1948 Chrysler preserved.

[R Walling]

I just finished polishing and removing the seat covers that were put on the first day the PO bought the car.

 A few mouse holes that need a little attention, but ready to drive.

 It has only 39,000mi. and runs like a top!

[plymouthcranbrook]

Beautiful old Chrysler.

[Guest]

Very nice Roger!

[Rivguy]

The best thing is finding a well preserved old car. I think that I used to hear these things referred to in hot rod mags back in the Day, as an "Uncle Daniel." All this barn find stuff is nonsense! Sure, a barn find is better than a field car, but a preserved car is even better. A car like that doesn't need to be restored. I'm all for preserving what what you found, provided that it's in presentable condition, just doing a bit of needed repair or refurbishment. 

[TerryB]

Roger, I really enjoyed your posts on bring this car back to life.  You showed this type of stuff can be done without a huge bankroll and the joys of preserving another great older car.

[junkyardjeff]

My 50 had dark blue seats when I took the black and gray covers off.

[Guest]

Thank you all for the nice comments. I am going to reinforce the upholstery where the mice have been looking out with a blue fabric in the inside.

 This will hopefully hide the white spots and strengthen the fabric with out redoing the whole seat.

 The headliner is a different story. There is one small seam opening, but it is badly discolored and stained.

 I really don't want to replace it as it would take away the originality of the car. 

 That would be the slippery slope, where do you stop?

[Guest]

Two more pics. Last inspection sticker

 Engine comp as purchased. I since re-painted the engine Silver

Edited December 3, 2021 by Roger Walling (see edit history)

[Jeff Perkins / Mn]

Congratulations Roger, you have done a great job bringing this wonderful car back to life. I enjoyed our telephone visit a while back and was anxious to see your seats under those covers. Happy to see that they are really usable. As far as the headliner…..don’t look up!! You will enjoy the view out your windshield much more.

[zepher]

Congrats on getting that great looking old Chrysler back on the road.

Original cars have something special that restored cars will never have.

[Jim Skelly]

nice car; I wonder if someone in the WPC Club would have some of the original upholstery in a parts car so you can redo the mouse damage

[ericmac]

Very nice. I've always liked these cars.

[Bryan G]

Were it mine, I would treat it like my '49. I would drive, and drive and drive. Enjoy it! Great automobiles.

[Fossil]

5 hours ago, Jeff Perkins / Mn said:

As far as the headliner…..don’t look up!!

I have to agree. Enjoy it for what it is.

It appears that June Bug still has the original in it and it's looking shabby but it's amazing how many comment that it looks original and still up there. A couple of holes and water stained but adding huge amounts of credibility to the car. 

[Tom99]

Beautiful!!

[Dynaflash8]

16 hours ago, Rivguy said:

The best thing is finding a well preserved old car. I think that I used to hear these things referred to in hot rod mags back in the Day, as an "Uncle Daniel." All this barn find stuff is nonsense! Sure, a barn find is better than a field car, but a preserved car is even better. A car like that doesn't need to be restored. I'm all for preserving what what you found, provided that it's in presentable condition, just doing a bit of needed repair or refurbishment. 

I fully agree with that statement from Rivguy.  The damage that mice can do is nothing short of awful, and in this case will require most, if not a complete reupholstering job.  I probably wouldn't want to sit in it until that happens and I know my wife wouldn't.

Edited December 4, 2021 by Dynaflash8 (see edit history)

[58L-Y8]

Wonderful preservation!  Your Chrysler is the perfect example of why restoration isn't always the best course of action.  It now has the appearance of how a late 1940's Chrysler might have been in the early 1950's, a window into decades ago.  Its unique among those Chryslers I've seen in that it appears to never have had bumper guards.

[Frank DuVal]

Back in high school I found a 48 Saratoga parked behind the Phillips 66 in my neighborhood. Knowing my parents were not going along with me buying a car yet, I told my friend. He bought it for $40 from the estate of the former owner. Great car! It was about 23 years old at the time. It replaced his 63 Dart. When he sold it several years later, with an ad in the "Trading Post", the buyer couldn't get there fast enough and no dickering. He got the idea he didn't price it high enough....😲