1956 DeSoto Fireflite Sportsman 2 door Hardtop

Originally, our 1956 DeSoto restoration began as the common story of recreating the cherished family car from many years ago. Once work began though, the decision was made to change the goal to building a Concours level award winning show car. Check out our Awards link to find out how successful we were!

The images above are scans from the November, 2009 Hemmings which included an auction report from the 2009 Russo and Steele Montery Auction.

photo courtesy Bob Voigt

When the car was disassembled, the tape line for the color sweep was carefully documented, so that the new paint line would be under the stainless trim as it was supposed to be.

After many hours of preparation, the paint application begins to take place. In order for the Iridescent Lavander to match correctly, these doors were colored while mounted on the body, but the clear coat is applied separately, so as to avoid having tape lines and overspray issues.

After paint application to the body, it is ready to lift off the rotisserie and be reunited to the frame.

The rebuilt and correctly detailed engine is reinstalled to the frame. Notice the correct and detailed brake and fuel line routing.

Following the few needed repairs, the floorboard is coated with self-etching primer and receives epoxy primer for a durable, corrosion resistant finish.

Paint prep continues as primer coats are applied and block sanded until the surface is straight and without defect.

After disassembly, both the chassis and sheetmetal went off to the media blaster. For ease of transport, we had the chassis blasted as a unit, and then we touch up the small parts when the chassis is disassembled.

Once the body is stripped of paint, gunk, and rust, it comes back to us from the media blaster all clean, and all secrets revealed. Up on the rotisserie it goes and repair work begins.

Underneath all those layers of paint we find that the length of the passenger side of the car had been sideswiped. Here's the passenger rear quarter with the lead repair evident. We removed the quarterpanel, fabricated a new lower quarter area, and installed it for a much better repair.

After complete disassembly, the chassis is painted and reassembled

All the details are important at this level of restoration, as evidenced by the individually restored brake components

The rusted quarter panel has been refabricated and welded to the quarter and the rocker panel

The Beginning July, 2004

So, here is where we started. The car arrived by transport, and our inspection process began. The car presented itself as accurately described in the classified advertisement, but as is often the case, underneath lurked nearly 50 years of use, abuse, and failed repair attempts.