but it's mine. Well, after many many years of reading, learning and looking at other people's rides, I finally went and got one of my own. I've never owned anything older than the mid '80s and have wanted an early to mid fifties mild custom for quite a while. Found this 53 Dodge Coronet on C-list, went and looked at it, drove it with my dad and we decided it would be as good a place to start as any. (Thanks dad) Like I said, it's not much too look at now and it needs a little work (wiring all of the lights and gauges, some suspension work and some body work) but I'm looking forward to tackling most of it myself (with dads help) even though I've never done it on a car this old before. One added bonus, after I got it home, my dad says "Hey, I've got the Motors manual that your grandpa gave me back when I bought that '50 Buick" SWEET, scored my grand dads motors manual. I'm geeked!!!!! BTW, drove it home 30 miles at over 60 MPH. Runs great. $900 No, it's not a hemi. 230 cu. in flathead 6. has Gyromatic badging but it is a 3 speed. I thought the Gryo was a 2 speed with 2 electronic 'overdrive' gears. Anyone know if the Gyro ever had 3 forward, shiftable gears? Thanks
Chrysler came out with a 3 speed that was somewhat like a automatic. Can't remember how it worked anymore. Wifes dad had one about 50 years ago.
I learned to drive in a 51 plymouth. You could shift thru the gears or put it in 3rd and drive it like an automatic. Very forgiving for a new driver., I wonder if yours might not be like that? Mike.
That's what this is. Like a semi-automatic. You need the clutch to move between R, 1, 2 or 3 but you can come to a complete stop without depressing the clutch and the car won't stall. If you like moving REALLY slow, you can even take off from a dead stop in 3rd. It has a fluid coupling between the engine and trans. Like an early torque converter, as I understand it. Scott
Congrats! I know what it's like to have a dream and have to put it off. Took me over 30 years to get mine in gear. I'm always pleased when I see a young buck going for it. I wish you well and having your dad to help and support you is a MAJOR bonus. Great bonding time ahead, man.
It might not be much to some folks, but we all have to start some where!! And all that matters is that it's yours and no one else's. Sure I would like a car everyone diggs but when you are trying to start a family buy paying the doc big money you start with what you can. I am 33 and own a more door which will be on the road soon.
Sweet.....congrats....word of advice though keep it.... I got rid of my first major build (a 50 chevy business coupe) and regret it often....course when I got rid of it it wasnt worth near what its worth now....(got rid f it 15 years ago) but still....
Congrats dude! Treat her right. You got a heck of a deal. Please search the net and read the service manual about that transmission. It wasn't well liked back then by rodders. Then the TF came out and anyone that did know about one didn't have to work on them much any more. I seem to remember that it uses engine oil and that it is a major undertaking to rebuild. So, make sure you don't hurt it and throw a wrench into your plans....
Fluid drive transmission. Do a search and you'll find several threads about it here. Make sure you set the parking brake as those cars, with that transmission, were known to roll without it.Great score.
Lookup "semi-automatic" on Wikipedia. Iwrote the Chrysler description, it's accurate. Do not use the clutch as you normally would, as it is undersized and is not designed to be used in such a manner. Also, replacing it is a nightmare. NOT like an ordinary clutch. Cosmo
Drove it home 30 miles? Any car that's driveable for $900 is a good deal. Are you any good at welding? Looks like a prime example for a 2 door sedan conversion.
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