Rare 1956 DeSoto Firedome Wagon. S23 model from Detroit. The 55 and 56 models were the most popular for DeSoto and the wagons are very rare. See more pictures here... http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/cars-for-sale/desoto/firedome/1779487.html Current registration and title in hand. Even the keys! Excellent restoration candidate or take care of the mechanical items and drive it as is. This is a complete car, plus some extra trim, hub caps, hood ornament, several horn rings, steering wheel, and a complete grille assembly. Plus a bunch of other random things. Original 330 Hemi (stamped S23) with Powerflite 2 speed push-button transmission. Power steering. Power brakes. Engine is complete, but in unknown condition. The engine does not run. The valve covers were not on the engine, so the valve train is dirty. The cylinders actually look pretty clean and carbon-free. New battery. Transmission buttons function smoothly and the trans fluid looks ok. Drive shaft emergency brake works good. Very straight body. Only rust is a small spot on driver's lower rear wheel arch and a hole in driver's side floorboard. Frame and lower sections are solid. The roof is just surface rust discoloration. The paint will shine up. I gave it a mild CLR bath and polished the stainless and chrome. The trim really looks good from a distance. The chrome has varying degrees of pitting, but the stainless is in good shape overall. The window trim is best, the sweep trim has a few minor dings. (I have extra pieces to replace the worst ones) The glass is all there and in good condition - some scratches, but no chips. The tail lights are a bit faded, but not cracked. I also have a set of front parking light clear lenses that are in great shape. (these go in the bullets on the grille that are missing in the pictures) Complete original interior. Padded dash and accessory clock. The headliner has split at 3 seams, but no rips. It could easily be repaired or used as a template for a replacement. The door panels are in really good shape overall. Not missing any trim. Similar to the outside, the stainless is great and the chrome has pitting. Overall very shiny. There is some water damage at the bottom of 1 or 2 panels. The front seat cushion top layer of foam is shot, but the back is great, as are the rear seats. They look good, no rips, but are fragile. They also lay flat with ease. The windows function, as do the vent wings. The rear window rolls up and down as well - not power. All the interior stainless attached to the wood is present and in great condition. The rear corner pieces of wood will need some attention. The existing pieces will work great for a template for replacements. Factory repair manual, original Owner's manual, dealer brochure and poster are also included. These items are in near perfect condition. I bought it earlier this year in hopes of getting it on the road, but I just don't have the time or the space for a project. Buy it now before I change my mind and save it for a later date.
UPDATE... Now includes a second engine and trans that were running when pulled from the donor car. S24, 330 HEMI 4 bbl engine. The donor was a '56 4 door FireFlite, which I took just about everything that I thought I could use. Complete dash assembly, with working gauges and all wiring, complete heater assembly, working power front seat, brake booster, chrome trim, grille, bumper, door handles - inside and out, stainless visor trim around windshield and much more. All parts are boxed and hardware is bagged and tagged. I've also got new chrome mirrors, carburetor rebuild kit, and a new steel floor panel for the driver's side rust repair. $6500. MUST GO.
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