General Information
Several months ago I started looking for another old car to tinker with, to avoid boredom in my non-working hours. I had given up on the old car hobby a few years back because of the crazy prices of cars and parts and how old cars have become part of the new 'stock market.' But, I was bored.
I was surprised and depressed that a decent old car now, even a sedan, could cost well over $ 10,000, and cars under that figure were pretty much rusty worn out hulks.
I was surfing Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace daily looking at cars within a 200 mile range, and had gone to look at several old post war Plymouths, but they were expensive and needed everything. Then late at night, I happened on this old Chrysler.
Now, when I was a little kid, I thought 'these cars are kind of ugly ducklings.' But now that I'm older, I like 'weird cars' much more than wading through seas of Mustangs and Camaros. At 8:00 at night I packed my DW and the dog into the Jeep and drove 40 miles to look at this New Yorker as the sun was going down. The gentleman selling it was now a widower, late 70s, and thinning his herd of four antiques and a new truck. I arrived about two hours after the Facebook ad was posted.
Of course, with the sun going down, you can't see much. But it seemed solid, it started, it ran, it was loud (hole in muffler), the ball joints squeaked, the steering wheel wasn't centered, the headlights pointed at the ground, but I thought - this could be fun! So, we bought it.
It is a 1964 Chrysler New Yorker Sedan, two tone Royal Ruby Iridescent and Rosewood Iridescent, with a two tone interior that coordinates in Mauve seats and door panels, and a very dark maroon dash pad and carpeting.
It has had one amateur driver quality repaint, and the interior and drivetrain are original unrestored. The body is remarkably sound. I'll tell you why.
The original owner of this odd duck was a FUNERAL DIRECTOR! For 24 years, this car was used by a funeral home in Johnstown PA to transport people and flowers to funerals. You know how funeral homes are with their official vehicles - they are kept spotless! Then, in 1988 it went into collector hands, for recreational driving and car shows only. I guess I must be the fourth or fifth owner. The last owner had it for 15 years or so.
This car has relieved my boredom problem. I am rather a perfectionist, so to date I have:
Managed to replace all four wheel well moldings with perfect used or NOS.
Aligned the hood to the fenders.
Removed and reoriented the steering wheel.
Replaced aftermarket non-functioning windshield washer with a bag and correct pump, and replaced lines and cleaned the nozzles - now working.
Fixed the cigarette lighter which was loose in the dash and non-functioning. It was missing 'the clamp' which is a cylinder with threads that holds the lighter to the dash from the back side.
I have replaced all four tires, which were 30 years old, with 215R75/14 whitewall Hankook tires. Should probably be 225s, but those are unobtanium. 14 inch tires are going out of style quickly!
I have purchased an entire grille on eBay (not a charcoal grill) to get the red medallion which is missing on most of these cars.
I have clay barred, polished, and waxed the paint and exterior trim. And cleaned the interior and window glass to remove years of dirt and grime.
I have replaced the radiator hoses, installed correct type clamps, installed a thermostat, and now the engine runs cool even during the hottest days in Chambersburg (90+).
I have a leaky pinion seal in the differential which my mechanic will deal with in a few weeks. I don't want to mess that up.
Eventually, I will replace the entire aftermarket leaky and loud dual exhaust system with a OEM type single exhaust with resonator from Waldrons.
Well, you're probably bored by now. I'm not. I'm having fun, for an old guy!
Art
