1959 DeSoto Firesweep Seville 2 door Hardtop

Description

Here’s what I can think of to tell you about the car. First, please bear in mind this is not a rust-free, pristine car. It was just an average 14 year old Pittsburgh used car plucked from the streets in 1973 and frozen in time. It has some rust in the rockers, fenders, quarters… and Bondo in the trunk pan and floor pan. It survived salty Pittsburgh winters. Driveable, original, but far from perfect. It’s a survivor in the true sense of the word.

I made a 39-minute walkaround video where I went over the whole car in great detail. It’s up on YouTube in HD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMrOj_-2Vlk

I also uploaded some new short movies and quick pictures of the DeSoto from last June at: http://www.forwardlook.net/images/desoto/2018 but I still need to get her out for a nice photo day. There are also earlier images at http://www.forwardlook.net/images/desoto from when I first got the car.

Some bullet points about the car:

• It’s a Firesweep Seville (spring special). 361, Torqueflite, P/S, P/B, 2bbl. Color is Bradenton Blue. Interior is the “Nassau Plaid” in Pearl White and Heather Blue. Deluxe steering wheel, padded dash. Sure grip rear.

• I am the second owner. I have maintenance paperwork, manuals, other paperwork and receipts from more recent service/parts as well as from the original owner. I have put about 1,500 miles on of the 51k. Most of that was 4 trips to/from Carlisle.

• Runs very nicely, idles very smoothly, transmission seems fine, brakes are a little grabby from storage. Starts and runs strong & very quietly.

• Tie rods/ball joints/suspension bushings/wheel bearings/shocks/rear springs/fuel sender/brake cylinders, pads, lines, master cylinder, shoes/lines/oil pump/fuel pump/fuel sender/plugs/wires/fluids/belts/hoses/etc. etc. all replaced around 2004 to make it driveable.

• Carb and distributor also rebuilt then

• New battery, group 27, put in August 15th.

• NOS Y-pipe and Sono-X muffler installed.

• Car was radio delete originally… had Sears radio, replaced with NOS Searchtune. It didn’t turn on last I tried but should be okay after a warmup. Antenna is generic

• Correct bellows power brake system added, with 68 Roadrunner drum/drum master cylinder for extra safety.

• Interior is all original and complete but not perfect. It had plastic on it from the get go.

• Great trunk mat, jack. Still has the jacking decal.

• The front bumper is crooked (but not bent – just needs adjusted)

• Radiator is weeping, should probably be re-cored. Doesn’t leak much besides that (oil, trans fluid, etc.)

• I recall the fuel tank weeped as well when filled all the way. A spare good tank is included, but new replacement tanks are now readily available. I also put in a new sender & sock.

• Heater valve is new, but oddly reversed (cold is hot, hot is cold)

• I took it to Carlisle 3 or 4 times (500 mile round trips). Have not driven much recently due to the old bias ply tires. I believe they are about 30 years old.
  

• Still has original dealer script on trunk.

• Due to the age of the vehicle it is being sold as-is without a manufacturer or other warranty

1959 DeSoto 2-door hardtops are pretty scarce, and the Seville model (spring special) is even harder to find. It is the most beautiful color combo they offered for the year. I am open to reasonable offers. Please let me know if you have any questions or want to look at the car. Thanks!!!