Projects 1953 Chrysler Windsor

As a ford guy, I can't understand why I brought this home. But for as long as I could remember(I'm only 28), I have wanted an old ford truck(48-52). My dad always talks about building one, fitting a 500+ cubic inch engine in one with a homemade frame. I have spent hours on the internet and looking through local ads as I find myself in various parts of the country. But I've never had that extra cash sitting around waiting for the right project. I will blame my vintage snowmobile addiction to that, a lot of time and money has been spent on old sleds(ranging from 1967 to 1984) over the past 12 years and I have even dabbled with old two stroke street bikes(RD's, R5's, Kawi triples) for the past 5 years. Still, no antique iron to admire.

Later this summer(July), after living in Baton Rouge, LA for just under a year, I made the move to Fort Collins, CO. I made the move for work. One of the pro's when deciding where to go next, was that I would finally be in an area of the country where item's don’t rust(I was disappointed to see the rust of cars that sat for years in Louisiana). I figured I would get settled in, and hold back for a while for that right deal to come along. In the meantime, I toyed with selling one of the bikes, a 1974 Kawasaki S3(400cc triple cyl). It was a very fun bike, and I was a little sad to think I would be selling my last triple. But it had needed work for the last 3 years I owned it and I never made it a priority, which told me I’d more than likely be better off without it for the time being. Besides, I have a few Yamaha's to tie me over during bike season.

<O</OLong story short, a guy emails me in August, asking if I would be interested in trading for a 53 Chrysler... at first, I think to myself(as most would) "WTF would anyone want a darned 4dr Chrysler for!!??". Then after a few days, I starting thinking more and more about it. Well fast forward almost 3 months and I dragged it home on November 3rd. I figure, worst case scenario is that I get it on the road and drive it around. Maybe sell it or trade it for that Ford truck I have always wanted, or just mess with this one until I’m sick of it. After all, the first sled that followed me home wasn’t from the top of the list. Hell, it wasn’t even on my list!

<O</OHere is the bike I gave up:-(<O</O


<O</OHere is the car...


<O</O




Runs great, missing side exterior trim(would love to find some if anyone has some they're tired of tripping over), needed the brakes rebuilt(bad wheel cylinder)- which these have all been rebuilt now(new shoes, new wheel cylinders, new rubber lines). It needs new tires, wide whites I believe may be the only right thing to put on this car. Fuel tank was spot less(cleaned it regardless). Came with a handful of better exterior pieces(hood ornament, tail lights(which I still have no idea what's correct), front trim, etc). Interior is ok, has some water damage and stinks like a nasty musty old car would. There are 3 spots of rust on this car(driver side rocker panel- mid driver door on the bottom side, just inside the LR taillight on a seam(odd place) and the rear p***enger door jamb... very minor for what a boy from upstate NY is used to seeing when it comes to neglected examples of iconic American iron. Only the rocker panel is through and the other two are just bubbles(which needs to be replaced of course). Will require a good amount of tinker work to be done yet(wheel bearings, seals, heater core sealing, 12V conversion(I think??)). The thing I am going to hold off the longest on, is painting it. But if/when I do, I'm thinking a real dark cherry.


<O</OSorry for the long post, below are some more pictures of when I picked it up. I would love to meet up with some local hamber's in the area, I never object to a good burger or some wings. Are there any swaps or shows in the eastern Colorado area?

Thanks for the space and I'm open to any idea's, points of concerns with the old Chryslers, things I need to address, things you would address if it were yours and any other comments or suggestions you might have. A hemi and a 9 inch would be ideal, but finding a Ford 427 hemi would be challanging

<O</O
In the long run, I would like to see this car go down the road to a new home so I can welcome a 48-52 Ford F1 or even a narrow nosed ford truck or COE.


<O</O-Adam

 

Where your planning on selling it, I wouldn't put a lot of money into it beyond what you need to make it presentable.

 

yep, just get it running good, fix what has to be fixed/replaced, eliminate musty smell and put ad out for trade for truck that you want.

 

Seem to remember hearing about one or more top notch hot rod shops in/near Ft. Collins area. You might consider Craig's List in the Denver area offering to trade it for the Ford truck you seem to want.

 

I don't plan to put much money in it, I bought it as a stepping stone. Some might argue that it was foolish to trade for something not on the top of the "want list" but I felt like gambling on this one.

I'm not going to push it just yet, I feel getting the ***le in hand would make it more marketable. I have to do a "Vin Certification" here in Colorado before I can go to the DMV and apply for a ***le. This certification is typical of what I'm used to in NY when it comes time for the annual vehicle inspection. So the biggest hurdle I have is to get the lights working, no brake lights, no turn signals, basically only running lights, dashlights and headlights. This is something I will start on in the near future, I wanted to get the big stuff done first like the brakes.

Other than ripping it out and starting over, does anyone have any tips on reducing the smell? I know the only true way is to remove the source(the bad material), but there has to be a way to minimize it for the time being.

Hnstray, the clip holes have already been covered. When they painted it decades ago(the original color) they filled the holes in.


Thanks.

Adam

 

laundry dryer sheets, all over the place. that looks like my next car. hmm.

 

Will try an entire box, I have also used a bit of Febreeze. It just makes it a fresh musty smell! lol.

And I want to make something clear, my dream truck(basically a street rod) isn't the only vehicle build I have in mind. I have drooled many hours on this site, looking at the old school hot rods. I have a lot of respect for the metal fabrication and artistic skills that a lot of you posess. A solid model A would look good with a y-block in it, a 9inch and some wide whites.

Trades anyone!?

Thanks for the information thus far, I have spent a lot of time of motorcycle and snowmobile boards... I have never seen action before like this on this site. Insane.

-Adam

 

Remember, left hand threads on the left side wheels and + ground battery.

 

I learned this after reading the service manual, then drilled it into my head while repairing the brakes. Same on the battery, I'm all to familiar with the positive grounds. I spent my entire childhood mowing the yard with a 1962 International Cub Low Boy(jumping it many times for one reason or another).

 

It just might be your next car. In all honesty, it wouldn't take much to pry it from my hands. Any pre 1952 Ford would be considered, cars would have to be pre 1948 though. Being that you're in Kansas, transportation isn't relatively simple.

On a side note, I took it for a ride Monday night for the first time with brakes. These brakes are impressive and it runs surprisingly well. It gets up and go's! Now I just need to spend some time with the electrical diagram and some patience. Maybe Friday while the family is in Estes Park.

-Adam

 

Got some turn signals to work. Still messing with brake lights. I wouldn't mind a new wiring harness. Do they exist?

-Adam