Projects What to do with my -57 DeSoto

I have owned this -57 DeSoto Firedome for 10 years or so. When I bought it on evil-bay it had gone through several owners and considerable amount of money spent on it already. Last owner had some ideas to transform it to a “Clif Inman” -57 Chrysler lookalike and it has -57 Chrysler tail light, and a -57 Chrysler dash installed. It came with a running -63 413 and auto trans and was also converted to FWDB. Being a typical e-bay deal the car did not exactly live up to my expectations so I pretty much put it in storage and worked on other cars.
I have since then located and rebuilt a -57 DeSoto Firedome 341 Hemi (correct motor for this car) with matching trans and are now at decision making time.
Do I continue with the Chrysler / DeSoto custom concept, or do I go back to the DeSoto more stock build, since I have most of the parts to do so??

 

I guess it all depends if your going to keep it when its done. The Hemi will appeal to both sides- stock or custom, can't really go wrong working on it. Neat car

 

go with the custom concept, that thing is wicked cool!

 

Why not build a "Cliff Inman" '57 DeSoto...??? No one sez you have to build a perfect clone...make it your own, you're not that far from it now...!!!

R-

 

The first thing that came to mind was Cliff's Chrysler.

Build your Own Custom on the Lines of Cliff's car But on the DeSoto Platform.

And the 341 is a MUST, Put it in with a Manual Trans 2x4 Manifold !

 

Sorry, I did not mean to indicate that I would or for that matter could build a clone, just something in that direction since it has already been started

 

I'd put dual headlights in it. The rest looks GREAT!

 

Sell it to me then I can worry about it .... please

 

Back up 3 steps Go out & get a virgin? (car) What ever & build it like you want. You will re do it again anyway. Merry Christmas do it your way.

 

go...Desoto....like the quad light idea...that's an easy swap...

 

You simply cant go wrong when you start a hot rod project with a drop frame Hudson, 32 Ford, or a 57-58 Mopar!
Clif's Chrysler just about nailed the word perfection, and defined what a smooth custom should be. But IMHO, there's no need to go "all out" like he did. The car already has amazing lines.
Build it the way you want it. If you like the Chrysler tail-lights, go for it, if not, swap 'em out.
Personally, I think the single headlight looks better than the quads... Kinda gives it a simpler look, like a Ford of the same era.

 

I have a set of quad fenders, but thinking of staying with singel's since they are not as common. Thanks for all the input.

 

An interesting aside.
In 1957 some states allowed dual headlights and some did not. Many Chrysler products were shipped to dealers with single lights installed and a set of duals in the trunk...

 

I have somewhat the same dilemma on my '57 'Dome. You can do a lot of little custom things and still keep the DeSoto vibe on the car. To me the single headlamps look much more sinister than the duals. I'm looking at swapping mine out for singles.
The rear of the '57s are defined by the stacked individual lights, the jet exhaust tips that look they are part of the bumper, and that great looking rear bumper. To me that is the identity of probably the greatest looking DeSoto that ever left Detroit.

These cars also look great in a single color by removing the sweep and de-cluttering the sides. Looks like the previous owner started already by removing some of the front badging. A different dash would be a great upgrade, a '56 DeS would look fantastic on one of these cars. A 413 with a manual transmission would be a great choice.

 

Yikes, a manual transmission a great choice? This is not a hotrod!
Why would you want to row a stick in a (custom) car which came with a cool pushbutton transmission system from the factory...?

I think I would get it running first, drive it around have fun with it, then decide if you want certain custom touches done to the car.
That's pretty much what I did when I bought my '57 Chrysler. It also was described better in the ad then in reality. But I fixed those things first, got it running properly and drove it around for some time, in the mean while gathering parts to get the car to my liking a bit more.
I've also had the idea of changing it over to single headlights but I still need to get the chrome headlight trim for this.

 

It screams custom.......

 

If it was mine I'd Go back to stock they are perfect the way they are and it would be worth more money

 

Yeah, I'm thinking stock is the way to go especially since I already have a Hemi powered -33 Dodge and a -49 Chev "custom". But then i see the picture bigblockmopar posted and i am back thinking custom again.

 

Custom, what the heck!

 

A lot of custom touches on my car can be changed back to original just as easy; wheels, stance, grille, paint and such. A bit harder to bring back are the shaved door handles, hood and trunklid, but shouldn't be that hard if you really want to.

 

Bigblock That car is awesome! The Blond is not bad either. I would not change a thing. And if I had one it would be a custom.

 

sounds like a good plan to me

 

Custom for sure!

 

Kustom.

 

Custom. Not even a question.

 

Gotgas, Thank you, thank you, thank you

 

Im so glad to see someone bring up 57 desotos, my best friend has one its all stock, 4 door with a rebuilt hemi. Hes been wanting to turn it into a mild custom for a while now hopefully before this summer ill be sure to post pics if we ever get to it ha...i say go custom these cars deserve attention!

 

This is the first time I've ever heard of a 341 Hemi.. Doh!! So how common were they???

 

Well they were the stock mill for this car along with( i could be off here) a 345 Hemi?
Great thread and pix. I have one in the shed which is next in line for attention and was wanting some ideas......shaving the side trim can look good with the right paint....even very mild they look great, and yes one of the best proportioned and styled 50's cars imho.

Here's what I have to work with........some one transplanted a C58 392 into her so I'm happy about that!.....

 

NO, you could sell it to me instead and I'm closer.

Or build it anyway you want to but build it or sell it to someone who will. I've always been a big fan of the Cliff Inman car but am not a fan of clones. Building a car "inspired by" yes, clone no.