1953 Dodge Coronet Convertible

[dodge59]

Yes  DC  ...... not a nick or scratch  on it.   just like new yet.

[BobT-47P15]

If indeed the factory did the red paint thing, it might have only been for the most sporty models, or maybe 

related to having the Red Ram V8. Just guessing. 

[BobT-47P15]

Red rims on a green car in a factory ad:

 

 

 

Convertible with red rims...........'

(couldn't separate the convert from the pic below it)

 

May not prove anything still, but fun to look.

 

Edited March 12, 2014 by BobT-47P15

[herklots]

New member, just got a 1953 Coronet convertible at the Mecum Las Vegas auction that was in the Rogers' Classic Car Museum.

 

Have to go through it carefully before trying it, but looks generally good. Missing the sunvisors if anyone has a spare set to sell. Has the gyro-torque drive... hope it works.

 

Tim

 

[Frank Elder]

Nice.

[deathbound]

New member, just got a 1953 Coronet convertible at the Mecum Las Vegas auction that was in the Rogers' Classic Car Museum.

 

Have to go through it carefully before trying it, but looks generally good. Missing the sunvisors if anyone has a spare set to sell. Has the gyro-torque drive... hope it works.

 

Tim

 

 

Very very nice & welcome to the forum. I would get your money back, since the visors weren't included....but seriously, place a wanted ad in the classifieds section (brown header at the top of the page), before your post gets deleted.

[BobT-47P15]

I thought a lot of the cars at that Vegas sale went reasonable.  They almost had to give a project '53 Chrysler wagon away.

Finally someone bought it for either one or two thousand.  Looked to have a certain amount of parts stored inside.

 

The announcer would read a disclaimer on each car saying that it either had or had not been started in the past two

weeks, and that the car generally needed to be checked over before trying to drive it (may have brake or fuel problems).

 

There were certainly some good looking cars, mainly convertibles, in that collection.  I thought some interiors appeared original

and correct.....but some were simply re-done in more modern materials.

 

Welcome Tim.  Really like your new Dodge.  You might want to converse with the other owners of similar cars on here about

the size of those missing visors and the rod they are mounted on.   Ragtop visors, at least on the 47 Plymouths, are smaller

than sedan counterparts and have a chrome plated mounting base. 

 

  

Edited March 2, 2015 by BobT-47P15

[herklots]

BobT - thanks. We probably nearly met at the auction several times! I loved the 1953 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Convertible, but too big...

 

Been looking more carefully at my pics, and noticed that the trunk badge says Gyro-Matic and the column shift indicator says Gyro-Torque. Car arrives Wednesday, so will know then.

 

From a pic that Rich posted 14 January 2013, visors are big with two clips each. This agrees with the holes in my windshield top rail.

[Jerry Roberts]

Beautiful car . Perhaps the visors will be in the trunk , or under the seat . 

[CaptainGTX]

Hi Tim,

Wasn't signed in to this site, so missed your posting on your red 53 convert until you PM'ed me. Congratulations on joining a very small club. Regarding the missing sun visors, one of the other 53 convert owners is also missing his and has been looking for a couple years. I'd do everything possible to track yours down from the previous owner if you can. With two sets missing, you can bet I'll be keeping an eye on mine.

Rich

[herklots]

Update on the convertible... front suspension/steering dry as a bone, but seems good after greasing except for the only two tie rod ends that are actually replaceable. Brakes useless (though look new), replacing everything including lines, not expensive. Shock absorbers don't, again easily available. Radiator now re-cored, as leaking. Got a spin-on oil filter adapter from Hot Heads, very nice angled one. Oil filter location carefully chosen to be as inaccessible as possible Ordered the Pertronix Ignitor (the simple one, as staying with 6V pos ground).

 

Looks like someone restored the car about 15 years ago, taking the engine/transmission out before respraying, and doing a good job on the metalwork top and underneath. Then it sat, sat sat.

 

In summary, I'm having to do about what I expected to have to do. 

 

Lastly, the wheels are the Dodge factory wires by Motor Wheel, pretty rare now. Having them rebuilt by Wire Wheel King of San Jose - Charlie who runs the place really knows his beans. Fitting Diamond Back II 215/75R15 which are USA made white wall radials with bias ply height. The wire wheels require tubes though.

[JerseyHarold]

RE: Sun Visors:

 

Plymouth bodies were made by Briggs and they also made Packard bodies.  I've seen some Packard body hardware from the early fifties that looks very similar to what was found on Plymouths.  You may want to start looking at Packards to see if any of those parts will work.

[herklots]

Taken off the rear axle to change the inner and outer oil seals and clean out the axle housing. Needs doing after 60 years

 

Had to make an adapter to attach to 5lb slide hammer. 

 

Bearings are gungy but fine, probably well fed by axle oil since the grease plugs look untouched for years.

 

I expect changing the drive pinion seal will be equal fun!

[jaepilot]

I also have a 1953 Dodge Coronet Convertible. Have been restoring the car for the last 7 years and hope to have it almost completed this next spring. My name is John Elliott and you can email me at jae747@yahoo.com

[CaptainGTX]

Welcome to the site, John.  Would like to see some details & photos of your 53 convertible.