The Forward Look Network
The Forward Look Network
Search | Statistics | User Listing Forums | Chat | eBay | Calendars | Albums | Skins | Language
You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

300C convertible project
Moderators: ronbo97

Jump to page : 1 2
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]		View previous thread :: View next thread
   Forward Look Swap Meet -> For Sale - EBAY, CRAIGSLIST & OTHER FINDSMessage format
 
sparky7
Posted 2010-11-10 11:38 PM (#249096)
Subject: 300C convertible project


Elite Veteran

Posts: 636
50010025
For someone with time and $$$ . . . .

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1957-Chrysler-300C-convertible-hemi-...

Photos:



(!B8YY3Fg!mk~$(KGrHqJ,!k8Ey+jCw3Q6BM23CM5MFg~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YYC!QCWk~$(KGrHqJ,!h4EzLjJvMsSBM22-zJ!j!~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YYeV!Bmk~$(KGrHqJ,!hgEyr6JSvfdBM23!puYjQ~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YYjPQ!mk~$(KGrHqF,!k0Ey+jC0-3,BM23!+42Gg~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YYNVw!2k~$(KGrHqR,!iYEzNloOlpqBM22+lDL3g~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YYuMQCGk~$(KGrHqF,!lEEy+jC1)KIBM23Bq5Ymw~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YYVV!!2k~$(KGrHqF,!g0EyrqJQG)nBM23!EsS9g~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YZCrwBmk~$(KGrHqJ,!mEEy+jCw6qGBM23C9B!Fg~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YZde!CGk~$(KGrHqF,!icEzNyfok85BM23EeGo2w~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YZo1wBmk~$(KGrHqR,!k0Ey+jCyGFYBM23FRyglg~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YZQD!!2k~$(KGrHqN,!jkEzKKkiis5BM23Dr75Zg~~_3.jpg)



(!B8YZwtw!mk~$(KGrHqF,!ksEy+ioZl6pBM23Fu26Vg~~_3.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments !B8YY3Fg!mk~$(KGrHqJ,!k8Ey+jCw3Q6BM23CM5MFg~~_3.jpg (64KB - 122 downloads)
Attachments !B8YYC!QCWk~$(KGrHqJ,!h4EzLjJvMsSBM22-zJ!j!~~_3.jpg (94KB - 125 downloads)
Attachments !B8YYeV!Bmk~$(KGrHqJ,!hgEyr6JSvfdBM23!puYjQ~~_3.jpg (88KB - 124 downloads)
Attachments !B8YYjPQ!mk~$(KGrHqF,!k0Ey+jC0-3,BM23!+42Gg~~_3.jpg (48KB - 118 downloads)
Attachments !B8YYNVw!2k~$(KGrHqR,!iYEzNloOlpqBM22+lDL3g~~_3.jpg (85KB - 124 downloads)
Attachments !B8YYuMQCGk~$(KGrHqF,!lEEy+jC1)KIBM23Bq5Ymw~~_3.jpg (78KB - 118 downloads)
Attachments !B8YYVV!!2k~$(KGrHqF,!g0EyrqJQG)nBM23!EsS9g~~_3.jpg (82KB - 138 downloads)
Attachments !B8YZCrwBmk~$(KGrHqJ,!mEEy+jCw6qGBM23C9B!Fg~~_3.jpg (118KB - 125 downloads)
Attachments !B8YZde!CGk~$(KGrHqF,!icEzNyfok85BM23EeGo2w~~_3.jpg (89KB - 131 downloads)
Attachments !B8YZo1wBmk~$(KGrHqR,!k0Ey+jCyGFYBM23FRyglg~~_3.jpg (88KB - 124 downloads)
Attachments !B8YZQD!!2k~$(KGrHqN,!jkEzKKkiis5BM23Dr75Zg~~_3.jpg (97KB - 122 downloads)
Attachments !B8YZwtw!mk~$(KGrHqF,!ksEy+ioZl6pBM23Fu26Vg~~_3.jpg (101KB - 127 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
BigBlockMopar
Posted 2010-11-11 6:30 AM (#249116 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 3575
20001000500252525
Location: Netherlands		Well, The rust ain't so bad anymore I guess.... most of it has fallen off it seems
Shame on the dick who has let a car like this rot away like that.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wizard
Posted 2010-11-11 7:14 AM (#249118 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13062
50005000200010002525
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island		Looks like something for Big-M's tomatodip rustaway bathtube
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ronbo97
Posted 2010-11-11 12:32 PM (#249151 - in reply to #249116)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Expert

Posts: 4071
200020002525
Location: Connecticut

BigBlockMopar - 2010-11-11 6:30 AM Well, The rust ain't so bad anymore I guess.... most of it has fallen off it seems Shame on the dick who has let a car like this rot away like that.

Considering where the car came from (upstate NY), I'm surprised that it's not in worse condition. Even the 12ga rocker panels are rusted out. Don't even want to guess what's left of the trunk.

Interesting to note that the car has manual windows. 

Ron

 

Top of the page Bottom of the page
1959 Belvedere Conv
Posted 2010-11-11 1:23 PM (#249160 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Elite Veteran

Posts: 1107
1000100
Location: Arvada, Colorado (NW Denver Metro Area)		I bet she will buff out fine! $10K is a lot for this but put $20K to $30K into it and it will be a looker! Would not mind having it but have to finish the one I have right now.

Edited by 1959 Belvedere Conv 2010-11-11 1:26 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Windsor59
Posted 2010-11-11 2:10 PM (#249166 - in reply to #249160)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 2596
2000500252525
Location: Upplands Väsby, Sweden		Looks like all rare conv moulding and topframe is there. Perfect item for someone who can and can weld sheet metal.


Edited by Windsor59 2010-11-11 2:14 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Handygun
Posted 2010-11-11 3:20 PM (#249174 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Elite Veteran

Posts: 1119
1000100
Location: STL, MO		And got a MoPar with it in everypic, And I'd sell everyone of them to fix this one.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ronbo97
Posted 2010-11-11 5:44 PM (#249192 - in reply to #249174)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Expert

Posts: 4071
200020002525
Location: Connecticut		Any guesses as to what she'll go for ? I'm thinking it'll fall just short of 20K, with reserve not met.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
B/G 61
Posted 2010-11-11 6:59 PM (#249209 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 2612
2000500100
Location: Parts Unknown

I guess 14k - reserve not met . . .


Which makes a ton of sense cuz its over 15k now . . .







Edited by B/G 61 2010-11-11 7:01 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
d500neil
Posted 2010-11-11 7:39 PM (#249218 - in reply to #249209)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca		It's an OEM non-undercoated car, too.

It might well be 'worth' 150K when in #1 condition, but there's +/- $70K retail-cost to get it there, AFTER it is purchased.

The difference between 150 and 70 is the potential profit, as measured against the car's purchase price, and the Time-Value-
of-the-Money, that could be invested elsewhere----like in Oracle [ORCL] common stock---not that EYE own any [much] of it!!!

The Big-Winner, regarding this car's restoration-value, will be the car's CURRENT seller.





Top of the page Bottom of the page
ronbo97
Posted 2010-11-11 10:49 PM (#249235 - in reply to #249218)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Expert

Posts: 4071
200020002525
Location: Connecticut

d500neil - 2010-11-11 7:39 PM  The Big-Winner, regarding this car's restoration-value, will be the car's CURRENT seller.

Yep, I agree.

70K to restore this ? Maybe if you do most of the work yourself ! Around these parts, if you want to see this car in #1 condition, the resto shop is likely to hit you for almost twice that. Show quality paint jobs are going for 15K - 20K alone. Hemi engine rebuilds are between 5 - 7K. 400+ hours of body work, welding, panel alignment, interior restoration, etc. will put you up around 150K. So for the investor, it wouldn't be worth it.

Ron

Top of the page Bottom of the page
sparky7
Posted 2010-11-11 11:47 PM (#249239 - in reply to #249235)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Elite Veteran

Posts: 636
50010025
. . . . still, a helluva way to go bankrupt.

Sparky
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-11 11:52 PM (#249241 - in reply to #249235)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown		I'd like to just park it in the corner of my shop and keep it as a survivor. Some day, cars like this
will no longer exist. All will have been restored or chopped up for parts.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
BigBlockMopar
Posted 2010-11-12 5:51 AM (#249255 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 3575
20001000500252525
Location: Netherlands		I really wonder it that much welding will be done here. Sadly, I would just think another '57/58 Chrysler/Desoto will die when restoration starts on this 'C'.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
hemidenis
Posted 2010-11-12 8:33 AM (#249262 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 3897
20001000500100100100252525
Location: Northen Virginia		Only for a guy like bigM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
hemidenis
Posted 2010-11-12 8:43 AM (#249263 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 3897
20001000500100100100252525
Location: Northen Virginia		Had someone EVER restore a car in this condition on this site?, beside bigM "rusty".
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-12 9:10 AM (#249265 - in reply to #249263)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown		My car was easily this bad. When I began the rust work on it, the car was cut in half, removing the cowl
as a separate unit, the rear clip, and building the floors, stanchions, and rockers from scratch. The bottom
6-12 inches of the cowl was replaced, and in the rear clip area, the outer wheel tubs were built back, the
outer quarter skins replaced from the lower side trim line, and the trunk pan replaced. And, of course,
all the little corners and bits that rust not associated with the aforementioned.

Honestly, if you are prepared to "go deep" on a car like this, it really isn't that bad. It is intimidating as hell
if you don't know what you are doing, but after doing it a couple times before - 58 Belvedere convertible and
58 Adventurer convertible - it isn't any more difficult than anything else in the restoration process. I actually
find the rough building of a body to be the most enjoyable part of the game.

Maybe, when I de-mobe, I should offer rust repair and body rebuilding services ?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jason413
Posted 2010-11-12 9:27 AM (#249267 - in reply to #249255)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 378
100100100252525
Location: hampton mn
BigBlockMopar - 2010-11-12 5:51 AM

I really wonder it that much welding will be done here. Sadly, I would just think another '57/58 Chrysler/Desoto will die when restoration starts on this 'C'.


If someone is paying over 15k for a project, I think they will follow through. I personally cannot believe its any more than 10k. Look at the thing. Is it really worth 150k done now days? I thought there was one recently for 70k never selling.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ronbo97
Posted 2010-11-12 2:37 PM (#249291 - in reply to #249263)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Expert

Posts: 4071
200020002525
Location: Connecticut

hemidenis - 2010-11-12 8:43 AM Had someone EVER restore a car in this condition on this site?, beside bigM "rusty".

Yep! Click over to my website to take a look. It's the link at the bottom.

Ron

Top of the page Bottom of the page
d500neil
Posted 2010-11-12 7:05 PM (#249316 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca		HERE'S a mental-image for y'all, who live in highly restrictive vehicle inspection/registration areas....

Imagine this car being in perfectly good running-order (not all that big of a project, really)...but being in THIS
car's present physical condition....

Now, imagine yourself driving into the Inspection Station...and presenting THIS car for its Registration-inspection
consideration!

...altho how you secure the front seat to the floor is left to your ingenuity.











Edited by d500neil 2010-11-12 7:09 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
B/G 61
Posted 2010-11-12 8:03 PM (#249326 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 2612
2000500100
Location: Parts Unknown

In my fantasy world, I get this car up and running 100% safe and drive it as-is - roached-out body and interior


Top of the page Bottom of the page
d500neil
Posted 2010-11-12 8:10 PM (#249328 - in reply to #249326)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca		You mean, this would be a ROACH rod???
Top of the page Bottom of the page
chrysler300c
Posted 2010-11-15 8:57 PM (#249671 - in reply to #249192)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert ,, George Passed away July 28th 2021, He will be Missed

Posts: 1295
1000100100252525
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho		I think it will exceed $21 or $22K and it will be back on the road again someday.

George
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Fanbladeus
Posted 2010-11-15 10:32 PM (#249682 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 1218
1000100100
Location: Warren, Michigan		Just grab all of the convertible parts off of it and make a Windsor convertible
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Finsinthemirror
Posted 2010-11-15 10:39 PM (#249683 - in reply to #249682)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Elite Veteran

Posts: 1119
1000100
Location: CA		Why is this car such an impossible task to restore? Given the provenance of the 300 letter cars AND being a real convertible is it that difficult to find someone willing to take on a challenge like this other than someone looking flip it? It is complete..
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-15 11:45 PM (#249689 - in reply to #249683)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown		What bothers me most about this car is the white primer spots. How do you fix something
like that ?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
hemiviper588
Posted 2010-11-18 12:30 AM (#249973 - in reply to #249689)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 505
500
$32K and reserve not met!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
hemidenis
Posted 2010-11-18 1:00 AM (#249976 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 3897
20001000500100100100252525
Location: Northen Virginia		Doc, if you can restore a car like this, you can make good money doing it.
How much would you estimate the rust only repair? or at least time?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-18 2:50 AM (#249981 - in reply to #249976)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown
hemidenis - 2010-11-18 10:00 PM

Doc, if you can restore a car like this, you can make good money doing it.
How much would you estimate the rust only repair? or at least time?


*****************************************************

OK, ... I am going to do a business proposal kind of WAG .....

If these various persons / outfits offering repop panels can be winnowed down to the few making
very close fit and good quality pieces to do the lower bodies (inside and out) to get car needing a
total bottom end replacement like this car looks to need ....

.... and based on an overall WAG of pricing on those panels at being under $2500, I would submit a
bid of $10K to hand this car back to the owner in solid, rust-free condition with better than original
fitment and reveals as a bare body, ready for finish body work and paint.

That said, if certain panels are simply not made at this time, fabrication would potentially drive costs
up. Another option is taking in a good stamping concern to work a collaboration to make dies and use
them as well as sell them to offset R&D costs. The end game being a good supply of needed parts.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
hemidenis
Posted 2010-11-18 7:30 AM (#249997 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 3897
20001000500100100100252525
Location: Northen Virginia		Thanks Doc, finally an estimated price for one of theses. So... it could be an easy $15k if panels are not found or may be a donor car is located.
I know for experience that hemi engine parts can easily reach $7k and that is W/O the machine shop labor + paint + detailing. So we are in $22K with a solid car and engine parts, still a long way to go.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
hemidenis
Posted 2010-11-18 7:32 AM (#249998 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 3897
20001000500100100100252525
Location: Northen Virginia		Plus the 32k(not met)= 54K
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-18 1:18 PM (#250042 - in reply to #249998)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown		I guess this is where it pays to have some skills and tools to do some of the work yourself.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jason413
Posted 2010-11-19 10:39 AM (#250142 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Extreme Veteran

Posts: 378
100100100252525
Location: hampton mn		I would have laughed all the way to the bank if someone gave me over 30k for this car.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Ray
Posted 2010-11-19 10:54 AM (#250143 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project


Expert

Posts: 1497
1000100100100100252525
Location: Fairfax, Minnesota		I talked to someone who restored one of these a few years ago. They had to create new metal from the midline down. He said that if he put a cost of $30/hr on the labor, the total cost would have been $180,000
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-19 1:20 PM (#250170 - in reply to #250143)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown		While a 300 isn't exactly my bag, if an object such as this is what a person really loves
and wants, then money doesn't really matter. We all make money. We all spend money
on stupid crap. Some golf, some have boats, some buy hookers and beer !!!
30K is nothing if that is your dream. If you can't afford 30K for your dream, I venture to
say that you have an income problem that needs attention. How much does a smoker spend
per year for cigarettes? How about beer? Dog food ? Eating out ? This is all perspective,
and at least for this fool, dreams take priority over all but making a living to make those dreams
happen.

It becomes pretty stale to always hear car guys boil everything down to dollars. They cannot
see themselves or anything else outside a paradigm of cost, expense, and return. Pretty sad,
really. I keep deluding myself into thinking more car guys are into this for the nostalgia and
the passion of having that "right" car. But, at least around this forum, the comments always
come down to "this costs too much", or "it isn't worth that". I'm dammed glad I paid WAY too
much for my car when I did (at least that is what all my car friends told me at the time), because
I have never seen another one for sale since ! Best money I ever spent too !

Follow your dreams, children !
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-19 1:24 PM (#250173 - in reply to #250143)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown
Ray - 2010-11-20 7:54 AM

I talked to someone who restored one of these a few years ago. They had to create new metal from the midline down. He said that if he put a cost of $30/hr on the labor, the total cost would have been $180,000


***************************************

30 goes into 180,000, 60,000 times. That means it took this guy 60,000 hours @ 30 dollars an
hour to come up with that total.

Either someone is the worst body man ever, or needs to take a refresher course in basic math !
Top of the page Bottom of the page
B/G 61
Posted 2010-11-19 2:04 PM (#250179 - in reply to #250173)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 2612
2000500100
Location: Parts Unknown
Doctor DeSoto - 2010-11-19 1:24 PM

Ray - 2010-11-20 7:54 AM

I talked to someone who restored one of these a few years ago. They had to create new metal from the midline down. He said that if he put a cost of $30/hr on the labor, the total cost would have been $180,000


***************************************

30 goes into 180,000, 60,000 times. That means it took this guy 60,000 hours @ 30 dollars an
hour to come up with that total.

Either someone is the worst body man ever, or needs to take a refresher course in basic math !


Umm, you mean 6,000 right ?


Top of the page Bottom of the page
christine-lover
Posted 2010-11-19 2:05 PM (#250180 - in reply to #250173)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 2996
2000500100100100100252525
Location: Sept. 1958
Doctor DeSoto - 2010-11-19 1:24 PM

30 goes into 180,000, 60,000 times. That means it took this guy 60,000 hours @ 30 dollars an
hour to come up with that total.

Either someone is the worst body man ever, or needs to take a refresher course in basic math !


6,000 times.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-20 2:23 AM (#250249 - in reply to #250180)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown		OK, so I need a brain fart refresher course !

Even so, .... 6000 hours just to get the body right ?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
w.weiland
Posted 2010-11-20 8:04 AM (#250254 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Expert

Posts: 1500
1000500
Location: Lordstown, Ohio		So if the guy put 6000 hrs in it to get the body right. If he spent on average 4 hrs per day he worked on it it and he worked consistantly those 4hrs per day. It meant it took him 1500 days to do the body which would be close to 4 years to do it?
I think he is either very slow. Or he has friends that come over to "help" but they sit around talk, drink beer smoke cigs, watch the tv, and play with the dog. So,........ it could be very possible. But at $30per hour does that mean there all union?
Wayne
Top of the page Bottom of the page
ttotired
Posted 2010-11-20 8:43 AM (#250258 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert 5K+

Posts: 8445
50002000100010010010010025
Location: Perth Australia		Doc
I have to agree with what you say abot the cost of buying and restoring our cars. I was really after a 57 or 58 Ply. I have only ever seen 1 in real life when i was a first year apprentice a long time ago and it was offerered to me for $4000.00. I remember it was a dark blue color and had sort of fender spears on it but they had clear perspex fins on the spears ( if you know what I mean) and it had a huge scrape down the left side of the car. I could not afford it at the time but I have looked for one ever since. I now have a 60 Ply that requires quite a bit of work and a lot of hours to bring back to life, but after waiting 30 years to get one, I was like a kid with a new toy. Cost has nothing to do with it. I expect to spend the next five years of my "spare time" and a lot of cash making a car that cannot be bought new anymore and will hopefully be a standout and hopefully will still be around for the next fifty years.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-20 11:35 AM (#250276 - in reply to #250258)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown		I have told this around here before ....

I started out on Buicks ... 59, 60 and later some 58's. It was my brother who brought home the
first Mopar, ... a 60 Fireflite coupe. I followed with a 57 NY'er coupe, and in my search for restoration
parts, discovered 57 DeSotos. I had owned a lot of the GM cars as ragtops and loved driving around
with no roof over my head, so naturally I combined the newly discovered 57 DeSoto with wanting one
where the top went down. That is where the trouble started.
Finding a finned ragtop GM car was not that tough in the late 70's. But finding a finned Mopar convertible
was close to impossible. And so became the obsession to find one. And I do not use the term "obsession"
lightly. Every spare moment I had, I was on the phone, networking, talking it up, anything it took to try
and scare one up out of the woodwork. It was about 1986 when I got a tip on a wasted-rusty 58 Adventurer
sitting in a wrecking yard in Virginia and after a few phone calls I finally "had my dream car", albeit shipped
to me on pallets. I spent the next 8 years building the car up from scratch around a set of body tags, still
hunting major critical parts that had been taken off the car when it sat in the wrecking yard. It was in this
search for parts that I found the Fireflite I now own, and when the owner decided to sell it, I sold the project
Adventurer and jumped on the chance to have a presentable, driving Fireflite ! After some 14 years of dreams
and obsessive searching, I finally had one I could drive. Nine months later, while sitting at a red light, an
inattentive dipweed rearended my and I had to rebuild the body from scratch like the Adventurer.

So, here I sit in a cozy hooch in lovely Afghanistan. I have a great big "dream shop" 2/3's built. The DeSoto
sits peacefully inside awaiting my return, and if the moon and stars align, after some 30 years, I will finally
finish and drive my dream. I really don't care what it costs. It is mine, it is my dream, and I have never seen
another like it for sale at any price.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
B/G 61
Posted 2010-11-20 12:21 PM (#250279 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 2612
2000500100
Location: Parts Unknown


I don't have a problem with anyone spending a zillion dollars on a roached-out anything and
slapping it together (6,000 or 60,000 hours ) I don't understand not driving said anything
once it's together - I know there are some rare (and ultra rare) cars out there - but whats
the fun in havin a "dream" and not drivin it ? Save the zillion then and just dream . . .



Top of the page Bottom of the page
parat11
Posted 2010-11-20 2:12 PM (#250286 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Veteran

Posts: 254
1001002525
Location: Austria, Vienna		Why survival rate of 300C is so high ( 156 out of almost 484 ) and 57 Desoto Fireflite conv - 16 known to exists out of more then a thousand?
Top of the page Bottom of the page
d500neil
Posted 2010-11-20 3:34 PM (#250292 - in reply to #250286)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca		Short/simple answer: they were (very-) expensive when new, and they were well maintained by their elderly owners.

Also, they were relatively well/better-built, and they had a prestigious reputation, so, it wasn't seemly to ride around in
an un-seemly-looking ride.

The DeSotos became orphaned, so 'nobody' cared about preserving them, as any sort of a status symbol.

...Things and times have changed, however, altho it's now way-too-late to preserve all of the 'still-saveable-at-some-
time' very desirable FWDLK'ers.





Edited by d500neil 2010-11-20 3:39 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
antonellomopar
Posted 2010-11-20 4:50 PM (#250301 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 375
100100100252525
Location: milano, italy		There also is a great support from the club, very active and with many people. They were saved since the beginning , they were felt as something special, and this way many were not destroyed. Adv were less cared for, had less reputation and belonged to a less presigious marque.
Besides, interiors in Adv were less durable, and in a short time the fabric would disentegrate, while the leather interior in the letter cars was of very good quality. My 300 C still has the orignal seats and dash, both in perfect shape.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
chrysler300c
Posted 2010-11-21 10:04 PM (#250422 - in reply to #249997)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



Expert ,, George Passed away July 28th 2021, He will be Missed

Posts: 1295
1000100100252525
Location: Twin Falls, Idaho		We are currently doing one of these that was not quite this bad... you are looking at closer to $45-$50k to do one on top of the cost of buying the car and that is if after having the bodywork done professionally, you do all the assembly yourself. I will post pictures later.

George

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Doctor DeSoto
Posted 2010-11-22 12:33 AM (#250434 - in reply to #250422)
Subject: RE: 300C convertible project



5000500050005000200050025
Location: Parts Unknown		That sounds WAY more realistic.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
hemidenis
Posted 2010-11-22 9:58 PM (#250532 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Expert

Posts: 3897
20001000500100100100252525
Location: Northen Virginia		Yes it does, I would really like to see a real-world restoration cost.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
d500neil
Posted 2010-11-23 8:34 PM (#250611 - in reply to #249096)
Subject: Re: 300C convertible project



Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!

Posts: 19146
5000500050002000200010025
Location: bishop, ca		"Real world" depends, obviously, on how much free-work you do, yourself, and where the pro-stuff-work
is done.

Ronbo confirms labor rates on the Least-coast at a lot higher than here on the left-coast.




Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1 2
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

* * * This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated * * *


(Delete all cookies set by this site)