1961 Windsor - Now what to do

I bought my first car, a 1961 Chrysler Windsor, when I was 18, in Summerland, BC (that was about 28 years ago). My husband sold it 10 years later, which I've always regretted (which may explain why he is now an ex-husband). I moved to Vancouver Island and noticed an ad for the same year & make in the area. I took a look and lo and behold, it was my car (it still had a unique sticker I had put on it years ago). I was heartbroken because it was in pristine condition when we sold it. When I last saw it, the body was in great condition, but the interior was a mess, as was the floorboards, engine, wiring. I left crest-fallen, figuring it was going to take too much to restore, but I can't stop thinking how great it would be to have it back again. I'm not even sure if the guy still has it.My question is to anyone out there - is there anyone in my area that is familiar with the money pit of Chrysler restoration, that could give me some idea what I would be headed for if I considered trying to have it restored?

Hi - '60 Windsor owner here...

These cars can be "money-pits"...but any car can...

What's more important is whether or not you like the car enough to own another one (or restore your long-lost '61)....

If your long-lost '61 has lots of rust damage (check the unit-body structure as well as the floors/trunk/rear-quarters), repairs get expensive fast...there's a lot of time and labor involved in proper rust-repair.

If the interior needs to be completely redone, that can add another $1,000 to $3,000 to the cost of the resto, depending on now much work must actually be redone. Dash pads alone run about $600 -$700.

New brakes, tires, front suspension: that's about $1,500...

Paint - $1,000 to $5,000 (depending on quality of work)

Chrome - $2,000 to $6,000 (depending on quality of work)

Engine work - it costs about $1,500 to ovehaul a MoPar big-block...

That said, what did your '61 "need" when you sold it?

I committed to an engine overhaul of my '60 last spring...that cost nearly $1,500. The car is resonably solid, but does need a new trunk floor and trunk lip, and rear quarter panels...

The interior is fair; dash pad is shot, seats are intact but showing wear. Interior trim needs to be repainted.

Exterior was repainted once; needs to be stripped and painted to be "outstanding"...chrome needs re-doing.

It would cost about $10,000 to put my car in "strong #2 condition"...$10,000 is also about top-dollar for my four-door sedan in "perfect (#1) condition"...so I'm being cautious about how much I'm investing in my particular car...

I enjoy driving it - it's a great runner. It also has a healthy appetite for fuel, about 14 mpg at best.

Your '61 may or may not be within "feasible salvation"...if the "entire bottom is rusted-out", better to look for another car...

It's a tough call...the more resto you can do yourself will save you "money" but not "time" (which is also "money")...nostalgia can get expensive fast...

There are still nice solid '60-'62 Chryslers out there...don't feel compelled to buy a money-pit just to save a memory...you can have just as much fun with a "nice" survivor '61 as with your long-lost...

Hope this helps some...good luck !

I hope someday to find my Mom's long-lost '61 Rambler American convertible

(white with black top...last seen in Laurel, MD c. 1970).

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I just now got a chance to read your reply. The detailed information you gave me was just what I was looking for; it was very informative. The last guy that had it repaired some body damage done by the previous owner. He also redid all the chrome, so both are in great condition - except as I said the floor may have needed work. All in all, I would say it's at the 50/50 mark. If I had unlimited funds and didn't care about the cost, I would do it. But you're right, it's more of an issue of recapturing a memory. In the end, I think the work, time, and money involved would probably wipe out the fond memories.

Thanks for your words of wisdom, they are much appreciated.

Sandy