For Sale Rare Desoto

[rexus31]

Although it is a rare and desirable car, I think the $150K price tag is a bit unrealistic unless it is absolutely 100% perfect. This particular car, although nice, doesn't appear to be a trailer queen. Nada Guides, which are usually on the high side, value the High Retail at $138K. That being said, I'd LOVE to have a '57 Forward Look 'vert and this looks to be a pretty good example. I'd like to see more pics though.

http://www.nadaguides.com/Classic-Cars/1957/Desoto/Fireflite/2-Door-Convertible/Values

 

[twostick]

An Adventurer convertible that sold at B-J Scottsdale this year. http://www.barrett-jackson.com/Events/Event/Details/1957-DE-SOTO-ADVENTURER-CONVERTIBLE-180522

These cars "can" go for 6 figures but I suspect that one in the carport will need more than a trip to the detail shop to get it.

Kevin

 

[fc7_plumcrazy]

keep in mind the Adventurer is the "top model"

Carsten

 

[69monaco]

yep , they only made 300 of the adventurers .

Just thinking , how would a desoto,s fuselage look if they made them 10 years longer .........~

 

[twostick]

keep in mind the Adventurer is the "top model"

Carsten

I realize that but if an Adventurer can approach $200K, a restored Fireflite should command at least 1/2 price and then some, minimum , yes?

Kevin

 

[fc7_plumcrazy]

sure.
Fireflite is the next in line after the Adventurer.
I am just not sure how big the "gap" between those two is

 

[tbm3fan]

As Carsten stated it's been discussed already more than once on Forward Look if he remembers correctly.
It's still there, so I think something doesn't fit. Personally I think the Generation who desires cars of that era is slowly dying out with a few exceptions. If the Generation that can relate to them is gone, so is the market as a rule of thumb and IMHO.

Which is exactly why this guy missed his window for selling. Should have done it at least 8 years ago. The market for cars from the 50's, other than exotics and true desirable rarities, has already peaked and has started the slow decline. Anyone who was 20 years old when that car was out is now pushing 77 years old and not likely interested in a project. That leaves the total market for that car to a precious few no more no less. You certainly are not going to see an older baby boomer buying it, nor a Gen X, and especially not a Millenial.

My crystal ball tells me that 2025 is going to be the start of an obvious decline in most all cars from the 50's and 60's. The first baby boomers will hit 80, at least those that lived that long, since when they turned 65 their life expectancy was just over 78 years. Right now a boomer hitting 65 today has a life expectancy of 79.4 years. So some will sell them off while still alive into a buyers market, if that, and some will be literally given away after the owner has a sudden heart attack and the wife is stuck with it. This will also be the peak time for Millenials and I can say first hand they are not into cars, even from their years, like we were. They never wrenched on them, they are hard to wrench on, and they have other interests that are stronger.

Ever since I started doing exams in nursing homes my views on later life and death have dramatically been altered once you see what is in store. Visiting a relative is not the same as spending all day there with 20 different people. You also learn that there are very few men in the homes over 80 and that you could end up in one the very next week. Same as driving down the freeway at 6:59 am and then at 7:01 am you are dead. The saying about enjoy every day while you can is probably the truest truth in this world.

My other crystal ball guess is that around 2035 more cars sold in the US will be electric rather than gas by far. It will vary state by state initially but it is going to happen. Many of us will have already passed away so we won't be around to see that there is no one who is going to love our cars more than us and just us.

 

[69monaco]

Prices from the Chrysler catalog 2000.

 

[bluefury361]

As a general rule, this is true.
But the Exner styling seems to be the exception to that rule. The convertibles and some other body types have with stood the test of time and have become "timeless" in the eyes of generational collectors and enthusiast.
It was within the past year that one of these cars brought over a quarter million at a popular auction.

I don't see these special cars losing much in the market anytime soon.

 

[tbm3fan]

As a general rule, this is true.
But the Exner styling seems to be the exception to that rule. The convertibles and some other body types have with stood the test of time and have become "timeless" in the eyes of generational collectors and enthusiast.
It was within the past year that one of these cars brought over a quarter million at a popular auction.

I don't see these special cars losing much in the market anytime soon.

Auctions are not relevant. They are just a tiny slice of the pie occupied by many who are not collectors but investors. There is estimated to be 5 million collector cars tops in the country. How many run through an auction? I'll say less than 50,000 of them and some over and over again. The great majority of the cars are in our garages and are just ordinary cars. Now Exner may have been great in his day but to a future 50 year old who is now 33 years old it is more like Exner who. Mention Frank Lloyd Wright to someone 33 and you get the same reaction. I pick 33 as the first Millenial is denoted as being born in 1982.

 

[fc7_plumcrazy]

look at pre WW II cars.
Being original which ones still bring good money?
A Duesenberg: yes
An ordinary 1934 Plymouth 4-door?: no

Looking at the future in 10+ years I can see Chrysler letter car convertibles or Adventurer convertibles still bringing good money due to being rare and "official" design icons. But a average 1957 Desoto Firdome 4-door will be pretty much without deeper value even though it is a great looking car.

 

[1978 NYB]

look at pre WW II cars.
Being original which ones still bring good money?
A Duesenberg: yes
An ordinary 1934 Plymouth 4-door?: no
Looking at the future in 10+ years I can see Chrysler letter car convertibles or Adventurer convertibles still bringing good money due to being rare and "official" design icons. But a average 1957 Desoto Firdome 4-door will be pretty much without deeper value even though it is a great looking car.

There's hope for me to get a DeSoto after all! LOL!

 

[tbm3fan]

Just tested out the Virgil Exner name. Three people asked. One of my nephews at 32 had no idea who he was or Frank Lloyd Wright. A 64 year old male restoring his late 80's 911 had no idea who he was. He did know of Wright. The last guy was 66 years old and restoring his father's 1955 210 2dr. that his Dad drove until 1996 at the age of 96. His personal choice for a car would be a 1966 GTO 4 spd. which was the car when he was 16. His Dad's car is where he learned to drive so that is why he has it. He also had no clue who Exner was but did know Wright. So it seems only some die hard Chrysler and Ford guys would know of him and those who study design. So these cars are going to have a very limited and dwindling following over the next 10 years.

 

[rexus31]

Just tested out the Virgil Exner name. Three people asked. One of my nephews at 32 had no idea who he was or Frank Lloyd Wright. A 64 year old male restoring his late 80's 911 had no idea who he was. He did know of Wright. The last guy was 66 years old and restoring his father's 1955 210 2dr. that his Dad drove until 1996 at the age of 96. His personal choice for a car would be a 1966 GTO 4 spd. which was the car when he was 16. His Dad's car is where he learned to drive so that is why he has it. He also had no clue who Exner was but did know Wright. So it seems only some die hard Chrysler and Ford guys would know of him and those who study design. So these cars are going to have a very limited and dwindling following over the next 10 years.

Just because they don't know who the designer was, doesn't mean they don't know what the cars are and can't appreciate them. Did you ask them what a '57 Chrysler 300D was? Or better yet, show them a photo and ask them what it is. I bet the guy who wants a '66 GTO doesn't know who designed the '66 Pontiacs. That doesn't mean a thing. Cool is cool, regardless. I have no clue who designed the '64 Pontiacs but I own a '64 GTO because I like it. I had no clue who designed the '65 Chryslers until I was already halfway into the restoration. Again, meaningless. But it was ironic I was looking at early '60's Continental Convertibles before I bought the Chrysler only to find out both cars had the same designer, Elwood Engel. Go figure. I'm 44 and wasn't even around when these cars were new. I appreciate the classics because they have style and were/are distinctive. Unlike today's cars.

 

[tbm3fan]

Just because they don't know who the designer was, doesn't mean they don't know what the cars are and can't appreciate them. Did you ask them what a '57 Chrysler 300D was? Or better yet, show them a photo and ask them what it is. I bet the guy who wants a '66 GTO doesn't know who designed the '66 Pontiacs. That doesn't mean a thing. Cool is cool, regardless. I have no clue who designed the '64 Pontiacs but I own a '64 GTO because I like it. I had no clue who designed the '65 Chryslers until I was already halfway into the restoration. Again, meaningless. But it was ironic I was looking at early '60's Continental Convertibles before I bought the Chrysler only to find out both cars had the same designer, Elwood Engel. Go figure. I'm 44 and wasn't even around when these cars were new. I appreciate the classics because they have style and were/are distinctive. Unlike today's cars.

Exactly, it doesn't mean a thing. The designer that is. I didn't know who Exner was till I joined here even though around cars since 1965 dealing with them. I had seen the cars and thought nothing special about them and still do. Problem is I am more representative of people out there who have no idea who he is and what cars he designed. This is a closed shop here so no surprise you guys know but how far down the road does that knowledge travel? Same goes for Engel.

I showed the 66 year old guy the car and he went oh. That's it. So obviously nowhere near as cool as a 1966 Goat which was the car when he got his license.

The issue here is that just because you know who he is, what he did, and that you think the cars are cool doesn't mean it carries over to the general car hobbyist population. It doesn't anymore than when a patient comes in and is worried about getting glaucoma because a friend was diagnosed with it. When I tell him it is only found in 1.3% of the population does he realize the odds are greatly in his favor. I would say the odds are greatly against many people knowing these designers, thinking the cars are cool and wanting one in their garage. Cold hard facts. Be careful not to extrapolate your desires onto many others being like you.

 

[78Brougham]

A Desoto Fireflight convertible.....? I wouldn't be so quick to ridicule his price. If the car cleans up and runs out nice, it's a fair asking price.

I still believe he's too lazy to clean it up, make it run, or even to get it out of that rat infested chicken coop he's storing it in! If this car is as great as everyone say's it is, and he thinks it is, it should be treated as such! To me, this guy is just playing games. He doesn't want to sell it, he just wants everyone to fawn over it. If he was serious, and loved the heritage of this car as much as I would, he'd get it out, clean it, start it, and put it on the DeSoto Owners web site or Hemmings or contact Barrett-Jackson and advertise it there...not on CL.

 

[commando1]

All everybody else remembers is Lee Iacocca.

 

[bluefury361]

All everybody else remembers is Lee Iacocca.

Yea ..... and he was a sham. I'm not sure I would want the K car as my claim to fame.

 

[bluefury361]

Exactly, it doesn't mean a thing. QUOTE]

Yes. It's the design and the era that will stand up to the test of time.

 

[rexus31]

Exactly, it doesn't mean a thing. The designer that is. I didn't know who Exner was till I joined here even though around cars since 1965 dealing with them. I had seen the cars and thought nothing special about them and still do. Problem is I am more representative of people out there who have no idea who he is and what cars he designed. This is a closed shop here so no surprise you guys know but how far down the road does that knowledge travel? Same goes for Engel.

I showed the 66 year old guy the car and he went oh. That's it. So obviously nowhere near as cool as a 1966 Goat which was the car when he got his license.

The issue here is that just because you know who he is, what he did, and that you think the cars are cool doesn't mean it carries over to the general car hobbyist population. It doesn't anymore than when a patient comes in and is worried about getting glaucoma because a friend was diagnosed with it. When I tell him it is only found in 1.3% of the population does he realize the odds are greatly in his favor. I would say the odds are greatly against many people knowing these designers, thinking the cars are cool and wanting one in their garage. Cold hard facts. Be careful not to extrapolate your desires onto many others being like you.

If a general, run of the mill car guy cannot appreciate a Forward Look Design, or any other iconic design for that matter, such as a '57 Chevy, mid '60's Mustang Fastback or 1st gen Rivieras, is he really a car guy? Most car guys that I know appreciate them and most would like to have each in their garage but cost and space prevent most from owning a fleet. Automotive appreciation does tend to be dwindling, at least for American classics. Gen X'ers tend to flock toward Mustang Fox Bodies as I've seen some documented restorations of those online and the Millennials like to tinker with and race imports. That is actually quite popular here in SoCal. I wouldn't say the car hobby is dying, just heading in a different direction. Our cars are closer to being considered antiques. New "classics" are arising.