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Knighty![]() |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 427 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | I copied some of this from a earlier post in a general discuss section as this project has officially started I will post updates 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. Originally Jade Green - Left hand drive from Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and windscreen tag expired 31st Jul 1968 I contacted the chrysler historical society and got the original information, colours, etc and even bought the correct green cloth. I'm not a huge fan of green but as I work on it I like it more and more I dont know the history of the Chrysler in Australia but was told its been in Australia for 25 + years by the previous owner ( importer ) converted the dash to RHD which was a hatchet job I have purchased a LHD dash, steering column with steering box so I can convert back which is the plan luckily the previous persons have kept the sections cutout of the firewall so I can weld them back in Its a big job, has a lot of rust in sections and other parts and really nice. I finally separated the chassis and body last night so these 2 main parts can go off on there different paths The chassis is going to be soda blasted then I will POR it black The body I want to submerg in rust / paint removal tank - which a business does close by its is water based solution and seals the steel once done The engine is 20" over and never been fired I can see the new piston tops now the spark plug hole so once the chassis is painted I will bolt up the motor / trans and they can sit for a while The body will once back from being dunked will start on the repairs Seat frames stripped have been powder coated and ready for Trimmers let the fun begin!!! (1955 Chrysler 2.jpg) (DSC_7703.JPG) (20180423_213704_resized.jpg) (20180423_213932_resized.jpg) (55 2_resized.jpg) (55 3_resized.jpg) Attachments ---------------- ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||
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Powerflite![]() |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5057 ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: So. California | Nice project. I like the green combo too. Original '55-'56 convertibles don't turn up very often. A 354 is gonna feel better than the 331 anyway, and it won't look any different, so all is good. | ||
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jboymechanic![]() |
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Expert Posts: 1389 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Muskego, WI | I love how Chrysler put those huge X members in the convertible frames as if the standard, fully boxed frame wasn't already rigid enough. Really cool project, very rare car. | ||
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Knighty![]() |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 427 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | funny you say that the "X" part material thickness is crazy - bridge "I" beam type thick ![]() and its cool is had holes for the exhaust | ||
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56D500boy![]() |
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Expert Posts: 4242 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Lower Mainland BC | jboymechanic - 2018-04-23 11:18 PM I love how Chrysler put those huge X members in the convertible frames as if the standard, fully boxed frame wasn't already rigid enough. Really cool project, very rare car. Agree. I think you could win a bar bet based on suggesting that convertibles were heavier than say, two door hardtops. Most people would assume that because they removed the roof, the convertible has to be lighter than the coupe. Not so Virginia. That massive X-member more than makes up for the weight lost when the roof is deleted. Not sure if the data books list the weights to back this up. ![]() : | ||
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Powerflite![]() |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 5057 ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: So. California | Not to mention all the hydraulics and mechanism for the convertible roof which isn't that light. | ||
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StillOutThere![]() |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Under the X in Texas | And the convertible frame significantly lowers the center of gravity of the car. That was why Carl Kiekhaefer did frame swaps in his '56 race cars: lower CG as well as added rigidity. For his '57 Road America competition models, he specified the convertible frame in two hardtops AND had the factory do the engine compartment cradle frame full welded instead of stitch welded AND had boxing plates installed at the factory in both the front and rear C-channel cross members. There were many reasons Kiekhaefer dominated NASCAR. | ||
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Knighty![]() |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 427 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | update just got the body back from a complete submerged stripping process. Its an alkaline chemical cleaning solution removes all old paint, filler, rust. its great to see what I have to deal with now. it does treat the steel so it does not rust straight away again I will epoxy prime the body then get started, big job but its only steel and I have plenty of time ![]() will send images of the chassis, its been stripped painted and has the motor and tranny back in Front end has Disc Brakes and converting the generator / pump to an alternator and GM style pump from now its all down hill - there is no backwards from today Attachments ---------------- ![]() ![]() | ||
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Knighty![]() |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 427 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | The frame was stripped and painted in a satin black frame was in really good condition painted the engine and trans which had previously been rebuilt and not fired looking down spark plug hole can see new pistons .020 will show picks of motor in frame tomorrow (Resized_20180603_131858.jpg) Attachments ---------------- ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||
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60 Imp![]() |
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: North Australia | Nice work Knighty! Cant wait to see more pics. That chassis looks awesome. It looks like it weighs a ton. I saw this car for sale (ages ago) and thought it was a good deal for such a rare car. How are you going to do the brakes? Steve Edited by 60 Imp 2018-09-17 1:04 AM | ||
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mikes2nd![]() |
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Expert Posts: 3323 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | holy mackerel that's a ton of work. Worth it yes... Converts are super rare and in the end even worth the money to restore... Cant believe one even exists down under. | ||
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Knighty![]() |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 427 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | The engine I fitted a spin on oil filter and fuel pump block off ( will run electric pump ) also in the process of fitting a Alternator and new style Power steering pump. I haven;t finished it yet but the oil bath filter will be modified to take element filter. New 1406 Edelbrock carb is going on The Brakes I purchased an adaptor kit to fit common ford front Rotors and GM PBR Bracket calipers (20180917_193738_resized.jpg) (20180917_193819_resized.jpg) (20180917_193840_resized.jpg) (20180917_193858_resized.jpg) Attachments ---------------- ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||
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Knighty![]() |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 427 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | The Alkaline body submersion while it was costly, in the long run not really, this has saved hours and hours also $$ on paint stripper and in places I could never reach so for a car like this, any really that have had a bad life is the way to go, (20180917_193357_resized.jpg) (20180917_193410_resized.jpg) (20180917_193436_resized.jpg) (20180917_193417_resized.jpg) Attachments ---------------- ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() | ||
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Beltran![]() |
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Expert Posts: 1717 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Michigan | Tim did all those parts arrive safely? I sold you the convertible parts I had for the project. Glad to see them going to use! | ||
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Knighty![]() |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 427 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Victoria, AUSTRALIA | Hey Mark, sorry for the late reply, yep sure did, with the parts to be rechromed / repaired / repolished LOL will come in handy for sure thank you Fired up the Hemi this week will post more images later Chassis is almost done ready to start the body hope all is well | ||
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Beltran![]() |
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Expert Posts: 1717 ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Location: Michigan | indeed! please post pictures or video on youtube. love to see progress. its inspiring when it's cold as hell here and you dont want to work outside | ||
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