Gidday
Joe
I bought a
1960 LeBaron Sedan earlier this year and it was my intention at the time to
tinker with the engine and get her running. When she arrived and I saw just how
magnificent she was. I then wanted to return her to how she looked back in 1960.
I found myself in the position you appear to be in now. Should I do an
off - frame or not. I too obtained some advice from those who know just
what this entails and in the end I decided to do what I call an off -
frame restoration without taking the frame off.
To this
day I have not started the engine (and it's killing me). I have stripped all the
chrome, stainless, aluminium and alloy off her. All this will be brought back to
as new. The interior is now gutted and will be repaired/restored. The exhaust
system is now off and will be replaced. The engine is about to come out to be
stripped down and rebuilt. EVERYTHING will come off to be checked and then
repaired, replaced or restored. OK the
frame and body will not be separated however at some stage she will be lifted up
and the whole underside will be thoroughly cleaned. I will be using the Pors15
system over the whole vehicle.
I decided to
go this way mainly due to my lack of knowledge and skill not to mention the room
needed etc etc etc. I have a deadline of next September to have her completed
and so I am working towards this goal. I am having an unbelievable good time
doing this restoration and so far with the seemingly unlimited knowledge and
guys only too willing to help out with advice etc from this club all is going
well. Yes I would love to jump in her and drive down through the city but I am
looking to the day when I do this and she is like new. She is the only one in
Australia so when I present her I want her looking great. That goal keeps you
going.
I suppose
when it all boils down - get all the advice, sift through it all, weigh it up
then decide what you are going to do and get on with it. I suppose with mine
just about every nook and cranny will be gone over except where the body joins
with the frame.
Enjoy your
Imp
Larry
1960 LeBaron Sedan
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