Leaderboard

I want to wish you well with your project. I am just finishing a 2.5 year frame off restoration of a 1949 Desoto Convertible. In the process I learned a couple of things that I would recommend you keep in mind. 1. Clips. The low production convertibles from MOPAR used clips not generally used on the other cars. No one makes them and NOS are almost impossible to get. So, take your time removing the molding and SAVE your clips at all cost. 2. Dash, inside door hardware, and a few other places use NUMBER 12 AND NUMBER 14 screws. The dash was a bitch as this became a problem. They used number 14 screws in the dash to hold it to the body. 1/4 inch is not a number 14 screw. I had to hit a bone yard 4 hours north of San Francisco and spend a day pulling enough good screws. Even if yours are rusted, soak them, heat them, but get them off clean if you can. 3. Door seals. The top end of the door seals were a molded special end. I cut mine off carefully and came up with a process to rejuvenate them. Hunt me down if this is the case on this car and I will talk with you about the process. 4. Pads. In my case a lot of the body pads are not available. I don't know about '53 and Plymouth. My suggestions is to make sure that you take any die cast off carefully and try to preserve the pads as you may have to rejuvenate them or use them for patterns. 5. Engine and Trans. We found out the hard way that at least on the 1949 Desoto's they bolted the body hard to the frame. No body pads. I confirmed this with several other cars. The issue was when we tried to put the engine in. The engine and trans will not go in as a unit on this particular body. The trans bell will not clear the frame-tunnel from the front. This, at least for 1949 Desoto, is a convertible only thing. The trans has to come out from the back. We think they bolted the body hard to the frame so the doors would close better and for scuttle shake. So, do check and see if the engine and trans can come out as a unit or you have to take the trans out first. We took the body off and then the engine-trans. We hade so much fun going the other way! I am sure there are other items that are buried in the back of my head. If you want to chat them send me a PM and I will send you a number. Good luck and do pay attention to the advise of others. You will spend more than the car is worth to get it restored than if you just went out and purchased one done. Good luck again on your project. James

For the first time in a couple years I did remember my anniversary. 31 years today. As Lisa is in Indiana grandmothering I sent her a big box of chocolates so the grandkids can all share. I will take her out when I get there a week from today.

Thanx very much. The backgrounds are a large part of what makes these shots work. That and the classic lines of the D24!

I don't know how you did it,but those photos could pass as postcards from the late 40's. WAAAAY cool!

I finally finished this project. Over the winter I got my spare tire carrier parts cleaned up and painted. I even got it all mounted up under the truck as part of my "off season" maintenance/repairs. Then this spring I finally went through my spare tire/wheel stash and found a rim with good clips. After cleaning and painting it I mounted a new tire to match what I had mounted on the truck. Then after carrying it around in my daily driver pickup for the last couple of weeks, I finally stopped in at the tire shop next door to where I work and had them balance it. When I got home this evening I mounted it up in there and adjusted everything for a good snug fit. Now I can cruise around with more confidence knowing I have a spare if I get a flat. Thanks again Mark for doing the leg work on the hardware. It is perfect. Merle

HWY 50 through Nevada - the loneliest road! That would be cool. Might be smart to pack a few extra cans o' gasoline!