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 White 1958 Coronet LancerJump to page : 1 2 3 4 5 Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page] | View previous thread :: View next thread |
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Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430     Location: So. Cal | I just bought this '58 Lancer from out of Los Angeles. Pretty solid car in the front, but quite a bit of rust in the back for some reason. Built in Los Angeles with a 325 poly, 3 speed Torqueflite, power steering & manual brakes. Seems to have all its original wheels. I'm either going to use some spinner hubcaps or dog dish caps. Trying to figure out the paint scheme I would like to put on it. Any suggestions would be welcome. I'm not a fan of all white - too boring. This car I am going to get running and then get it painted relatively quickly since there isn't a huge amount of work involved to do that. (58LancerFront.jpg) (58LancerRear.jpg) (58LancerMotor.jpg) (58LancerDash.jpg) (58LancerDoorPanel.jpg) Attachments ----------------  58LancerFront.jpg (314KB - 462 downloads) 58LancerRear.jpg (217KB - 471 downloads) 58LancerMotor.jpg (168KB - 460 downloads) 58LancerDash.jpg (131KB - 480 downloads) 58LancerDoorPanel.jpg (156KB - 473 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Here are some pictures of the condition of the car. The trunk lid needs to be replaced. Pretty difficult fix there. Same situation with the trunk pan. It probably had a rubber mat covering it all to make it this bad. But the quarter panels just need a minor patch. The interior floors are really nice.  (58LancerTrunkLid.jpg) (58LancerTrunkRadio.jpg) (58LancerTrunkPan.jpg) (58LancerFloor.jpg) (58LancerQuarter.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 58LancerTrunkLid.jpg (98KB - 472 downloads) 58LancerTrunkRadio.jpg (177KB - 472 downloads) 58LancerTrunkPan.jpg (224KB - 468 downloads) 58LancerFloor.jpg (136KB - 474 downloads) 58LancerQuarter.jpg (143KB - 460 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Here is the body tag. I think it reads: M5: 1 SO: 1307, No. 5036, MODEL: LD2L, BT: 332, PT: XXX, TR: 141 Can anyone tell me if these door panels look to be original to this car? It seems odd to have a solid green dash and blue door panels. (58LancerBodyTag.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 58LancerBodyTag.jpg (164KB - 472 downloads) | ||
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| Lancer Mike |
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 Location: The Mile High City | |||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | What does a deluxe interior consist of? Is the sombrero part of that option package?  The camera is bad about changing the hue. The door panels are definitely blue and the dash is a true green. So it makes me wonder. Blue and green are an odd choice to mix. But I think if I paint the outside mint green that it would go well enough with both the blue and green... maybe. And mint is more of a pastel green so it might look pretty good that way. The other option is charcoal and white, but I think it would look better with more color than that. Edited by Powerflite 2016-09-11 12:37 AM | ||
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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Thanks Dorsey. If you were closer, I would definitely take you up on it. I am hoping that either John or Gary has one I can grab. I am going to John's place for the shin dig so maybe I can get one then... if he has one available. I was planning to take the '58 Desoto up there. Do you think a Dodge lid would fit inside a Desoto trunk? Or maybe I could try driving up there lidless and bolting it on Edited by Powerflite 2016-09-11 7:51 PM | ||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Dodge also offered the Buzzard Puke Green. An outstanding color, if I do say so myself !  It looks great with white, but I have seen a very few cars with black or charcoal, which is quite striking. (rr qtr shot 2 06 Feb 2013.jpg) Attachments ---------------- rr qtr shot 2 06 Feb 2013.jpg (41KB - 454 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | It is looking like this one is going to get some buzzard puke on it too. The wife approves the mint/white w/whitewall combo, but I think I prefer the charcoal/mint w/dog dishes. The wife says darker green/black makes it look like an army jeep! So I guess that one is out. I'm looking forward to the day your buzzard starts busting those boulevards again. (LtGrnWht-58dodge.jpg) (LtGrnChrcl-58dodge.jpg) (DkGrnBlk-58Dodge.jpg) Attachments ---------------- LtGrnWht-58dodge.jpg (200KB - 469 downloads) LtGrnChrcl-58dodge.jpg (199KB - 449 downloads) DkGrnBlk-58Dodge.jpg (199KB - 466 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | The more I look at them, the more I like the black and dark green. I made some progress on getting it running. Rebuilt water pump and rebuilt carb. I didn't touch the generator & power steering pump because I want to see if they work first. The air cleaner will be converted to a 4bbl soon so I left it unfinished for the time being. Once I get the electronic distributor & fuel pump setup properly, I should be able to see if this thing runs, and how well. Still ZERO brakes though so it isn't moving anywhere yet. (325Painted.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 325Painted.jpg (185KB - 459 downloads) | ||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | I am into "design", and as a result, I tend to view topics like this along multiple lines of thought. I personally prefer the white and green as an overall "best aesthetic", given the 2HT lines of the car, Dodge style fins and 2-toning, and general trim. I think the "face"of a 58 is rather "bright eyed" and "perky", which I think the white and green lends itself well to. It is a complimentary color combo. On the other hand, sometimes contrasting themes produce interesting, or even better results than complimentary. My best example is my own Plaza. No one will ever argue that a 58 Fury or Belvedere is flat-out ultra-sexy with that hockey stick trim, fender "barb" ornaments, swept back antennas, etc. ... built around that 2HT roof. But taking that same basic canvas to an "all wrong" format of tall, cumbersome 4s roof, removing all the trim so it's just one finned blob of one color, black walls and dog dishies, .... it is the old man at the beach in shorts, black socks, and sandals ! .... ugly, but cool for being so different. I find this angle particularly attractive on cars that are overly "done the same" in the hobby, .... like the 58 Plymouth. I think a 59 Dodge is another good example of a car done far too typically, and a stripper trimmed example would really look cool in the sea of over-blinged examples. This anti-bling paradigm seems to be picking up more and more followers. Maybe someone will build a nicely untrimmed 59 Dodge in an unsexy color ? (1959dodgedogdish2.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1959dodgedogdish2.jpg (18KB - 484 downloads) | ||
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| mikes2nd |
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Expert Posts: 4955 | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Do you guys have a suggestion for color scheme? This is the original interior fabric, but I am willing to change things around. But I want to keep the door panels as is because they are in pretty good shape. (58' Seat 141 upholstery Factory Tag.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 58' Seat 141 upholstery Factory Tag.jpg (47KB - 450 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | It's alive! I couldn't get the intermediate shaft out of the motor to do the electronic distributor conversion so I made an adapter to mount to the end of the electronic distributor. I fired it up and it seems to run really well. We'll see when I put it under load, but so far it seems quite responsive. The old fuel pump even works well. I have it sucking out of a can right now because the tank has been sitting for who knows how long without even a cap on it, and it is nasty smelling. The fan needs a smaller spacer. The one on there is too long to assemble, and it doesn't work without any spacer. But as soon as I get that sorted and get the cooling system functional, I will put it in gear (with the wheels off the ground) and see if the trans & power steering decides to work or not. Bit by bit, I am determined to get this thing on the road. | ||
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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | |||
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| 60 Imp |
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 Location: North Australia | |||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Dorsey, Unlike most people think, I can be objective on most subjects, even if I hate the matter at hand. I still think the 59 Dodge looks like and angry clown with bad trim choices slathered excessively all over it. I also understand that for the very reasons I do not like them, people LOVE this car design ! So, I'll accept reality as I find it, offer up objective points on how one might make their 59 a little different than the typical, and get back to liking cleaner, more integrated design. Afterall, for most of the past 50 years, most people have considered ALL of these finned cars the zenith of excess and ugly. Please, make a note of it !!! That fabric is AWESOME !!! Worthy of building a car AROUND !!! Honestly, I think a person would be hard-pressed to do better with a 58 Dodge coupe than the green and white shown previously and that fabric on the seats and door panels. This is the epitome of what MAKES a "George Jetson" car so cool.  | ||
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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | |||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | You should start a thread in the nether region on your T motor build. Many of us would enjoy seeing what you are doing. But if my vote counts for anything, and I'm sure it doesn't; I vote you get the Plaza done first.  | ||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | |||
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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | The Plaza will give you just as much joy driving it. It will be a lot safer. Screw the paint, drive it. Both of you guys start driving the survivor cars!!!! That's what I'm doing with this one, for now!!! Edited by oldwood 2016-09-19 10:47 AM (008.JPG) (010.JPG) Attachments ---------------- 008.JPG (346KB - 455 downloads) 010.JPG (293KB - 462 downloads) | ||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | |||
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| oldwood |
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Expert Posts: 2905 Location: little rock, AR | |||
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| horace |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 471 Location: MN | |||
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| 61_Imperial |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 480 Location: Georgetown Texas | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Converted the car to disc brakes and redid all the front lines, but not shown in picture. I used a disc master from a '73 Dart. If I end up converting the car to power brakes, I will do a remote reservoir on it, but I wanted to try it out with manual brakes first. (58DodgeDiscs2.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 58DodgeDiscs2.jpg (114KB - 462 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Swapped to 2.76 gears in the back. Still need to cut down the axles and adjust the end play. The oil in this axle wasn't 90 weight. I think it was straight 30 weight motor oil. I couldn't get a good price on replacement 11x2" brakes so I decided to swap to 12x2.5" brakes from the Windsor parts car instead. I am in a hurry to get this running and moved so I didn't take the time to paint the rear axle housing & springs. (GearChange.jpg) Attachments ---------------- GearChange.jpg (138KB - 454 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | I replaced the gas tank and fuel sender. The tank was workable, but I didn't want to deal with all the crud & rust inside so I just replaced it. Finished the brake & axle job except I still have to wire up a mechanical brake switch. I got all the exterior lights working, but not a single electrical device works on the interior of the car. I ordered a new voltage regulator that should fix the no-charge issue. There is a strange coolant leak from the back of the motor. It isn't from the intake or the head gasket. The only place I can figure it coming from is a block plug on the back of the block. Drat, that is a tough one to fix, but hopefully I can seal it with a small amount of copper seal. The freeze plugs on the sides of the block are not rusted and seem to be in good shape. I took the car for it's maiden run tonight. This 325 poly motor is really strong! This is likely the strongest forwardlook car I own. Even with the 2.76 gears, it gets up and moves quite well. The trans, front suspension and power steering work great untouched. The brake pedal is still a little spongy because I am having trouble getting all the air out for some reason, but the brakes work great other than that. I should be able to get all the air out with time. Next on the agenda is to fix the bench seat adjuster catch. It isn't catching so the front seat slides back and forth continually. It's enough to drive me insane! | ||
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| DepsilonD |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 792 Location: Buena Park, CA | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Thanks Dave I am probably more motivated than usual because I purchased a 392 hemi from a '57 New Yorker that is sitting in the back of my wagon that I can't unload until this car is moved. | ||
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| flattie45 |
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Veteran Posts: 194 Location: Dorset, England | I'm biased, but I haven't yet seen a colour combo that I prefer to the white over mint on my own '58 Dodge.  We share the same deluxe interior. It goes really well with the mint. I wish mine had your lovely cloth design.  The 2bbl 325 in mine is perky too. A fine motor. Discs? Really? | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Thanks for the pics John. You have the same bluish door panels that I do, so it looks like they do fade from green to blue quite easily. Either that, or that is the color they were made. Yeah, the discs are pretty much required if you want to be able to drive in Los Angeles. Too many crazy drivers out here. Your steering wheel is making me very jealous! It looks new. I think most of my steering wheel is on the floor now. | ||
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| DepsilonD |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 792 Location: Buena Park, CA | Powerflite - 2016-10-20 2:26 PM Thanks Dave I am probably more motivated than usual because I purchased a 392 hemi from a '57 New Yorker that is sitting in the back of my wagon that I can't unload until this car is moved. :laugh:That's a really good reason . . . . ha ha ha! | ||
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| Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | Powerflite - 2016-09-10 10:33 PM What does a deluxe interior consist of? Hi, Nathan - sorry about the late reply. Sombreros were optional with all interiors! The "upgrade" Coronet interior had dippity-doo swishtity swoops (to use the technical term) in the mylar portion of the door panels. They also got setback dippers too, instead of the straight seat back of the standard Coronet trim. Upgraded fabrics and carpeted floors were also part of the deal-leo. Doc and I vote for Fire Engine Red! Edited by Lancer Mike 2016-10-21 2:03 PM | ||
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| Doctor DeSoto |
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Location: Parts Unknown | Yeah, Mike is right. A lot of guys try to run cover for their secret desire to meet up with other dudes in the bus station men's room by going with the bright red. I think it's a good plan. | ||
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| flattie45 |
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Veteran Posts: 194 Location: Dorset, England | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Thanks for the info Mike! Sounds like I had better hang onto that sombrero. I do really enjoy having those dippy seats. Much better looking IMO. Doc, I have no idea what the connection of those two things are, but please don't educate me. Sometimes ignorance really is bliss. John, yeah, I like the two shades of greens together too. I am not sure about the blues and greens though. I may die my door panels.... but I may just leave them too. My '57 Windsor parts car came to the rescue again. I removed the seat mechanism and found that I have no idea how to fix it. It is fully latched, but the latch did nothing and it just slid around. Looks like I would have to remove the rivets that are holding it together to even figure out if I could fix it. But fortunately, I kept the mechanisms from the Windsor and just installed that. Worked out great. So much better now.Edited by Powerflite 2016-10-22 10:01 PM (SeatAdjuster.jpg) Attachments ---------------- SeatAdjuster.jpg (134KB - 441 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | I also finished installing the brake light switch. I welded a piece of angle iron to the pedal bracket, but cut it to clear the spring and pushrod bolt. I also rounded most of the edges to make it more safe when I have my head up in there. I threaded the bracket with 1/2-20 thread so that I only need to use one jam nut to tighten it in place. That makes it a lot easier to set in place and more sturdy too. After I finsished it, I took the car for another test drive and my generator suddenly started working for no reason. Weird. Everything works well enough to drive now. Time to set up an appointment at the DMV so that I can do a VIN verification. It has a California title, but it hasn't been registered since 1990 so it fell out of the system. Edited by Powerflite 2016-10-22 10:11 PM (Coronet Brake Switch.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Coronet Brake Switch.jpg (112KB - 462 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Scored today. Got a set of dog dish caps for the car for a very reasonable price! Anyone know how hard and expensive is it to re-plate the centers on these? (DogDish Caps.jpg) Attachments ---------------- DogDish Caps.jpg (197KB - 459 downloads) | ||
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| LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1922 Location: Ontario, Canada | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Thanks for the info Greg, and thanks a lot for selling me the Lancer emblems. I put them in place temporarily and they really do transform the look of the car! I also replaced the tired lenses on the car. I was surprised at how much cheaper they are than the Chrysler & DeSoto lenses. I also removed the rusted rear exhaust pipe, but kept the good section from the muffler forward and turned it out to the side to make it easy without spending a lot of money and effort on the exhaust right now. Apparently there is a guy in LA that can selectively plate these things in gold. I am going to take a look at my friend's car who had it done and check out how well it comes out. But the next thing I am working on is to replace the trunk lid with the one I got from John. It needs some work before it can go on, unfortunately, but not too difficult. Edited by Powerflite 2016-11-02 1:25 AM (58Coronet_Rear.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 58Coronet_Rear.jpg (182KB - 466 downloads) | ||
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| Paul Hettick |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 701 Location: California | |||
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| big m |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 7800 Location: Williams California | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | Good score on the hubcaps! Four '57s and one '58. http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=40731&posts=55&start=1 | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| LD3 Greg |
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Expert Posts: 1922 Location: Ontario, Canada | |||
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| mikes2nd |
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Expert Posts: 4955 | |||
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