Projects It's got a HEMI!

Ok...I needed another project like I need a proverbial hole in my head, but while sitting with a cup of coffee this morning I made the mistake of perusing the local CL. A couple hours - and $2500 - later, I'm the proud owner of this 1955 Desoto. It runs, drives, stops...and as the ***le says, it's got a HEMI!

The engine runs smooth, trans shifts good and other than the rockers the car is solid. No holes in the floor, bottoms of doors, quarters, etc!

It definitely will need a little TLC, but it will make a great low buck cruiser. The wife is heading to the DMV tomorrow afternoon...stoked!

 

i think i would have had to do the same thing too.thats a steal.

 

that is a smokin' deal

 

Thats a score !!!!
What are the plans for it . Keep it original or is there going to be a sawall party .
A 3" chop , 3" section , converting it to a two door and a year of other body mods, would look sweet .

 

So..... there giving cars away in NC? Damn. You stole that ride.

 

Nice score...I love those DeSotos

Rat

 

toss a pair of gl***packs on the old girl and cruise !!!

 

Everything we buy doesn't need to be altered. Make it safe and drive it. Gotta love a HEMI!!! Come on over to the Forward Look Network to post your new ride.

 

That's a nice looking car and a total steal with that engine included. Great job!

 

Immediate plans are to go through the brakes and ensure they are ready to stop, correct a fuel line issue, some new shocks, and then drive it. I need to weld in new rockers, but I may wait until the end of the season before I start any surgery.

I know there will be some bugs to work out, so it will stay close to home for a while.

No chop in it's future, and too many other projects taking place to dig in too far right now. The gl***pack idea has already crossed my mind - a nice set of Smitty's or ???? It would be nice to hear that Hemi!

 

Very nice firedome, and an even nicer price !!
All I kept from mine was the engine......

 

The '55-56 Chryslers and DeSotos are well-built, stylish cars that have almost no following. I don't get it.

The upside is that they can be found for CHEAP and you can have a lot of fun with them. Color me jealous!

PS - Hamb'r VonDust has about the most bad*** '55 DeSoto in existence. Check it out- http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=558868

 

That's simply awesome. Thanks for linking it!

 

Nice find. It will make a nice cruiser for sure and not many out there so that makes it even better.

 

I drove it home last night! Running gear wise, it made the 40 mile drive flawlessly. Steering wise - well steering was more like making a suggestion via the steering wheel. The great looking bias plys obviously have some flat spots, and the shocks could have been non-existent. It would actually hold a straight line, but the sway of the car really affected its driveability.

Shocks are on order, and trying to find some decent radial whitewalls without breaking the bank (suggestions appreciated)

I'm not certain when the last time the wires and plugs were replaced (wires look like maybe sometime during the Kennedy administration), so it's running really rich. It doesn't affect it running, but it'll leave a soot spot. A tune up will be in order. As for running, I hopped in tonight, pumped it twice, turned the key, and it purred right away.

Definitely some sins to the body and a lot of the weather stripping is in bad shape - but it's a good start and will be a quick driver for the summer months.

Again - any good tire suggestions are appreciated.

 

Strip 'em for the hemi... the 53, 54, 55 have great grilles for custom Mercs and Fords. I think the 54 grille is the nicest, '55 is close.......

 

Wow! You kinda ****! That is a hell of a deal!!!

 

$2500? Holy **** man, that's a steal. Have fun with it.

 

Yea,Sean,like you didn't have enough to do!It looks like it will be a lot of fun,maybe drop it a little ,maybe some flames.....by the way thanks for the pics of your sedan floors,I haven't talked to you in a while,lookin good! Phillip