Though Cadillac would get a lot of mileage out of the Seville name, Chrysler used it in 1956 as an upscale version of the DeSoto Firedome, and it came with a Hemi V8. The “Forward Look” Chryslers were in their second year and were more stylish than many of their competitors, a role they put into high gear with the 1957-59 entries. Located in Trenton, New Jersey, this larger-than-life Mopar project is available here on eBay. The opening bid is $2,500 (who will make it?), and there is a reserve on top of that to conquer. Thanks to Barn Finder Russell J Glantz for the tip!
Launched in 1952 as the top DeSoto, the Firedome found itself playing second fiddle in the 1955 lineup. But it got some retribution with the Seville model, which was only offered as 2-and-4-door hardtops in 1956. A 330 cubic inch Hemi V8 occupied the engine compartment on the Seville, and it was good for 230 horses with a 2-barrel carburetor (other Firedomes had a 291 V8). The Seville accounted for a fair amount of DeSoto sales in 1956 (the bottom hadn’t dropped out yet). 19,000 2-doors vs. 4,000 4-doors.
The opening photo in the listing for this DeSoto suggests it was a barn find since it sits on a trailer. Other pics show the car outside and exposed to the elements, all of which have done a job on the car’s body and paint. Much of the chrome trim has been removed and can be found in the back seat. Rust seems to have focused on the rocker panels, front fenders, and floorboards.
This will be an ambitious project if you choose to restore it. But if you opt to go the parts car route, what would you be able to transfer to another undertaking without having to redo them? Since the DeSoto became an orphan in 1961, the parts supply has no doubt been dwindling in the past 65 years.
Presentation is everything………….