PatS....

Here's a link to 1,600 more pics. http://www.flickr.com/groups/cubancars/pool/

Welcome back, Joe. I missed your updates and the pics of your great work. Pat

Here's the hanb link...the guy does nice work. The car is the same as mine...wish I had a shop like that part 1 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=220891 part 2 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=223048&highlight=Chrysler

Jon Robinson who frequents the DeSoto board works for NAPA, maybe he could pass along what they carry and some numbers.

I bought mine from http://www.members.shaw.ca/midcansusp/index.htm. He was initially VERY expensive but came down in price substantially. There is also this company which has an office in Oroville Wash. http://www.nosmopar.com/ they advertise a complete kit ($475)here: http://www.nosmopar.com/34-58%20Control%20Arm%20Parts.JPG

Well, I'm in Canada so not sure how much help it would be. I had Charlies parts list with me when I went to the local, small, Mom and Pop parts store and the "old" guy took it with him, made one round of the shelves and had all the parts. The rotors ARE Volare V8 1978, and the calipers are mid size GM early 80's Pontiac Grand Prix for example. I NEVER use the big chain stores. Any GOOD partsman can take Charlies list and get you everything on it. It's all stocked stuff. Sorry, I can't help any further. I can't understand why they can't help you, it's their business to know these numbers or at least be able to cross them. Oh, ya, for a male, it's Paddy, not Patty:D

I bought my parts locally. They are VERY common parts that ALL parts stores will have on the shelf at reasonable prices. You have to avoid the chain stores with 17 year old girls behind the counter, though. (although the parts are common enough even THEY could get them for you)

I think it would be a bit easier to sell with a grille... I have about that in my Chrysler and it's nowhere close to that level of finish. But it keeps me out of the tavern and out of rehab. Maybe even out of jail!!! So, in the end it's worth it. Like Bill said, it's not a stock market investment. My estate will make a few bucks on it though:rolleyes:

Being stripped or repaired? Looks like no instruments. Note the door handles.

I had a '50 Canadian Dodge many years ago and did the shock relocation kit from Mr. Street Rod. It was amazing the difference it made. It was like a new car. The single best modification that was made and one that will for sure be part of my '49 Chrysler's equipment. Well worth the money and time.

A New Canadian's Journal Dear Diary Aug. 12 - Moved to our new home in Canada. I am so excited. It's so beautiful here. The mountains are so majestic. Can hardly wait to see them with snow covering them. Oct. 14 - Canada -- it is the most beautiful place on earth. The leaves have turned all colors and shades of red and orange. Went for a ride through the beautiful countryside and saw some deer. They are so graceful. Certainly they are the most wonderful animals on earth. This must be paradise. I love it here! Nov. 11 - Remembrance Day. Deer season starts soon. I can't imagine anyone wanting to kill such a gorgeous creature. Hope it snows soon. I love it here! Dec. 2 - It snowed last night. Woke up to find everything blanketed with white. It looks like a postcard. We went outside and cleaned the snow off the steps and shoveled the driveway. We had a snowball fight (I won). When the snow plough came by we had to shovel the driveway again. What a beautiful place. I love Canada! Dec. 12 - More snow last night. The snow plough did his trick again to the driveway. I love it here. Dec. 19 - More snow last night. Couldn't get out of the driveway to get to work. It's beautiful here but I'm exhausted from shoveling. F#cking snow plough. Dec. 22 - More of that white **** fell last night. I've got blisters on my hands and a sore back from shoveling. I think the snow plough hides around the corner until I'm done shoveling the driveway. *****. Dec. 25 - Merry F#cking Christmas! More frigging snow. If I ever get my hands on the sonovabitch who drives the snow plough, I swear I'll kill the bastard. Don't know why they don't use more salt on the roads to melt the f#cking ice. Dec. 27 - More white **** last night. Been inside for three days now except for shoveling out the driveway after that snow plough goes through every time. Can't go anywhere, the car's stuck in a mountain of white crap and it is so frigging cold. The weatherman says to expect another 10 inches of the crap again tonight. Do you know how many shovels full of snow 10 inches is? Dec. 28 - That f#cking weatherman was wrong. We got 34 inches of the crap this time. At this rate it won't melt before summer. The snow plough got stuck up in the road and that bastard came to my door and asked to borrow my shovel. After I told him that I had already broken six shovels shoveling out all the crap he had pushed into my driveway, I damn near broke my last one over his f#cking head. Jan. 4 - Finally got out of the house today. Went to the store to get food and on my way back a damned deer ran in front of the car. Did about $3,000 damage to the car. Those beasts should be killed. The bastards are everywhere. Wish the hunters had exterminated them all last November. May 3 - Took the car to the garage in town. Would you believe the thing is rusted out from all that salt they put all over the roads. May 10 - Moved to Florida. I can't imagine why anyone in their right mind would ever want to live in such a God forsaken place as Canada!

Amazing. Very lucky indeed. Wonder why the seatbelts AND the seat anchor bolts failed?

Fred, Charlie sent me a pair of threaded Plymouth spindles with my kit. The difference is very slight. Not sure even why Chrysler/DeSoto changed them other than to just be different to maintain the "image" of a bigger car.

If a person bought that and ran it properly, that's a gold mine. Environmental laws might scuttle something like that, though, sad but true.

Happy Birthday, Tim!!!!!!

Temp right now at 9:00am is 9f on the way to a forecasted balmy 17f (I don't think it will get that warm today) http://www.wunderground.com/global/stations/71877.html Our version of a very light overnight dusting looking out the window facing south to the neighbors house: And the forlorn 50 DeSoto parts car in my backyard to the right of the motorhome:

Kinda like here when you show up in the morning with a cup of coffee for everyone and a couple dozen donuts. I think it's spelled K-I-S-S-I-N-G U-P B-E-C-A-U-S-E Y-O-U W-A-N-T S-O-M-E-T-H-I-N-G

I'm sure DeathRow is the outfit Butch sold to and they have gutted the business from what I know. Watch yourself in dealings with them.

That was a GREAT story!!!! Thanks Bob!!!

According to the manual, the critical thing is to have the bushings centered on the control arms. To determine if you need the spreader, measure the spread of the control arms BEFORE removal. They should be the same upon reassembly. I sandblasted and painted my control arms while it was all apart just to make it look purdy

"I don't want a cheap paint job that will wear off in a few years. This guy is going to do all the stuff I can't do. He's going to take out the windows and replace the window channel, replace the fenderwelt (which I could do) but he's also taking all the dents out not just filling them with lead. And a super paint job." If you are getting all of that kind of work done, then it is quite a bit more than a "paint job" and likely worth the money. These shops charge labor by the hour and it can add up. The other thing is, it gets DONE!! I'm sneaking up on year FOUR on stands in the garage and if it weren't for the fact it's a special car to me AND the help and encouragement of this site, I would have lost interest long ago. Being off with an injury has sort of helped...can't wait to get back at it. So, to my way of looking at it, it's your car and if all things considered, you are comfortable with this direction then by all means go for it and "Git 'er done!" The sooner the better, hourly rates are goin up all the time. About the 16 year old carjackers...you are right, probably wouldn't last 30 seconds. I did however drive night shift taxi in the 70's when I was younger and at THAT time...well...I would have enjoyed an hour with one of those wannabe's As for now, I'm old and I have alot of respect for guys like you. You have the opportunity to influence these kids to change. 99% won't, but if just ONE does, you have performed a miracle. And you may never know. Some of those kids are living lives that would eat us alive. That's gotta change...and it starts with guys like you. Thanks!!

http://www430.pair.com/p15d24/mopar_forum/showthread.php?t=6546

I used plumbers pipe joint compound as per the recommendation of VPW and several forum members. http://www.vintagepowerwagons.com/products/parts/group1-engine.htm (page 16 of the catalog) Use the best engine assembly pre-lube you can find. Don't cut corners there. Others will chime in with more. These guys are the best... Some great tips in this story as well: http://www.allpar.com/cars/desoto/suburban-1951.html

Love the way an old car can bring strangers together and put a big grin on the faces of everyone involved. I keep saying it's not so much about the car as about the stories. Love the stories:) Great find Reg!!!!

Wacky??? Why thank you Happy Thanksgiving to all!!!!!