Great job. Loving it and going to follow it. Gives me inspiration to work on my 59 DeSoto 2 door wagon again. I will be back with detail questions on the front suspension - exhaust - oilfilter - starter drama... Sent from my A0001 using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Thank you, guys. I am having a lot of fun building it. A '59 Desoto 2dr wagon? I only recall seeing one, it was black, and a Plymouth-based Diplomat somewhere in Europe. Is that one yours? Feel free to ask any questions. I think I glossed over all that part in the original post. It was quite a bit of effort, actually. Thank you. I love my old beater wagon; it's like a comfortable pair of jeans. And it definitely has a look that makes people remember it. I'm looking forward to a car that is a little less crunchy though.
Jep that's mine. Crunchy too. Took out the old, worn-out 6 banger out and currently in the process of putting a 318 LA in. But work, family life and other projects (Smokey Yunick tribute Chevy Panel Van) are keeping me away from this.
My dad painted the dashboard, we got the vinyl dash pad dyed black, and got the gauges back together. Installed the sway bar and have been connecting cables and hoses. I'll be running wires next week.
This thing is turning out great! Thanks for the updates. Can't wait to see it with the front sheet metal back on. The dash is looking good!
Great work Have you landed on a set of soleniods and poppers for the doors and trunk that fits well? Im on my way to shave a 58' Dodge hardtop and I guess what fits a 57' Chrysler also work on the Dodge.
Not a lot to report this week. I got hit hard by the flu so haven't been able to get as much wrench time as I'd hoped. Dash is in, and bodywork has started on the front clip.
Made a little more progress. Cut a hole in the rear bumper and started making all the structure to recess the plate. Invited over some good friends and family to hang the nose back on the car. So we rolled it outside to take a look. Then they convinced me to prop the hood up there to see how it looks. And then we had to drag the bumper out to get a look at that, too. I love it, looks just like I wanted it to. I've done hundreds of things you can't see, like finishing up the dash and column, installing the driveshaft, finalizing the fuel system, etc. Hope to make fire and smoke soon.
Looking real nice, the hood and the shape of the tops of the headlight buckets really match up well. Dash looks good too.
Thank you. Yes, I'm really happy with the way the scoop shape mimics the headlight openings. Looks like it belongs there! I will be starting on the wiring in earnest this week.
Thanks again for the compliments. I'm really excited to see the car coming together. My only recommendation is to find a good one! These cars don't just fall together like Model As and 55 Chevys.
Got the nose on the car for good. Had to tweak all the gaps a bunch because it's a '50s Mopar and they didn't fit together all that great when they were new! Cleaned and painted the grills and all the parts for the rear speakers and rear defroster on the package tray. Put fluids in the engine, trans, and rear. Installing the radiator and hoses this week. And yes I have started the wiring! Verified the starter engages and the engine still turns over, so that's a plus. Only a month left before Roundup! It's still just a paperweight but at least it looks like a car.
This is one good looking ride! Very few will catch the grille swap, but what an improvement. (It may be time to change your signature. Your taste in cars is impeccable!)
The Jalopy Journal
