1959 DeSoto

Sportsman Coupe

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

0611432M431

Clear

Gasoline

1959 DeSoto Firedome Sportsman I am offering for sale with NO RESERVE a very rare DeSoto Sportsman from the last year of Firedome Sportsman production. DeSoto built only 2862 of this model in 1959 and few survive. This example presents beautifully and is painted in one of the most desirable color combinations offered by DeSoto in '59: Bimini Coral and Pearl White. When viewed from a short distance the car looks almost perfect. No dents, no signs of damage. The sheet metal is very straight and the chrome is generally excellent with little pitting. The bumpers are especially nice and are nearly flawless. On closer inspection one will find that the car does have issues. There is some pitting to the door handles which can be seen in the accompanying photographs. The outside rear view mirrors are in good condition & fully functional, but are not original and not correct. Though there are presently no signs of rust, at some point in the past body filler was used to make repairs in the usual places one would expect to find rust in Chrysler products of this era; mainly the rocker panels. These repairs were done well and are practically invisible. Still they are there and I want to make a point of emphasizing their presence. There are also a few minor stone chips here and there. All wheel covers are present and in good condition. Tires are old and beginning to crack. They hold air but will need to be replaced. The engine compartment is clean and tidy but has not been detailed per se. I believe the 383 cid. V-8 engine is original. The car is further equipped with power brakes, power steering, and Chrysler's famous "bullett proof" push button TorqueFlite transmission. The interior is presentable and was reupholstered at some point with what appear to be correct materials. Note that both front seats feature the swivel option and the swivel mechanisms work fine. There is some pitting on the interior chrome; most notably the horn ring and emergency brake handle. Some pitting can also be found on various knobs and pieces of trim. I believe the dash was originally padded, but I cannot say for sure. In any case the dash does NOT have padding now and is painted gray to match the rest of the interior. Door panels are original. Original kick panels have been replaced with what looks like metallic cardboard (not correct). Steering wheel is cracked and shows signs of deterioration. It is also mounted upside down! That's an easy fix, but I haven't gotten around to it. Headliner appears to be original and is in very good condition. The chrome bows supporting the headliner are in excellent condition with little or no pitting. Carpet is in good shape, but probably not original. I can't say for sure. Some of the rubber weather stripping around the windows is cracked and will need replacing. Glove box liner is missing. Package shelf is covered in black carpeting (not correct.) All glass is in good condition with no cracks or chips. All gauges work including the "ribbon" speedometer. Heater works great. Radio is not working. Windshield wiper motor has been rebuilt and wipers work normally. All lights work front and rear including turn signals. Horn is new and LOUD. Odometer shows apx. 60,100 miles but I cannot verify if it is accurate. I bought this DeSoto less than one year ago from a long established dealer in New York. I was told at the time of purchase that it was a California car that had been part of a large collection and had been stored and rarely driven for the past 20 years. I cannot verify that, but there is an oil change sticker on one door from Sacramento, California dated 1968. Since I purchased the car the following repairs have been made. Much of this is the type of "sorting" expected of a car that had not been driven in many years: new fuel pump, rebuilt carburetor, new gas tank, new gas tank sending unit, new power steering pump, new power steering top box, new radiator, new master cylinder, new brake lines, new rear wheel cylinders, rebuilt generator, new starter, rebuilt windshield wiper motor, new horn relays & horn, misc new belts, hoses & wiring. This car is not perfect and no doubt other repairs and sorting will be needed. I do think most of the major mechanical issues have been addressed and I know of no major mechanical problems affecting the car at this time. Cosmetically this Firedome Sportsman is in fine shape on the outside and really needs only minor attention. The interior, if detailed, would be fine for everyday cruising, but the new owner will want to devote some time and effort to bringing it up a notch or two if the goal is to show the car. Many sources agree that stylistically, the three most iconic American cars of the Fins & Chrome era are the 1959 Cadillac, 1960 Imperial and 1959 DeSoto. The famous stacked taillights of the '59 DeSoto have been the subject of countless posters as well as illustrations in books and magazine articles dealing with the styling cues of 1950s American cars. Model year 1961 was the last year for DeSoto production. I am not a dealer. I collect American cars, mostly from the late 1940s-early 1960s. I bought this DeSoto with the intention of fully restoring it, but have decided to concentrate my efforts on the restoration of two other cars I acquired after the DeSoto. I am an honest guy and have done my best to describe the condition of this DeSoto as fully and accurately as possible. Any errors in description are not intentional. I would encourage you to examine the car in person if you are interested in buying it. I live only 20 minutes from a major airport (Raleigh-Durham, NC "RDU") and would be happy to pick you up if you fly in to see the car any time before the auction ends. I am also happy to cooperate with any independent inspector you hire. Foreign buyers are welcome. Note: I am selling the car without reserve. Simply stated, the bidding will start at one dollar and the high bidder at the end of the auction will be the new owner of this DeSoto. I do reserve the option to end the auction early. I ask that the high bidder make a $1000.00 good faith payment via PayPal or wire transfer within 48 hours of the end of the auction. The balance will be due by wire transfer or certified check within 7 days of the auction's end. I will accept as payment only US Dollars. Shipping is entirely the responsibility of the buyer. I am making no guarantees of any sort either stated or implied. As I said, I've done my best to describe the car's condition accurately, but various components of old cars can always fail unexpectedly. If you have questions, please email them and I will respond promptly. If you are serious and would like to discuss anything about the car, I'll send you a telephone number to contact me. Good luck, and happy bidding!