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Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today
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Mike McCandless
Posted 2020-02-10 10:22 PM (#594043)
Subject: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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Can't wait to finish getting it restored and show it off in all its racing glory
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56D500boy
Posted 2020-02-10 11:01 PM (#594047 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: RE: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Mike McCandless - 2020-02-10 7:22 PM
Can't wait to finish getting it restored and show it off in all its racing glory


As in this Vicki Wood 300 (when did it get the black roof?)

REF: http://www.chrysler300club.com/stories/5500/1.html









Edited by 56D500boy 2020-02-10 11:04 PM
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2020-02-11 12:01 AM (#594048 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: RE: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Happy birthday to the original "hairy-chested, fire-breathing, land bomb." 

Is that a Tom McCahill quote? 

 

Heck, Kirk Douglas was only 41 when that car rolled off the assembly line! 

 



Edited by Lancer Mike 2020-02-11 12:04 AM
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60 Imp
Posted 2020-02-11 6:07 AM (#594055 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: RE: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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The Oldest Chrysler 300 in the Universe! Pretty impressive credentials. Have you got some progress pics of the restoration Mike?

Steve.
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Mike McCandless
Posted 2020-02-11 7:19 AM (#594058 - in reply to #594055)
Subject: RE: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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60 Imp - 2020-02-11 6:07 AM

The Oldest Chrysler 300 in the Universe! Pretty impressive credentials. Have you got some progress pics of the restoration Mike?

Steve.


We are holding everything back till it's debut. We continue to find nuggets of information as we dig deeper and deeper into the history of the car.
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Hyfire
Posted 2020-02-11 7:16 PM (#594094 - in reply to #594047)
Subject: RE: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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56D500boy - 2020-02-10 8:01 PM
As in this Vicki Wood 300 (when did it get the black roof?) REF: http://www.chrysler300club.com/stories/5500/1.html   ...

 

  The black paint on the roof came in 1955, just after SpeedWeek ended and before the car was taken to it's new home up North.  I don't want to step on Mike's toes, so I'll just leave it at that.

 

   It'll be bitter-sweet to see the car restored.  I'm positive it will be done to the highest of levels so I'm sure it'll be a looker.

 

    Josh

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56D500boy
Posted 2020-02-11 8:26 PM (#594098 - in reply to #594094)
Subject: RE: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Something went wrong with that link. This one should work:

http://www.chrysler300club.com/stories/5500/1.html

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1960fury
Posted 2020-02-12 10:41 AM (#594118 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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The black roof looks great, makes the roof appear smaller in comparison with the body. Beautiful car.

...And I hope it will be kept in that condition and originality. Love the patina and the history behind it.

Edited by 1960fury 2020-02-12 10:44 AM
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Mike McCandless
Posted 2020-02-12 12:44 PM (#594127 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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It's being restored. This car was raced on a beach, that means sand/salt in lots of places under the car. It will be put back the way Vicki raced at Daytona.
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1960fury
Posted 2020-02-12 1:50 PM (#594131 - in reply to #594127)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Mike McCandless - 2020-02-12 12:44 PM

It will be put back the way Vicki raced at Daytona.


You can't. Once it is "restored" the history is gone. If you replace the paint, etc it is no longer the car that Vicki raced and touched at Daytona. It just may looks that way.
Too bad, today people (much too late) finally appreciate the patina and originality, yet rare, unique cars are still receive a sterile car-show restoration.
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NicksGarage
Posted 2020-02-12 3:10 PM (#594133 - in reply to #594131)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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1960fury - 2020-02-12 10:50 AM

Mike McCandless - 2020-02-12 12:44 PM

It will be put back the way Vicki raced at Daytona.


You can't. Once it is "restored" the history is gone. If you replace the paint, etc it is no longer the car that Vicki raced and touched at Daytona. It just may looks that way.
Too bad, today people (much too late) finally appreciate the patina and originality, yet rare, unique cars are still receive a sterile car-show restoration.


By your logic the history is already gone since it's been painted over in the past. This car will definitely have more life in Mike's collection than any other it could have landed in.
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StillOutThere
Posted 2020-02-12 3:24 PM (#594134 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Owner's choice whether to restore or keep patina. I saw the car in person at Steve McCloud's about some 30 years ago which started my interest /involvement. Even then it needed and deserved restoration (and was beyond "leaving as is". After all, this is the "Grampa" 300. Sure they are only original once but the quality of what was left that was original was due and overdue to be re-done then and most certainly now. Pleased that Steve bought it and stored it. Impressed that Josh Ackerman turned over every stone out there to document Grampa's history. VERY happy that the McCandless collection has the car AND will step up and bring it to concours condition. KUDOS
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56D500boy
Posted 2020-02-12 3:35 PM (#594135 - in reply to #594133)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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NicksGarage - 2020-02-12 12:10 PM
By your logic the history is already gone since it's been painted over in the past. This car will definitely have more life in Mike's collection than any other it could have landed in.


I think we can trust Mike to do a top notch restoration back to the condition it was in when Vicki Wood piloted the car over the sands of Daytona Beach in February 1956. Patina schmeena.

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Mike McCandless
Posted 2020-02-12 5:03 PM (#594141 - in reply to #594131)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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1960fury - 2020-02-12 1:50 PM

Mike McCandless - 2020-02-12 12:44 PM

It will be put back the way Vicki raced at Daytona.


You can't. Once it is "restored" the history is gone. If you replace the paint, etc it is no longer the car that Vicki raced and touched at Daytona. It just may looks that way.
Too bad, today people (much too late) finally appreciate the patina and originality, yet rare, unique cars are still receive a sterile car-show restoration.


Hahhahahaha. You realize I could Fred Flinstone the car right? I could stick my foot through the floorboard and touch the ground? It wasn't safe, in any sort of way to drive. It could idle around a show field, but that level of rust had to be stopped.

What you should have done, is bought it with your money, then you could do whatever you want to with it
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Powerflite
Posted 2020-02-12 6:46 PM (#594143 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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I can't wait to see it done. I would bring it back to it's original state as well, since that's how everyone remembers it. If you could remove the outer layers of paint to reveal the original underneath, that would be really cool in an historical sense, but that is very unlikely, so a restoration makes a lot of sense. But it would be worth it to do some sanding so you can nail down the positions and colors of those graphics. Does anyone know what color the "Chrysler 300" was painted in? There are clearly 2 different shades there, but the info is lost in the black & white photo.
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NicksGarage
Posted 2020-02-12 7:20 PM (#594148 - in reply to #594143)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Powerflite - 2020-02-12 3:46 PM

I can't wait to see it done. I would bring it back to it's original state as well, since that's how everyone remembers it. If you could remove the outer layers of paint to reveal the original underneath, that would be really cool in an historical sense, but that is very unlikely, so a restoration makes a lot of sense. But it would be worth it to do some sanding so you can nail down the positions and colors of those graphics. Does anyone know what color the "Chrysler 300" was painted in? There are clearly 2 different shades there, but the info is lost in the black & white photo.


The "CHRYSLER" and "300" are black outlines over red.
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Hyfire
Posted 2020-02-13 2:46 AM (#594162 - in reply to #594131)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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>>> "1960fury - 2020-02-12 10:50 AM
Mike McCandless - 2020-02-12 12:44 PM It will be put back the way Vicki raced at Daytona.
You can't. Once it is "restored" the history is gone. If you replace the paint, etc it is no longer the car that Vicki raced and touched at Daytona. It just may looks that way. Too bad, today people (much too late) finally appreciate the patina and originality, yet rare, unique cars are still receive a sterile car-show restoration.>>>"

 

  I didn't plan on inserting myself this much, but the conversation is kind of headed another way. 

 

   I owned this car for a few years. I crawled over and through this car more than anyone here.   I had 3 of the top metal fabricators in Southern California personally inspect this car.  One known for his Pebble Beach work and two AMBR body fabricators.  All three said it would be work and pricey, but they could have saved almost all of the visible metal panels with the exception of the lower trunk floor & sides, lower rear fenders and rockers.  The actual rust was isolated in zones.  The damage DIDN'T come from the one week of sand and salt at Daytona, but from years of poor storage.  Before I bought the car everyone told me it was too far gone and even the frame was rusted out.  They were wrong.  The entire car was covered in RED CLAY underneath that looked like rust.  While the trunk is absolutely shot and the rear fenders have lost their lowers, the remainder of the rust was actually pretty standard 1955 prone areas.  Much of the frame and suspension were actually completely rust free and dry under the caked on clay.  Many spots still had factory markings and looked exceptionally dry once I removed 45+ years of layers of caked on clay.  I'd be curious to know just how much metal is being cut off the original body now, since most restorers aren't shy about cutting up original bodies.

Regarding Mike's choices, there are "show" guys and there are "history" guys.  Mike is a "show" guy.  When he says he bought it so he can do what he wants, he's 100% right.  This doesn't mean it's right for the car... but it's right for Mike.  It's his decision to make, no matter what that means to the future of the car.

   Now don't take this wrong, but a very wealthy car buyer has put together a personal collection of some of the best restored Forwardlook cars on the planet.  Almost all of them are like jewelry.  Like most "show" guys, the fresher the restoration the better.  He buys a car that is rough, but honest and historically intact.  It's clear he isn't going to be satisfied with anything that isn't comparable to the collection he's already put together. He'll NEVER be satisfied with something in this condition.  It's a mentality and it's the human nature of someone who buys cars to show them.  The guy desires what he thinks is perfection.  He's measuring it in fit, finish, beauty & reliability. 

  "History" guys are a different animal.  They desire perfection too, but their perfection is made up of differant qualities.  It's not for everyone.  Like I said before, it's bitter sweet to see.  Like I said before I sold the car... it would be so sad to see the actual interior that Lee Petty and Vicki Wood sat in thrown into a dumpster.  To remove the factory paint it ran at Daytona, no matter how shabby... would be heartbreaking.   This is opinion only, but I feel the future of the hobby will see it this way.  In 20 years or sooner it's going to be clear that even a flawed original interior is better than a perfect aftermarket one.  It will be justified by saying it was rusty and worn, but 30 years ago they were parting out solid Porsche Speedsters with fully repairable sheetmetal damage. 

   This car is in the process of being completely gutted.  Let that sink in for a second.....  Some of you will understand that and some will just dismiss it.  It will emerge as a differant car.  A reproduction of it's former self. A cartoon version with fake paint and fake lettering.  It will be stunning, perfect looking and it will be drooled over by people who frankly won't care if the car is even real or not.  It is what it is.  Mike is a nice enough guy.  He has a ton of money and that allows him to buy himself all the best toys.  The stakes get a little higher when he's taken a liking to a truley historic original car.  I'll sit back with my bucket of popcorn, buckets of cash and see how this all shakes out!

 

  When push comes to shove we get about 80 years if we're lucky.  Go spend time with your kids and grandkids.  Teach them about preservation and how important actual history is.  Make them spend time with some of the people who did these things.  These people are everywhere and they'd love to talk to your kids about thier lives. 

 

    Josh

 

 

 

 

 

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60 Imp
Posted 2020-02-13 6:27 AM (#594165 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: RE: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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Is the car in this thread the car described in this article? Steve.

https://www.allpar.com/cars/chrysler/chrysler-300-at-daytona-beach.h...







Edited by 60 Imp 2020-02-13 6:32 AM
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1960fury
Posted 2020-02-13 7:45 AM (#594167 - in reply to #594162)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Hyfire - 2020-02-13 2:46 AM

I owned this car for a few years. I crawled over and through this car more than anyone here......................  Like I said before I sold the car... it would be so sad to see the actual interior that Lee Petty and Vicki Wood sat in thrown into a dumpster.  To remove the factory paint it ran at Daytona, no matter how shabby... would be heartbreaking........   This car is in the process of being completely gutted.  Let that sink in for a second................  Some of you will understand that and some will just dismiss it.  It will emerge as a differant car.  A reproduction of it's former self. A cartoon version with fake paint and fake lettering. 


Thanks, 100% my opinion.

Some people are show people, other love the ACTUAL cars and the decade, the history behind it. You can restore over and over again, but not the REAL thing, once its gone, its gone forever.
The show people dislike the old car smell too and the car can't look clinical clean enough for them, like a new car. They would reproduce a car in China, if they could, and transfer only the VIN, just to "show"...
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Hyfire
Posted 2020-02-13 11:18 AM (#594176 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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I’m not touching the Chinese thing with a 10 foot pole, but I understand your point. I have no doubt I’m in the fringe here.

I know I’m the unibomber of this site. I know people are conditioned to see pasteurized versions of history and that’s OK. Sometimes there’s just a little more magic in touching a car that’s unrestored. Knowing it’s the real deal. All of it.

Anyway. I’m a nut. Sorry.

Otherwise, this car has a great home. Mike is a fascinating guy with a good heart. The guy will make the absolute best representation of how the car stood in 1955 and it WILL be impressive as hell. For me it will lose a little something, but for the majority who see it, it will be PERFECT. The hard decision is made. I'm looking forward to seeing the beautiful results.
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57burb
Posted 2020-02-13 11:39 AM (#594177 - in reply to #594176)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Well, you can never make everyone happy. The car was a little ratty, sure. But it was also untouched in its 65 years which is kind of amazing considering the "300 resto mania" that these cars have endured since the '80s. Personally I lean toward preservation for cars (or any item) of historical significance. But I can also see why Mike would want the car to present well. I'm sure it will be pretty AND accurate, as he's a stickler for detail. The car doesn't lose its place in history just because it gets nice paint.
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Powerflite
Posted 2020-02-13 11:46 AM (#594178 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Under that definition, I must be a "show" guy. I'm just too practical to hang onto something that could & should be much better than it currently is. And the vast majority of the public won't "get it" if you show it as it is. Even forwardlookers wouldn't know the history behind the car just from looking at it if they were uninformed. I do understand the history thing, like restoring Miss Belvedere. Kinda pointless because you end up with just another '57 Belvedere in the end. It would be a lot better to just leave it unrestored to exhibit the history of it being entombed because that's what makes it so unique. But I think this case is different because it has already been modified by unnamed previous owners who already covered up a lot of its original history. So bringing it back to it's former glory makes a lot of sense to me.
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Mike McCandless
Posted 2020-02-13 12:45 PM (#594180 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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I have significant plans for the car. Plans that will require the car to be driven. The car could idle around a show field but in NO WAY was safe to drive in any meaningful way. The 300D Norm Thatcher car hasn't been touched and won't be. It's in amazing original condition and will be kept that way for as long as I own it. Same for the Lee Smith D501. When cars are worthy of staying original and can be driven, they stay original. As far as the condition of the car. Every piece that can be salvaged from the car is being salvaged. I have proven my dedication to that type of restoration with my fathers 1965 A990 car. I built a clone that nobody knew about. I found the original car, that nobody knew was my dads. It was mostly destroyed as you can see on my website. I could have easily removed the Vin and placed it on my clone and nobody would have known. I wouldn't do that because that's lying. I won't restore the A990 that was my fathers because it's so far gone that what would be left, would be 10-20% original. That doesn't make it my dads car. For now, we do the best we can to stop the rust that is there and let it last as long as possible.

I don't take the responsibility lightly when it comes to care taking of these cars. One person is employed by me to do nothing but further the research that Josh started. There is no way I'd spend those type of resources just to chop up a piece of history. I'm the only person here who has seen this car blasted apart to see it's true condition. What things can look like under jack stands and what things look like when you truly disassemble a car are totally different.
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Hyfire
Posted 2020-02-13 3:40 PM (#594187 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Hey Mike,

Condition and what is salvageable is very subjective. I have NO doubt that the car looks like an utter mess when blasted. Most 60+ year old cars look like trash when blasted. Even cars that led easy lives look bad... and this specific car didn't live an easy life and had PLENTY of rust. Wayne can chime in, but there are several "historic" 300s that have had SO much metal replaced that they really are only half the original car or less. That's a whole other can of worms.

Restoration shops are in it for the finished product. The ends justify the means. That's a scary thought when you see how much of the original car is simply thrown away.

It's also true that this car was in no condition to safely drive. I spent many months working on that thing to make sure no harm would be done to that engine and trans when fired. I spent even more time doing prep and rebuilding to the Thatcher car. Once fired, I took the time to go over everything on the 300D to make the car as safe as a 60 year old original race care could be. With the 1955, there was no opportunity to go over everything as it was bought pretty quickly. I did get it good enough to have my 14 year old daughter drive it all over Cucamonga which was a meaningful.

When you own a historic car, the choices you make have repercussions many years down the road. Gutting an entire original car takes giant balls. Haha. Good on you for having a plan. The car will be more valuable financially after you're done with it. It will also be seen by thousands of people which is great. I'm excited to see what it looks like restored. Again, it's bitter-sweet.

Just do me one small favor... Let me know when trash pickup is at the shop so I can put on some old jeans. ;0)
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fc7_plumcrazy
Posted 2020-02-13 4:57 PM (#594188 - in reply to #594162)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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Hyfire - 2020-02-13 2:46 AM

>>> "1960fury - 2020-02-12 10:50 AM
Mike McCandless - 2020-02-12 12:44 PM It will be put back the way Vicki raced at Daytona.
You can't. Once it is "restored" the history is gone. If you replace the paint, etc it is no longer the car that Vicki raced and touched at Daytona. It just may looks that way. Too bad, today people (much too late) finally appreciate the patina and originality, yet rare, unique cars are still receive a sterile car-show restoration.>>>"

 

  I didn't plan on inserting myself this much, but the conversation is kind of headed another way. 

 

   I owned this car for a few years. I crawled over and through this car more than anyone here.   I had 3 of the top metal fabricators in Southern California personally inspect this car.  One known for his Pebble Beach work and two AMBR body fabricators.  All three said it would be work and pricey, but they could have saved almost all of the visible metal panels with the exception of the lower trunk floor & sides, lower rear fenders and rockers.  The actual rust was isolated in zones.  The damage DIDN'T come from the one week of sand and salt at Daytona, but from years of poor storage.  Before I bought the car everyone told me it was too far gone and even the frame was rusted out.  They were wrong.  The entire car was covered in RED CLAY underneath that looked like rust.  While the trunk is absolutely shot and the rear fenders have lost their lowers, the remainder of the rust was actually pretty standard 1955 prone areas.  Much of the frame and suspension were actually completely rust free and dry under the caked on clay.  Many spots still had factory markings and looked exceptionally dry once I removed 45+ years of layers of caked on clay.  I'd be curious to know just how much metal is being cut off the original body now, since most restorers aren't shy about cutting up original bodies.

Regarding Mike's choices, there are "show" guys and there are "history" guys.  Mike is a "show" guy.  When he says he bought it so he can do what he wants, he's 100% right.  This doesn't mean it's right for the car... but it's right for Mike.  It's his decision to make, no matter what that means to the future of the car.

   Now don't take this wrong, but a very wealthy car buyer has put together a personal collection of some of the best restored Forwardlook cars on the planet.  Almost all of them are like jewelry.  Like most "show" guys, the fresher the restoration the better.  He buys a car that is rough, but honest and historically intact.  It's clear he isn't going to be satisfied with anything that isn't comparable to the collection he's already put together. He'll NEVER be satisfied with something in this condition.  It's a mentality and it's the human nature of someone who buys cars to show them.  The guy desires what he thinks is perfection.  He's measuring it in fit, finish, beauty & reliability. 

  "History" guys are a different animal.  They desire perfection too, but their perfection is made up of differant qualities.  It's not for everyone.  Like I said before, it's bitter sweet to see.  Like I said before I sold the car... it would be so sad to see the actual interior that Lee Petty and Vicki Wood sat in thrown into a dumpster.  To remove the factory paint it ran at Daytona, no matter how shabby... would be heartbreaking.   This is opinion only, but I feel the future of the hobby will see it this way.  In 20 years or sooner it's going to be clear that even a flawed original interior is better than a perfect aftermarket one.  It will be justified by saying it was rusty and worn, but 30 years ago they were parting out solid Porsche Speedsters with fully repairable sheetmetal damage. 

   This car is in the process of being completely gutted.  Let that sink in for a second.....  Some of you will understand that and some will just dismiss it.  It will emerge as a differant car.  A reproduction of it's former self. A cartoon version with fake paint and fake lettering.  It will be stunning, perfect looking and it will be drooled over by people who frankly won't care if the car is even real or not.  It is what it is.  Mike is a nice enough guy.  He has a ton of money and that allows him to buy himself all the best toys.  The stakes get a little higher when he's taken a liking to a truley historic original car.  I'll sit back with my bucket of popcorn, buckets of cash and see how this all shakes out!

 

  When push comes to shove we get about 80 years if we're lucky.  Go spend time with your kids and grandkids.  Teach them about preservation and how important actual history is.  Make them spend time with some of the people who did these things.  These people are everywhere and they'd love to talk to your kids about thier lives. 

 

    Josh

 

 

 

 

 



well said Josh

Carsten
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1960fury
Posted 2020-02-13 5:52 PM (#594189 - in reply to #594187)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Hyfire - 2020-02-13 3:40 PM

Condition and what is salvageable is very subjective. I have NO doubt that the car looks like an utter mess when blasted. Most 60+ year old cars look like trash when blasted. Even cars that led easy lives look bad...


That is true. It is beyond me why so called car enthusiasts give their babys away, mostly to a total stranger (usually not the sensitive type of person, to say the least) with a Sandblaster to have them blasted, even though that is a VERY delicate thing.
Most people really believe, that all the holes that show after the blasting are caused by rust!
In fact you can blast a hole in a sound, or surface rusted piece of sheet metal easily and this is not rarely the case. That is another reason I hate SANDblasting.
The other I mentioned already a few days ago. Sandblasting weakens measurably parts, not so much because it takes away material, no, it increases drastically the surface area and makes metal prone to dents and bending.

Edited by 1960fury 2020-02-14 8:16 AM
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GregCon
Posted 2020-02-13 6:49 PM (#594195 - in reply to #594189)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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If you blast properly, it doesn't remove any amount of metal worth talking about. And if you're really concerned, you can soda blast which removes no metal at all.

I'm sure Mike will do this car justice. Personally, I'm glad to see someone else's money go into this sort of endeavor! It's a win-win for all. It's OK to take the 'leave it as-is' approach but there a tipping point in that argument. We're not talking about the sort of thing I see where some dope buys an original 14,000 mile Hemi Cuda and has it restored. The 300 in question, by all accounts, has its tongue hanging out. If you want to criticize anyone, aim it at the jamokes who let it get that bad 40 or 50 years ago.

Myself...I am more and more getting to where I don't like to touch any part of a car that has honest age and wear/use on it. I used to see all the faults and start planning to fix them...now I sorta realize the car wouldn't be any better if I did. But then, none of my cars are in that bad of shape.

My biggest gripe is the rage that bled over from the Chevy crowd...numbers matching and 'codes'. It amazes me to see dopes get concerned with whether a 440-6 car has its original block but they seem to take no issue with the fact that the car has only 10% of its original sheetmetal. And the morons who can't say 'it has a 383'. Instead, 'it's a Code H car'. Where's my lead pipe that I use for parting skulls....?
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Mike McCandless
Posted 2020-02-13 8:18 PM (#594199 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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To clarify, blasting was a term I was using to describe it all being disassembled, not the actual process being done to the body. There were long conversations with WhiteHall about the expectations of this car. There was no budget put on this restoration. One of the reasons I choose whitehall was not only due to the quality of their work and their familiarity with these cars, but because the shop is small. That allows quality control. There have been hours of phone calls, endless pictures sent of the car to make sure we get the details as accurate as possible. They're well aware of the level of car they're restoring. There is the unspoken factor as well. I'm relatively young in the collecting world. People know I'll be around for awhile. I'm a good client to make happy. Not that Whitehall would do anything less than a great job, but we both want this to be the start of a great relationship long term. So far, I'm very pleased.
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GregCon
Posted 2020-02-13 10:20 PM (#594205 - in reply to #594199)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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If you get unhappy with them, you can always send it down to the boys at Gas Monkey...
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2020-02-13 10:40 PM (#594206 - in reply to #594205)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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I'll be danged!  Civil discourse on the forums.

Will wonders never cease? 

 



Edited by Lancer Mike 2020-02-13 10:41 PM
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mikes2nd
Posted 2020-02-14 1:41 AM (#594210 - in reply to #594205)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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GregCon - 2020-02-13 10:20 PM If you get unhappy with them, you can always send it down to the boys at Gas Monkey...

you made me throw up in my mouth a little... those guys suck...

But yes anytime we restore rusty cars we ruin the history? Are you people dense?  how dare you paint a car sir!  How dare you repair that windshield! That broken tail light! The horror!

What NEW BRAKES? Youve ruined it.   And sorry once the original factory paint by the race team was applied the car was ruined! and then ruined again when someone painted over that!  its impossible to restore the history? Do you people actually read what you write?

No one can restore a car really?   That ruins its history...  yeah... sure...

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ToMopar
Posted 2020-02-14 3:20 AM (#594216 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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what's going on guys. Please come back on track and salute Chrysler 300 No #1
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Mike McCandless
Posted 2020-02-14 7:40 AM (#594219 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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I respect the position others have, I really do. People will have different opinions on how to preserve history. It gets weird with cars. Two people can look at the same car and see different things, all about perspective. It took both types for this car to get to this point. If Josh didn't have the passion he did with Vin 1, its back story might not have been told correctly. He spent endless hours contacting and digging through contacts to learn what he could. He passed that onto me and my researcher. We're continuing those efforts. Josh and I both respect the history, we just have different belief systems on the next steps. There is nothing wrong with that. Doesn't make him right and me wrong or vice versa. The car hobby gets killed by people who aren't open to other people's opinions. I can disagree with a thought and still respect the person. When it's done, we'll have a beautiful display for this car, with a ton of original documentation and a fascinating story that continues to unfold. I hope Vicki can hang on long enough to see the car be done. Should be looking at start of year roughly as long as we don't hit any major snags. I have something VERY special in mind for its debut, not sure we can pull it off, but we're going to try!
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1960fury
Posted 2020-02-14 8:29 AM (#594221 - in reply to #594210)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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mikes2nd - 2020-02-14 1:41 AM

But yes anytime we restore rusty cars we ruin the history? Are you people dense? 


Who said that? AGAIN, our are making things up. Is that a progressive-liberal disease? How dense are YOU, that you are constantly claiming things, that nobody said?
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mikes2nd
Posted 2020-02-14 10:46 AM (#594226 - in reply to #594221)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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Who said that?


You can't. Once it is "restored" the history is gone. If you replace the paint, etc it is no longer the car that Vicki raced and touched at Daytona. It just may looks that way.
Too bad, today people (much too late) finally appreciate the patina and originality, yet rare, unique cars are still receive a sterile car-show restoration.

 

you did snowflake

 

 

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Hyfire
Posted 2020-02-14 10:50 AM (#594227 - in reply to #594221)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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And the wheels have come off the wagon! Haha. I agree 100% Mike. I feel it’s totally important to show both paths. Restoration and preservation are both legitimate concepts. Where to apply each is the variable. Nothing wrong with agreeing to disagree. Vicki IS the key here. I hope to God she keeps on trucking! It will mean a lot to her!



Edited by Hyfire 2020-02-14 10:55 AM
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Hyfire
Posted 2020-02-14 10:53 AM (#594228 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Guys, C’mon! It’s looking like a Chevy forum in here.
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NicksGarage
Posted 2020-02-14 11:04 AM (#594229 - in reply to #594206)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Lancer Mike - 2020-02-13 7:40 PM

I'll be danged!  Civil discourse on the forums.

Will wonders never cease? 

 



Spoke too soon?
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Lancer Mike
Posted 2020-02-14 11:53 AM (#594235 - in reply to #594229)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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always do!  The points shared between Mike and Josh - and all the contributors to this thread - are really interesting.  I appreciate Josh's distillation of the issue to "history" and? versus? "show."

The history and preservation aspects of the conversation are particularly complex.  Some of my philosophical take-aways:

  • Is a car's history preserved even if it's functionality is lost?
  • Is aesthetics a legitimate part of functionality (thinking of the interior here)?
  • What is the role of maintenance in preservation?
  • If preservation or restoration focuses on a particular point in time, what is the appropriate point in time?
  • If a car is viewed as a tool or a machine, is the car more important or what people have done with the car - i.e. the miles it has driven?

We all deal with these issues for our own cars.  Only the owners can decide these things and try to move their ideas forward.

Josh mentioned that he removed clay from the frame.  Well done!  Even that action preserves, restores, or shows a different point in time.

All this is reminiscent of Miss Belevedere and somewhat fun and appropriate for the birthday of the Beautiful Brute.

 



Edited by Lancer Mike 2020-02-14 12:24 PM
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56D500boy
Posted 2020-02-14 12:27 PM (#594237 - in reply to #594227)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Hyfire - 2020-02-14 7:50 AM Vicki IS the key here. I hope to God she keeps on trucking! It will mean a lot to her!


Agree. Get going there Mike. She's not getting any younger.





REFERENCE: https://www.motorcities.org/story-of-the-week/2019/vicki-wood-was-a-...

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frwl
Posted 2020-02-14 3:27 PM (#594258 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: RE: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today


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(LeePetty_1001.JPG)



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Attachments LeePetty_1001.JPG (92KB - 232 downloads)
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1960fury
Posted 2020-02-14 4:32 PM (#594269 - in reply to #594226)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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mikes2nd - 2020-02-14 10:46 AM

Who said that?


You can't. Once it is "restored" the history is gone. If you replace the paint, etc it is no longer the car that Vicki raced and touched at Daytona. It just may looks that way.
Too bad, today people (much too late) finally appreciate the patina and originality, yet rare, unique cars are still receive a sterile car-show restoration.

 

you did snowflake

 

 



You are a drama queen. The subject was this particular car, that looked nice in the pictures. I'm restoring these cars for decades, cars that really need it,
started probably long before you could spell Forwardlook.

You posted "any time" (every car) and nobody said that. Clear for everyone to see.

My little progressive liberal friend, I caught you lying again, and again I have to ask you to stop it, it is pretty senseless anyway, since I quoted your BS.
And please stop beeing the progressive liberal drama queen. You are annoying.

Edited by 1960fury 2020-02-14 4:35 PM
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Hyfire
Posted 2020-02-14 4:40 PM (#594272 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Just don't let Vicki drive it Mike! Haha. That would be a 10 out of 10 on the pucker scale for you.


Lancer Mike... I think everyone agrees that a car must be functional. No matter if it's restored or "preserved". It should also be roadworthy and safe enough to drive and get around the block a few times and then back to the garage. Service parts keep the car healthy, so they should be maintained, but done so with an eye on looking as original as possible.


Josh
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ram300
Posted 2020-02-15 10:43 PM (#594341 - in reply to #594272)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Reading this thread, I'm just glad to see some passion and debate coming back into these cars, which ever side of the fence you sit on, restore or preserve.

I take my hat off to both Josh and Mike for getting this historic car out there for us all to enjoy, it is certainly a very special car. I have to admit I was very sad to hear that Josh had sold it, but then very glad that it went to Mike who has the resources and know-how to restore it to perfection.

Two things to stir this pot even further

1/ I've fully restored the lowest mileage 300C known to exist. No regrets,no going back.

2/ The first 300 is in my barn in largely original condition with no plans to restore.



He,he,he

Owen
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Hyfire
Posted 2020-02-16 3:14 AM (#594357 - in reply to #594341)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Agreed Owen! What we lack in passion we make up for in debate.


Josh
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ram300
Posted 2020-02-16 2:47 PM (#594375 - in reply to #594357)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Yes so much to debate, when was the first 300 actually built......or when did the first production Chrysler hit the magic 300HP........or when did Chrysler first install dual 4 induction or......

Hint : it is NOT a FWDLK.

Whoops wrong forum...... sorry.

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59finnedwarrior
Posted 2020-04-28 1:26 PM (#597466 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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hi Owen,
Could you PM me? I have some questions about your 300C.
thanks,
Jerry
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StillOutThere
Posted 2020-05-16 10:39 AM (#598355 - in reply to #594043)
Subject: Re: Happy Bday to the Chrysler 300, Vin 1 was built today



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Owen, I know, I know! And you know it and walk past it every day. Forgotten, totally unappreciated, documented survivor car. Factory built race car probably exceeding 300 HP and AWESOME.
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