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1957 Desoto Fireflite Convertible 341 Hemi Forwardlook Mopar

Location: Morgan Hill, California, United States
Condition: Used
Make: DeSoto
Model: Fireflite
SubModel: Hemi
Type: Convertible
Trim: Convertible
Year: 1957
Mileage: 98250
VIN: 504197
Color: Yellow
Engine size: 341
Number of cylinders: 8
Power options: Power Locks, Power Windows, Power Seats
Fuel: Gasoline
Transmission: Automatic
Drive type: RWD
Interior color: Green
Drive side: Left-hand drive
Vehicle Title: Clear

1957 DeSoto Fireflite Convertible Description

Selling my 1957 Desoto Fireflite Convertible. This car was built May 9th 1957 and was bought off the showroom floor on May 27th 1957. It would have been picked up sooner but it had a scheduled appearance in a Memorial Day Parade. The original buyer had the car for 54 years. I've had this car for a little over two years (I'm the third owner) and unfortunately need to let it go. In the time of my ownership I've done extensive work to the car. Much of that work is detailed in the two build threads below.
This shows the extensive history of the car including original sales contract

http://www.dougscars.com/1957-desoto-fireflite.html

This site shows some of the rebuild work that was done in the last two years.
http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=64813&start=1&highlight=1957+Fireflite&highlightmode=1

Below are videos of the exhaust coming through the bumper and of the working record player and AM/FM search radio.

This is the exhaust coming through the bumpers. Very few Desotos still have this as most original exhaust systems rusted and were replaced with an exhaust that exits below the bumper
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pqUdJWmvMM8
Original radio showing motorized search tune functionality
https://youtu.be/OOSvAYXUItM

Record player automatically plays up to 12 records.https://youtu.be/7DHhH4SQCns

Another video of the ARC (Automatic Record Changer)
https://youtu.be/3IWJPqLNmNE

Original, unrestored, 99% rust free and very nice 1957 Fireflite Convertible.
Known history since the day it was sold new in 1957. Sale includes original sales contract for the purchase of the car and the original Owner Service Certificate.

The car has been in Northern California for the last 59-60 years.
The car never needed restoration so it has only been serviced and repaired as needed including a redone interior years ago, totally rebuilt brakes recently and also a front end rebuild. Only NOS original parts were used, no aftermarket parts!
The carburetor was rebuilt and replated, has new stainless steel exhaust and brake lines, original search radio was converted to AM/FM, Bluetooth etc. Recast steering wheel and rare Benrus steering wheel clock.
Working record player plays 12 records, radiator has been rodded out and cleaned, new fuel tank, sending unit and pump, some chrome has been replated etc, etc.

Every bushing, tie rod, shock, ball joint has been replaced with NOS Mopar pieces. Everything powder coated.

Not a perfect car but a great original example of a very rare and unusual Mopar convertible.
The DeSoto is so rare, I don't think there are 50 left in the world and to find another nice unrestored car is probably next to impossible.
These cars rarely come up for sale. Car is currently located in Arizona and can be viewed there. I have the clean California title in my name. Please call 408-593-7375 for additional details

DeSoto Fireflite Convertible model year 1957 for North America U.S.
manufactured by DeSoto in USA with a build date of May 9th, 1957. First sold on May 27th, 1957.
2-door convertible body type
RWD (rear-wheel drive), TorqueFlite automatic 3-speed gearbox with push button shifting
gasoline engine with displacement: 341.2 cui, advertised power: 295 hp / 390 lb-ft.
length: 218 in, width: 78.2 in, wheelbase: 126 in
vehicle weight: shipping weight 4085 lbs estimated curb weight: 4250 lbs
options include:
power steering
power brakes
power windows
power top
power six way seat
solex glass
dual rear antenna
dual exhaust
paint LKL upper/sweep Frosty White lower Sunburst Yellow
trim 642 = Green - all vinyl

Car is for sale locally so I reserve the right to end the sale early.
New parts included in sale but not installed on car:
oil filters and air filters
upholstery for the whole interior from SMS (Existing interior is very nice). This includes the correct heat embosed vinyl and Desoto emblems
reproduction side emblems that have the gold Desoto head
extra set of lower ball joints
full set of bushings for rear leaf springs and shackles
box or rubber snubbers for fuel door, glove box door, license plate etc
NOS window switches2 new Desoto side emblem (not installed)full set of window fuzzies and glass channel felt
NOS front bumper
NOS motor mounts and insulators

A short list of NOS parts on the car already include:
NOS power seat switch
NOS power window switch
NOS both antennas and one antenna chrome base. The other base was rechromed.
NOS antenna bakelite nuts and rubber grommets
NOS venturi and s pipe for exhaust to come through the bumper. This is probably the last complete set in the country!
NOS Fuel pump
NOS fuel senderNOS fuel tank attaching boltsNOS Radiator cap
NOS ball joints upper and lower
NOS upper and lower control arm bushings
NOS steering center cross tube and all sleeve clamps
NOS tie rodsNOS rubber snubbers on front and rear suspension center section
NOS idler arm
NOS anti roll bar bushingsNOS radiator spring clamps
NOS grommet under gas pedal
NOS side mirror
NOS battery rubber tray
NOS battery clamp
NOS springs and hardware for brakes
NOS jiffy jet bagNOS oil capNOS shock retaining washersNOS Benrus steering wheel watch (very rare option on the 57's)
NOS power steering hose
NOS horn ring bushings
NOS chrome pinch weld mouldings

New exhaust is Waldron's stainless steel with the exception of the NOS pieces that come through the bumper. Those are also Jet Hot coated
Full set of stainless steel brake lines and all new rubber hoses. Drums and shoes were turned to match radius.
Generator has been converted to an alternator (over $900). This is internally regulated so the original regulator is bypassedNew Fuel tank
New floor matsNew correct battery cablesNew courtesy lights and lenses
New AGM (Absorbed Gas Mat) Mopar script batteryNew dust seals and new wheel bearings all aroundNew wheel cylinders and master cylinderBrake booster rebuilt by Booster Dewey. DOT 5 full synthetic brake fluid
Original carb redone and replated and flow bench tested (Recarbco)
All new (5) Goodyear Super Cushion tiresNew radiator hoses and belts
All new shocksNew seat belts
distributor serviced/recurved and has an NOS vacuum unit. New cap, rotor, spark plugs, and Pertronix ignition and coil
radiator cleaned and flushed by radiator shop
All the front suspension components were powder coated as was the air cleaner, vacuum tank, oil cap, fan, wheels and more.Recast steering wheel at a cost of over $1,500 (UV stable polyurethane so won't fade or crack)Rechromed horn ring and turn signal stalkNew carpet installed (correct color and loop texture for this car)
Clock repaired
Original radio converted to AM/FM bluetooth handsfree etc.
ARC 2500 Record player serviced and working. Plays 12 records automatically
New speaker
New front plastic Desoto emblem on hoodHubcaps have been professionally polished

Please call 408-593-7375 for additional details about this Desoto.

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