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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
 
Location: milano, italy | I have been working on this project for very long time, and am about 2/3 finished.
Car had been found in a derelict place, after 30 years or so in the open. Was sold new in my city, still has original license plates. Everything was wasted, even if the engine was running and trans was working. Sheetmetal was really bad, had to use a 4 dr sedan body for hood, trunk, fenders, quarters and floors. Interior was present, but very brittle, so had to order new stuff from SMS. Plan to reuse old door panels and headliner, still decent. After 4 years, finally have the body painted and engine rebuilt. This fall everything will be connnected and car will be almost ready for interior restoration.
Here are some pics
Edited by antonellomopar 2009-07-02 5:20 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | After lots of time at the sheet metal master worker shop
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | And now with paint on
Edited by antonellomopar 2009-07-02 2:24 AM
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Expert
Posts: 1316
Location: Belgium, 40 miles south of Brussels | Very nice work, Antonello !!!
A true resurrection !
Just one thing : the area behind the headlights has to be painted all black.
You can follow my restoration here (it's in french I'm afraid) : http://www.accf.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7911
Somewhere in the first pages, I'm talking about your car !
Edited by Chrome58 2009-07-02 2:57 AM
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Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 13045
 
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island | Ma guarda che lavoro! Complimenti per una macchina con storico Italiana!
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 6203
Location: Big pimpin' | Antonio, VERY nice work! Shows the love for one '58 Fury... |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 781
Location: Montreal, Canada | Antonio,
Great work !!!!
Thanks for having such vision.
Ma Mopar is very very happy. 
 |
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Veteran
Posts: 265
Location: North Carolina | Wow!!! Awesome job Antonio... you da man..  |
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Expert
Posts: 2612
Location: Parts Unknown | BEAUTIFUL |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 1053
Location: Ny | Antonio, that is quite a transformation! She's beautiful, and has an interesting history. All of your hard work will be paid off the moment you are able to sit behind the wheel and enjoy! Thanks for sharing, and please update us as you progress!
Edited by Jessica 2009-07-02 11:51 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 322
Location: Finland | Hats off!!! This car is amazing. Very very motivating pictures (I found 58 DeSoto that I tought is beyond saving but this thread gives me second toughts.. ) -jupe-
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Veteran
Posts: 258
Location: Pieksamaki, Finland, Europe | Wow. That's very good work! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | Some history about the Fury.
Was sold new to a noble woman in my home town, Milano. After a couple of years, was sold to another guy. In 64 was sold to mr Maiorana, who used the car until early seventies. In the meantime, the car had been painted blue, and later white. He was a mechanic, and said he rebuilt the engine. Pistons were 0.10 oversize, so this should be true. With high gas prices, dual four barrel had been removed, and a two barrell intake/carb was substitued. In the early seventies, car was parked in a field, with a cover thrown on her. And left there. After some time, the cover broke, and water ate the car.
The owner had to pay some money to the land owner, so he disappeared...leaving the car behind him.
The land owner was very angry about this matter, car was in the way and could get no money for the parking. He moved the car in a hidden place, and car was left there for 3 decades. In the early nineties, word had spread about the Fury, and went to look at the car. Rust was everywhere, the guy where the car was stored was less than nice, so went away without taking not even a pic.
Forgot about the Fury until 2002, when another guy here wanted to buy the car for parts, but didn't succeed. At the Big Meet in Vasteras, Sweden we were talking about abandoned cars, and the Fury matter came out. Was so sad about the car, and a bit guilty for not having bought 15 years before, when I came back , went immediately to look at the car. She was so rusty, so dirt, so decrepit, that had to buy her. Got mr Maiorano ph number, and got a meeting with him. Set on a price, he still had all papers, and plates to the car, and then went to llok at the car together. He thought car was in good shape, but when he saw the poor Fury, he couldn't believe what a piece of junk was in front of him. But price had been set, so gave him the money, loaded the car on the tow truck, and brought the car home. He also gave me a rusty master cylinder, and a set of wheel covers....better than nohing.
As soon as the car was home, and under a solid roof after 30 years, tried to see the damage. Rust was everywhere, but front pass floor and rear floors were perfect. Everything else was wasted. Not a single panel of metal was in good shape. Roof, fenders, quarters, doors, valance, everything was wasted. Pics show this. Found a body of a 57 4 dr sedan, and brought the car to a so called body man. He started to restore the car with fiberglass and bad welds. Then work stopped. For a year or so, he told me many lies about work progressing ( car was far from home), until I got tired and went to see the car. MAny promises later, I gave him 3 more months. After this time, I told him I was going to pick up the car with a wrecker. Nothing had changed, so loaded the car and bruoght back home.
Found a really good body man that for a lot of money took care of car. He made good welds, converting the fenders to 58 style, using the 57 parts for fixing the trunk lid, the hood, the panel under the back glass, the radiator support, the inner fenders. The quarters were all hand rebuilt. Trunk lid from 57 had lots of bondo on it, was sandblasted but came out very warped, to the point of being useless. So the upper part was still the 58, the lower part was spliced and was 57, not ruined from the sandblasting. Same for fenders, 58 were destroyed, so 57 were sandblasted very carelessly, and had to be completely rebuilt.
In the mean time, bumpers were rechromed, incredible but were in perfect shape, rusty but not even a dent. A nice gold insert set was purchased on ebay , and new internior stuff was purchased from SMS. Headliner and dash were in very good shape, same for the steering wheel and instrument cluster. New chrome vent frames were purchased from Dan Petty in Phoenix.
Engine, even if running, had lots of cylinder wear, so all new parts were purchased. In Switzerland found a complete trans and dual four set up, and bought it.
Everything was put together and now is ready to be dropped in the car.
When bodyman finished cutting, welding, leading and sanding the body, car was brought to another place to have body finished and painted . Bumpers and windows were mounted, and glass fitted. So this guy, mounting the original windshield, broke it in a half.....was so angry I would have killed him.
So the car is now waiting this next fall, where engine and trans will be reunited with the body and frame.
In one of my trips to Arizona junkyards, found a complete a/c system, underdash, from Chrysler, and got it. Car was built with power windows and seat, so will be a nicely optioned out Fury, when finished. I guess another year will pass before car is to be considered finished. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 907
Location: Magra, Sweden | Incredible, It's amazing to see what's actually is possible to save for the future with hard work. And it add so much to know about the history of your car all the way from the first owner,
In 1958 this must have looked like something from outer space on the streets of Milano.
Wish you all the best and keep up the good work so you can enjoy the car next summer. |
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Were the Chrysler A/C dash-top vent lids identical, for all the models?
From your pics, it looks like your bumper chromer did a great job in replicating the appearance of the OEM finish
on them.
When you're all done with the work, just be careful not to harm the new upholstery. It can get soiled or torn fairly
easily.
I've installed clear plastic seat covers, and the front covers, on my car's second set, now, since the early 80's, is soiled
and discolored to the extent that I'm thinking about having new front covers be installed this next winter.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | I won't be using the car much, have other FL cars to use.....my fun is in restoring the cars, more than driving them....
As for the interior, I have driven the 58 New Yorker wagon all over, and the combination of original vinyl and repro SMS fabric has stood up very well. |
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Expert
Posts: 4036
Location: Connecticut | Hi Antonello - How about a shot of your 58 Chrysler wagon ? I remember sending you a ton of stuff from the 58 wagon I parted out back around 2001. Ron PS - sorry about being a bit off-topic. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 461
Location: Brooklyn NY | I would have called that......Beyond Repair, but as this site shows me over and over..........Never Say Never. That Fury is worth the effort..Great work! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 313
Location: New Jersey | Antonello----
Come bella sembra vostra auto. Mi congratulo anche con lei per tutto il lavoro che avete fatto. Sara fantastico quando essa e completata.
Che la grand storia. Non hai mai dovrebbe vedere un Fury Plymouth 1958 in Italia ora. Anni fa mia moglie ed io lasciato un Cadillac 1962 vicino Roma con un amico. Abbiamo utilizzato recarsi ogni anno quando abbiamo visitato nostre famiglie in Napoli e/o di Trieste.---Frederico |
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Expert
Posts: 2612
Location: Parts Unknown | Fintail and Son - 2009-07-02 11:45 PM
Antonello----
Come bella sembra vostra auto. Mi congratulo anche con lei per tutto il lavoro che avete fatto. Sara fantastico quando essa e completata.
Che la grand storia. Non hai mai dovrebbe vedere un Fury Plymouth 1958 in Italia ora. Anni fa mia moglie ed io lasciato un Cadillac 1962 vicino Roma con un amico. Abbiamo utilizzato recarsi ogni anno quando abbiamo visitato nostre famiglie in Napoli e/o di Trieste.---Frederico
Is that what a Jersey accent sounds like once you type it ???  |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | Ron, here is a link to some pics of the 58 New Yorker
http://www.usacarsforum.it/new/index.php?showtopic=865 |
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Location: Colorado | Wow! You have truly brought that car back from the dead! Fantastic work. |
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Expert
Posts: 4036
Location: Connecticut | Thanks Antonello. Looks to be customized a bit. Nice, though.
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Member
Posts: 31
Location: St Etiene, France | When I see some of the cars that you guys have brought back I realy can't get over what work and passion must have gone into every one.
I'm just very pleased that my 69 chevelle concours is in the same condition as my friends 57 belvadiaer.
What a beatifull job you have done..
Bellamissio Antonello. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | Thank you everybody. |
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Veteran
Posts: 139
Location: Central Kentucky | Back from the dead indeed. What fantastic restoration work. |
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Expert
Posts: 1812
Location: Slidell La. | WOW !! What an inspiration .
Edited by narleycharlie 2009-07-12 12:15 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 313
Location: New Jersey | B/G 61---
Yeah, I guess so. But it's even worse---I'm a displaced Brooklynite. I just congratulated Antonello on the good job he's doing on his Fury, and told him that my wife and I had kept a '62 Caddy in Italy for when we visited our families there. The use of Italian was to make him feel at home on this website. But the laugh's on me because he's been around longer than me--see Ron's message above. So--Great Job, Antonello, can't wait to see the car when it's finished! And you're right, B/G, this is 'The good old USA' and we speak English here!-----Fred |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 397
Location: Milano, Italy | Hey Men.... this Antonello is well known around here Milano Italy to be one of the best restorer in town.... but now that I see this work of him I believe he is totally out of reach ! That's overwhelming!
Many of us in town went to see that poor Fury and all of us were totally discouraged. Then He took the challenge........... and won!
He could be granted some kind of award for doing such an unbelievable (and also astronomically $$$$) job.....
My best compliments, Antonello !
ahem, by the way....
antonellomopar - 2009-07-03 10:50 AM
I won't be using the car much, have other FL cars to use.....my fun is in restoring the cars, more than driving them....
 ouch...! mmmm....somebody else must've written that....not him !
Edited by lonesome mopar 2009-07-13 6:35 PM
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Yeah, Antonio; the best advertising FOR our cars is to have them be SEEN in public, hopefully driving around!
I'd love to see the faces of the tourist-Gringos, walking around the Do[d]ges Palace, and seeing a Fury cruise by!
That's what I call my car's garage, anyway.
Anyway, wouldn't it be a Pieta not to see any Finn-ed cars in La Bella Italia !
You know, Virgilio Exner was a noted fashion designer, too.
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | Ok, ok, I said I won't driving much the Fury.....bulls**t. I have been driving the hell out of my 57 DeSoto, 58 New Yorker wagon and 61 300 G....drove all over Europe going to meets and so on. Now I have the Fury to complete, estimate still a couple years of work. Am finishing a 61 Imperial coupe before I can start using the Fury. What I was meaning is that I won't drive the car on a daily basis.
And now that I have bought a 57 Custom Royal Lancer....(the one that was for sale here on the board by 5859) still have some projects for my body man....
Edited by antonellomopar 2009-07-14 2:04 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | Neil, you have never been to Venice, to see the Palace of the Dodges....(Doges to be more correct). It's in the middle of the sea, sorrounded by other palaces also in the middle of the sea....impossible to drive a car there. But I doing my best in driving my cars on the ground. I can't even swim....
Lonesome, you know that buying the Fury was also YOUR fault....when you told me that you were trying to buy her for parts..... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 397
Location: Milano, Italy |
Edited by lonesome mopar 2009-07-14 7:08 AM
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Exner Expert 19,174 posts. Neil passed away 18 Sep 2015. You will be missed, Neil!
Posts: 19146
Location: bishop, ca | Hey, I SAID that I was WALKING around the Do[d]ges Palace; I meant to say that the Fury would have been FLOATING-by.... "cruising" was a bit ambiguous, I guess.
Everybody did 'get' the Exner-Milano reference, I hope....
Edited by d500neil 2009-07-14 4:31 PM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SQBse-1w1y...
finally back home. Now it's time to roll up the sleeves and start work... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 488
Location: London, England | Antonio, I'm just finishing my '57 and have some spare external trim parts, trim clips etc. If you need anything, let me know. I'm in London, so cheaper shipping than from the US! |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | Definetely need trim clips. Let's hear on PM |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | here are some pics
Edited by antonellomopar 2010-12-24 7:38 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | 
Edited by antonellomopar 2010-12-24 7:41 AM
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | 
Edited by antonellomopar 2010-12-24 7:58 AM
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Veteran
Posts: 282
Location: Henderson, T.N. | What can I say but.......WOW!! |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 6203
Location: Big pimpin' | And you were concerned with swapping over to '58 Headlights....THIS is dedication....THIS is a man on a mission...THIS is usually how I have to get all my cars...THIS deserves recognition...Antonello, it looks a million bucks mate... |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 594
Location: Melbourne, Australia | Wow, never saw this thread until 2 days ago. Maximum dedication Antonello !!! Never say die. A real credit to your persistance.
Colin |
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Veteran
Posts: 107
Location: Sydney | I have found religion.
Inspirational stuff, thank you very much, Antonello ! |
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Expert
Posts: 1295
Location: Nasco , SWEDEN | Wonderful job! so nice to read this thread! great pic´s from the beginning and a "movie" on youtube on top of everything............. Just love it! keep up the great spirit Antonello Merry christmas to you! Morgan |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 769
Location: Oley, PA | Beautiful beautiful job! Please keep us posted! |
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Expert 5K+
Posts: 7806
Location: Williams California | Looking great, Antonello.
You're making a showpiece from what most people would have walked away from. Congrats!
---John |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | work in progress. All grill parts are original to the car, just polished with fine steel wool.
Edited by antonellomopar 2010-12-31 2:19 PM
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Expert
Posts: 3575
Location: Netherlands | Nice work there! Nice collection of cars aswell. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 375
Location: milano, italy | interior is done, jut needs to be installed inside the car
Now installing the nos wiring system I purchased off ebay some years ago.
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58 Fury sold new in Italy
