1959 DeSoto Fireflite Explorer

Wagon

383 ci.

Automatic

M471 100412

Clear

Gasoline

OVERVIEW:This 1959 DeSoto Fireflite Explorer 9 passenger Station Wagon is a very low production car, one of 433 of this model built. This model #479 was DeSoto’s top trim level, and most expensive offering except for the Adventurer series. This was also the last year that DeSoto built station wagons, and the final year for separate body and frame construction. This car was built at the Jefferson Plant in Detroit, USA on March 9th, 1959 and carries serial # M471-100412. It is an original unrestored car with 77,740 miles showing on the odometer. The car is fairly complete and is a project in need of full restoration. It is an eight cylinder car with Torqueflite automatic transmission, power steering, brakes, and tailgate window. This car weighs in at 4,205 lbs., the heaviest of all ’59 DeSotos. Overall the car shows the normal wear and tear of its miles and age, and then some. It has spent an unknown number of years sitting and has an unknown history. The worst of it is the rust, mostly lower body. I've been advised by a gentleman who is completing restoration on one of these that there are only six of these Explorers in the world... 4 in the U.S., one in Sweden and this one in Canada. Ultimate rarity for a '59 Desoto. He has indicated that this car is better than the one he started with, and he has also offered to assist the new owner in locating any missing parts. Given it’s originality, rarity, and model status, it is surely a candidate for restoration and not the scrap yard. DRIVETRAIN:The engine is believed to be the original 383 ci. V8, rated at 325 hp. I have not attempted to start or turn the engine, but believe it to be seized and best to assume that it will require a full rebuild. Everything under the hood appears complete and as original equipment. The air cleaner cover is laying down in the air cleaner because there is no air filter. There is a second coil laying on the intake, as found. The battery tray is rusted out. It has the original Torque-Flite 3 speed push-button automatic transmission. The driveshaft has been removed but is in the car. All other components are in place. CHASSIS:This DeSoto rides on a 126” wheelbase, and is 220.1” in overall length. The frame appears to be solid with no signs of rot, and there is no evidence of any serious collision damage. All suspension, steering and driveline components are original without modifications. The rear springs are no doubt shot as there are two wooden blocks wedged in between the frame and rear axle housing to keep the car from sagging in the back end, as found. The car is equipped with power steering and power brakes. The car is sitting on mismatched 15” wheels, no original hubcaps. The hubcaps shown on the car are different year Oldsmobile caps, and the left front does not fit to the wheel and is just hanging in place for the pics. These caps were put on just for looks and will not go with the car. BODY & PAINT:This car had one repaint, and whatever body work, a long, long time ago. The original color code (XCX) indicates original paint scheme was a Pearl White roof, Caribbean Blue body, with a Pearl White sweep. The repainted blue was different from the original. There is no evidence on the body of any major collision damage, but the front bumper is pushed back slightly on the right side and caused a slight buckle where it met the fender. The body and sheet metal on this car are actually quite straight. There is a small soft dent down low on the left rear door, the other 3 doors are straight, as is the tailgate, the quarter panels, the hood, and the front fenders. The roof had some minor dents which were filled way back when, that filler has since let go and is peeling off. The worst aspects of the car are shown in the following pics, and there should be no additional hidden surprises. All the old poor repairs have failed and have had enough time to show themselves. It will require various rust repairs to the quarters, rockers, some body mounts, and some floor work. The left front fender has rust out above the headlamps and down low ahead of the rocker. It appears the right front fender had rust repairs above the headlamp, best to assume it should be redone, but the rear bottom corner does not appear to be rotten or filled. The tailgate appears good, with no rot at the bottom, as do the doors. INTERIOR:The interior is original and missing only a couple of items which are not wagon specific, so they should not be hard to locate off a sedan or other parts car. It is missing the radio, the center horn button, and the door lock knobs for the rear doors. I do not have keys for it, but they are supposed to be sent to me by the previous owner. Dash has original clock and padding. The headliner has been removed and all the original panels are wrapped together in plastic along with the sun visors, and are in the car. I have not unwrapped them but at a quick glance they appear to be in decent condition and may in fact be useable, but no guarantee of that as I have not inspected them all. The carpets were removed and are gone. All 3 rows of original seats are present, and the 2 rear seats can be fully folded down to make for a huge cargo space. All 4 door panels are still in place and in original condition. All handles, arm rests and hardware are in place, except for the rear door lock knobs. All glass except for the windshield is good. I have a good used spare windshield which goes with the car. The glass for the tailgate is intact and is down inside the tailgate. The tailgate window regulator and motor are removed along with the tailgate inner panel, but are present and go with the car. I do not have the switch for the power tailgate window, it was removed but is also being sent to me. BRIGHTWORK:Again, fairly complete but missing a few items. This wagon sported dual outside fender rear view mirrors, they were removed but I am expecting to receive them, along with the Explorer script off the tailgate, the tailgate switch, and keys. These are the only wagon specific items missing that I’m aware of, and the previous owner has committed to sending them to me. Once received they will follow the car. The Fireflite script emblem on the right fender is broken, the one on the left fender is good. The right headlamp surround is broken and a replacement needed. The only other missing pieces I can see are a horizontal molding between the hood and the grille, the lower stainless molding off the right rear door, and hubcaps. All these items are common to most ’59 DeSotos and should not be difficult to locate. I do not have them, and they are not forthcoming as with the other items mentioned. Overall stainless on the car is in good to very good condition, will polish up nicely. A couple of the stainless moldings have screw holes, which can be repaired. Chrome plated items are all original and in good restorable condition. Most pot metal is quite good, does have some pitting but is all restorable, not cracked or broken. The bumpers and grille are in original condition. There is rust out of the 2 rear bumper guards, but the rear bumper appears solid, as does the front bumper and guards. All original tail light and parking plastic lenses are intact but show their age. There is a very talented fellow in Australia who does beautiful work reproducing all the plastic lenses and emblems for this car, as well as for other Mopars of this period, and I will gladly pass along his contact info to you. His work is first classs. SUMMARY:If you are fan of late 50’s Mopar fins, or funky wagons, then this is your opportunity to bring one home. This classy high end DeSoto will look great in it’s 2 tone color scheme and forward raked posts and tail lights. If you are considering a nice 50’s finned wagon to restore, this top of the line Explorer could be it! There are 2 national DeSoto clubs to lend support to your project, not to mention the Walter P. Chrysler club. You definitely won’t be parking next to a bunch of these at any show & shine. Interest in finned Mopar cars and station wagons in general is at an all time high in recent years, and you’ll never run out of room for family, friends or parts hauling. PAYMENT TERMS: Please email ‘carsgoneby@telus.net’ or phone Rick at (403)534-2222 for additional honest and accurate information from a professional auto restorer. Additional specific pictures are available upon request. No warranties expressed or implied. Successful bidder to make a minimum payment of 50% of closing bid amount (US funds) within 5 days of auction closing, with the balance payable upon vehicle pick up within 21 days (international) or 14 days (US/Canada). Payment must be in certifiable form such as cash or wire transfer. Other forms of payment only acceptable with time allowance for instrument to clear bank prior to vehicle being released. Any deviation from, or changes to the preceding terms must be reasonable, and should be requested, discussed, and agreed to prior to bidding and auction closing. IMPORTANT OTHER: Please submit all inquiries prior to bidding, and please only bid if you are able and willing to conclude the transaction should you be the winning bidder. This vehicle is being sold with a ‘bill of sale’ only, there is no title or registration. This does not present a problem as far as importation into the USA. The car is located in Mossleigh, Alberta, Canada, about 3 hours north of the Montana border. Please be aware of your shipping costs before bidding, quotes can be provided upon request if necessary. We can help make this a smooth, hassle free experience by arranging all inclusive international transportation and brokerage for you. References relating to similar transactions are available. Cars Gone By has sold and shipped numerous collector vehicles to the USA and worldwide, the majority through Ebay transactions. Please do not ask us to disclose the reserve price. In fairness to all bidders we will not do so and request that you simply place a bid that is comfortable for you. Thanks for looking!