andyd

I can't answer whether there were differences but for me the best looking fender skirts are the ones that fit into the fender wheel opening, those that fit over the opening seem to look to be just an add- on & not really suited to the car.....but thats only my 2 cents worth.........I'd think that there would have been different ones & styles as each brand had different wheel openings........andyd

Couple of things..........have you gone thru the carby at all?.....that would be my 1st thing to check, also have you checked the fuel tank for old gas, water sludge etc........I had a rare in Oz 1948 Chrysler Windsor 50 yrs ago.......apparently a dozen were imported for government use, I've attached the only pics I have of the car, it even had nice Highlander upholstery, every thing worked and I lost the garage I stored it in so had to sell it.................still miss it.......regards from Oztralia......Andy Douglas

And strongly suggest checking the "key" and replacing if there is any wear shown.........key material is usually sold in 12" lengths for a minimal cost, think its 5/16th from memory.....andyd

It might be hung up on the throwout bearing or even stuck in the pilot bushing inside the flywheel........have you removed the inspection cover on the bottom of the bellhousing to check what its like inside?...........when I was young & stupid, ie 16yrs old(54yrs ago) I decided to remove the engine..........undid the rear driveshaft & front shaft bolts.......but it wouldn't come off the parking brake, so undid the gearbox but it wouldn't come away from the bellhousing so undid the engine & pulled the WHOLE SAUSAGE out.........lol........then it was easy to pull the driveshaft from the park brake, the gearbox from the bellhousing and as the engine was now out...........lol......if the bolts are all undone then its just being difficult.........dicuiss its parentage and have another go at it..........lol...........andyd

Bob.....you mentioned the Heater & defoster switches......here in Oz as far as I know a defoster was never available for mopars, at least pre war ones and a heater whilst available thru the dealer would have been an accessory style as far as I know........I ended up puting an English Smiths aftermarket heater/demister in the car but apart from turning it on to see if it works I've never really used it, those demister vents on the dash are ones that I found at a swap meet and again, whilst connected up have never really been used..........even in winter its generally 20C or above........the heater/demister controls are mounted in the stock dash radio holes, the radio is mounted in a spare dash grille as a counldn't bring myself to actually cut up the newly rechromed one.....lol......looks o/k

You will need to speciy what style of dipstick as I've seen long ones that fit into a 3-4" tube and others that fit straight into the hole on the engine block which is a shorter dipstick.....which was your cars?......andyd

Teme.......you have a normal to me, mopar brake drum & wheel attachment........first you need to get the BIGGEST bolt on puller you can find and 1st loosen the centre nut on the axle a couple of threads, say 2 only.......then using 3 normally of those wheel bolts attach the puller and screw its centre threaded bolt hard onto the axle nut...then depending on the style of puller once its hard onto the nut/axle end you give the head on the pullers centre bolt a good wack with a large hammer, maybe two wacks, then screw the centre bolt a bit more, then another wack and continue wacking,screwing until the drum pops , then remove puller etc.........the drum is on a tapered axle with a 5/16"(?) keyway........inspect the key and replace if any wear present........I've attached a pic of the drum puller I bought 50 yrs ago to do my cars drums when stock......it has never met a drum it didn't like...lol........regards from Oztralia.....andyd

My 1940 Dodge has been 12 volts, 318 poly etc since 1973 and I've used the stock headlight switch since with 12 volts thru it without an issue and a voltage resistor in the power circuit for the fuel gauge, also stock ignition switch and starter button(on dash as all RHD cars have), toggle switch is electric fan and black button is the windscreen washer, wipers use the stock toggle switch under the dash edge......so far after 51 yrs no problems........lol......andyd

Well, I don't know if this helps or adds to the confusion but when I had my 1941 Plymouth Coupe, sold in 2013 I ended up owning a spare mopar gearbox......didn't really look at it at first, but on close inspection I found that it had the speedo cable fitting on the Oz drivers side or US passenger side BUT even more unusual was that the shifter linkages were also on the OZ Drivers side or US passenger side and it had no mounting for the driveshaft parking brake assembly..........eventually I found that it was from a 1957-1962 Oz only Chrysler Royal which were based on the 1953/54 Plymouth with 55/56 Plymouth fenders(see pic).............another anomaly that I've since discovered was that the Chrysler Royals, at least the 6cylinder standard trans cars had the parking brake on the rear brake drums which tallys with the type of gearbox I had.......I have some pics somewhere If only I could find them.....lol...........andyd

Eneto.....T J Richards were the main tho' not exclusive Mopar body building company who where bought out by Chrysler to form Chrysler Australia......Oz mopars up till possibily 1948 had a small brass badge on the top of the firewall or a TJR stamping on the passenger side of the vertical firewall...........TJR also build bodies for other US & English car companies up till the late 30's............my Oz 1940 Dodge has a T J Richards built bodysimilar to but different to the 1940 Plymouth that its based upon....note the external door hinges, trunk lid shape but Plymouth fenders,head & tailights, bumpers etc.......andyd

When I first restored/rodded my 1940 Dodge I hadn't got around to installing blinkers/turn signals and got gently tapped on the arse once by a guy that didn't see apparently my hand signal..........apart from a small dent in the rear fender and a slightly bent rear bumper iron there was no real damage and as the car wasn't painted all was o/k.....I think I got some money from the guy but as this was 50yrs ago, now can't recall.......lol.........but I do remember installing working turn signals from a motorbike soon after.........yeh, hand signals might have worked 70 yrs ago but then repair panels were more available too....throw some turn signals on the car........it will thank you for your concern...........lol......regards from Oz.....andyd

Just checked Old Era Services and they appear to be a reincarnation of Peter Jacksons business from the 1970's when it was based at St Marys in western Sydney......he was the go to guy back then for all types of restoration stuff.........andyd

Glen, welcome aboard.........got any pics........we love pics.......regards from sunny South Grafton NSW.........Andy Douglas

John, welcome aboard, these guys know their stuff........as for the correct door seals here in Oz Richards then Chrysler in South Oz sometimes used the USA stuff, othertimes maybe not.......I'd get in touch with Andy Bernbaums, I have delt with them for over 30yrs and have found them to be good to work with.......I've no direct knowledge of what seals your 1953 car needs as I have played with 1940/41 models but the # 260.077 would seam to be a good option.......I'd also suggest checking with Clark Rubber and Old Auto Rubber here in Oz, as they may have a similar product without the cost of freight which is going to be high........although you are looking for body stuff do NOT mention if your car has the 25" engine that its a "KEW".......this term is only used in Australia and will completely confuse the Yanks......lol......I'd also suggest contacting the Chrysler Restorers Club of Australia, even tho' my car is a hotrod & has been since 1973 they turn a blind eye to that and maybe able to assist as well.....regards, Andy Douglas

Vintage6t......how does that rear seat work?..........as I mentioned re the 1941 Coupe I had the seat back lifted up and each small seat base folded up towards the rear wall then the seat back was brought down giving a larger area for luggage......is the convertible the same?.........andyd