53 Plymouth Convertible

[pflaming]

My son and I have found a restorable '53 Cranbrook Convertible. We've put a hold on it pending some research.

Has anyone on the forum restored one or one similar?

[Young Ed]

I've done quite a bit with Dads 51 convert. What kind of questions do you have?

[BobT-47P15]

Around here, you pretty much do not see any old Mopar convertibles

(except mine). There is a 53 (I think) from up around Kansas City that

occasionally turns up. There was a 54 convert in the nearby town of

Neosho, MO until sometime in the 1970s when it got sold and left town.

Most parts on them, except for the top items, will be regular 53 Plymouth.

The window glass is probably different too.

This looks like the K.C. one, but don't know if it is. Found the pic on carnut.com

site.

Edited November 28, 2012 by BobT-47P15

[BobT-47P15]

Here's a really nice 54 model.........

[falconvan]

Both very nice; those will have to go on my "to buy" list for future reference.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I like the body but I have to admit that the 54 finds greater favor in my eyes...the grille is just so much cleaner

the outer door/quarter top treatments I do not recall seeing on other cars..am thinking this may be a bit of presonalization..

[Young Ed]

the outer door/quarter top treatments I do not recall seeing on other cars..am thinking this may be a bit of presonalization..

That diff color inset was a part of the year thing. I think it was early in the 54s and dropped after a bit.

[Plymouthy Adams]

great info Ed, you quick on the draw, after typing mypost I consulted the data sheets as I had not seen them before and found these on the option list for the 54 and they listed them as "Exterior door trim panels" a wood weave material used on convertibles and on the Sport Coupe only a painted surface in matching clolor as the roof of the car..

I was going to make mention in my first post that I had seen this similar treatment on the '58 Packard Hawk my uncle owned...

Edited November 28, 2012 by Tim Adams

[BobT-47P15]

I've seen that door top treatment on one or two over the years.....I kinda

like it actually. Guess it was an option, at least for a while. Here's a

54 without it. But with the factory wire wheel covers.

[BobT-47P15]

Or.....yet another......with door option and wire covers.

You could also get the Chrysler style wire wheels (if ordered) on a

54 model. The 54 Savoy I had for a while came with painted wires

instead of chrome.

[Plymouthy Adams]

got them wire hubcaps on my 54 Savoy..dress the car rather nicely..

[54Illinois]

I watch Ebay just about every other day. Very few parts specific to convertibles come to light.

One on Ebay right now. Might be good for glass, top motor, seats, parts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/160930394512?ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1431.l2649

The headlight bezels were lengthened to give the 54 a little more to brag about.

Edited November 28, 2012 by 54Illinois

[Plymouthy Adams]

I believe you will find the shape (depth) of the bezel is the item that gives it length not the fender itself...same trick applied to the rear lights as they stood a bit from the car in comparison to the '53 more flat lens...just a slight of hand difference as to give it an overall appearance of a bit larger car..I had also read somewhere once where the later models got the 1955 color schemes as a marketing ploy..could never again find that reference..so I now question it 100%...lol

[BobT-47P15]

I believe the small handle is for the overdrive..........on that ebay car mentioned above.

Edited November 28, 2012 by BobT-47P15

[Young Ed]

I believe you will find the shape (depth) of the bezel is the item that gives it length not the fender itself...same trick applied to the rear lights as they stood a bit from the car in comparison to the '53 more flat lens...just a slight of hand difference as to give it an overall appearance of a bit larger car..I had also read somewhere once where the later models got the 1955 color schemes as a marketing ploy..could never again find that reference..so I now question it 100%...lol

Tim Dad swears the late 54s had additional colors too but also can't find proof.

[54Illinois]

I believe you will find the shape (depth) of the bezel is the item that gives it length not the fender itself...same trick applied to the rear lights as they stood a bit from the car in comparison to the '53 more flat lens...just a slight of hand difference as to give it an overall appearance of a bit larger car..I had also read somewhere once where the later models got the 1955 color schemes as a marketing ploy..could never again find that reference..so I now question it 100%...lol

What about the turn signals...

[Plymouthy Adams]

there was an early and a late model turn signal in the front..one was total plastic lens and bezel combo with the bezel in chrome paint..the other is a standard smaller lens that fits into a cast chromed bezel..the all plastic models are very hard to locate...

[pflaming]

Look closely at the gear shift. Does this shift like a normal three speed? If so what is the plastic indicator with the arrow for? I spoke for the car today, will work out details tomorrow. It's just a Pilot-house with a fancy top, it's going to be a nice winter.

Edited December 24, 2017 by pflaming

[54Illinois]

That is a Hy Drive semi automatic transmission. Pretty interesting set up. I have a spare...hint hint

[Dodgeb4ya]

That red clutch pedal was used on Hy-Drive cars. Thats another unique feature of the "Slo-Drive" cars!

[Plymouthy Adams]

actually with the hy-drive and the torque convertor the multiplied torque was such that the cars came with a 3.73 rear gear and fast first and second gear ratio in the transmission..

[Plymouthy Adams]

actually we have one member/owner on here that has the 3.73 rear gear hy-drive with the fast gears and upgraded with an OD which places this car very much on par with much more modern cars of today..it is the best combination of all the better parts...

[austinsailor]

there was an early and a late model turn signal in the front..one was total plastic lens and bezel combo with the bezel in chrome paint..the other is a standard smaller lens that fits into a cast chromed bezel..the all plastic models are very hard to locate...

There was also an early/late tail light. They did not change at the same time, as I found out. Mine has early front, late rear.

I didn't have any problem finding either. If you get it and need them email me and I'll put you in touch with people who have them.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I searched for over a year straight and found only one front parking light lens of the plastic bezel design and quite frankly it was what I figured over priced..I could well hve repainted mine for a nice look...found instead a set of chromed based models for a fraction of a single lens as priced..these smaller lenses are a dime a dozen in comparison and availablility..at least at the time I was searching..

are you speaking of a '53 rear light as I know of only one 54 tail light...what do the others look like? like to learn as much as I can about the 54's..

got a second set of NIB '54 blue dots here at the house..

Edited November 29, 2012 by Tim Adams

[Dodgeb4ya]

My kinda rude comment (Slo-Drive) about the poor performance of the Hy-Drive cars was in reference to failures of the torque converter in them causing sluggish acceleration. I've got a HD 3 speed and OD- I might do the convesion on-someday, maybe! I don't want to really go fast anymore.