1959 Desoto Firedome mopar project car

1959 DeSoto firedome Description

Selling my 1959 Desoto Firedome project car. 383 (2 brl) Big block with a push-button automatic trans.One owner car until the original owner past a couple yrs back. I bought this car as a project about a yr ago and have not done much to it since so I've now decided to move it on to someone who can fix her up. This car is very complete and original. It obviously needs restoration or with some mechanical tlc you could have an awesome, unique rat rod.
Clean title, car is currently registered in my name. I had the car running last season and drove it locally around my neighborhood but it has sat since that point. 383 engine fired & ran fine, trans shifted as it should. Car ran/drove/stopped fine but since this car is in need of restoration, I will use the term "yard drives" for this sale. I see no reason the car won't fire up now with a fresh battery (needs a batt.). It had a fresh tune up and oil change late last fall. Did not smoke or leak anything excessively.
BODY: I believe this car to be original paint (no body work surprises!) with the exception of the dr. fender which has been replaced with a '59 firefight fender...the fireflight's must have differed slightly because there is no batt. tray on the inner fender. This car has rust in the typical area's associated with forward-look era Chrysler products but I would not call this car a rust bucket like some I've seen. The floors need repairs in the front pans but a lot of the floor is ok. The rockers are still pretty solid which is uncommon for these cars, but they do have some rust/damage on the very back of the rocker where it meets the rear tires. The frame is a heavy box design, it is solid except for two smaller bad spots located near the "U" section were the frame avoids the axle. Very repairable all things considered. Fenders have some rust on the very bottoms. Doors are all solid and operate fine. Windows work. 1'4's have the normal rusting on the bottom couple inches. Hood and deck lid are solid. Roof has a couple dents but is overall straight and solid. Trunk is pretty shot on this car, the center of the pan is still present but both outer sides of the trunk pan are gone. Original gas tank is still in the car but needs cleaned so I have it running of a 5 gallon tank in the trunk. Car does have a new dual exhaust on it. The Chrysler big block and dual pipes add up to a pretty respectable sound.
Trim: Car is very complete with all the stainless and chrome still present. Although the hood letters & one fender emblem is missing. Chrome parts have some of the normal pitting. Glass is all good and original pieces. Interior is all original and in above average condition for a car from this era. Interior would work fine for a rat rod build as it sits or would be a great starting point for a restoration. All four original wheel covers go with the car. The car did have some electrical issues regarding the brake lights/headlights and the previous owner did some home repairs. I have a shop manual I will included with the sale.
All in all this is one very cool mopar project that has a lot of potential. No doubt you will be the only guy on the scene with a car like this! Being a four door I feel it would be great for a rat rod build and a little less likely to be a resto candidate but this car is fairly rare and they stopped making Desoto's two yrs later in 1961. Car is located in Columbus, Ohio. Buyer arranges all shipping. I expect serious buyers here so hopefully you know old cars and know what a restoration entails etc...
This is a project car and clearly sold as is. Look over all the pictures, I am happy to provide more pictures to serious buyers. No warren-tee or guarantee's of any kind other then you are buying one cool car. A non refundable $250 deposit via paypal is due within 48 hrs of auction end. The rest in cash upon pick up. Ask all questions before bidding. No returns.