austinsailor

No, Hank. I don't drink, so I must be boring. And thanks for the kind words, Jim. How are your trucks doing? By the way, your rear bumper started it's trip from deep in the woods about 50 miles north of Duluth, Mn. And the front bumper off that truck went to the mountains of Arizona. Our trucks still travel, don't they?

Hank, you're so nice - I've heard weird, strange ....... interesting sound so much better.

I'll try to check in the next couple days. We all know that just because it came out of a 40, it could be anything. We may go to back to the 50's so it's possible. I should just go ahead and buy it, someone will want it.

A neighbor has a 40 Dodge pickup motor he want's to sell, says $75 will take it. Head is off, cylinders look fresh, no wear. I haven't laid eyes on it, but if someone has an interest I'll check it close as I can. I frequently seeing people here wanting a motor, I'd hate to see this go to the scrap yard. To help, I'll be going from central Mo. to Austin, Tx next month, then on to Corpus. I'll haul it along at no charge if that helps someone.

I'm still trying to find a parts manual for my 53 Plymouth, but in the meantime, would anyone have one to look up a part for me? I'm trying to identify the hood emblem on my 53 2 door hardtop in the attached picture. If you can find a part number for this it would sure help locate one. Thanks.

Triangle Plating is the place in St. Louis is the place my friend used. He worked with the owner's daughter somewhere else, so he might have gotten a little better attention, but it appears they are capable of good work.

As I mentioned in another post, I just bought a 53 2 dr plymouth. So far I've learned there is an early/ late problem, not sure if its the same serial number point for all parts or what. Regardless, it's plain I need a parts manual to figure out if I'm buying the right stuff. Some buyers specify early/late, some part #'s some nothing. The only parts book I see today is this one, Ebay item 370391732248 It seem to cover a lot of years and cars. Would anyone know if it's going to be complete for my car? Is there a better choice around? Anyone got one they want to sell?

I've tried twice to get my headlight doors for my 40 dodge sedan done. First guy promised the world, and $250 later I got them back, shiny, but simply buffed and sanded until the pits were gone, then chromed. They didn't resemble the originals. Sent another pair to a more expensive place after discussing how unhappy I was with the first place and the problems. $500 later, I had 2 more that were not quite as sanded away, still not at all what you'd want. A friend sent a part for a boat, a bow light I think, to some people in St. Louis. He knew some of the family who owned it and they promised to do a good job. They did, and charged him $150. He thought it was highway robbery. I thought it was a wonderful deal I can get the name of the place if anyone wants to try it. I met a guy at the "Back to the Future" show a couple years ago who does this. He admits it's not cheap, had samples of his work and seemed to understand what people expected. His prices were not cheap, but what you'd expect for that sort of work. His name was George Iverson, Minnetonka MN, 952-932-9026. If anyone has used him I'd be interested in hearing how it went. I have some I need to do as well.

There are quite a few old mopars around here in central Mo. I always thought we should have a club. The problem seems to be were too damn independent and off doing things, unlike the Ferd a ch**y guys.

I'm near Columbia, but my cars aren't nearly as nice as those. But this 53 2 door hardtop I just bought - maybe soon.

I thought it was 9 something, I couldn't read it well. I'll have to clean up the label a little. Probably tomorrow. I'm really going to have to figure out the early./late stuff and what lights fit, etc. I guess not right now, but before I start buying stuff.

There is a place on the back of the box for a round tube/duct, and a hole in the bottom of the firewall fan for a round duct. I assume there should be a flexible duct that goes between them. Oh, it's full of antifreeze, and oil that looks proper.

Got a few minuted to look the car over this afternoon. Found the second fender skirt, I love it! I have no rust through that needs dealing with. There are a few pinholes at the top rear of the right wheel opening, I'll probably replace a short strip, but I could most likely get away without it. EVERYTHING fits perfectly, opens and closes nice. All stainless is there and is perfect, except for two small dings I can easily repair. I'll attach a picture of the tail lights, which are not the same as any I've found on ebay. I do have the sockets and wiring for backup lights. Vehicle # is 25571520. It has a strange setup for the heater. I didn't get to investigate it yet, but there is a big box up by the front, and another with a fan on the firewall, then another fan under the dash. What have I got here? I love this thing!

So if mine has the backup built into the bottom of lense it's late?

Mine has backup, so I guess I need to worry about that. (added) Now I find this: This is a NOS taillight lens for late 1953 Plymouth (after serial number 13194381). NOS in original box – excellent condition! Not sure what to think. Mine is registered under the motor #, so I guess I need to find the serial #.

Guess there is more to know before I buy any parts. Hw do you inow early or late? Ebay item 260739443371

Grill is a little different on that one - it must be a different year - but what a beautiful car. I also have fender skirts with mine. Well, fender skirt. Only one in the trunk. I need to see if the other one is in under a seat or something. Maybe the seller has it in his barn or somewhere.

Tim, thanks for posting those pictures. My wife can now see the before and after to tell how ours can come out. As to a continental kit kit for it, if I find one, I'd sure do my best to buy it. I think that is one of the coolest things you could put on it. If anyone sees one, please let me know.

Yes, it's all tinted, and except for the wing vents, I think in good shape. I didn't realize they had it in Plymouths that far back.

Yes, but it was really, really rough.

It's now dark out, but here is was being loaded. Nearly no dents, no rust except the rockers and floors. Doors, fenders, trunk, all fine. Bumpers are totally shot. Body parts all fit fine. Even came with a title. Bought it for the price of a used overdrive. How can I go wrong? They owned it for 40 years, now it's my turn. Best news? My wife likes it!

Just loaded my new 53 belvedere 2 dr hardtop with overdrive. Solid body, everything there, every little badge, etc. All glass good. A project for sure, but a heck of a start. Pictures to follow soon.

>Gas has gone up 33 cents - I remember when it cost 33 cents. And wages were $1 an hour. Same ratio as today.

Somewhere in storage I have pictures of something similar I took in Belgium in the 60's. I guess it was the fad back then.

Went to the swap meet in Columbia this morning. As usual, nearly nothing older than about 1960, but 2 cars of interest. One was there, the other was just a flyer. The 38 sedan delivery was a project, interesting, but at $12,500, waaaay overpriced. probably should have been half that. Not a panel on it that didn't need major work. One fellow inside had flyers for his brother in law's car he would like to sell, looks to be a nice car at a good price, so I'll post the flyer here. The car is in Des Moines, IA. Sounds like there are some interesting parts available, too. I wish I'd seen something like this a few years back when I bought a similar 47 Ferd, which I never did much like and passed on. Got too many cars and not enough money now to consider it, although if I had some loose cash, I most likely would be driving to Des Moines instead of sitting here scanning his flyer.