That's right: Korean War chrome. Affected all of the Big 3, plus the
Independents. Cadillac tended to go the proper 3 step route (copper, then
nickel, then chrome), but even they were affected some.
By the way, and this is a little off subject: '54 was the last year that
Chrysler Corp had a clear advantage on overall build quality, choice of
materials, etc. over Ford and GM. Quality still was OK on the '55s and '56s.
Then, in '57...disaster. And, even though the Company has improved Q in fits
and starts, what started 45 years ago still haunts the "C" part of DCX.
My '53, though, with the possible exception of the paint (mine still is
original, is a bit orange peely; the nitocellulose GM luxury car finishes of
the era may have had an advantage, at least in looks if not durability) has
unimpeachable fits and finishes, and only the best materials, especially
inside.
Currell
>From: "kenneth leighton" <kenleighton@xxxxxxx>
>Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: IML: 1954 Crown Imperial Limo & Thoughts on a Restoration
>Date: Sun, 21 Jul 2002 07:31:33 -0700
>
>Hi,
>The chrome on the 54 Imperials was of the worst quality. They call it
>Korean chrome in the restoration business. It was right after the Korean
>war and materials were short. A lot of the NOS stuff that I have found for
>this year is covered with a clear coat from the factory to make it look
>shiny. They were starting to get away from this process by 54 but a great
>majority of the chrome on the car is die cast. I have restored one of
>these cars that was always here in California and was garaged and the
>chrome was still bad. It is very hard to find replacement pieces, just ask
>people in the club that are still trying to find good pieces. We 54 owners
>only wished that the bright trim on these cars was stainless. The grills
>are the worst and it is almost impossible to find a replacement that is
>useable. In 54 some parts like the rear door gravel shields could have
>either been stainless or die cast. The trim on a limo is pretty much the
>same amount on the outside, it is the inside that is where you can get into
>trouble.
>Ken
>
>----- Original Message -----
>From: Currell Pattie
>Sent: Saturday, July 20, 2002 7:18 PM
>To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>Subject: Re: IML: 1954 Crown Imperial Limo & Thoughts on a Restoration
>
>
>Responding to an earlier post re chroming a 54 Crown Imperial Limo:
>
>Yes, chroming is extremely expensive, but it might not be that horrible on
>this model. I own a '53 Imperial Custom, and I can thankfully report that
>there is a lot of stainless steel trim on the car.
>
>And I'm looking at a picture of a 53 Imperial limo (typical of '54) right
>now. Actually, there is not a whole lot of bright metal trim on the car,
>and
>I believe what is there is mostly stainless. True, the taillight housings
>are cast, along with the hood ornament, etc.
>
>The huge, huge expense on this car will be the grille. I am facing that one
>myself. Simple, relatively, but cast metal.
>
>I used to be in the Cadillac LaSalle Club as a national director. Try
>rechroming a '41 Cadillac sometime. Everything (virtually) is pot metal,
>starting with the 3 horizontal trim pieces per fender. The vents on the
>side
>of the hood. The grille, except for the vertical parts of the eggcrate
>part.
>
>Currell
>
>
>
>
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