'54 Windsor rebuild

[rtlsnakedaddy]

I know this is a little OT being a '54 Windsor, but I've been searching threads on this forum and is seems to have some great info. If this is too far off, let me know and I will delete.

I recently bought a new project from a friend who is moving to the southwest. It's a 1954 Chrysler Windsor Deluxe Coupe. 265 flathead 6 with a 2 speed auto. She needs some work, but looks to be a good start for some fun. I drove her a few years ago and had a blast. Last inspected and registered in New Hampshire 2007. I'm still reading up a bit on these and this site seems to have some great info.

First up will be mechanicals, (no brakes currently), and then some floorpan and rocker panel replacement. I've started cleaning and pulling trim and bits off to assess what is needed, but some shots from when I went to pick it up.

Edited February 14, 2015 by rtlsnakedaddy

[greg g]

MoPaR 6 cylinder no problem, welcome. Looks like a solid ol tank. Powerflite trans??

[Rusty O'Toole]

Great looking car, the 54 Windsor 2 door is a favorite of mine for style, room, comfort, and the last Chrysler flathead six. The Powerflite trans is a bonus.

Shouldn't take too much work to put her back in commission. You should have some fun times with that car.

[Don Coatney]

Looks to me like you bought Bryan's Crashler. If I recall that was his daily driver for several years.

[falconvan]

Very nice looking ride; looks like it doesn't need a lot, either.

[randroid]

Crotalus,

Welcome to the forum! Is that pedal under the center of the dash the hood vent mechanism? If so, how is it released, the small lever next to the steering column? Looks as though it was a mad stab at modernizing an antiquated but functional system just before it was dropped.

-Randy

[captden29]

:)Snake, nice car. i own 2 of these , a sedan and a convertible. the 4 door version of this car seems to be more prevalant from what i have seen over the years. this model was the low end of the line. the newport and new yorker had 2 doors more often. these are well built cars and drive very nicely, a little low on power but they will cruise at 70 mph all day. the powerflite is a simple but reliable unit. you can use dex 3 in it. i have every manual you could want for this car so feel free to ask me for any info. capt den

[captden29]

Snake, i see you have the radio delete plates. my sedan has these and i almost took them out and put in a radio. i got used to and liked the chrome plates instead of the radio and now i don't have to drill a hole in my fender and the car cover fits better. i have a clock which of course does not work. i think i have an extra one if you are looking for one, maybe even a radio. i will look if you are wanting one. capt den:)

[rtlsnakedaddy]

Looks to me like you bought Bryan's Crashler. If I recall that was his daily driver for several years.

Might be it. Some of the papers that came with it list a Bryan as someone who was corresponding with parts suppliers. There were white fender skirts and a windshield visor in the trunk.

The pedal in the middle operates the dash air intake. It's a bit sticky right now, need to work on it a bit. A quick tug on the back returns it to the closed position.

Edited June 4, 2012 by rtlsnakedaddy

[rtlsnakedaddy]

Snake, i see you have the radio delete plates. my sedan has these and i almost took them out and put in a radio. i have a clock which of course does not work. i think i have an extra one if you are looking for one, maybe even a radio. i will look if you are wanting one. capt den:)

Thanks, A clock would be cool. There was a chrysler radio in the trunk, looks like the ones used in this year, but I don't see how it would of mounted. The car already has an antenna on the fender, just no radio installed.

[rtlsnakedaddy]

A bit more work. Pulled the carpets and some trim as they were too far gone. Evicted the family of mice from the rocker panel as well as the ones under the rear seat. Pulled a bad riveted floor patch panel and found a bit of a mess. Looks like some significant repairs on the drivers side in order. Passenger side not too bad, just need to get rid of some spray in insulation and can get to work repairing it.

A quick pic of the radio that was in the trunk. Not sure if it is correct for the '54, as the car doesn't seem to have had one mounted in the traditional location.

[rtlsnakedaddy]

More photos. Interior stripped and ready to go in for repairs. A bit of work in the rockers, drivers side floor, and rear.

[BobT-47P15]

Looks to me like the radio goes in that space above the heater

controls.......replaces the delete plate(s).

[BobT-47P15]

Link to an ebay ad for a New Yorker that shows a bunch of stuff

pretty well............http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1954-Chrysler-New-Yorker-Deluxe-Newport-All-Original-Hemi-MINT-/290775821203?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item43b396eb93

[rtlsnakedaddy]

thanks,

There are some nice shots of the interior in that ad. I've saved them for future reference.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I have seen so many of these cars with extreme rocker rust and yet still hold form and not really alter the door opening and such..remarkable they hold up as such...not a hard fix..just a bit time consuming...well worth it..simple well laid out dash...bit different than my 54 Plymouth but still recognizable as cousins..

[Mark D]

Nice progress Erich, looking forward to seeing the real thing in person. We should pick a date before the season ends.

[rtlsnakedaddy]

Nice progress Erich, looking forward to seeing the real thing in person. We should pick a date before the season ends.

Sounds good. Don't think she'll be ready until next year if all goes well, but if your wanting to head up to the Lakes Region of New Hampshire, let me know.

I've got to keep the car in storage a few miles down the road this winter (the wood floors of our 112 year old carriage house out back won't support the weight without some bracing) . Trying to plan projects that I can do to some of the smaller bits this winter.

Erich

[rtlsnakedaddy]

I <snip>..remarkable they hold up as such...not a hard fix..just a bit time consuming...well worth it..simple well laid out dash...bit different than my 54 Plymouth but still recognizable as cousins..

Yes, I am amazed that everything still pretty much lines up. Drivers door can be a little tough to close, but will be addressed when the new metal is put in place.

The dash is definitely spartan. I am used to being able to monitor and check everything going on with the systems. My modern cars have always had full gauges. The simple layout of the Chrysler is different, but slowly growing on me. I've looked at the different models, and it's interesting to see the varying interiors the the Chrysler corp designed for this body style.

Edited September 25, 2012 by rtlsnakedaddy

[falconvan]

Yep, definitely got some rust to fix. They're not bad, though. Flat 16ga is cheap and works really well. All you need is a MIG welder, sawzall, an angle grinder with a bunch of cutoffwheels, and some basic sheetmetal hand tools. A brake wouldnt hurt if you're going to build your own inner rockers. Very cool car; it'll make a great cruiser.

[Rusty O'Toole]

Chryslers had the most complete gauge package of any car back then. Gas gauge, ammeter, oil pressure, engine temp, speedometer, that was all anybody had and most made do with idiot lights for ammeter, oil pressure and temp. There just wasn't that much going on. They had less wiring in the whole car than the door locks on a new car.

[rtlsnakedaddy]

Well it has taken a few extra months to get it in the shop, but making some progress on the teardown. I will need to replace the body mounts (at least the drivers side) up front. These run along the forward frame rails and turn up toward the firewall/fenders. I'm thinking they will need to be fabricated, but was hoping someone might reproduce them. Will try to post pics when I get back this evening.

Eric

[Mark D]

Eric if the mounts look anything like the P15 mounts, these are readily available. You can also look at Steele Rubber products, they're likely to carry them as well. The northeast weather this week is on your side, great week to be working on the car. Still hoping to get up there and visit and see it in person one of these weekends, but I've still got a dead Plymouth to deal with myself.

[Don Coatney]

Well it has taken a few extra months to get it in the shop, but making some progress on the teardown. I will need to replace the body mounts (at least the drivers side) up front. These run along the forward frame rails and turn up toward the firewall/fenders. I'm thinking they will need to be fabricated, but was hoping someone might reproduce them. Will try to post pics when I get back this evening.

Eric

If you have to make them I suggest you check out McMaster Carr at the link below.

http://www.mcmaster.com/#standard-vibration-damping-pads/=kymwct

[rtlsnakedaddy]

Thought I'd update this a bit.  The rust was a bit more than I am comfortable messing with on my own, so the car is at a local shop.  Body mounts are fabricated and ready to go, I'm having the rear quarters made and waiting on those for fitting so we can get the wheel arches correct (those were in the worst shape).  Shop owner wanted to do some advertising, which I'm cool with.

 

Working on the driver side first, then the passenger side.  Door and fender off, down to bare metal to check for issues.  

 

 

 

 

 

There is still a ways to go, but making some progress.  When all is said and done, I plan on keeping the original two tone concept, but going with the factory Sea Island Green Top/ Mint Green Body,  instead of the original Ascot Grey/West Point Grey.  

More updates to come as things progress.

 

Eric

Edited April 22, 2016 by rtlsnakedaddy