Restoration of Miss DeSoto
Chapter Two

Miss DeSoto is at Steve Balcers shop.
Bottom aluminum is 1/2 finished and sponsons are getting there.

 The bottom being finished
 

Finally glued and screwed.
 

The metal shavings were flying. 
Many thanks to Steve & Jean for your hospitality & excellent work.
 

My willys buddy, Don Shadenwald and Steve Balcer flipping the Miss Desoto.
 
 

Fitting the original dash. I still have the original Stewart Warner gauges in mint condition.
 
 

On the hoist & ready to set up and drill stringers.
 
 

Nice shot of original wood around cockpit.
 
 

Engine installed - only to be pulled for another 2 coats of varnish! Balcer is such a slave driver!
 
 

Sponsons finally taking shape.
 
 

A different view of the engine.
 
 

Some of the Jack Hines milling magic.
 
 

As much as possible of the original wood will be retained.
 

Miss Desoto on the original Mr. Byers trailer that hauled the Desoto and Chrysler Queen.
 
 

At Steve's hydro farm. 
I can't thank Steve Balcer and Jack Hines enough.
They have done a beautiful, first class restoration. They were able to keep as much of the original wood and hardware as possible.
 

 The deck is in ribbon stripe Mahogany, just as it was in 1956.
 

Almost all of the original steering was able to be retained as is or was rebuilt.
 

The rear transom area came out very nice.
 

The dash is all original including the original gauges and air pump.
 

Click here to read the story of finding of Miss DeSoto.

©2007 Butch Bailey