Bastardized 1959 "Coronet" build

[wetskier2000]

Did a few small things yesterday.. Found and fixed a rattle from one of the tailpipes. Added a catch basin, if you will, around the fuel filler cap. I modified the filler so now I can get the gas station nozzle in there without using an additional nozzle from a gas can. Auto shutoffs are still iffy, I'll revisit this at some point.

And the big news? I modified the 1959 exterior door handles so they engage the 1998 mechanism and the doors can be opened from the outside. No more making sure the windows are open cuz only the interior door handles were working.

 

[wetskier2000]

I hang my head in shame... I see I referred to George Barris as Chuck earlier in this thread... I'm sorry George..,

 

[Samplingman]

I hang my head in shame... I see I referred to George Barris as Chuck earlier in this thread... I'm sorry George..,

GONG!

 

[wetskier2000]

I said take the fifth, not DRINK the fifth! Ok, fifth time's a charm... I think this panel is a winner. I took Mopar's cue and hid the seam under the trim that they used to hide the fin seam. Just gotta figure out how I'll cut and blend in the forward seam..

 

[wetskier2000]

In other news, I dug out the replacement pieces I bought for those pot metal, arrow looking things on the most forward part of the fin... Surprise they don't fit. I bought them as 1959 Coronet pieces, but it appears they are 1959 Royal Lancer parts... I knew they were longer front to back, but didn't realize (til now) that they fit the fin differently. I'm guessing the Royal Lancer stainless trim is on the top of the fin where mine is down in the valley.

 

[3175375]

In other news, I dug out the replacement pieces I bought for those pot metal, arrow looking things on the most forward part of the fin... Surprise they don't fit. I bought them as 1959 Coronet pieces, but it appears they are 1959 Royal Lancer parts... I knew they were longer front to back, but didn't realize (til now) that they fit the fin differently. I'm guessing the Royal Lancer stainless trim is on the top of the fin where mine is down in the valley.

View attachment 696524

You could get the pieces that you have replayed. There’s a vendor that’s been used by members of this forum that does spectacular work.

 

[wetskier2000]

You could get the pieces that you have replayed. There’s a vendor that’s been used by members of this forum that does spectacular work.

I'd like to know that vendor's name if you happen to have it handy.

 

[3175375]

I'd like to know that vendor's name if you happen to have it handy.

Here’s the link:

RECHROMING

Tri city is the one.

 

[wetskier2000]

Thanks for the chromer info... Eventually I'll need to remove the failing tint from the side windows. I've done this on other vehicles before and it can be a PIA. However, I saw a pretty neat trick on that Wheeler Dealers show the other day. He soaked the tint with a soapy solution then put black plastic garbage bags over the soapy, tinted glass. Then he parked the car in the sun. It loosened up the glue and let the tint peel off much easier than dry.

 

[wetskier2000]

Heavy rain recently had pretty much washed the salt off the roads... Took the opportunity for a drive to the ocean...

 

[wetskier2000]

refining the door alignment. Both open and close gently now. You had to kinda slam them before since the alignment wasn't great, mostly just a first pass... I'd like to improve the door gap a little more, we'll see....

Anyone found a source for trim clips for a 59 Coronet?

 

[wetskier2000]

What the hell did I do?? I added a bracket from the 59 skin to the FG door structure before finalizing the new top door sheet metal...... Now the door is closed and won't unlock!!! It's a simple bracket, what could I have screwed up?

 

[mopar preferred]

What the hell did I do?? I added a bracket from the 59 skin to the FG door structure before finalizing the new top door sheet metal...... Now the door is closed and won't unlock!!! It's a simple bracket, what could I have screwed up?

Zapped a circuit? Though with your experience I'd think that unlikely.

 

[Samplingman]

Is this a remote lock or a traditional key? If it is a key something might be reversed and lock is unlock and visa-versa.

 

[wetskier2000]

Mystery solved... When I pushed the topmost portion of the door skin down 1/8 or so, it also pushed the rod connecting the 1959 exterior handle to the 1998 latch/lock mechanism down. That small downward amount kept the manual and electric lock mechanism from allowing an unlock. Adjust that rod to get rid of the now continual pressure and all is well... Yup, 1 step forward and 3 steps back... that's how is goes sometimes...

I've removed all the stainless trim as I found a guy with a vibrator/tumbler that will rejuvenate the original clips. I still will come up short as some are broken, but it will be some progress. I was concerned about using rusty clips and them bleeding onto a new paint job (some day) should the car happen to be out in the rain... This way he'll de-rust them and I can paint them. Also, Mopar must have really been emptying their spare parts bins. The clips for the same piece of trim on the rear 1/4 are different than the ones on the doors.