Resurrection of my 1970 Chrysler 300 Convertible

[Samplingman]

Back seat cardboard divider got the cleanup treatment as well, and a fresh misting of satin black paint.

Had to make some hole repairs.

Took some time but I finally figured out where it goes. Used some modern plastic push buttons to attach it to the bracing, I haven’t a clue as to what would be factory fasteners, they certainly weren’t screw or bolts.

Moved on to the well liner. Not that it really matters all that much with a Frankenstein car, but seeing original dates and stamps is still pretty cool. The liner came out of the same ‘69 300 that my motor came from.

All cleaned up with green Dawn.

Got the tack strips and correct bolts installed as well. Had to chase the threads on all the holes. More parts off the floor and out of boxes make a satisfying work day (or three in this case).

 

[ayilar]

We had better see this car at Carlisle next year. Italian marriages or not

 

[Samplingman]

Talk about a labor of love!

More like love-hate, lol. I just hope I get to drive it before I can’t drive anymore.

 

[Samplingman]

We had better see this car at Carlisle next year. Italian marriages or not

I’ll send some pictures of the car while dining in Tuscany! July 2026 is the target date.

 

[Samplingman]

So here is where Mr cheapskate Samplingman comes out to play. Everyone is familiar with the crappy plastic “let every leaf in” cowl grate that is almost always broken or missing. I have a near perfect one from the ‘73 NYB, but being a ‘73 it has a different mounting system and an extra hole in the middle for a third hood bumper. Time to break out the plastic welder (old soldering iron, lol). I plan on gluing a fine black screen door mesh I have lying around to the back to keep the pesky debris out of the cowl.

A little 600 grit and satin black to finish the job.

 

[commando1]

The sweat equity is amazing.

 

[live4theking]

Looking great.

 

[Samplingman]

Looking great.

Thanks John!

 

[Samplingman]

New Hankook Tires, $390 shipped from Amazon:

 

[AL_Brad]

Love this thread. I've learned how the power seat bases/motors come apart and the convertible top Latch R&R. Good stuff!

 

[Samplingman]

Love this thread. I've learned how the power seat bases/motors come apart and the convertible top Latch R&R. Good stuff!

Thank you!

 

[sevnt300]

@sevnt300 checks in on this thread every once and a while, maybe he will chime in.

Sold to some kid in Colorado Springs who wanted to "Hot Rod" it about 9 years ago. I used to see it parked at the apartment he lived in at the time but it dissapeared a few years later. I have no idea what happened to it.

 

[Samplingman]

Thanks @sevnt300, too bad I didn’t get the tag info for the ‘69 we stripped for parts.

@ayilar, here is another tag for the “Last of the Convertibles” thread.

Here is a pic of the car:

 

[Samplingman]

New tires mounted and ready to go. I’ll paint them up next year.

 

[Samplingman]

With the weather holding out longer (80 degrees most of last week!) I decided to keep going, putting the carpet in, cleaning up and installing the seats and getting the correct seatbelts put it. Thanks to @Big_John for the tip about using the soldering iron for the holes, made install that much easier.

I had my doubts, but that flimsy plastic cover held up. I had to glue some of the splits first so it didn’t blow apart on install. Maybe it will go another 54 years.

 

[Samplingman]

I’m still having issues with this plastic cover for the front seat retractable lap belt. I can’t get the carpet to mimic the hump. I tried a heat gun, but didn’t want to melt anything in the process. I’m thinking I will carpet this piece separately and then attach similar to the way the console has carpet on the sides and then blends in when installed.

 

[Big_John]

I’m still having issues with this plastic cover for the front seat retractable lap belt. I can’t get the carpet to mimic the hump. I tried a heat gun, but didn’t want to melt anything in the process. I’m thinking I will carpet this piece separately and then attach similar to the way the console has carpet on the sides and then blends in when installed.

View attachment 691565

From putting carpet in a bunch of cars, what I've found is that the carpet will settle and conform after it's installed a lot more than you think it will.

I had a pro tell me that if you paint it with contact cement and glue it down, the carpet will conform very nicely. The contact cement actually softening the backing. Those plastic pieces have glue all over them...

 

[71Polara383]

I had a hell of a time with that on my 70. Not happy with it and will have to redo it again.

 

[Samplingman]

This Hurst that recently sold for $65k has it carpeted separately that’s where I got the idea from.

 

[Big_John]

Thinking about it, my car had an ACC carpet that a PO had sourced from Legendary (I have the receipt!) and there was some "stuffing" around the plastic cover.

On the other hand, my Trim Parts carpet fit very well around it.

My last carpet (ACC) install was my 300L and the fit was pretty crappy versus the Trim Parts. Too bad ACC bought Trim Parts and they don't have the quality Trim Parts did. The biggest issue was the rear seat area in front of the rear seat.