alan32433 Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 About 3 years and $20K and my 48 DeSoto is almost done. The only thing left to do is finish the steering wheel and install the windshield divider trim. I drove the car for the first time today, two or three trips around the big city of DeFuniak Springs FL. It drove like a dream. No squeaks, no abnormal sounds and no oil leaks. I had a blast aligning the front end last weekend. I wasn't sure how my toe-in rig would work but to my surprise, the car drove straight as an arrow and didn't drift to either side. Steering wheel was perfectly aligned also. I built a string set-up using metal conduit for the toe-in adjustment, and bought a "Joe's Racing" bubble level to set the camber. Some of you may remember the car was sagging slightly on the drivers side. I ended up removing the left lower control arm and spring, and installing a 1/4 inch spacer. That took care of that problem. Quote
plymouthasc Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 Fantasitc looking results. Congratulations! Quote
DLK Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 Sure wish it was mine! What a great cruiser. Quote
greg g Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 Looking good, now get some miles on it... Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted July 1, 2011 Report Posted July 1, 2011 you have just cause to be proud and happy....that is a sharp looking ride.. Quote
Niel Hoback Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 That is absolutely beautiful ! The envy of the highway. Quote
alan32433 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Report Posted July 2, 2011 Thanks for the kind words everyone! My wife and I have had a blast restoring this car. We drove it again this evening, put about 40 miles on it and everything worked perfect. Now, after finishing the last few things on the DeSoto, I'm moving on to my 55 F-100. My uncle bought it new in August 1955 at the age of 27. Unfortunately he's moved on to better things but I'm sure he'll be pleased when I get it restored. Like always, I'll restore it original. Quote
Greg F Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Alan, that looks amazing. Now I just need to convince the wife to let me spend some money, so I can hopefully drive a car as nice as yours. Tried to explain to her that kids don't need college anymore, just hasn't sunk in yet. Great Job! Quote
Mark D Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Awesome! What a good looking car. Congrats! Quote
P-12 Tommy Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Absolutely fabulous!! I love the big toothy grin on those cars. Well worth the time and effort! Tom Quote
1955 plymouth Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Looks Amazing! Love the color, the grill is bad ***! Great work, Enjoy. Quote
Greenbomb Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Very nice!! That interior is very inviting. Good job. Quote
1940plymouth Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Please take your camera the next time you and your wife are out and about in the DeSoto, sure would like to see more photos:) Quote
Andydodge Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Alan, beautiful job, especially like the upholstery, a real credit to both of you, how about a few more interior & engine bay pics........andyd Quote
randroid Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Alan, What everybody else said because there isn't much else one can say. Now, what's that truck peeking through the window in the last picture? -Randy Quote
alan32433 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Report Posted July 2, 2011 Alan,What everybody else said because there isn't much else one can say. Now, what's that truck peeking through the window in the last picture? -Randy Randy, that's actually my 48 Desoto parts car peeking through the window. It had serious rust, way too much for a restoration. So it sacrificed the last of its life to let another live. Several wanted more pictures. I'll take some today and post later. Again, thanks everyone for the kind words! Quote
alan32433 Posted July 2, 2011 Author Report Posted July 2, 2011 Here's a couple of engine compartment pictures. as you can see, I tried to keep everything original. There's another interior picture too. The steering wheel you see isnt the one that will be installed. I restored the original but its not quite finished. Quote
Don Coatney Posted July 2, 2011 Report Posted July 2, 2011 Good to see the rust in the spark plug depressions for that tells me that you are driving the car Great job! Quote
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