Just a note on these Crowns, if anyone needs them I could Reproduce them, including the correct silver backing, all I would need is a decent Original to work with, regards George. ----- Original Message ----- From: <mopar48291@xxxxxxx> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 7:42 AM Subject: IML: 53 and 54 ruby encrusted Crowns > When I did the major resto work on my '54 Custom Imperial, I also restored the gold/ruby crowns. They are the loveliest touch of jewelry on a black sedan and number a total of 8--four on the body and one on each wheelcover. On earlier Imperials, they are a cast crown with cloisonne ruby inlays. On the '53/54, they are a stamped metal with a red plastic insert. They can be taken apart and the metal crowns re-gilded by most any plater. The "rubies" can be cleaned up and polished as long as they are clear and haven't turned cloudy. A key to their sparkle is the silver "mirror" backing that reflects light back thru the red plastic. That silvering tends to flake off, and just painting silver paint won't give you the sparkle. I found sheets of an adhesive-backed silver mylar at a hobby shop that is shiny on the sticky side. It's easily pressed on to the back of the plastic "rubies" and looks great. > When I showed my '54 at it's first AACA meet in Dearborn, I was backing into my assigned space, when a man ran up to me and said I was in the wrong class and should go back to registration. I said, I thought I was in the right class, and he said "This is a Crown Imperial, isn't it?" That would put it into class that features other very low production, exclusive cars. "No, I said, it's but a simple Custom." "But it has all those Crowns on it........" > > Cheers, > Roger > >