1958 Dodge

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matthon

matthon

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Known this guy for years, couldn't get this car (in my price range) out of my brain.
Would like a chance to own a 50s Mopar, and the 58 Dodge is the one, imo.

So, I went to take a good look, at least a better look.

He saved it years ago, no doubt, unfortunately put it in the only available place under cover, and it sunk into the ground. It's pretty damp in there, even after weeks of heat.

Seized engine, cracked windshield, driver's door will not open. Floor completely covered in a galvanized sheet, couldn't see under it.
Trunk floor was also covered, same as interior floor, but with 3 patches that pulled up. It's roughly half gone.
Headliner is gone.

Flat tires, sits so low I couldn't get a look under the sides. Definitely on the ground in areas. Couldn't jack it up enough, really at all, to see anything.

The good, he had another windshield, headliner bows intact, the trim was in the trunk, as well as new, yet old, half quarters, lower fender panels, and one rocker, hood, trunk, doors, solid.

Couldn't tell if both rear frame rails are rotted in half or meant to be C channel.

Checked forwardlook.com and internet, couldn't find info or pics of rear frame.

It is complete and imo badass.
He will not pull it out, buried in there, unless it's a deal, and acknowledges frame condition unknown.

Plan was to replace the drivetrain, make it move, stop, safe, patch the floors with sheetmetal, put the trim on it, and done.

I had to pass, it's just beyond my limits if the frame is shot, and I don't want to gamble.

Yet, it's wrong to leave it there. Damn!

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It’s one of those “I’m gonna restore it one day” type cars
 
More than likely that is the real frame under it. These older full framed cars used heavy gage open C channel stampings, in some locations under there the C channels were welded together to box the frame for strength by the bumper mounts, engine mounts etc. I'd try to get that old first gen Hemi running. These cars are worth something to somebody. Late model driveline may hurt it trying to sell it later, unless you save the original drivetrain to go with it, and not mod the frame. I think fixing the floors solid with welded in steel sheet, maybe a late model EFI hemi swap, modern brakes, kinda pro touring look with patina intact would be really cool. The headlight eyebrows on the fenders above the lights have a tendency to rot out on these years, but those spots on this car look pretty solid. This old girl is 62 years old she needs love but isnt that bad off. However I agree I'd want it pulled out of there on aired up tires to inspect it better before money is exchanged. If the owner isnt willing to at least do that with your help to move it so you can look it over better, then that tells me they arent really interested in selling it. Keep tabs on it if you really want it, they may eventually come around to your way of thinking. I would love to redo one of these but got too much on my plate, and plenty of my own crap to do. I wish I was independently wealthy so I could **** around with this **** every day instead of having to go to work.
 
I was thinking the frame was C channel in places, I guess that's good news.

The bottom channel of the trunk opening was also rusted a bit, but the trunk popped open no problem and shut perfectly.

I did check above the headlights and one side had a small hole, but no rot.

He has no plans to restore it, he only wanted to save it decades ago from being left outside and probably junked. He has other cars to drive.

He said around fifteen hundred before I went out there and we cleared it off, but that wasn't set in stone. He said we needed to check that the other windshield was still intact, that alone could have been a deal breaker for me, but never got to it.

He's up there in age, been involved with cars since day one. Some say he's difficult, too difficult, but his stuff his rules. He doesn't have the attitude that it can rot if you don't pay him what he wants, he's gone out of his way to save stuff that would be long gone. He's not going to move a bunch of crap around and pull it out unless it's sold. The car in front of it he pulled out just to show it to me once, and I had to help push it back. This car is in a tough spot, it's hard for him personally to get around, he's stuck in his ways. It is frustrating but I don't think less of him for it.
There was a hint that he wanted to pull it up onto the concrete where the car is in front of it. That would require moving that car, which was supposed to be picked up same day but the buyer backed out. Great. And people wonder why he's so called difficult.

My understanding is it doesn't have park, it has that e-brake drum on the back of the trans. Not a fan of that.

Still, any drivetrain, brakes, sheetmetal floors, soap and water, drive cool.

I know I'm not convinced either way, yet, but I also know doing nothing is the same as deciding.
 
Have been staring at these two pics since I took them, exactly 2 years ago.

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For $1,500, I think I'd have to have it. Is that a 325 Poly motor? Just add Dodge Hemi heads and off you go. You can deal with all the rest. Very cool find.
 
The windshield fits 57 to I believe 62 hardtop C body. Should be able to get one without too much trouble .
 
matthon said:
Have been staring at these two pics since I took them, exactly 2 years ago.

View attachment 1715583595

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Click to expand...
Ask him if he'll take a grand for it and that you'll do your best to get it running and driving. You won't make any money off It but It will be a fun mystery to unravel. And, when you have all the parts for a car it makes all the difference in the world on restoring it. Good luck!
 
66fs said:
For $1,500, I think I'd have to have it.
Click to expand...
That's the problem (?) I know, it's not a problem, but at the same time it is.

66fs said:
Is that a 325 Poly motor?
Click to expand...
Yes. He said it was a 325 with poly heads, and Dodge had their own engines until, I don't recall. I looked it up, it's correct.

Scamp Rohnda said:
Ask him if he'll take a grand for it. And, when you have all the parts for a car it makes all the difference in the world on restoring it. Good luck!
Click to expand...
I doubt he'll go lower, coming from me who bought cars from him already.
The extra parts do help.
 
If you can get a title for it....buy it. Name it Darlene....Christine's cousin! I think Scarebird makes a disc brake kit for those big ol honkin cars. There's a way to use a small block 727 behind those motors too. It is kinda scary buying a car like that though....been there, done that! Good luck in your decision.
 
Is there such a thing as a dual plug early hemi head, like for a 331 hemi?
I've searched but cannot even find a pic.
 
I didnt know that Hemi heads fit on the poly block. I guess mopar had "modular" motors waaaay before ford did then if thats correct.
 
moparmat2000 said:
I didnt know that Hemi heads fit on the poly block.
Click to expand...
The Polyspheric or Poly engines were V8 engines produced by Chrysler from 1955 to 1958 as lower-cost alternatives to the Hemi engines. These engines were based on the Hemi engines, using the same blocks and crankshaft parts, but completely different cylinder heads, pushrods, exhaust manifolds and pistons.

66fs said:
Why bother? Early Hemi's are so cool.
Click to expand...
I saw a dual plug hemi engine there, difficult to get a good look see, but it sure looked like an early hemi, they are obviously visibly different.
 
You might check with the company in NC called Hot Heads. They deal in early hemi stuff. I saw a set of aluminum early hemi heads at my buddies machine shop, and they looked good. I didn't notice if they were dual plug. They were brand new heads that are going on a 331 hemi that is going in a 30 something Chrysler.
 
matthon said:
Known this guy for years, couldn't get this car (in my price range) out of my brain.
Would like a chance to own a 50s Mopar, and the 58 Dodge is the one, imo.

So, I went to take a good look, at least a better look.

He saved it years ago, no doubt, unfortunately put it in the only available place under cover, and it sunk into the ground. It's pretty damp in there, even after weeks of heat.

Seized engine, cracked windshield, driver's door will not open. Floor completely covered in a galvanized sheet, couldn't see under it.
Trunk floor was also covered, same as interior floor, but with 3 patches that pulled up. It's roughly half gone.
Headliner is gone.

Flat tires, sits so low I couldn't get a look under the sides. Definitely on the ground in areas. Couldn't jack it up enough, really at all, to see anything.

The good, he had another windshield, headliner bows intact, the trim was in the trunk, as well as new, yet old, half quarters, lower fender panels, and one rocker, hood, trunk, doors, solid.

Couldn't tell if both rear frame rails are rotted in half or meant to be C channel.

Checked forwardlook.com and internet, couldn't find info or pics of rear frame.

It is complete and imo badass.
He will not pull it out, buried in there, unless it's a deal, and acknowledges frame condition unknown.

Plan was to replace the drivetrain, make it move, stop, safe, patch the floors with sheetmetal, put the trim on it, and done.

I had to pass, it's just beyond my limits if the frame is shot, and I don't want to gamble.

Yet, it's wrong to leave it there. Damn!

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Click to expand...
This thread is for a 58 Desoto, but the frame is probably almost (if not exactly) the same as the 58 dodge. There are many detailed shots of the frame. Hope this helps.
Viewing a thread - Spring Special 58 DeSoto Firedome Sportsman
 
Interesting that these 50s chryslers had torsion bar front suspension, and what looks like an 8.75"rear axle.
 
64 Dart 270 said:
This thread is for a 58 Desoto, but the frame is probably almost (if not exactly) the same as the 58 dodge.
Click to expand...
Page 5 of that thread has a pic of a section of Dodge frame against the Desoto as well as this:
Removing only what is necessary. The problem is that the DeSoto frame is 5 inches across the bottom, but the
Dodge frame is only 4 1/2 inches. So, I would rather get a frame that is the correct size, so I don't have to modify it to fit.
Does anybody have a big 1958 Chrysler or DeSoto frame section that they can send me?

The last page shows a pic of the rear of the frame, it is similar but different, and boxed, but that pic and a pic of the front of the frame show how it is 2 C sections welded together, and it shows it splits apart at the front for the bumper.
 
"Does anybody have a big 1958 Chrysler or DeSoto frame section that they can send me?"
If you are going to get the 58, you should join the forwardlook.net page and ask there as well; maybe even ask on that thread. That site is not near as active as here, but it is specific to that vintage.
 
It's been over a year and this car is still kicking around in my brain.
It might just be the thought of dragging another odd ball car home.

I know he recently sold a few more cars, one in particular that someone is trying unsuccessfully to flip, a testament to his knowledge on the true value of Mopars.

It could be gone as I write this.
Funny, I decided not to get it, convinced myself, because it was beyond my skillset. Then I took the 62 I bought from him and replaced not only the floor, trunk to firewall, but the crossmember, part of the frame, the cowl, and the firewall.
The friggin firewall, the whole thing, never thought it possible.

I have no desire to do that again, the 62 isn't done, and I definitely need the $ to finish it.

I took these pics while I was there, $1,500 each, two with 2 barrels, two with a single 4 barrel.
He said, iirc, they made 4 barrel truck engines that are not desirable, and you don't know until you see the top of the cylinders.

So, to recap, I'm an idiot.

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