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 '56 Belvedere ConvertibleJump to page : 1 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 purchased this '56 Belvedere from John at BigM. He got it from Richard Main's Plymouth Ranch. This is my first and only convertible. Hopefully I can figure out how to restore the top mechanism on it. It needs rust repair, as most convertibles do. I haven't decided on what motor I am going to use in this car. It still has it's original 277 in there, but I am thinking of transplanting either a 354 hemi or 315 hemi into it, but I might keep it stock too. I haven't decided yet. Power brakes, manual steering, manual windows. No bumper wings, dual rear antennae, dash clock, or Hollywood wheel like my pink Belvedere or Furys. It looks to have had a stick shift column swapped into it so I'll be looking for an automatic replacement. The dash & pedal were made for an automatic. Looks like the original colors on it were Turquoise Blue & White. Kind of boring because many people like to copy that color combo. I'm thinking of transforming it to Powder Blue & Charcoal, but have a lot of time to make up my mind on it. Edited by Powerflite 2022-11-01 6:38 PM (56 BelVert As Bought.jpg) (56 BelVert Top.jpg) (56 BelVert Dash.jpg) (56 BelVert Engine.jpg) Attachments ----------------  56 BelVert As Bought.jpg (182KB - 53 downloads) 56 BelVert Top.jpg (176KB - 54 downloads) 56 BelVert Dash.jpg (168KB - 50 downloads) 56 BelVert Engine.jpg (149KB - 49 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | It looks like Richard Main restored the air cleaner at one point because it doesn't have it's original sticker on it and it's too clean looking with the wrong shade of yellow - a little too much green in it. The body tag says 309-7031. Looks like it was built in Detroit. (56 BelVert Body Tag.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 BelVert Body Tag.jpg (175KB - 51 downloads) | ||
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| ronbo97 |
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Expert Posts: 4000 Location: Connecticut | |||
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| 22mafeja |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 583  Location: Finland | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Thanks Ralf & Ron. I agree that Canary Yellow & Charcoal would look great, and that's another possibility I am considering. I believe the top frame is complete, as far as I can tell. I'll try extending it after I oil the joints, and check it out. I don't see any rust on the top frame yet, but I haven't checked it out thoroughly yet. There is more rust in the trunk, and at some of the body mounts to the frame that are going to need attention. But honestly, this one is only a little worse than my pink/black Belvedere, and I'm nearly 1/2 way done with the rust repair on that one. Some of the other parts included were a left front fender cap repair section, an extra left fender, lower hood trim, a pair of Fury door panels, but missing the upper trim on them, 3 extra push button dashes, 1 extra manual trans dash, 4 left and 4 right side rear quarter repair panels. Those repair panels are going to come in handy! Richard must have used this car to store these things in before getting rid of it. (56 BelVert Right Quarter Rust.jpg) (56 BelVert Trunk.jpg) (56 BelVert Parts.jpg) (56 BelVert Extras.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 BelVert Right Quarter Rust.jpg (112KB - 53 downloads) 56 BelVert Trunk.jpg (135KB - 53 downloads) 56 BelVert Parts.jpg (205KB - 48 downloads) 56 BelVert Extras.jpg (193KB - 51 downloads) | ||
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| 57burb |
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Expert Posts: 3962  Location: DFW, TX | Good to see it has all the hard-to-find convertible parts! Even the trunk hinges are convertible-specific. Since we're just daydreaming here, the '55 Plymouth had a great color called "Pompano Peach" which is kind of an orangey coral. I've seen this color used a few times and really like it. Would look great set off against charcoal gray or as the '55 brochure shows, black. Great score. You have a full time job restoring these old Mopars!  (1955 Plymouth Prestige-08-09-2.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1955 Plymouth Prestige-08-09-2.jpg (178KB - 53 downloads) | ||
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| ronbo97 |
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Expert Posts: 4000 Location: Connecticut | |||
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| Lancer Mike |
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Location: The Mile High City | That's a great year and body style, Nathan! Good luck with the restoration. Put in your SMS order now though
Edited by Lancer Mike 2022-11-02 8:37 PM | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Pompano Peach would look great. The color swatch I have from the '55 Plymouth book is a lighter color than that though - more like the front of the car, and less like the back end in your picture. This picture shows it as a lighter shade too. But still a great looking color. Unfortunately, my wife hates oranges, so it will be an uphill climb to talk her into it. Ron, I think the repair panels are the older Schott style because they aren't the thin gauge crap available today. I won't need to use the whole panel, I just need metal with the right curve on them. If the curve is right, and the gauge is correct, I can use them. We'll see. Rust free parts cars often don't have this section rust free - especially in front of the rear wheel. It's a problem area that even my Savoy has issues with. So for sure, I will need to be able to make these work, or make my own from scratch, or from a roof or trunk section that has the right curves on it. I'm not too worried about it, because I've done it many times already now. (55Belvedere Pompano Peach.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 55Belvedere Pompano Peach.jpg (46KB - 52 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Mike, you aren't kidding about SMS. That's why I need to quickly decide on a color scheme and get stuff ordered. Flipping through my color book, I found that I actually really like the combo of turquoise and black. I realized that I haven't really seen any cars painted like that - just one convertible with turquoise & midnight blue. Then I found from my book, that wasn't a standard 2-tone scheme for some reason. I was also surprised to realize that the color Turquoise was only available on the Belvedere line. Keeping the main body color stock seems like a more likeable option now with the black 2-tone in the mix. Though, I wouldn't use the blue fabric that they would have used. Turquoise and blue don't mix very well IMO. I think I would use turquoise vinyl with the black Aztec fabric instead. That would match the black in the body color too, and keep the blue color out of the fabric. Edited by Powerflite 2022-11-03 5:49 PM (1956 Plymouth Turquoise and Black Combo.jpg) (56 Plymouth Color Application Chart.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1956 Plymouth Turquoise and Black Combo.jpg (136KB - 50 downloads) 56 Plymouth Color Application Chart.jpg (210KB - 48 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | I got the top up and in place, but it looks like the latch is stuck. I don't want to push it as I am sure these things are unobtainable to replace. Does anyone know how this mechanism comes apart? Otherwise, I will just start looking for hardware to remove. Also I see these large holes at the top of the header. What is their purpose? I assume that this is how water gets into them and rusts them out? Is there a good reason not to plug them up? (56 BelVert Top Header.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 BelVert Top Header.jpg (125KB - 51 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9539 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . Nathan: I just emailed you a 750 kB (or so) pdf regarding rehabbing a 56 Chevy convertible mechanism. It might have some ideas that you can translate to your 56 Plymouth. As for those holes in the header, I think they are likely there to provide access to adjusting the outer locking cams that are engaged by the lever and rods inside the header. The lever is likely pot metal so it will be weak (maybe it is forged steel - that would be good - but who knows). Per E. in Sweden might. (55-56MoparConvertibleTopMechanism.jpg) (PersRestored56DodgeGoldenLancerWithNonOriginalButBeautifulInterior.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 55-56MoparConvertibleTopMechanism.jpg (161KB - 50 downloads) PersRestored56DodgeGoldenLancerWithNonOriginalButBeautifulInterior.jpg (170KB - 50 downloads) | ||
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| 22mafeja |
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Extreme Veteran Posts: 583 Location: Finland | |||
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| swed57 |
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| Here are some pictures of the mechanism. Not that complicated at all. I would think it's the outer hooks that are stuck. But if you take the cover off and release the struts to them, it is certainly possible to get them started with a little oil. Nice project (11.jpg) (22.jpg) (33.jpg) (44.jpg) (55.jpg) (66.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 11.jpg (175KB - 50 downloads) 22.jpg (182KB - 51 downloads) 33.jpg (137KB - 53 downloads) 44.jpg (134KB - 51 downloads) 55.jpg (132KB - 50 downloads) 66.jpg (68KB - 49 downloads) | |||
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| swed57 |
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| 57DODGECONV |
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Elite Veteran Posts: 849 | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Wow, thanks for the great pictures Per! That's more than I was hoping for. Makes it clear what I need to do. And thanks David. I'll be sure to check out that flick. I love watching old movies with our cars running around in them. After opening the top panel, I found a mud daubber's nest that had clogged up the mechanism. I took it out and cleaned all the mud out of it, then oiled it up. I also oiled up the latches on the sides through the large holes (thanks Dave, I think you are right about what purpose those are there for). Now the mechanism works smoothly and I can latch the top down. Nice!  Edited by Powerflite 2022-11-05 12:41 PM | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Having the top up serves an important purpose - it supports the tarp that keeps the water out. The first sprinkle of rain it saw with the top down, caused a collection of water in the center of the tarp that caused it to sag in the middle. It wasn't much water so it didn't fail, but it wasn't good. The top now supports the tarp and keeps the water from collecting as much. There is one section in the front that has a small puddle in it that I may need to put a board across for the future, but it isn't bad. I have 2 tarps on it now. The 1st one is good, and the 2nd one is bad and serves to take the brunt of the UV exposure to help protect the good one under it. I also found some poor quality rear bumper guards to put on the car, and a right side bumper wing. It isn't really mounted on there yet, and I need to paint the inside of it before doing that. Anyone know where I could score a left or a full set?  Edited by Powerflite 2022-11-07 1:42 PM (56 BelVert Rain Top.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 BelVert Rain Top.jpg (190KB - 46 downloads) | ||
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| old mopar guy |
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Expert Posts: 1508 Location: new york | Great cars ! Well worth the effort! I have mine 41 Years! Still love every moment behind the wheel! (phpL8jetqPM.jpg) Attachments ---------------- phpL8jetqPM.jpg (78KB - 44 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | You have a great looking car Victor! I love how your white, what looks like a hollywood, wheel matches the color scheme. My car was originally the same colors. They could have been twins. Did yours come with the blue fabric & blue dash or all-vinyl? | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | I'm hoping this top switch is the last convertible specific assembly that I am lacking on this car. I had purchased the chrome knob for it before I even thought of buying a convertible. The price was too cheap to pass it up. I never expected that I would end up needing it for myself. Unfortunately, I had to pay good money for the NOS switch though. Now I need to get the dimensions of the mounting bracket and make one, as I know that I am unlikely to stumble across a lone top switch bracket. I'm also missing the circuit breaker for this. But I am assuming that it's the same as the ones found on the '57 Chrysler, which I have spares of. (56 BelVert Top Switch.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 BelVert Top Switch.jpg (132KB - 44 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9539 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . I looked for an image of the 55-56 Plymouth convertible top switch and/or bracket in the 55-56 Plymouth FSM and the 55 and 56 MTSC training videos at MyMopar and came up dry. *BUT* I remembered that I have an image of a 56 Dodge Factory Air Conditioning switch (see below). I would imagine that the convertible top switch bracket would be similar. I further imagine that you definitely have the skills to make a bracket out of 1/8" think aluminum or an 16 gauge stainless sheet. (56DodgeAirConditioningSwitchOnOEBracket.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56DodgeAirConditioningSwitchOnOEBracket.jpg (154KB - 46 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9539 Location: Lower Mainland BC | Powerflite - 2022-11-18 9:17 AM Yep, that's the same bracket that they used. The purpose of the large knob was to cover up the "OFF COLD - COOL" lettering on it. There is actually a 56 Dodge convertible top switch bracket in Section 23-58-540, listed as PN 1641 748 "BRACKET and STUD, Folding Top Lift Switch Mounting" I presume that it has just one stud and only one hole need be drilled in the bottom of the metal dash to mount it. | ||
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| jboymechanic |
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Expert Posts: 2186 Location: Muskego, WI | |||
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| frwl |
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Expert Posts: 1741 | . (1956 Plymouth Single Tone Paint Codes.jpg) (1956 Plymouth Two Tones Paint Codes.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 1956 Plymouth Single Tone Paint Codes.jpg (32KB - 44 downloads) 1956 Plymouth Two Tones Paint Codes.jpg (101KB - 44 downloads) | ||
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| old mopar guy |
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Expert Posts: 1508 Location: new york | |||
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| old mopar guy |
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Expert Posts: 1508 Location: new york | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| '55-3Hemi |
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Regular Posts: 73 Location: VIrginia | Hi, I have the power top switch bracket currently off my 1955 dodge convertible. I would think it is the same bracket as your car, perhaps someone on this site could check the part numbers. I'll be happy to show a photo and make some measurements if you need. Also have the 50 amp curcuit breaker & mount bracket should you need a photo of them as well. I am trying to find replacement nuts, bolts, washers, etc to rebuild my convertible top frame and need some missing parts.
Robert (20220613_124347.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 20220613_124347.jpg (107KB - 45 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| '55-3Hemi |
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Regular Posts: 73 Location: VIrginia | Happy Thanksgiving, Here are some pictures and a sketch of the convertible top switch brackets
I also have a link below for a 1955 Dodge Convertible parts car on Ebay that might have a top switch bracket (Highlight link below then right click Gotohttps:www.ebay.com/itm/2341611128327) https://www.ebay.com/itm/234161112832?
Edited by '55-3Hemi 2022-11-26 1:00 PM (01-20221125_070147.jpg) (02-20221125_070209.jpg) (04-20221125_070231.jpg) (05-20221125_070242.jpg) (07-20221125_070418.jpg) (08-20221125_070434.jpg) (09-20221125_070803.jpg) (10-20221125_070824.jpg) (12-20221125_071042.jpg) (14-20221125_071456.jpg) (15-20221125_071602.jpg) (16-20221125_071625.jpg) (17-20221125_071629.jpg) (18-20221125_071648.jpg) (19-20221125_071809.jpg) (20-20221125_071843.jpg) (22-20221125_072122.jpg) (23-20221125_072237.jpg) (24-20221125_072301.jpg) (25-20221125_072322.jpg) (26-20221125_081228.jpg) (27-20221125_081244.jpg) (28-20221125_081250.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 01-20221125_070147.jpg (38KB - 42 downloads) 02-20221125_070209.jpg (39KB - 42 downloads) 04-20221125_070231.jpg (34KB - 45 downloads) 05-20221125_070242.jpg (32KB - 41 downloads) 07-20221125_070418.jpg (30KB - 45 downloads) 08-20221125_070434.jpg (35KB - 43 downloads) 09-20221125_070803.jpg (43KB - 38 downloads) 10-20221125_070824.jpg (28KB - 41 downloads) 12-20221125_071042.jpg (39KB - 41 downloads) 14-20221125_071456.jpg (39KB - 39 downloads) 15-20221125_071602.jpg (47KB - 40 downloads) 16-20221125_071625.jpg (44KB - 37 downloads) 17-20221125_071629.jpg (45KB - 36 downloads) 18-20221125_071648.jpg (52KB - 37 downloads) 19-20221125_071809.jpg (48KB - 38 downloads) 20-20221125_071843.jpg (49KB - 39 downloads) 22-20221125_072122.jpg (68KB - 39 downloads) 23-20221125_072237.jpg (35KB - 35 downloads) 24-20221125_072301.jpg (39KB - 37 downloads) 25-20221125_072322.jpg (45KB - 37 downloads) 26-20221125_081228.jpg (38KB - 37 downloads) 27-20221125_081244.jpg (42KB - 38 downloads) 28-20221125_081250.jpg (33KB - 37 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Thanks a lot for the pictures and dimensions! I think that the Dodge mounts it differently than the Plymouth. I believe that on the Plymouth, it mounts directly to the dash, without using an extra bracket, using those 2 screws shown on my picture. The left 2 large holes, of 3 total, on the bottom are used by the missing emergency brake. The third large hole to the right, just mounts the bracket from the pedal setup. I have no idea what the two little holes are for at the far left of the under-dash. Anyway, it seems that the 2 screws there are for the top switch, and those screw holes are located on all the other Plymouth dashes too, though unused. Thanks for the link to the parts car! I sent him a message asking him about it. Edited by Powerflite 2022-11-26 2:50 PM (56 Belvert Under Dash.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 Belvert Under Dash.jpg (169KB - 40 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9539 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . Link https://www.ebay.com/itm/234161112832 0 | ||
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| '55-3Hemi |
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Regular Posts: 73 Location: VIrginia | |||
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| swed57 |
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| Forward look owners club The Flock (Screenshot_20221130_191000_Facebook.jpg) Attachments ---------------- Screenshot_20221130_191000_Facebook.jpg (373KB - 38 downloads) | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Since I am new to convertibles, some instructions come in handy from the '56 Chrysler owner's manual. Looks like the bezel on the Chrysler sits flush on the dashboard. (56 Chrysler Convertible Top Manual.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 Chrysler Convertible Top Manual.jpg (144KB - 34 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | The confusing Cold Cool label on the bezel makes more sense now with the A/C instructions. My bezel is from a '55 Belvedere and doesn't say this, but says "COOLER->" instead. So the control & switch must have changed from '55 to '56. (56 Chrysler A-C Control 01.jpg) (56 Chrysler A-C Control 02.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 Chrysler A-C Control 01.jpg (134KB - 35 downloads) 56 Chrysler A-C Control 02.jpg (143KB - 30 downloads) | ||
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| 56D500boy |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9539 Location: Lower Mainland BC | . Here is another example of a convertible top power switch (from a 56 Dodge): (55-56DodgeConvertibleTopSwitch.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 55-56DodgeConvertibleTopSwitch.jpg (141KB - 25 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | Yep, showing the extra bracket required to mount it to the dash. And the '56 Belvedere convertible that's for sale shows it without the bracket, and closer to the steering column. (56 Belvedere Convertible Top Switch.jpg) Attachments ---------------- 56 Belvedere Convertible Top Switch.jpg (83KB - 22 downloads) | ||
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| Powerflite |
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Expert 5K+ Posts: 9430 Location: So. Cal | |||
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| mikes2nd |
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Expert Posts: 4955 | your are a mad man no bumper wigs?? cmon those look good | ||
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