[Chrysler300] RE: 1964 300K convertible top and hardware colors

["Rich Barber-Desktop" <c300@xxxxxxx>]

Chris:

 

As per usual, your thorough and prompt response is very helpful and greatly appreciated.  Your explanation of the black top mechanisms I’ve seen makes sense.   I’ll check on the liner color availability before deciding on linkage color.  I do have a new in the box red top which came with the car and I intend to use,

 

I’ll forward your offer of a loan of a visor to Legendary folks if they were unable to find another.  Using that spare may be a good idea.  I was thinking you could wangle a complete redo of a pair of yours if needed.

 

In addition to the difference in vinyl covering of the visors, can you confirm they are of different dimensions?  I sense that the conv. visors are narrower than those of the hardtops.  Could you get a few measurements of coupe and convertible visors and help me put this issue to bed?  Also confirm the left/right interchangeability on coupe & conv.

 

C300-K’ly,

Rich Barber

 

From: kmaniak@xxxxxxx [mailto:kmaniak@xxxxxxx] 
Sent: Friday, June 15, 2012 10:58 PM
To: c300@xxxxxxx; chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx; mr300k@xxxxxxxxx
Cc: JettLarry@xxxxxxx; jholst@xxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: 1964 300K convertible top and hardware colors

 

Hi Rich:

 

I dug out my 1964 Chrysler Dealer demonstration book with samples of the body colors, interior material samples & colors, and top samples and colors.  Here is what the "book" says:

 

For convertible top material, the only material choice was "pinpoint vinyl".  There were three color choices; Black available with all colors; White available with all colors; and Blue, available with Wedgewood (blue) - C; Chrysler Blue - D; Monarch Blue - E; and Black - B or White - W except with Tan, Red or Turquoise interiors.

 

On the chart of "Interior Color Accents", there is a footnote that states, "All convertible top linings and folding components are white."

 

Now for my personal experience:

 

I received both my 300 convertible and my 300-K convertible with what was left of the original convertible tops.  The original top on my Dune Beige with white leather [XX - M8W] 300-K was white with Data Plate Code L-7.  The original top on my Royal Ruby with red vinyl [RR - M4R] 300 was black with Data Plate Code L-6.  Both tops were pinpoint vinyl.  Both tops had white linings.  Both tops had white folding components, including bows.  This was all consistent with the dealer information book.

 

When I went to replace my top on the 300 convertible in 1980, I chose a white exterior color replacement top out of personal preference.  The only inner lining color available, however, was black.  I was told that replacement tops at the time did not come with white interior linings anymore.  Therefore, I repainted the mechanism in my 300 convertible black before having the top installed.

 

I have a strong feeling that many a Chrysler owner or upholstery shop repainted the original white mechanisms in black when they discovered that white interior lining were no longer available.  The color of folding components that you finally decide on for your car will be up to you.

 

Aftermarket top manufacturers offer a variety of materials for convertible tops, including pinpoint vinyl.  Some offer leather grain vinyl, used on late 1960's Chryslers, as well as canvas, and they offer many more colors than the original black, white, and blue.  Again, the choice of material and color you select for your car will be up to you.

 

Regarding the sun visors, I actually have two pairs, one for each car.  Unlike the hardtop sun visors that came in perforated vinyl to match the hardtop headliner, the convertible sun visors were covered in solid vinyl material that matched the seats.  I know that my white interior convertible has matching white vinyl sun visors and my red interior convertible had matching red vinyl sun visors.  I would presume that blue has blue visors, tan has tan visors, and black has black visors in the convertible, but I don't recall ever looking at this on other convertibles before.  I just know what was in my cars when I got them.  My white visors are still original.  I did a cheap recover of my original red visors by recovering them with the matching red vinyl I used to recover the seats and used the same vinyl to sew a makeshift welt along the edge.  And as I recall, I should have a fifth convertible sun visor somewhere that consists only of the particle board center and metal internal parts without a vinyl covering.  I need to do some more serious searching in my parts stash.  I would be willing to offer a single or pair of visors as patterns if someone can guarantee their safe return, either as is, or redone.  I believe that the visors themselves are universal side to side.  The only unique directional part is the mounting base and rod, which are left and right mirror images.  I also seem to think that the visors are interchangeable back to 1960 and this should be looked into as a possibility.  I know that '63 & '64 convertible visors and hardware are the same.

 

My two cents for what its worth.  Let me know if you have any other questions or comments.

 

Best Regards, Chris Pinder

-----Original Message-----
From: Rich Barber-Desktop < <mailto:c300@xxxxxxx> c300@xxxxxxx>
To: chrysler300 < <mailto:chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>; Chris Pinder < <mailto:kmaniak@xxxxxxx> kmaniak@xxxxxxx>; mr300k < <mailto:mr300k@xxxxxxxxx> mr300k@xxxxxxxxx>
Cc: Larry & Sandy Jett < <mailto:JettLarry@xxxxxxx> JettLarry@xxxxxxx>; John & Marilyn Holst < <mailto:jholst@xxxxxxxxx> jholst@xxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Fri, Jun 15, 2012 7:34 pm
Subject: 1964 300K convertible top and hardware colors

I’m looking for consensus on the color of the folding components, including header and bows, for our ’64 300K convertible—Roman Red (YY1) with black leather interior (M8-X).  I’d be interested in your opinion and tech reference.  

 

This link is from a 1964 Chrysler Order Code List and indicates all folding elements are white, but I’m not sure the footnote is all-inclusive:  

  <http://www.jholst.net/64-dealer/exterior-1.pdf> http://www.jholst.net/64-dealer/exterior-1.pdf  There seems to be a body of opinion that black is appropriate for some body/interior colors.        In that reference, do you think Chrysler consider the bows to be “folding components”?  e.g.:  black bows with white side irons?

 

I think I read where at least some of these pieces are chromed on the ’64 Imperial convertibles.  Oooo!

 

I also read at the referenced link that the underside liners of all convertible tops in 1964 were originally white.  Can anyone confirm this and advise whether this design can be obtained now, and if so, from whom?  Also, was the original top material canvas or vinyl?

 

Finally, I really need a very good or restorable pair of sun visor rods and bases for the ’63-’64 Newport/300/300K convertibles.  Decent pads in black would be a plus, but it appears Legendary will soon be reproducing the convertible pads.  It is pretty much established that the rods, bases and pads are all different for the ’63-’64 hardtops, sedans and convertibles.  Interchangability backwards in time is unknown to me, but certainly of interest.

 

Thanks in advance for your valued input.

 

C-300-K’ly,

Rich Barber

Brentwood, CA

1955 Chrysler C-300

1964 Chrysler 300K convertible

1986 Chrysler LeBaron Town & Country convertibles (2)

1992 Jeep Wrangler Renegade

1999 Jeep Wrangler Sahara

2004 Dodge Durango SLT Hemi

1995 31’ Tioga Class C motor home (Chev 454)

2005 Parker 19’ open car trailer

2.5 car garage

Spatial challenges

 



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