For Sale: 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado - "CA Black plate, From 10 yrs storage" - "Does not run" - Formerly owned by songwriter & artist at A&M Records - Auction - Burbank, CA - Not Mine - 9/22 SOLD!

[6T-FinSeeker]

For sale on Facebook by auction: 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado 4-door Sedan in Burbank, CA  -  Auction ends 9/21 11:59PM  -  Must be a member of Facebook to access Seller's contact information.

 

Link to Facebook ad: https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1710216332738075/-1955-DeSoto-Fireflite-Coronado

 

Link to Willis Wonderland Foundation Auction: https://williswonderlandfoundation.betterworld.org/auctions/willis-wonderland-kitsch-auction-2023/items/Allee-s-beloved-1955-DeSoto-Fireflite-Coronado

 

Link to Biography of Allee Willis at Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allee_Willis

 

Seller's Description:

1955 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado 4-door Sedan

• Fair condition
• Driven 107,000 miles
• Automatic transmission
• Exterior color: White · Interior color: Turquoise
• Clean title
• This vehicle has no significant damage or problems

Hi. I am helping my friend sell this Classic 1955 DESOTO Fireflite Coronado that is currently being auctioned by the Willis Wonderland Foundation.

• This is a sweet California car that has been in storage for 10 years and is ready to be taken home.
• The car is being sold AS-IS as after 10 years in storage it DOES NOT RUN and will need to be taken away via trailer or tow truck.
• The title is in hand and the registration is current.
• The odometer reads approximately 7000 so it has turned over at least once - mileage approximately 107000 or more.
• The car was lovingly driven by the fabulous artist and songwriter Allee Willis whose compositions include the hits “September,” “Boogie Wonderland,” the theme song from the TV series FRIENDS, and the Tony-winning musical THE COLOR PURPLE.
• This sweet 1955 DESOTO car is in a auction now and can be taken home for $4050. The current bid is $4000 The car still has the A&M Records 1998 Parking decal in the window.

 

Overview from the Foundation:

Allee drove this  4-door 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado daily for years, and it still has the A&M Records parking sticker on the windshield. Allee was wild for the colors and said, “It’s like driving a living room on wheels with its matching black, white, and aquamarine interior.”

• Considered one of the rarest American cars of the 1950s, all Coronados were painted in a unique three-color scheme of turquoise, white, and black and are significant for being among the very first tri-color cars ever made. While exact build numbers do not exist, it’s generally thought no more than five hundred ’55 Coronados were built, and, of those, only a handful survive. Allee’s baby, like her music, endures to this day. Although, because it’s been in storage for ten years, it currently DOES NOT RUN. The lucky winner of this rare gem must collect the car via trailer or tow truck from its Burbank, CA location.
• THIS IS AN ORIGINAL, UNMOLESTED CAR THAT WOULD BE AN EASY RESTORATION.

 

A few specs:

• Factory 291 HEMI Engine Types: 8-cyl. 291cid/200hp 4bbl 4-barrel Carter carb Dual points 6V system Backed by a Powerflite automatic transmission Additional Info: Curb Weight: 3935 lbs. Vehicle Length: 217.9 in. Wheelbase: 126 in.

Remember, auction ends 9/21 11:59 PM/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 23, 2023 by 6T-FinSeeker
update status (see edit history)

[6T-FinSeeker]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[plymouthcranbrook]

Does it come with any Gold Records? 😁

Edited September 20, 2023 by plymouthcranbrook (see edit history)

[Twisted Shifter]

11 hours ago, 6T-FinSeeker said:

THIS IS AN ORIGINAL, UNMOLESTED CAR THAT WOULD BE AN EASY RESTORATION.

...if you had an overabundance of dollars, hired out the restoration, and had a thing for 4-door 1955 DeSoto sedans.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

1955 DESOTO FIREFLITE    CORONADO 4 DOOR SEDAN

Source	Low	Avg	High
NADA	$5,425	$9,200	$20,700

 

All Fireflite Coronados were four-door sedans and were finished in three-tone paint schemes—the package cost $172 on top of the Fireflite sedan's $2,727 base price. Some may have been painted bright green with a Surf White top and a black sweep (the "sweep beauty panels" that permitted a third color were standard on Fireflite convertibles and Sportsman hardtops, but optional on the sedan), but most were Coronado Green, Black, and Surf White. Those opting for Coronado Green, Black, and Surf White were able to select where the three colors were applied—upper, lower, and inside the sweep—making for six possible combinations. Fireflite Coronados also received special badging as such.

The Fireflite Coronado was more than just paint and exterior trim, too. Inside are special white-leather trimmed seats with Coronado Green fabric inserts and a smattering of black to match the exterior—standard Fireflite sedans got silky nylon upholstery instead. Fireflite Sportsman hardtops also received leather, but in a substantially different design from the Coronado. Power windows, power seats, two different types of radio, and air conditioning were all available options in any 1955 De Soto.

 

(No mention of a value increase if a famous butt warmed the driver's seat.)

 

CURRENT BID

$4,650      

(48 hours to go)

 

 

 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Twisted Shifter (see edit history)

[Reynard]

If Ms. Willis was so rich and famous and loved this car so much, it's a shame she didn't keep it in better condition.

Allee Willis, 1947-2019

[Malo48]

I had acquaintances who had been to parties at her fantastic house in LA - just over the top with 1950s kitsch everywhere.  It wasn't just an act, she really lived and loved all things mid-century!

[alsancle]

What is the gauge on the dash?  Vacuum?

 

Don't like to see accessory temp gauges hanging off the dash,  but an interesting solid car that has had a lot of use.

[Fossil]

Whoever took the pictures didn't do the car any favors. 

 

 

[The 55er]

Two years ago the 1955 DeSoto Fireflite Coronado pictured that was described as in "near mint" condition was offered for sale in Phila.for $11K and was marked SOLD. There was a link to it on these Forums. I would describe this current 1955 Coronado offered for sale in Burbank as very overhyped and quite underwhelming. 

[6T-FinSeeker]

On 9/22, Seller marked the Facebook ad "Pending."

The Foundation's auction site shows the winninng bid at $5,500: 

https://williswonderlandfoundation.betterworld.org/auctions/willis-wonderland-kitsch-auction-2023/items/-1955-DeSoto-Fireflite-Coronado

 

 

[6T-FinSeeker]

On 9/22, Seller marked the Facebook ad "SOLD!"

 

[Twisted Shifter]

Well, contrary to popular [AACA] forum opinions, here is an example that a celebrity connection, even a lesser known celebrity, can contribute 50% (or more) to the sales price of an old car!

Notice I did not say "value".