68 Polara restore back on

[HWYCRZR]

View attachment 443949
what are you showing us in this picture? I can’t figure it out.

Excuse my terminology, I don’t have my SM or parts book in front of me.
Those are the little plastic hats that help support the gearshift tube in the steering column. Every time I would secure the steering column to the dash frame and firewall there was enough pulling that the lower hats / support would pop out. Even if if one would pop out, the shift tube is supported by the upper collar in the column, which probably has some wear after 52 years, and the lower steering bearing. I used the zip tie to keep the support hats secure and in place so they wouldn’t pop out when reinstalling and attaching the steering column.
I kept the zip tie in place as it shouldn’t hurt anything and keep them from popping out if I get a little heavy handed when shifting to drive.
You can see the little hats next to the turn signal harness.

 

[HWYCRZR]

Finally put my last piece of stainless on today. If you didn’t know that it belongs there you would never really know that it was missing. It was a little dinged up and bent from me not removing the dash panels right back in 2006. Anyway I found an old tv mount that had a C-channel about the right size. A little hammering, finessing, sanding, and polishing it looks presentable again. Like I said not very noticeable, but helps align both pieces.

 

[mr. fix it]

Finally put my last piece of stainless on today. If you didn’t know that it belongs there you would never really know that it was missing. It was a little dinged up and bent from me not removing the dash panels right back in 2006. Anyway I found an old tv mount that had a C-channel about the right size. A little hammering, finessing, sanding, and polishing it looks presentable again. Like I said not very noticeable, but helps align both pieces.
View attachment 461429 View attachment 461430

It's funny how we like to be critical of our own work.
A blind man would love to see this.

Looks very good!

 

[HWYCRZR]

Ok one more final touch up that has been bothering me for a few years. The detailing of the Fratzoz emblem by the Polara badge.
I blacked out the edges of the Polara badge, but could never find a good example of how the Fratzog emblem was detailed. And without any detailing it was just shiny and not much depth. (Yes it bugged me) Finally last summer I saw an original ‘67 Polara that still had some detailing on it. It was detailed as expected. I didn’t feel like taking my inner sail panels off to remove the emblem to paint. Masking tape was my friend. It was either stupid or brave attempting black paint on a white top. But detailed taping worked out ok. I masked then covered the car with a paint drop cloth. Sprayed on the gloss black trim paint, and wiped the emblem off with an acetone covered rag wrapped around cardboard. Wipes of the high spots but leaving the black paint in the grooves. It actually adds a lot of depth. Probably Ibam the only one that will notice.

Original sample.

Mine un detailed

mask job. In the center was a *****.

Final detail.

 

[Ross Wooldridge]

Yup, I would have been nervous too, but it looks great!

It's likely that I would have used a narrow brush and model paint rather than the potentially disastrous use of spray.

Well done, regardless!

 

[Grannys67]

dang; looks great.

but I'm gonna be scowling at my sailpanel fratzogs constantly now.

 

[tallhair]

Great job and beautiful car

 

[vdk2010]

I've just read through the entire Thread. Amazing work you did!
I admire the attention to details! Hat's off!

 

[vdk2010]

What exactly is the stuff you used for paint stripping your air cleaner?

 

[HWYCRZR]

What exactly is the stuff you used for paint stripping your air cleaner?

It is called CitriStrip - Citrus Orange paint remover. It is supposed to be non hazardous.

 

[HWYCRZR]

Adding to my journey. Found a leak during Mopar’s in the Park 2024 heavy rain
Found water coming through a pin hole in the seam sealer down by the right side vent. Took off the cowl, right side vent and heater intake to somewhat reach the area. I wish I would’ve had seam sealer that I could have put in a cake bag because the caulking gun would not fit. Tried an extension hose but it came off just as I had it about filled up. What a gooey mess. Was able to squeeze most of it out of the small hose and used my fingers to smooth it into place. Good thing I plastic wrapped it. I would have had that crap every where.

 

[HWYCRZR]

I think I got it. Maybe not so pretty but a little touch up paint (which probably isn’t necessary but I can’t leave it alone) I will test it out. Once I put the heater intake and vent back on you can’t even see where I applied it.

 

[3175375]

I think I got it. Maybe not so pretty but a little touch up paint (which probably isn’t necessary but I can’t leave it alone) I will test it out. Once I put the heater intake and vent back on you can’t even see where I applied it.
View attachment 664723View attachment 664724View attachment 664725View attachment 664726

Good work!
I had done something similar with my 65 Mustang cowl. I tied a length of vacuum hose to a piece of welding wire (1/8”+) and jammed the end on the caulking tube. I then stuck it in the side and slathered the goo in the cavity.

 

[HWYCRZR]

Mixed some paint and tried to cover the black. About as good as I can get. Almost impossible to get paint where I needed it inside the cowl. But I did finish with a little brush, where I couldn’t get the spray to blindly go.

 

[Skid Row]

I’m just starting the reconstruction of a 1968 Polara and the information you’ve posted regarding your restoration will be invaluable to me. Thank you! …and your car looks fantastic! I’d love to see it in person. Any chance you’ll be bringing it Chryslers at Carlisle this year?

 

[HWYCRZR]

I’m just starting the reconstruction of a 1968 Polara and the information you’ve posted regarding your restoration will be invaluable to me. Thank you! …and your car looks fantastic! I’d love to see it in person. Any chance you’ll be bringing it Chryslers at Carlisle this year?

I will not get to Carlisle this year. But I would like to get there next year. It’s a couple day drive from ND so need to plan ahead.

 

[Skid Row]

I will not get to Carlisle this year. But I would like to get there next year. It’s a couple day drive from ND so need to plan ahead.

That's totally understandable. I realized it was a long drive, but ya never know. I'm not sure I'll have my car there this year, but it'll be there next year!