Customs Wagon hunt may be OVER!!! 1952 DeSoto wagon is HOME!

Another problem solved, another piece of the puzzle. 12V to 6V reducer for the original 2 speed wiper motor. They don’t seem to care about polarity, I tried them on - and + ground, worked fine either way, but way too fast on 12V.


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If I could post a video of it running, I would. It’s PERFECT, trust me! The exhaust is raspy buy to obnoxious, the Hemi purrs like an angry kitty, all right with the wild. Had two minor glitches, the drain plug in the fuel tank wasn’t tight (I didn’t remember loosening it, but I must have), and I had one fuel line fitting on the engine that wasn’t tight enough. Fixed those two things and she light right off! https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20200605/c7e1c3f5cde91e9379998b300f7e6cd4.jpg[/IMG

Also, the lights work. Now, imagine this sound, “Rump-rump, Rumpity-rump-rump, rumpity-rump!!!


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Upload the video to Youtube and post the link on here, you know we all want to hear that bad boy running!

 

And, it’s alive...

 

Oh Yeah, that sounds really good!!! Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

I've been plugging away at the DeSoto wagon, waiting today for my power brake bleeder from Speedway. I discovered the bleeder fittings on all 4 calipers are so loose when backed off I can't pull a vacuum with the vacuum bleeder I have, so we're going with Door #2, a pressure bleeder. While I wait for that, a couple fittings for the A/C lines, I took a look at the AWFUL taillight bezels. These are wagon only, horribly pitted, my experience with rather dim original style lights in the '51 Pontiac wagon made me want LED's. I considered '49/'50 Chevy units, but this morning came across these '46-48 ones I had in a box on the shelf. I kinda like them, they fit (well, they WILL when I cut a hole for the wiring to poke through) when mounted vertically. I'm going to use '50 Chevy bumpers (fronts) front and rear, very simple, no guards, just a license plate surround at the rear, I think these Chevy lights look appropriate. The stick on trim is a scrap of too narrow stuff I had, but some wider would duplicate the likewise crappy original trims below the lights. I think it works. A third one inside the center of the rear window will make a matching third brake light, already wired for. Now, off to the parts store for some heater hose and antifreeze...

 

I agree, Brian. Much better. You could also consider putting them in the tailgate.

 

I might mock that up as well, they'd be OK there too I guess.

 

i like the original taillights.if you spoke to a chromer you may be surprised what could be done with them.they could come up better than new.and even better they would be the originals.

 

The original ones have that neat art deco look that I wouldn't want to lose on that DeSoto. I would at least get a price on re-chroming or nickeling.

 

I would be surprised if they were repairable, even more surprised by what it’d cost, and I want BRIGHT LED’s up higher on the body, not dim little lights almost hidden behind the bumper.


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I like the originals, but would do what you're doing.

 

The proposed tail lights are alright, and I understand that they will be easier to see. But, I think the originals have the right look for this wagon. I saw a Chrysler wagon like this where a separate brake light had been mounted up high on the tailgate, and I thought it looked pretty good. To me, that would partially solve the dilemma about the low-mounted original tail lights.

 

could try LED stop/tail bulbs in the original taillights and polish/ clean up the lens.

 

Often wondered about how some nice big bright temporarily mounted tail lights might work. Easily added and removed. Or folded away.

Also a bigger brighter backup light hidden underneath the car in front of the rear bumper. Maybe a motorcycle headlight.

 

Some electrical plugs are heavy duty enough that I think they might hold a taillight securely.

 

Laser tail lights for the fxxx-wit on the phone.

 

k

I sanded what little chrome from the horribly pitted hood scoop trim and polished the die cast piece. I’ve decided I can live it and just polish it occasionally. Here’s my Diamond T hood ornament, the base is the original diecast pedestal, sanded and polished, 7 years now. I polished it last fall, Nuvite polishes and sealer.

 

I'm priming stuff. Color today then the dash and column can go back in and it's (theoretically) a driver.

 

Got wood.

 

@FlynBrian WOW...that is some pro-looking wood grain!

 

It’s a matter having quality, exotic tools!


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Sweet!

 

Love it, Brian. Wood in a can. Just add talent!

 

Damn! That’s neat!

 

That's gonna look great.
Good choice.

 

It's VERY difficult and time consuming, but here's the gist, smear a dark color over a lighter color randomly until you like it. If you don't like it, wipe it off and smear some on differently until you do like it. That's how I do it anyway...

 

Came out GREAT well worth the time.

 

Man that looks great Brian! And that thing sure has the mopar rumble!

 

The gist of it.

flynbrian48
"Just randomly smear a darker color over a lighter color..."

Michelangelo
"Just keep dabbing different colors on the ceiling..."