Startin a thread here for the 1951 Desoto Custom-Custom. Every since I was kid going to shows with my old man I loved Merc customs. When I learned the teeth came off them desotos I wondered why I didn't see more desoto customs. So here is my attempt at doing a full custom on a 51. I'm using Sam Barris '49 Merc as my north star for styling cues and period aesthetics. Some photos below from the seller and the day it came home. After selling another project I finally have time and money to sink into this SOB. I bought this off a father & son up in washington. It was a project they'd been working on together, but the father ended up with arthritis so bad he couldn't use tools anymore. Sat for over a decade. Besides the paint and '72 camaro front suspension and rear end everything else is mostly stock. Custom plans for it: - Hamber 73RR is buildin a 330 hemi, 200-4R behind it - French headlights & tailights - Keep door handles, conquistador emblem, trunk latch assembly, & 51 packard side trim only - Fill seams - Chop - Shave gas door, locks, reverse lights From Seller Comin Home Plan to paint original solid - Midnight Blue Test fitting wheels from The Wheel Smith w/ goodyear super cushions Will try to keep this updated.
Interesting and different - both good things! If, as you say, you plan to chop it you might consider moving the bottom of the rear glass back toward the trunk which, when leaning it, will allow for a more substantial looking 'C' pillar.. Just a thought. We're all watching! Dave
Great call. Would love to find a way to get the glass from a '50 buick sedanette in there. Not sure if it would flow properly with the body style.
Wouldn't be a proper update if it hadn't been almost a year right? Stuff since last update. Sorry for poor pics. Will grab more soon. Plastic media blasted and set in Gibbs 330 Desoto done, will eventually be painted different Suspension done Motor and transmission installed Picked up a '56 Desoto dash to go in it Any ideas on getting the push buttons working with a 200-4R? Was looking at PCS system, but awfully pricey. https://www.powertraincontrolsoluti...ucts/Electronic_Shifters/Push_Button_Shifter/ Thanks for reading
looking good .....chop looks like same as the my 51 Chrysler....did you slide the roof forward leaving it as one piece ?
No, all metal behind the b-pillars was remade from scratch including the quarter windows. The rear window is out of a '49 Dodge sedan.
Recast steering wheel from Kochs. One minor imperfection which they agreed to take back and fix no questions asked. Great experience so far.
Choosing subtle whites when color blind isn’t fun or easy. India Ivory, Colonial White, and White Diamond.
Underside raptor lined and wheel wells epoxy primed and top coated with KBS Black Top. Moving on to prime the inside and lizard skin.
Wow, some serious love being given to a pretty uncommon custom. I like everything you've done so far, and the metalwork looks top-notch too.
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