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Yellowriv

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Posts posted by Yellowriv

  1. John, thanks for this thread, stunning car.

     

    Although I’m an originality guy and also very mindful of the anti-white whitewall sentiments of some senior forum members/moderators, I can’t help thinking that this is one car that needs either a set of white walls or, to be completely sacriligious and face immediate ban, a set of later wheels and sombrero hubcaps.

     

    Seriously though, as we all know, wheels make and break a car and the wheels on this car just don’t do it justice in my view. The tyres look too tall and too black, just as they did when it was new. 

     

    I’ll see myself out....

     

  2. I had the four speed Fluid Drive version of this in my '47 Windsor Highlander Coupe. Lovely car spolied by the gearbox, it didn't always change down as you came to a stop either. To my mind it lacked the control of a manual without the convenience of an automatic. It made the car ponderous and slow. I had a 48 Cadillac 60 Special at the same time with the 4 speed Hydramatic and there was no comparison, the Hydramatic was far superior. If the Chrysler had been a manual I would have kept it.

     

    John

  3. Chris, I'm going to call a spade a spade here, as unpopular as it may be. Unfortunately, rust in the rockers/sills is serious and structural. The car is very rusty and all credit to you for taking it on. 

     

    I've been where you are more than once. You need to ascertain whether the chassis is rusty (likely) and you will need to separate the body from the chassis to repair both. These things are always rustier than they appear. I think you are at the tipping point that occurs in most restorations, either commit to a full on resto or cut your losses and move on.

     

    All the best

    John

  4. All, I can add to the excellent advice here is to hasten slowly and DON'T pull it apart, that has been death to so many old cars, as Unimogjohn says. My advice? Dont paint it. Neutralise the door rust, fix the floor, replace the rear bar with one that isnt rechromed so it looks consistent with the rest of the car. Clean it up, put some tyres on it and get it driving nicely. Then, stand back and think about where to next.

    At least this way, if you change your mind, you will have something to sell and you won't have over capitalised, much.....

     

    John

    • Like 1
  5. Hi, I've been following your thread since the beginning. That is a very pretty, very original car you have in excellent condition. My 53 Buick in Osage Cream was one of the colours you were contemplating for your car. This is your car and your choice but I cant understand why you would want to do a colour change. Its not as if its an ugly combination. The factory colour scheme on your car is very attractive and it matches the data plate. Not only that you're not even planning to use YOM or same make colours.

    I've been through this with my cars. These early 50s old girls are hard to find in any decent condition and aren't, and probably never will be, worth much. When you do decide to move it on, and despite what you think now, you will, whatever its worth it will be worth more in the original colours. In most circumstances, I wont buy a colour changed car.

    On the issue of two pack vs enamel. I've heard all of that stuff about originality too. Fact is, two pack is more durable and can be touched up easier. The original paint on your car was a nitrocellulose lacquer which is now unobtainable and didn't last anyway. Acrylic lacquer or enamel is not correct for the car so why go for second best when both are non original?

    Keep it as it left the factory, its a lovely colour combination and use two pack paint. You won't regret both decisions and it will also look after your pocket in the long term.

    My apologies, rant over!

    John

  6. Very nice original car.

    Job No 31557 indicates a Standard Coupe so I would assume that means no rumble seat as 31572 is the five passenger Coupe, ie with a rumble seat. The Body number prefix is J, so assembled in Janesville Wisconsin, not California. Paint code is 72, which is Serge Blue fenders with black uppers with black wheels, Trim code 7 indicates cloth everywhere, but is not specific as to colour.

    Your car is more original than was indicated!

    John

  7. Hi John, I too have been following your thread with great enjoyment since you purchased the Avanti. The variety of material in is great.

    Reading about your XK 120 has prompted me to put up a couple of pictures of my 1950 XK 120 OTS that I purchased recently. It is an early - No 195 - RHD Australian delivered car. I've wanted one of these for about 30 years. Its Pastel Blue with Duo Blue trim. Fully restored in the mid 90s and only travelled 320 miles since! I've spent the past 3 months slowly recommissioning it. Nearly there now except for replacing the unused flat spotted tyres. It lives with my Buicks, Alfas, Cadillac and Fiat. Some more and better photos are in my profile.Hope you don't mind me hijacking your thread....

    post-61969-143142272795_thumb.jpg

    Regards

    John

    post-61969-143142272789_thumb.jpg

  8. Great story on a wonderful car, Justin. I have an original 53 Super Hardtop which is a lovely old thing. Is the colour of yours Verde Green?, it looks like the roof colour of my car. I agree with the crossply tyre recommendation too. Mine is on them, my 48 Cadillac is on radials. The Caddy is a bear to steer at low speeds and all the roadshocks get transferred through the car, although it steers better than the Buick. I will stay with crossplys on my 53.

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