steveinky

I've got a pair of these, I think. The lenses are excellent, but cages need chrome for a show car. Jewels and spring clips are intact. PM if interested. Have a nice day Steve

I think that is a 383 under the hood. I've been wrong before, just ask my wife! Steve

Maybe make a horror themed rat rod?! Just an idea. Steve

My #1 dream car. Except, I want it without the flooded heritage.

Most likely, the roof and the color sweep would have been the same color. That's why it would help to see the tag. Have a nice day! Steve

Your car is a Firedome Special, which was the entry level DeSoto hardtop for '55. Do you have a picture of the body tag?

Well sure, but it does have hand-cranky windows!

FYI: I bought out a parts store to get the bearings I needed to rebuild my '36 DeSoto Airflow 6. I've since sold all the remaining main bearings, but I have some rod sets left. This engine was made from '34-'36, and nothing interchanges with the very popular '37 up MoPaR 6's. It's not impossible, but it's expensive. Good Luck Steve

I'm not comfortable spilling the beans, so you'll have to read it for yourself. This ad was posted in the Nov/Dec Airflow Newsletter by the previous owner. Still not a bad deal. Have a nice day Steve

The ad seems to be missing an important detail which was included in the Nov/Dec Airflow Newsletter ad.

I have a '56 DeSoto with the same body shell. I decided to fix it for sentimental reasons, otherwise it wouldn't have been worth the effort. There are inner and outer rocker panels that will need to be replaced, and 3 layers of steel from the door back to the wheel opening which are all rotted out. Lots and lots of work. Here's an excerpt from "Rustoration" which I wrote up for DeSotoland some years ago. http://desotoland.com/~desoto/degarage/rustoration/part3.shtml

It looks great with no cracks. The blue wheels turned to green with age. I've got the same wheel in my '55 Firedome convertible. Have a Happy New Year! Steve

I'm a motor-head! I need to see engine pictures.

It is very hard to find an original 1 color '56 DeSoto, but here's one from the movie "Vertigo." It's a Firedome Sportsman. BTW, the color sweep on two-tone '56 DeSoto's is a metal insert on the doors and front fenders. The rear quarters are painted sweep and base color. On my '56 Fireflite Sportsman, the rear quarters were painted with the sweep color, and then sprayed over with the base color. Have a Happy New Year! Steve

The "colorsweep" was not standard on '55 DeSoto's regardless of model. It's nice to see a non-colorsweep 55 DeSoto once in a while. I think the side trim is more attractive than the colorsweep two-tone lower body trim. '56 DeSoto's had different side trim for Firedome and Fireflite models with the Fireflite being wider and more ornate. '56 cars used the same colorsweep side trim even if not two tone.

For the asking price, this should be a tested, steaming, and driving car. 2 Cents worth! Steve

Having grown up working in a Chrysler dealer in MN, I can guarantee that the rust is ALWAYS worse than it looks.

If you're interested in selling, I'm interested in buying! Of course that depends on price, location, and condition.

Looks like it has a Powerflite transmission instead of fluid drive. This is a good thing. FYI Steve

I have a '56 Fireflite Sportsman, and had a '56 Firedome Sportsman. DeSoto offered the following hardtops in '56: Firedome Seville: Bottom trim level hardtop, 2 or 4 door. 2 barrel 330 engine, stick, stick with O/D, or Powerflite. Firedome Sportsman: Higher trim level than the Seville, but still a Firedome, 2 or 4 door, same drive train. Fireflite Sportsman: Top of the line, 330 4 barrel engine 255 HP, available with Powerflite only. Distinctive headlight rings, fender top trim, wider side trim, leather and cloth upholstery etc. 2 or 4 doors. I'd hold out for the Fireflite Sportsman if you're buying. Nicest interior ever put in a DeSoto. Good Luck! Steve

Please post many more pictures. Do you have the skirts and hubcaps? Thanks Steve

I've been watching this car for years. The provenance is sketchy "the car is said to have been purchased by actor Steve McQueen in the 1970s, and after his passing it was acquired by the Imperial Palace Auto Collection of Las Vegas, Nevada at the Steve McQueen Estate Auction in 1984. Mr. Shelby purchased the car in 1998." From the Bonhams auction description: "The offered Airflow is a 1935 sedan that is believed to have been purchased by Carroll Shelby from the Steve McQueen Imperial Palace auction of 1984. Although there is no documentation to prove this at the current time, those once close to Carroll say that this is lot 557 from the McQueen auction catalog which pictures the car and describes it as restored and in excellent condition." Those once close to Carroll...................?! So buy it for what it is, not for what it is claimed to be. BTW, new correct cylinder heads are available. Good Luck! Steve

DeSoto also also made Firedome Sportsman 2 or 4 door hardtops in '56. They did not have the fantastic leather and fabric upholstery. That was only on the '56 Fireflite Sportsmans. Have a nice day Steve

The steering wheel started life as ivory and blue. The blue turned to green with age. I have the same wheel in my '55 convertible. The Chrysler wheel is different from the DeSoto wheel, but will interchange if you need one. Have a nice day Steve

The picture posted of the leather and fabric upholstery is specific to the Fireflite Sportsman 2 or 4 door hardtop models. The Fireflite sedan has more modest fabric and vinyl upholstery. Have a nice day Steve