NEWBIE ALERT! I've got '48 D24 in BAD shape!

[Guest VivianRegan]

About two years ago, I received a '48 D24 as a gift.

I had to tow it on a trailer about 70 miles to get it to my Dad's acreage.

And there it sits with:

• A shot interior
  
• Two missing windows (the rest pretty well baked by the sun)
  
• An engine that hasn't cranked for at least 20 years
  
• A fairly solid and rust-free body (Arizona car)

I understand these cars are a great entry into the classic car world, as parts are fairly accessible.

I don't want a trailer queen, just a fun car for weekend drives, occasional daily jaunts to work, and maybe some trips around the state.

Is my D24 too far gone? What am I looking at to get this thing on the road? Dad's shop's incomplete, so I'd most likely have to drag it somewhere for restoration.

Part out?

Sink a few thousand into one that drives, and use this puppy for a parts car?

A lot of questions, I know. But I don't want that thing sitting on the desert for years to come, when it could make someone else happier.

I'd like an honest appraisal of my situation from people in the know...

At its old home in Mesa, AZ...

New home in Tonopah, AZ...

And here it sits; it was once La Plata blue...

Because I can't afford a '39 Lincoln Zephyr

[windsor8]

In my opinion you could probably buy a similar running driveable car for a lot less money than it would take to get that one on the road. Unless you're just in love with that one and you can do the all the work yourself. Looks like a great body.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Redoing this car and or buying a driver rests entirely on your motivitaion and personal skills. If everything here has to be farmed out to get it in working or cosmetically correct..you will be further ahead to buy one complete. If you have skills, shop, tools etc..this will be a really rewarding project. Returns will be in the area of "I did it myself" as the labor will be mostly lost and never able to recoup. The car as pictured shows a pretty ratty interior and will require complete makeover and the front grille looks to be pretty much bashed in. The rest of the trim appears to be on the vehicle, the body itself evident only of surface rust..rockers, and floor pans if intact will make the metal work quick and easy. Glass is cheap even if you get it tempered. Rubber seals are bit high for the glass. Did not see the dash pictured and the D24's have the prettiest dash out there in my opinion. Do a more complete walk around and list the 'NEEDS' per section..each door , each fender etc and see how it shapes up. As for the engine..making them run is not a big deal but having a runner is also a big step ahead...you did not mentions wether is is free or running. Brakes is another major investment bring one back from a 20 year storage..will require complete going over there also...

So..look it over real close...do you have the time to put into this car? Once you start and take it all apart and should you lose interest..they be a bit tougher to get your money back for your time spent.

[Brad Lustig]

I've seen others put cars in worse shape on the road, but I'm going to have to agree that you could probably find a car in better shape and use this one as a parts car. Heck you could part out the rest to help fund your build. If you do plan on going with this car, don't let the 20 years without running scare you off. Of course mine was in the garage but it went about that long without running.

[Norm's Coupe]

It's hard to see everything that needs work on that car by the pictures. Just from what I can see though, you are probably looking at a good $4,000 to $5,000 to get it looking good and drivable. That's if you do most of the work yourself. As Tim mentioned, the car could be fixed up but........You can usually find a decent looking driver 4 door for the same amount of money.

[Guest 50Plymouth]

If the engine is free and able to be re-awaken, then have fun and consider it a "learning project" better to make mistakes on a tired car than a restored\updated one IMHO. My p20 is in very similar shape (but probably with a less solid body, rocker & floor rust) and I just invested in a modern disc upgrade. Of course you have to be realistic about costs and its condition and what the vehicle will be able to handle. Without an overdrive you may possibly not enjoy really driving major miles anyway.

Personally I feel more comfortable doing any\all work on a tired car than some beautiful rather valuable thing that others may not want modified in certain areas. Time to check that motor, do a compression check, inspect coolant cond. and look into the gas tanks condition which be heavily varnished. You can't beat a car as a gift though.

Ryan

[JIPJOBXX]

I would say first of all "What does it cost?"

Now that being said I think I would find something in a little bit better shape.

I have a 42 Dodge and I have done most of the work myself and I'm around 8,000 into it. This car looks allot more ruff-er than when I got my old car and it does cost quit allot of money to get these old cars up and just running. Check out your local crag's list or e-bay and I'm sure for a few thousand more you can get a car that won't be in your garage for years. Jon

PS. Dodge products or in general Mopars are not in high demand as Fords or Chevy's and that goes for the resale of such cars also. (That's what I have observed"

[D25_Steve]

I think its hard to know until you put a little time into the engine and see if you can get it to run. It doesn't necessarily need to be rebuilt.

Since you're in AZ, you don't have to worry about the metal much.

So whats left? Paint and interior. If you're not planning on restoring it, you can get a decent driver paint job at Maaco, or even try the Rustoleum foam roller job for cheap.

I don't know much about the interior, but some people on here have done their own.

So, again - it comes down to the engine and whether you can get it to run, and what shape you want this car to be in once it is a driver.

[Normspeed]

Labor of love. If you really like the style of it, you could keep as a parts car and pick up a driver car of the same model. Yours would need some work and $, no matter what. Plus side, the body looks good, and probably solid in the floor considering the location of the car. I think someone here was just talking about an available grille.

That's gotta be the awfulest interior I've ever seen! If you get her running and on the road, head due south for some upholstery work pronto:cool: .

[JIPJOBXX]

Here's what I started with 18 years ago!

[Normspeed]

Which one is you?

Here's what I started with 18 years ago!

[55 Fargo]

Here is a pic of my car at the beginning, it's got a ways to go, but it will get there. It will be a driver for my pleasure. This car had rotten rockers, outer floors, not interior. no glass. but it did have a very good running engine and dirve train, the front end was pretty good too. It had no brakes, tires or shocks and exhaust when I got her home. So it can be done. I am doing 95 % of the work myself, and believ me I am learning as I go.........Good Luck Fred

[Guest VivianRegan]

First, thanks for all of the replies. They've all been pretty much what I figured.

The interior is SHOT. I'll surely be able to reuse the bones of it, but all the fabric and dash elements were either shredded by cats long ago, or baked by the sun. The clock in the glove compartment is intact, but the plastic is melted. I can't remember the other probs off the top of my head.

The guy I got it from removed all the steal-able pieces and kept them safe. The only thing the car's missing is the center tailight.

The body is very straight, other than the dented front grill, and a dented rear fender (but he gave me a replacement for that).

I'd LOVE to do this myself. I tinkered with my '71 Jeepster Commando, but that was years ago.

My Dodge is stored out in the open 50 miles from me. There are no facilities in which to store from the elements or work on it out there. I live in a condo, and they balk at rusty behemoths parked on the property (how square). Otherwise, I'd probably fiddle with it often.

I gave myself a five-year goal. I won't let it languish longer than that.

I like that these vehicles aren't hot and sought-after. I like the idea of having something mid-century and middle-America. If I could get it on the road for $4k-$5k, I'd be elated.

This shot's washed out, but here's the front seat and dash. Was the dash essentially chrome/metal/paint?

What was that chain thing attached to the back of the front bench?

Here's a better view of the dented grill. I have the bezels, but I think I'm missing the hood ornament...

[Normspeed]

Some would argue the point but to me your car would lend itself better to someone who wanted to do a full custom treatment. Start with a clean straight shell, no interior, glass, chrome etc.

If you like the classic Mopars, you're at the right place.

[PatS....]

My '49 Chrysler was in similar condition from sitting outside for 30+ years. I am redoing it in a RENTED garage. After you rip out the interior and clean everything up, the task does not seem so daunting (use a mask...hantavirus)

The fact that the body is virtually rust-free makes it a shame to part out. Relatively easy restore/recondition/redo/reroad/ whatever word you want.

You can do it...we'll help.

[Jerry Roberts]

" What was that chain thing attached to the back of the back seat " That was like a rope for the rear passengers to grab on to when getting up or sitting down . It was quite puffy and covered with an attractive fabric .

[PatS....]

" What was that chain thing attached to the back of the back seat " That was like a rope for the rear passengers to grab on to when getting up or sitting down . It was quite puffy and covered with an attractive fabric .

Also to drape your overcoat on, most people were dressed up back then when they went out...no jeans and t-shirts back then. They were called Robe Ropes up here

[Guest VivianRegan]

I've been haunting this site and forum for these two years now, and am excited by all the info contained herein.

If it weren't for this place, I wouldn't know a lot about this gift D24 of mine.

So thanks, Pat S...! I'm actually more hopeful now than I have been.

A good clean-up (with mask!) is an excellent suggestion. I should do so before our nasty summer sets-in.

And I may petition the HOA to let me park the thing here, well-covered, of course, just so I can have at it whenever I want. We're on the brink of anarchy (someone just painted their condo yellow instead of beige), so it may be possible.

If I could look out my window and see it hulking there, I'd be much happier.

[Normspeed]

Pat's right, If you dive in and clean out the interior, you'll definitely feel better about your project. After that, each little repair is a triumph. Careful, it's addictive.

[Guest VivianRegan]

What a cool, fun, a rewarding thing to be addicted to!

[PatS....]

Here's what was under about 20+ big garbage cans of mouse droppings, leaves, dirt, junk, crap and corruption:

The headliner and seat are now out and most of the loose "tar" on the floor is gone...some remains but it's stuck on good and I'll leave it.

Some repairs to be done in the front floor, but very minor compared to some on the forum who have no floor at all!!!!

Once you get this done, you're off on an adventure. Maybe find a residential garage for rent in the area, then you can pop over to work on it anytime without upsettin' the yuppies.

[Plymouthy Adams]

Vivian ...PM sent..should open in different window..if does not check top right corner of page and click on private messages.

[greg g]

If you don't know what you have, and its hard to tell since you have no one to speak to of its pre gift condition, here is what I might do. I bought mine from the original owner and had a pretty good idea of its history. these cars are tough, simple and will run and drive when most others will not. Think of the engine as 6 Briggs and Strattons bolted together. As documented here they will run with very low compression, broken rings, broken pistons, burnt valves, stuck valves, and other maladies that are typical of a car than hs sat for a long time. Clean it out, get some tires that hold air, make sure the parking brake works or get some wheel chocks, as the dodge has fluid drive (more on that later),

If the engine is free (turns with starter or by hand) get a battery (remember these systems are POSITIVE GROUND. Make sure the main battery cables are good thick ones at least the size of your little finger. Pull the spark plugs and get some penetrating oil (not to much) into the cylinders. Then if it turns over do a compression check with a compression gauge. Those results will tell alot about the internal condition of the engine.

If things look good to go, get the mechanicals done, then you can drive it while you search for the cosmetic stuff. Even if you strip out the headliner, all the torn upholstery, you can blanket the front seats or replace it with a scrap yard piece, and have a vehicle you can drive as you make more progress. Go to shows and swap meets and talk to the folks who own dodges from the 40 and 50's. They may have a cache of parts or know sources.

So

Clean and access

engine and drive line mechanicals

Brakes

electrical including lighting and safety stuff

Fluid drive provides a non mechanical conection between the engine and the transmission so there is no compression braking with the engine off. Therefor the car will roll if not on level ground. You must have a working parking brake of you must chock the wheels. The neighborhood association might not mind the car in your parking space, but they will likely object if your project wanders....

Welcome and good luck.

brakes and electrics

[Don Coatney]

Vivian;

Here is a couple of shots of what your finished product could look like. Body style is different but you get the idea.

[Brad Lustig]

I've been haunting this site and forum for these two years now, and am excited by all the info contained herein.

If it weren't for this place, I wouldn't know a lot about this gift D24 of mine.

So thanks, Pat S...! I'm actually more hopeful now than I have been.

A good clean-up (with mask!) is an excellent suggestion. I should do so before our nasty summer sets-in.

And I may petition the HOA to let me park the thing here, well-covered, of course, just so I can have at it whenever I want. We're on the brink of anarchy (someone just painted their condo yellow instead of beige), so it may be possible.

If I could look out my window and see it hulking there, I'd be much happier.

If you plan on going this route, find out the specific rules of your HOA and maybe you can skirt them. Like maybe the car has to move, put new tires on it and move it from spot to spot every once in a while:) Most people won't raise a stink about a classic like that that is showing progress. I'd probably look for a local garage or spot that will rent you space and allow you to work on it.

Here are some shots of a not-so-perfect D24

My chrome was almost white in the ribs because of all the old polishing material and oxidation prior to polishing. Could still use some work.

Repainted in the 70's. Looks better in pictures than it is, but still not too bad.

Like I said, looks better in pictures, but it's good enough for me at this point in time.