Summary

Frame-off restoration. Powered by a 345ci DeSoto HEMI engine with dual quads backed by the original 3-speed automatic transmission. Refinished in movie-car-correct Code 75 GM Spectre Red and an Ivory White roof.

Details

This 1958 Plymouth Savoy was treated to a meticulous frame-off restoration with the goal of rebuilding it into a re-creation of the 1958 Fury movie car 'Christine'. In addition to the correct movie-car appearance, upgrades include the addition of a DeSoto 345ci HEMI engine with a factory 1957 Adventurer dual-carb intake manifold (one of 1950 made). The overall appearance under the hood has the same visual appeal as the movie car with the twin golden oval air filters in addition to the movie-correct chrome valve covers, chrome power brake reservoir and Quaker State decal. The engine was rebuilt to exceed the original DeSoto 345 specifications with custom headers and a mild performance camshaft. The headers hook up to a mandrel-bent dual exhaust system tailored to closely replicate the sound of the movie car, along with the correct chrome pencil-tip ends out back. The rebuilt original 3-speed iron TorqueFlite automatic transmission feeds the power into the stock 8.75-inch rear end sporting 3.55 gears and Sure-Grip differential. Movie-correct silver powder-coated wheels are wrapped in Coker whitewall bias-ply tires. The frame-off restoration adheres to many factory specs, such as painting the floor pans in the factory gray color with appropriate texture spray on the bottom. LizardSkin sound-deadener and Dynamat are applied to the top side of the floor pans. The suspension has safety upgrades with a front sway bar, front disc brake conversion and KYB shocks on all four corners. H3 halogen headlights were added mainly as a safety measure but also for the same visual appeal of the bright headlights for which the movie car is well known. Factory options include power steering, power brakes, Jiffy-Jet windshield washer with a 2-speed wiper motor and a dual windswept antenna along with the OEM bumper wings. The interior is a very close rendition of the movie car in colors and patterns, right down to the correct padded sun visors. The factory AM radio is functional, along with a modern 4-speaker stereo system hidden behind the removable cover plate on the under-dash tissue dispenser. The exterior is finished in basecoat/clearcoat with movie-car-correct paint code 75 GM Spectre Red with an Ivory White roof after the body was completely stripped to bare metal, properly test-fitted for panel alignment, and the body worked to a high level of fit and finish.