boxer_inv Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Hello to all of the members of the forum. I've been a member of the forum now for a little while, just gradually reading the various topics, threads and technical archives. Why? Well, in anticipation of me finally getting my early 'inheritance' - a 1947 Dodge D24C 4door sedan. I'm very pleased to announce that "Dorothy" has now safely arrived at my home in Cairns, Australia after a journey from her previous home in Nelson, New Zealand. "Dorothy" - as I have known her for the past 28 years - belonged to my father, Ian, who bought her in 1979 in Christchurch, New Zealand. I recall, as a young boy, taking many holidays in her up and down the country, all with fine, fine memories. I also remember dad stripping her down for re-painting and the masses and masses of chromework laid out during various stages. Dad had often talked of moving "Dorothy" on to a new owner but was always reluctant, eventually decreeing that she may become my inheritance one day. Recently, after his retirement, dad decided that he didn't really have the inclination to use and maintain her and the passion had gone. Coincidentally, I had been very seriously looking at getting an old car of some type, so we discussed the situation together, deciding that to the benefit of all concerned, that "Dorothy" should come to live in Australia with me, and remain in our family. And here she is... From all information that I have to date, she is actually a Canadian assembled D24C, original right hand drive (not converted from LHD) and originally exported to Malaya. She then ended up in New Zealand in 1955 and through a couple of owners to my father in 1979. We have the original papers to confirm this For the most part, she is stock standard original, other than the fact she has been repainted (about 25 years ago?!) and had the front and rear seats re-upholstered. The engine has been well maintained by all accounts, though has not been reconditioned that I am aware of. She starts with a mimimum of fuss, and purrrrrs wonderfully. Unfortunately, I'm unable to "legally" drive her around as yet (though I have to admit, enthusiasm got the better of me when she first arrived and I ran the gauntlet of the 'fuzz' (Police) to take her for an outing!) as she has to get a Queensland compliance inspection done, and then a roadworthy certificate inspection completed. Hopefully (fingers, toes and unmentionables crossed) she doesn't or won't need too much done to pass the roadworthy. At this stage I'm thinking perhaps brake work and maybe tyres (read 'tires' to you). The only foibles that she is displaying at the moment are that: 1. she pulls substantially to the right under heavy braking (yikes!), 2. the fuel guage needs calibrating or float replacement (I KNOW this because I ran out of fuel on her 2nd trip whilst the guage was reading just under 1/2 full!!! ), and 3. that when #2. occurs, she is very, VERY heavy to push off the road by yourself... So, I'm pleased to officially post her pictures for you all to see - and perhaps comment on. I've got no doubts that I'll be posting some questions to you all in the future when the 'fun' part of maintaining and restoring her begins. But the best thing is that she doesn't really need much at all at this stage. Thanks for reading - greetings from Cairns, Australia. Quote
Fireball Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Warm welcome onboard, from not so warm Finland! Quote
John Mulders Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 car looks great ! Seems like a brake job ahead (guess the right front wheel is first to check for leaking). Two questions I have from looking at the pics. 1. Is that a strange reflection on the right front door window or is that all that is left? 2. On the left rear fender I see seemingly 4 holes in line. Has there been some trim before? John Quote
Lou Earle Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 I would check the left front first- especially if the pedal is hard then starts to go down as u hold pressure on it- That is usuall a laking wheel cylinder on the opposite .Ie leak on left pulls right. I you find no problem on left shoe - fluid moisture then pull right and look for disintegrating brake shoe- I have had that happen and cause a pull or lock up WElcome hope we can help Lou Quote
boxer_inv Posted August 19, 2008 Author Report Posted August 19, 2008 car looks great !Two questions I have from looking at the pics. 1. Is that a strange reflection on the right front door window or is that all that is left? 2. On the left rear fender I see seemingly 4 holes in line. Has there been some trim before? John John - thanks for your comments and your welcome! In response to your questions. 1. yes, that is just a reflection in the window. All glass is present and accounted for and in very good condition, other than a stone chip on the drivers side screen. 2. Yes, they are 4 holes in line for...trim! The drivers side (RH) has the trim in place but my father has never managed to find one for the left. I've been looking on eBay etc for some to come up, but no luck so far. It would make it 'complete' to have it and I'm sure something will eventuate. Fairly sure you're right with the brake job thing... I'll be scrutinising the brake threads on this forum for ideas and hints before I commence this, as I'm a VERY novice 'mechanic' - be warned. Probably try to get some 'classic' friendly workshop in town to help. Cheers, Rob. Quote
Tony Cipponeri Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Hi Rob, Welcome, that is a very nice car indeed. Tony C Quote
greg g Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Hello and welcome. Try running a new wire to ground the gas gauge sending unit. You can access it by lifting the trunk mat, and removing the access panel in the trunk floor. then run a new wire from one of the sender mounting screws to a good clean ground. I ran a wire to one of the screws for access plate. Also check up under the dash and make sure nothing is touching the two connecters on the rear of the gauge. Quote
RobertKB Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Welcome to the forum. That is one sweet looking car. Quote
Reg Evans Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Welcome to the forum Mate ! I'm glad that Dorothy got to stay in the family. She's a Beaut. Quote
BobT-47P15 Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Dorothy is now in Oz..... Welcome Rob. An excellent looking car.....I really like that color. You can tell she has been cared for over the years. Feel free to ask questions. I'm not a very good mechanic either, and so I watch with interest some of the topics discussed. I've actually learned several things about my P15 (47 Plymouth) that I had never known in all the years of ownership. Quote
PatS.... Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Welcome to the forum, Rob. Nice car, great history. You'll find lots of help and support here and some great off topic stuff, too. During my genealogy research I found I have many rellies along the Gold Coast...Cairns, Innisfail, Edmonton, Maryborough. I correspond most frequently with the rellies in Cairns, though. Beautiful area. Great people. Quote
JIPJOBXX Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Interesting car and my brother lives in Bendigo Australia. He just retired as a school teacher. Thanks for the pictures Quote
Bodacious Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Extremely nice car and I like the color. Is it the car's original color? Quote
Andydodge Posted August 19, 2008 Report Posted August 19, 2008 Rob, good to see another Kiwi in West Island.........tho' there are better places than bananaland........lol........seriously tho' welcome aboard, these are a great bunch here, lots of info, not too uppitty and always prepared to offer help and advice........btw I'm in sunny Sth Grafton NSW, if you haven't already I'd suggest joining the Chrysler Restorers Club, even tho my cars are rodded its still a worthwhile thing to be in, anyway, nice car, regards, Andy Douglas Quote
boxer_inv Posted August 19, 2008 Author Report Posted August 19, 2008 Extremely nice car and I like the color. Is it the car's original color? Thanks for the kind comments guys. The colour.... No, it's not the original. From what I've been able to find on the WWW at paintlibrary, her original colour was likely Windward Green or something very similar. There are remnants of the original shade of green in the engine bay and around a few chips. I think that she was repainted about 25 years ago in NZ, I remember Dad stripping her down and spending countless hours with sandpaper... I'm not certain on how the colour was decided upon as it really isn't a close match at all. AND, I sheepishly admit that the colour is probably the one thing about her that I haven't really liked since it was done (sorry Dad!!) However, since I have spent some time cutting and polishing her body recently, it has grown on me more. Not sure whether this is because I can see the acres of steel body ahead of me if I wanted to change the colour...not to mention the $$$ I don't have Does anyone know of any other D24's in Australia or NZ who are on this forum? I've only come across a couple of these for sale in OZ. Another question - where would be the best place to look for that missing piece of LHR fender trim? Quote
RHDSP15C Posted August 20, 2008 Report Posted August 20, 2008 The part you are looking for is 1153982 - try Frank Mitchell. with rhd cars it's always the left one that get mashed, I had the same problem with my Desoto. Quote
mackster Posted August 20, 2008 Report Posted August 20, 2008 welcome aboard mate! great car, remember to keep the fuzz out of your A$$! Do what you have to do to get her legal..then enjoy the lights of her... Quote
windsor8 Posted August 20, 2008 Report Posted August 20, 2008 Welcome from a fellow D 24 owner. Nice looking car you have. Quote
eric wissing Posted August 20, 2008 Report Posted August 20, 2008 Great color. I really like the stories where the cars remain in the family for a long time. Eric Quote
boxer_inv Posted August 20, 2008 Author Report Posted August 20, 2008 Frank Mitchell has one. Thats really great news. Trouble is......being new to this forum and all....I have ABSOLUTELY no idea who Frank Mitchell is. (my luck he is probably one of the 'gods' of this forum or some such omnipotent Mopar Master of all - please excuse my ignorance!) Any info on Mr Mitchell would be greatly received. Thanks - Rob. Quote
greg g Posted August 20, 2008 Report Posted August 20, 2008 Mitchell is Mitchells Motors an independent vendor of early MOPAR stuff. I believe he/they maintain an E bay Store. Quote
Merle Coggins Posted August 20, 2008 Report Posted August 20, 2008 His web site http://www.mmpar.com/mmpars/default.aspx?CategoryID=24&selection=0 His Ebay user ID is 'fmmpar' and it Ebay store cana be found at http://stores.ebay.com/Mitchell-MOtor-PARts Quote
falconvan Posted August 22, 2008 Report Posted August 22, 2008 That right hand drive is just too cool. Quote
Johnny230 Posted August 22, 2008 Report Posted August 22, 2008 (edited) ... Edited December 31, 2021 by Johnny230 Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.