My '47 DeSoto Project

[Bingster]

Hi! I have been a member for about a year but have not been able to post much due to an outdated computer. That problem is solved and you will hear from me a bit more often.

This is my project car, a 1947 DeSoto S-11 Sedan. I took this photo about a year ago and the car still looks pretty much the same except the grill and front bumper are off now too. I have completely overhauled the front brakes - that is - they have been disassembled, appropriate parts sandblasted and painted, and new parts on hand for assembly.

The inner fender wells have been taken down to metal and all frame members in the front and suspension parts taken down also. After painting I hope it all goes back together properly!

The floor pan is out and sandblasted, and in need of a small patch welded in. I've refurbished the brake and clutch pedals as well. There was so much grease/dirt on everything that it took a long time just to get everything back down to metal. But I did it, at least back to the oil pan.

When the front is done I'll raise up the rear.

I'm going to repaint the car black - base and clear coat - and rechrome everything. New glass. The interior is shot so that has to be done. The car will be a driver not a show car, but I want to get as much of the car restored as possible while I am repairing things.

The car sat idle in Iowa winters for about ten years or so. Remarkably there is little rust on the sheet metal. The engine fired right up at the time I bought it. I'm hoping that an oil change, new plugs and such is all that it'll need to get it back on the road.

A year ago I was new to the classic car world and was pointed in the direction of Andy B. for parts. I did buy new wheel cylinders from him for the front brakes. They look okay but we'll see how they perform. For the rears I'll have them resleeved. I've learned from you guys!!

This is a great web site. I feel pretty confident that you folks can talk me through any problem I may incur. The biggest hurdle - at least in my mind - is getting the brakes adjusted properly. I sent for info on building a brake adjusting tool but haven't done it yet.

There is a fella near here who they say can work on classics cars and knows what he's doing. I'll probably use him for back-up if I screw up.

Take care.

[BobT-47P15]

Bingster, glad things are going well with the work.

Amazing how that dirt and grease cakes on there.

Also a better computer is a handy gadget.

Now.....I don't find any way to view a picture of your vehicle.

Do you have a PhotoBucket or other on-line album?

If you can't do pictures, you can cut and paste a link to a picture.

[De Soto Frank]

Hey Bingster,

Nice-looking S-11 (from the photo in your other post).

Looks / sounds like you got a pretty solid car.

You mentioned having pulled your front inner-fender aprons; I'm curious - are they in two pieces (upper & lower) on each side, or one piece/side ?

Suggestion regarding your Original interior: even if it's ratty and ugly, take lots of pictures of it in the car, especially the seats and door panels, for details about rolls/pleats/buttons, etc. and try to save the original material if possible... you may decide to go a different route for your driver-purposes, but documenting the original stuff will help you or "the next guy", if/when the original interior is to be re-created.

Sadly, the interior in my '41 De Soto was gutted and replaced with a cheapy aftermarket kit that's "just wrong", and I have no original bits to guide my recreation of the original interior...

Keep us posted on your progress...

De Soto Frank

(PS: here's a picture of my driver/jalopy S-8 DeLuxe)