Snowbound Desoto

[barnfind]

This 57 Desoto popped up on my feed the other day. It was my day off so I sent a message to the owner about it, figuring it was sold. A few hours later I got a response, so I took off for a 3hr ride to the snowy side of the state. Nice guy, said he was packing up his body shop and family heading for the warmer temps of the lone star state. Story goes he did some work for a gentleman who had some cars, the 57 being one of them. Being a Chevy guy he picked up several GMs , but the old desoto spoke to him. The owner quit driving the 57 in 1974. His house burned to the ground in 1978, along with all the titles.
Fast forward the owner goes to the mvd to get duplicate titles, seems the cars haven't been registered in so long they dropped out of the system.
I looked the car over, and it needs some typical metal repair, but is complete with a 325 poly. I'll go get the car after the snow melts , not sure of its direction yet.

 

[1978 NYB]

Nice!

 

[Newport 66]

Congrats!! Great score, take good care of her.

 

[75LandYacht]

Thx for saving her.. keep Us posted as you progress.. pictures of course.

 

[mrfury68]

What a unique car. Very cool find.

 

[cbarge]

The Forward Look 4dr hardtops have one of the sexiest rooflines...
Congrats on saving her!
I wonder of you can swap Hemi heads on the 325?
Equally as interesting is the Corvair van next to her.

 

[bigmoparjeff]

Great find!

It's amazingly close in color and patina to the '57 that I had years ago. Looks like yours is much better structurally than mine was.

Keep us posted on future progress.

Jeff

 

[BuckeyeBarracuda]

The Forward Look 4dr hardtops have one of the sexiest rooflines...
Congrats on saving her!
I wonder of you can swap Hemi heads on the 325?

If that is the Dodge 325 (pretty sure it is, as they were used in the small Desotos), then 325 Hemi heads should fit right on that block.
I have a 57 Dodge D500 with the 325/Hem-head engine that I have to do something with one of these days. Probably a project that will be sold to concentrate on some other cars I already have...
Too many projects, too little time....

 

[Dobalovr]

Nice score Ben I’m jealous!

 

[detmatt]

Congrats, I love it!

 

[commando1]

I need a '57 DeSoto. Seriously.

 

[57DeSRev67C300]

Indeed a great find! '57 Desotos are my favorite. Love the finned Mopars! I have a light green Firesweep w/dark green spear 4 dr sedan from Montana that I hope to enjoy driving one day!

 

[barnfind]

Thanks everyone, I went to pick the desoto up yesterday as the owner is leaving the state today. The car is a bit rougher than first thought. It was drug out of the frozen mud pit it was in to the local DOT yard so I could get it rolling. Tires were flat , filled with water and mud, and yes frozen. 3 of the wheels came off with relative ease, the 4th not so much.

Frozen tie rod and frozen rim to the drum, just like concrete.

 

[barnfind]

3hrs later

 

[LocuMob]

How did the Honda tow?

 

[barnfind]

The Ridgeline (s) have been around me since 2013 and always tow great. My red one met a buck going to work one morning , was totaled, bought back, rebuilt, then sold. Blue one just passed 230k on this tow about 3.5 hrs one way.

 

[barnfind]

Lots to ponder, seems that bubba, who tore the car from its frozen state 2 days before Ipicked it up,. Pulled it to within an inch of life on the mount/ frame horn. Also, was able to look under the front end for the first time. Seems due for an oil change. And lastly one of my favorite looks.

Planning to pickup a 315 dodge hemi in the next few days, hmm . Rebuild the 325, or I also have a good running 65 poly 318 and 727 from a 360. I'd loose the parking brake with that trans. Being as this is my first desoto theres plenty to consider and research.

 

[bluefury361]

Welcome to the "Forward Look" Ben. You have your work cut out, it seems. But it's a 57 Desoto H/T. Good luck with it.
I'm still picking at my 61 Fury. Talked with my new trimmer about seat vinal material today. SMS is pretty proud of what they offer, a little searching and we found a near exact match of the material, for a whole lot less money.

 

[BuckeyeBarracuda]

Since you are now in the world of Forward Look, suggest you look to the ForwardLook site: L-FORWARDLOOK@LISTS.PSU.EDU. Good Mopar folks who have good information about our 56-61 cars

 

[commando1]

How did the Honda tow?

How did the Honda tow?

That's your first question?​