Projects 1956 DeSoto convertible barn find

Yeah, I know, barn find is about as overused as any phrase these days. But it is in a barn, so...
My dad just recently purchased this car from a guy he works with.
It was his uncle's car. He had passed away and my dad had the opportunity to buy it.

From what we were told, it has only been in the barn a year or so. Prior to that it had been in garage since early 70's. Last inspected in 72 I think.
The previous owner had been messing with it and had got it running again.

I saw the car in the garage about 6 years ago or so, when I was at the farm to look at another DeSoto convertible, a 55 6 cyl car, if memory serves. It sold for around 2k, and I was told the guy that bought it left it alone, just got it running and was driving it a few years ago.

I drove the car out of the barn and onto the trailer, and back off of the trailer and into the drive way at home.
Trans started leaking. Looks like front seal.

We are looking for some more info on these cars such as production numbers, etc. We have found some info, but any more would be helpful.
Also looking for parts sources.

Color code 411- Shell Pink/Iridescent Gray
Trim Code 864-Blue Vinyl
Engine Code S23-330 CID V8 230 HP, 8.5-1 CR, 2bbl carb.

Paint and interior are original, as is engine/trans/rear. Looks to be fairly complete and unmolested. Even original boot for convertible top is in trunk and in good shape. Missing pass. side convertible top cylinder.

Gotta love the 'OFFICIAL MAFIA STAFF CAR' license plate frame.


Thanks,
Dave









On the trailer.

 

great lookin car... that's got to be super rare.

doesn't look like that barn would have been very good protection for that car. good thing you got it out of there.

 

That's why the guy decided to sell it. He knew it would get ruined in there and didn't want that to happen.

Refreshing change considering all the people happy to let stuff fall apart.

 

Looks like it's a "Firedome" which was the cheaper of the two regular production ragtops, the "Fireflite" beingthe pricier of the two. The "Adventurer" was a limited production performance car (available in any color as long it was black or white with gold trim) sorta like the Chrysler 300 and Plymouth Fury.

Looks super solid and straight! Very desirable colors, too. Good luck with it!

 

It is a Firedome.

You are correct, sir.

 

Lots of hemi tech here on the HAMB. You may want to join www.forwardlook.net

 

Nice Find-that is going to be one cool car. what are your plans for it???????????????

 

wow..lots of barn finds recently,,,,,,,,,,

great car,,,,with tons of kustom potential......

 

kickin swheeet car find , convertible and a hemi awesome

 

Well, it's my dad's, but it is at my house for now. He lives in Tennessee, but it was up here by me, so I picked it up for him and am keeping it here til he makes it up here at end of month.
Not sure what he's going to do with it yet.

There's a lot of stuff still out there hiding.
I know where there is a heavily chopped 32 5 window body that was a hot rod in 50's. I used to own the whole chassis out from under it. Still have some of it. Going to try for that body soon. Been in a garage for 25 or more years.


Dave

 

Sweet find I'm so glad the guy who had it sold it .. Most of em say imma gonna restore it someday but that day usually never comes....

 

great ride!
looks good for a barn find

 

man, we dont even have barns around here..just suburbia as far as the eye can see.....

 

I've heard rumors of a pair of 32 Fords hiding in Detroit at an old service station, a coupe and a roadster, both 50's rods, and a stack of NOS fenders.

Just cause theres no barns, doesn't mean theres nothing to be found.

Dave

 

Yummmm! I have always liked the late '50s Mopars, and the DeSoto is one of the best! Great color combo!

 

Love the look.That vintage DeSoto is on my list of cars I have to own.

 

I have never seen a convertible Desoto! That is sweet.

 

Looks like a super-solid car. And honestly, that car came from the factory in pink, with a hemi and a convertible! Pretty bad-ass as it is.

If it were mine, I think I'd just clean it up, get it running and driving nice, re-paint it if necessary and drive it.

I know alot of people don't care alot about a car's resale value, and I don't cae alot. But that's a pretty rare and desirable car. They aren't making any more 50's convertibles... Probably be worth alot more "restored" than even as a really nice custom.

 

Wow, that has to be even more rare than the 59 Edsel convertible I found recently. Love the colors. Is it a secret of what it took to buy it?

 

That is one gorgeous car. Only 646 '56 Firedome convertibles made. There were 1385 Fireflite convertibles made that year, and 100 Fireflite Pacesetter convertibles (2 went to the Indy 500 as pace cars and rest sold to public). Jay Leno owns a beautiful '56 Pacesetter. Adventurers were 2 dr hdtps only (996 made).

 

I don't know exactly what it took, as I did not do the actual buying. Just picked it up and brought it here for my dad.

From the way he talked, it was one heck of a deal.




Dave

 

Man, that is gorgeous! Can't say enough about the seller- nice to see someone who respects the car enough to let someone else take the reigns instead of letting it rot. Keep us posted!

 

Holy Hip Cat!! That is as stunning as it gets, thank god you are rescuing this prime example of period pieces. I yelled out, "MY God" when I saw the first picture. Thanx for the cheap thrill, I am still reeling. I think a cold shower is in order. ~Sololobo~

 

That thing sure is purdy!

 

I love it! A convertible Desoto with HEMI and in pink. Sweeeeeett. Please post up pics later when it is all cleaned up.

 

I think I know what your talking about and if it is the same there both model A's

 

What are your plans- leave it alone or restore it.
Personally I would leave it alone.

 

sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet !!!!!!

 

Hey Carter,congrats on your find.That is a rare car.I personally would leave it the way it is.There is a guy in Lancaster,Pa. that has every make 56 conv's.They are all restored to original.I have seen some of them.Just beautiful.

 

I am the actual purchaser of the car (Carter's dad) and I plan on just cleaning it up and driving it when I get it home to Tn. Thats if I can pry it out of my sons hands!