[Chrysler300] A Question About Parts Cars

[MITCHELLEINSAUK@xxxxxxx]

Hi all,
 
I enjoy reading members input on the 300 list server, and have received  some 
welcome help and advice myself, over the years, so excuse this indulgence,  
but I couldn't help but play devils advocate for a moment:
 
John Hartford's message about both an Imperial and 1957 New Yorker 2-door  
that he knows of for sale, has finally motivated me to ask this question of  
fellow list server users. I've often seen reference made to the availability of  
a decent parts car like a 2-door Saratoga, or New Yorker, as the basis for a  
thorough restoration of a sister 300 letter series with terminal body rust or  
accident damage. As both a 300 letter series owner (albeit "only" a 300L), 
and  an owner of a '57 New Yorker, I often ponder the wisdom of dismantling a  
perfectly sound New Yorker, as an example, to save a sister 300 letter series  
car. 
 
Now this may sound like heresy given both my audience, and the special  
appeal that letter series cars have rightly attracted from the first day the  
rolled off the showroom floor. And granted, the numbers of letter series cars  
built have always been very low. However, while there were undoubtedly far more  
New Yorkers built (as an example) it is my perception that very few have  
survived or been restored. In fact, I would guess that the survival rate of the  
letter series cars is, as a percentage of those originally built, among the  
highest of all American collector cars, while I would imagine New Yorkers (and  
particularly the late fifties Exner cars) are among the rarest. Of course, 
value  wise, even if all late fifties Exner styled cars are gaining in value,  
obviously, they can't hold a candle to the more specialised letter series cars,  
but just maybe our hobby is about more than just monetary value.
 
Of course, in the end, members may argue, with good cause, that the lack of  
restored New Yorkers (as an example) is just a reflection of a lack of 
interest,  and this is the way of the world. On the other hand it might be because 
most  rusted out very early on, and the Hemi V-8 was pulled by hot rodders and 
drag  racers in the sixties.
 
Just an observation from the "other side of the  pond."  
 
Geoff Mitchell

Penshurst House,
163 Fleet  Road,
Farnborough, Hants, GU14 9SL, England,

Tel: +44 (0)1252 519  294
Fax: +44 (0)1252 519 894
Mobile: +44 (0)7770 376813
E-mail:  mitchelleinsauk@xxxxxxx



   


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