel the color of the roof and "insert sweep." with baby moons and chrome trim rings would be my first choice. That is a really cool looking car I love it.
Rocky beat me to my first choice...the wires. Second choice would be what ever width steels you desire, with one of the variations of Lancer wheel covers works for you. My dad ran these on his MOPAR wagons from the late '50s thru the late '60s...then resurected them for his '76 Dodge Street Van.
You have a car with class, keep it that way. First, give it a COMPLETE paimt job. The dark top and sweep are an excellent contrast to the pale yellow. Patina does nothing to preserve the class. As for wheels and tires, you have to go a long way to beat American 5 spokes. Either torq thrust or torq thrust II with 15x8 and 15x6 wrapped in 235 70's onthe rear and 215 70's on the front. If mags don't blowyour skirt up, the the same tires wiyth chrome Chrysler wires. I'm looking to buy a '56 Chrysler New Yorker wagon myself and have really been thinkingadout paint, wheels, and tires too. Whatever you decide, keep the class, you will be glad in the end
Oh, and on the paint, I like the charcoal better visually, but the silver better for heat buildup inside. If you were going for a complete repaint, I'd stick with the pale yellow and charcoal, but with the rooftop in the yellow, and the window surrounds in the charcoal...then the wires in the charcoal. Also, a less pricey alternative to the wires might be the artillery wheels
... just mop-N-glo the damn thing. Easiest satin shine clear there is. Wipe on clean. Lasts until recoat. I like the black wheel shot, with the wider whites. Spokes if it runs balls out. Not so much if just running.. Hard to hurt that car. I'd rock that first pic' version. Runnin' like a top, until its blown up and repainted ... if ever really. That is too cool. Score !
Thanks for all the replies and the words of encouragement. The car is completely original...330 hemi and powerflite trans, complete interior, not missing any of the trim, nothing broken, and only 2 minor rust spots...all of which were key in buying a 1 or 2 year only model car with limited parts availability. I need to completely re-do the mechanical side of the car, but I don't want to "restore" it. Not yet, anyway. Right now I just want to make it a solid driver. Get in and drive, don't have to worry about door dings and scratches kind of car. I agree that the car has a touch of class and that it should be preserved. That's why I decided on this project. It's a good lookin' car and shouldn't be rotting in a field. It's only original once, so I'm going to embrace that for a while. Plus it'll be driving a whole lot sooner! As for the yellow...clear or leave it. I don't really have a preference. I've seen black, charcoal and silver used with the yellow. Not diggin' the black. Too much bumblebee. It was even suggested that I go with forest green instead. Although it was available in '56, I'm not really feeling it. I'm leaning toward the charcoal, but a bit lighter. I'm a firm believer that wheels make or break a car. The right combo of wheels and stance will make a complete POS stand out over an over-restored beauty with the wrong wheels. I can usually decide pretty quickly on the overall look and I move on. For some reason, I'm just not there yet. That's why I'm looking for insight from all of you. I might be liking the thought of white walls on sweep colored rims with chrome spiders and beauty rings?? (the car has the large 5x5.5 pattern, so that may limit my choices too) What I do know is that I want the "Hell yeah, I'd roll that!" look. Thanks, Robb ...can anyone recommend a reputable engine builder in southern CA?
The engine is most likely a 330, not to be confused with the Chrysler 331. Completely different, but similar looking. Not sure if you're aware of that.... The wheels need to be shiny or at least light colored, for the car to look right.
what Jim said.....on the cheap.....look for some factory 15x7's found on most 81-89 Grand Fury's....also know as cop wheels.....rare car there....sold my 56 Windsor Wagon a year or so back....wish I had the room to keep it....running the 15x7's on my 65' wagon...
What Bean-O said. Color match the insert color, pinner white walls and spiders. I would suggest something half way between silver and charcoal. Too light and it blends with the side/insert trim making it look like just a big fat silver stripe. Too dark and it's too much contrast with the light yellow. Bitchin' car though. Need more pics!
LOL he don't want those wires and as much as you like me you could afford to give me those wheels ( and that scabbed together coupe to go along with 'em). I always forget that Chrysler ran wires in the '50s. They are a lot like Buick wires, maybe the same company? Are those Kelsey's? Those with pinners or black walls would be as smooth as a baby's butt on that old wagon. Classy to say the least.
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