|
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
 
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Hi Fellow Forward Lookers,
got a new project that will keep me busy for awhile. A 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Convertible.
IT has rust issues which we all come across but its complete.
I want a bit of advice / opinions as to the direction I should take this build and ask how I get more info from Chrysler about the car
The Vin is N5529718 which I gather is a New Yorker 55 in sequence 29718.
The engine number is NE5612949 - this is a bit of a mystery as this is a 56' 354 hemi
The engine and trans ( powerflite ) have already been rebuilt but not started.
It looks like it was Jade Green all over not white on the top as this has been painted later.
Firstly how rare are these cars and should I rebuild original?
Long term would it be worth more if done so?
could the engine be the original if a late 55 build?
If I decided to go gloss black with cream interior or my own choice of colours is this a good idea or bad idea?
I can't find the tags on the body only the Vin Tag. can I purchase a build sheet from Chrysler ? if so how?
I do plan to change the brakes to disc so I guess If I go that route that may affect the originality
I will also be fitting seat belts ( lap type )
anyway just thought I would put it out there, I will start a new post in Members ride and begin the restoration in a few weeks.
Pretty exciting but a little daunting sometimes, piece by piece it will all work out.
Knighty 
Edited by Knighty 2016-01-27 6:38 AM
 (1955 Chrysler 2.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
 1955 Chrysler 2.jpg (360KB - 206 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
 
Location: Under the X in Texas | You are very fortunate to have found and purchased such a rare and desirable car. Finished value will depend more on the quality of the work and components put into the project than on whether it is defined as stock or modified. It is your car and your money and only your choices will make you happy - not anyone else's ideas from their keyboards. The only way a mid-production '56 Hemi got into your car was after the original 331 was removed. Chrysler first offered seat belts during the 1955 production year. |
|
| |
|
Location: North Australia | Excellent news Knighty. I cant offer advice, just encouragement! I have seen this car for sale for a long time, glad one of "us" got it. I thought about going for it myself, just because of it's uniqueness in Australia/the FL world/the cosmos.
Good work Mate, cant wait to see it progress and be finished.
Steve. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1348
Location: Valley Forge, Pa. | Is the engine OK, in your picture, it looks like one of the heads is sticking up out of the engine compartment?
As far as colors go, if you are building to sell, I alway would say to go original but if you are building for yourself, go with what ever colors you want. I would look around for other examples to see how they look to be sure you like your choice.
In my cars case, I think the original colors are the best but to each his own.
Karl. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2637
Location: Minor Hill, TN | Good luck with the car and take things 1 step at a time. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | 1955 NYer convert production was 946. It's super super rare now. Ernest Hemingway had one, now being restored in Cuba with assistance from the US actor David Soul, who lives there part time (he's a dual US-UK citizen). I do know of another '55 'vert nearby in Pennsylvania, equally rough or worse. That's a gorgeous color combination! In the long run it's worth the most restored original, but updated brakes and belts won't affect that. Good luck with your project.
Edited by firedome 2016-01-27 10:12 AM
|
|
| |
|
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13055
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Such a rare and fantastic car deserves to be restored to original without any major modifications.
Congratulations! |
|
| |
|
Expert 5K+
Posts: 7207
Location: Victoria, BC, on Vancouver Island, Canada | Personally I wouldn't go for solid black with a light colored interior.
These cars came in so many fantastic 2 tone schemes, black to me is very boring, and always shows dust more than any other color.
Order the build sheet from Chrysler and see what the original paint codes were.
http://www.fcanorthamerica.com/company/Heritage/Pages/Historical-Se...
Edited by imopar380 2016-01-27 1:02 PM
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Funny you mention Pennsylvania!
The last lag on the windscreen is Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and expired 31st Jul 1968
looks like D497 as the plate maybe on the punched holes on the tag.
I dont know the history of the Chrysler but was told its been in Australia for 25 + years by the previous owner ( importer )
converted the dash to RHD, but depending on the plan I would like to go back to LHD
The couple I bought it off had it for 3-4 years and had it in there collection as is.
I appreciate all your comments, my family and I love the car, my wife feels if they are that rare and unique maybe we should be
restoring the 55 how it was, but I think if its to far modified, eg wrong engine, RHD, then its probably just do it how we want to
do it and yes probably not black just threw that out there.
it was easier with my 57-58 I knew I wanted a christine clone and the 57 6cyl hardtop was not really a unique car I guess
so its a bit different with this one.
anyway great to be back and have something to contribute again
When I get it off the trailer ( have to make some room ) will start posting the build
tim |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | here is the tag
 (DSC_7703.JPG)
Attachments
----------------
DSC_7703.JPG (129KB - 175 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan | I have some parts for this car. There is a wreck left in the woods an hour from my house. I got some of the hard to find stuff off of it. Send me a message if you need anything.
I would restore it. It is extremely rare.
I attached a few pics I have of one that was nearly complete.
 (Windsor convertible.jpg)
 (Windsor convertible2.jpg)
 (Windsor convertible3.jpg)
 (Windsor convertible5.jpg)
 (Windsor convertible4.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
Windsor convertible.jpg (58KB - 179 downloads)
Windsor convertible2.jpg (81KB - 185 downloads)
Windsor convertible3.jpg (73KB - 168 downloads)
Windsor convertible5.jpg (88KB - 182 downloads)
Windsor convertible4.jpg (65KB - 168 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 3155
Location: NY & VT | I wouldn't worry about having a non-original the 354, it looks identical to a 331 anyway, only way to know is look at the #s.
I know the owner of the current PA one, it's Gold & White, needs total resto. He still had it last I knew.
As Ian says there are some really cool unique to the '50s color combos, the Jade green with light green and white is beautiful and may have been available, Mopar did have 3 tone paint jobs around then, in '56 I know for sure. The red car above is nicely done, but red is such a cliche, when there are so many more unusual and gorgeous colors. |
|
| |
|
Location: Parts Unknown | Red, cliché ???
I have an idea ... red and white paint, hood scoop, rear deck Superbird spoiler,
30" wheels ... or maybe a theme car like these gentlemen have:
 (youth.jpg)
Attachments
----------------
youth.jpg (39KB - 170 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13055
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | I bet you have that as desktop on your puter Doc |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Betran, Love the red Windsor thanks for the pics will keep in touch once we pull it down thank you
FIredome, yep I think your right, 3 tone would work well
Doc Desoto, how did you know thats the way I was heading, personally the wheels are not big enough for that car NOT ! ah man I dont really have any words.
thanks for your feedback and input everyone
|
|
| |
|
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13055
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | If the horn ring is still intact, do yourself a favor and demount it and store it safely - those are very expensive and breaks very easily if handled wrong. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Wizard,
unfortunately no its already broken no ring at all just the centre and side bars |
|
| |
|
Location: The Mile High City | Knighty - 2016-01-27 4:29 AM
Firstly how rare are these cars and should I rebuild original?
Long term would it be worth more if done so?
could the engine be the original if a late 55 build?
If I decided to go gloss black with cream interior or my own choice of colours is this a good idea or bad idea?
I can't find the tags on the body only the Vin Tag. can I purchase a build sheet from Chrysler ? if so how?
Knighty :madman:
Very nice, Knighty! If you are looking to try to sell it after it is restored - go original in all respects.
Otherwise, do whatever you want to it to make you happy!
We'll cheer you on either way. It is a great car! 
I kind of like the triple-dip paint job it got somewhere along the way!
Edited by Lancer Mike 2016-01-28 4:43 PM
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Hey Mike,
yep not sure if this colour is original I think it was all Jade green, ordering a build sheet to find out what it was
the imported started a conversion to RHD - the fire wall and dash look well done but in the pile of parts I have a 57 later header box
not the flat panel 55 type so I have a bit to sortout and see what I have, all the years everybody, well most desired RHD cars and pretty much had to because of our laws
now we can own and drive LHD cars they are more desired and valuable LHD so I have a bit of a decision to make. I dont mind drive LHD car
and when asked by others what I think I put it this way. Cruiser type car LHD is great muscle type car go RHD because at some point your gunna stick your right foot into it
and what to pass a car and probably on your own - which is not a good mix
so I need to really think about this and work out a plan. its a bit harder now the car is more rare, will feel a bit guilty not "doing it right"
|
|
| |
|
Location: The Mile High City | Thus is the difference between restoring it for someone else or
restoring it for yourself! Choose the later!  |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 363
| Might sound harsh, but to me if any desirable collector car like this is converted to RHD it is worthless. I'd put it back to how it LEFT the factory.
My 2c
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Ram300 - Im tending to agree with you, should have been LEFT alone, it may be a complete dash I need to source ; OUCH
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1730
Location: Michigan | If you get into a pinch.. let me know.. I know where there is one. very rough .. but it's there. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1348
Location: Valley Forge, Pa. | I'm really partial to the Pa. inspection sticker. IF it is legal, I would definately keep it. There is an NOS 1968 Pennsylvnia inspection sticker one on Epay. Sometimes the simplest things draw a lot of attention and it gives a good idea to some of its history. When and where it might have last been driven and from another country on the opposite side of the world makes it more interesting.
I found a faded one of these stickers in my wheel well when I bought my car. Shame he's not around. With what we know about him, he would fit right into this presidential comic soap opera race.
 (DSCN2829.JPG)
Attachments
----------------
DSCN2829.JPG (225KB - 157 downloads)
|
|
| |
|
Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13055
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Knighty - 2016-01-28 9:58 PM
Wizard,
unfortunately no its already broken no ring at all just the centre and side bars
Urrgh - start looking for one, I hope you find it and get one for a reasonable price. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 6
| Hi knighty, you'd better contact me that's my old car I can set you straight on some of the info. Email me at michaelvanderveen8@gmail.com,
Cheers Mike. |
|
| |
|
New User
Posts: 3
| Dad passed away selling a whole garage full of 1955 Chrysler parts and a convertible lemme know if anyone needs them! I have too much going on in my world to do much with these things.
Thanks JT |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2003
Location: Branson, MO | 1955 luver - 2016-07-22 3:46 PM
Dad passed away selling a whole garage full of 1955 Chrysler parts and a convertible lemme know if anyone needs them! I have too much going on in my world to do much with these things.
Thanks JT
Sorry for your loss - my condolences. I'm sure you will get a lot of action from the members here but it would be great if you could post some pictures and descriptions of your parts. '55s and '56s share some of the same parts so that could be a plus for you as well. Even some Chrysler and DeSoto parts are interchangeable.
Best wishes.
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Hi JT, sorry to hear about your father, never good news to loss someone close, As Viperguy said,pics will really help and not just me many others, best regards tim |
|
| |
|
New User
Posts: 3
| Ok will try lots of stuff up in the garage attic..seats...grills, horns...an extra convertible top...Where are all you guys from? Shipping might be expensive...But sure hate to throw this stuff out. But just trying to get a feel if anyone has real interest in this stuff still. I'm not one for Ebay and all thier rip off fees.
JT |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 444
Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Hi JT
ok I will make a bit of a list
thanks
tim |
|
| |
|
New User
Posts: 3
| What are you looking for next time I climb up into the top of his garage I'll make a list too and look for what you need. Where are you located?
Thanks JT |
|
| |
new project - 1955 Chrysler new Yorker convertible - Advice!
