Re: IML: I need opinions

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

http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1960/Blomberg/Page01.htm

----- Original Message -----

From: JosephStil@xxxxxxx

To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Sent: Saturday, September 25, 2004 8:20 AM

Subject: IML: I need opinions

Afternoon all:

I recently bought a 1961 4D Crown Southampton. (you know, there are times when I think this is like group therapy: "hi, my name is Joe. I own an Imperial." group response: "Hi Joe!" heheheh). Nuthin' like a 12-step program to get one through the day....

I have a bunch of work to do to make The Big Red Sled drivable. This work includes fuel system repair(rebuild the carburetor, replace the fuel pump, boil & reseal the gas tank), repair the braking system, repair the power steering (the aftermarket A/C compressor was mounted over the P/S pump in such close proximity that the pump reservoir cap cannot be removed so it is likely dry), and figure out why "R"everse doesn't work.

Not to mention repairing the seat upholstery and a paint job (solid body, very small bubble-type rust at the rear quarter panels).

My brother-in-law is a former body shop guy and he is suggesting that I just off-frame restore it right now (sort of hard to do with the front end of a '61 but you get the idea). Get it started and get it over with (about 2 years). My goal initially was to get it drivable (SAFELY) and then work on the pieces of the puzzle that require attention (paint & body, interior upholstery, etc.). I sure would love to drive the car sooner rather than later even if she is rough around the edges (safe to drive however) but I can also see the value in doing it all at once.

Let me know your thoughts or opinions on the topic. I would especially like to hear from those of you who have gone the off-frame restoration route.

I look forward to hearing from y'all.

Joe

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