Team-BHP > Vintage Cars & Classics in India > Post-War


Reply
  Search this Thread
123,009 views
Old 2nd March 2014, 21:09   #61
Senior - BHPian
 
JayD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cochin! At last
Posts: 3,236
Thanked: 2,567 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

In one of our scrapyard trips, we chanced upon a set of Engine mounts, which come on the gearbox side of the block.

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20131106_150443.jpg

They were in original packing, and the rubber was intact!

In the same place, we also chanced upon a brand new Counter gear for the 3 speed box.

I have picked up the same, even though my gearbox was in good shape. If any Bhp-ians need it for their Dodge/Plymouth/Desoto, can PM me. This is a vital part for most cars which were dieselized.


My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20140228_0941060001.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20140228_094125001.jpg



The old rubber beadings on the front and rear windshield were hard and rotten. We procured a set of so called 'original beadings' from a parts supplier in india, and they turned out to be duds.

The moment it was kept on the car, it started cracking.

It was then decided to import an original set, because if we use some local beadings, it would be impossible to attach the several beautiful chrome trim pieces on to it.

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20120710_145800.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20120710_145812.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20121212_222642.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20121212_222752.jpg

Last edited by JayD : 2nd March 2014 at 21:10.
JayD is online now   (14) Thanks
Old 2nd March 2014, 21:32   #62
Senior - BHPian
 
JayD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cochin! At last
Posts: 3,236
Thanked: 2,567 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

The car was painted, with only final cutting pending. We now started to set the interiors.

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img_9521.jpg


Soon the completely restored and painted dashboard, with all the original meters refurbished, was put in. Along with the front and rear seats. The ashtray in the rear of the front seat too was put back in. Carpets were kept for later.

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20130521_173847.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20130521_173913.jpg


An interesting part in this car was the rear boot support.

There are no metal rods or springs to lift and hold up the boot door in place. Instead it uses a system of 2 torsion rods which twist when the boot lid is opened.

That system was again damaged in our car. The easier option would have been to move to a rod system, but instead we decided to go the original route and make the torsion beams ourselves.

The specs were matched by my in house tinker and the system works beautifully.

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img20140302wa0051.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img20140302wa0050.jpg

A rear shot of the partially assembled car. Note the freshly installed roofliner poking out of the rear window.

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img_9511.jpg

Last edited by FlyingSpur : 3rd March 2014 at 09:17. Reason: As requested
JayD is online now   (29) Thanks
Old 2nd March 2014, 22:09   #63
Senior - BHPian
 
ad3952n's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Noida (U.P)
Posts: 1,579
Thanked: 1,875 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

Dear JayD, Congrats for restoring a classic so nicely. Your efforts and the dedication of your team has made this car relive it's glorious past. I have always been interested in restoring and external modification jobs and I really like the way your car has shaped up. Very neat and precise job done.

Thanks

AD
ad3952n is offline  
Old 3rd March 2014, 07:33   #64
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

Really a great job JayD. Your father's and your commitment to restore this car deserve some rich praise. The scale of work has made you guys work harder to achieve the goal of bring back as close to originality as possible.

Super super effort.

Cheers

KPS
KPS is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 3rd March 2014, 10:53   #65
BHPian
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Sydney/Cochin
Posts: 290
Thanked: 169 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

Brilliant choice of colours - The green and white makes it looks real classic, and the brown seats just adds to it! Your strictness on keeping the original, even for the boot lid opener is commendable!
Joe M is offline  
Old 3rd March 2014, 11:34   #66
BHPian
 
unni246's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2013
Location: KA-53 / KL-08
Posts: 186
Thanked: 152 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

Great outcome JayD!
Its come up wonderful finally, worth all your Efforts

I do have couple of queries as well..
The tail lights look a bit dull, as the body got colored up.
Will they be freshened up as well?
I could see the Gear box missing on the Platform. Is this yet to be fixed or does the car have a steering column mounted one?
unni246 is online now  
Old 3rd March 2014, 11:56   #67
Senior - BHPian
 
JayD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cochin! At last
Posts: 3,236
Thanked: 2,567 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

Quote:
Originally Posted by ad3952n View Post
Dear JayD, Congrats for restoring a classic so nicely. Your efforts and the dedication of your team has made this car relive it's glorious past. I have always been interested in restoring and external modification jobs and I really like the way your car has shaped up. Very neat and precise job done.

Thanks

AD
Thank you!

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
Really a great job JayD. Your father's and your commitment to restore this car deserve some rich praise. The scale of work has made you guys work harder to achieve the goal of bring back as close to originality as possible.

Super super effort.

Cheers

KPS
Thanks a ton sir! Im sure you will like the final outcome too!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe M View Post
Brilliant choice of colours - The green and white makes it looks real classic, and the brown seats just adds to it! Your strictness on keeping the original, even for the boot lid opener is commendable!
Thank you!The car was originally green, hence decided to keep the same, but with a slight custom twist.

Originality was the key word for this resto, and im happy to say we have achieved almost 99%. Only a few more things are pending, which will be added soon!

Quote:
Originally Posted by unni246 View Post
Great outcome JayD!
Its come up wonderful finally, worth all your Efforts

I do have couple of queries as well..
The tail lights look a bit dull, as the body got colored up.
Will they be freshened up as well?
I could see the Gear box missing on the Platform. Is this yet to be fixed or does the car have a steering column mounted one?
The tail lights are cleaned up, and look slightly brighter now. The lughts of the 'Low Fin' model are much harder to get, hence im using the original ones from '55.

The gear lever is column mounted.
JayD is online now  
Old 3rd March 2014, 15:43   #68
Senior - BHPian
 
JayD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cochin! At last
Posts: 3,236
Thanked: 2,567 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

The steering system in this car employs a Worm and Roller system.
The worm gear in our car was slightly damaged, which was hampering smooth operation of the steering.

During one of our trips, searching for parts, we found a new set, which was put in. The steering now feels like factory fit, and the auto center return works brilliantly.

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20130706_164812.jpg


The front Park light/indicator lenses were yellowed with age. Brand new ones were not available, so a mold was made of the original one, and new ones were made using it!

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-20140303_144440.jpg
JayD is online now   (17) Thanks
Old 3rd March 2014, 15:49   #69
Senior - BHPian
 
JayD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cochin! At last
Posts: 3,236
Thanked: 2,567 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

And we move on to the last segment of the resto.

The straight 6 motor, in all its glory. Finally in its rightful place. Under the hood of the King!

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img20140302wa0055.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img20140302wa0054.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img20140302wa0053.jpg

The original air cleaner is still pending its place in the engine bay. Hopefully will be able to add that soon.


Check out the startup and idle of the engine in the video.


Last edited by JayD : 3rd March 2014 at 15:53.
JayD is online now   (21) Thanks
Old 3rd March 2014, 16:09   #70
BHPian
 
mashmash's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 390
Thanked: 156 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

Hats off to you JayD. What a remarkable restoration. Its just amazing to see such an elegant car being brought back to life, and being brought back this way and to such detail.


MaSh
mashmash is offline  
Old 3rd March 2014, 16:12   #71
Senior - BHPian
 
JayD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cochin! At last
Posts: 3,236
Thanked: 2,567 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

The Complete strip down bodywork, paint, mechanicals, wheels, brakes, suspension and interiors have been shown till now.

Without further ado, i present to you, the labour of love- The King!


My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-p2231079.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img_20131203_120509.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img_20131203_120519.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-img_20131203_120502.jpg

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-p2231089.jpg

The pics have lost quite a bit of clarity, as i had to compress high res to meet forum rules. Ill be sharing an album with the high res shots soon.

Last edited by JayD : 3rd March 2014 at 16:14.
JayD is online now   (47) Thanks
Old 3rd March 2014, 16:15   #72
Senior - BHPian
 
JayD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cochin! At last
Posts: 3,236
Thanked: 2,567 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

The Interiors of the King! New seats, Door cards, Roofliner, fully detailed dash with all the meters restored. The carpets will probably go on next weekend!

*Again, it seems that compressing the images has caused it to go blurry at places, Ill upload the High res pics on Picasa.
Attached Thumbnails
My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-p1260801.jpg  

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-p1260809.jpg  

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-p1260819.jpg  

My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'-p1260815.jpg  


Last edited by JayD : 3rd March 2014 at 16:17.
JayD is online now   (32) Thanks
Old 3rd March 2014, 16:22   #73
Senior - BHPian
 
JayD's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Cochin! At last
Posts: 3,236
Thanked: 2,567 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

Last but not the least, This thread wont be complete without thanking My Dad, for all his support, and direct involvement in the project, trips to hunt parts, sitting up late nights, poring over the parts manual to find the right parts to order, and a whole lot more! My Mom, for not losing her cool, when her garden was partially destroyed with car stuff, and for putting up with all the noise and mess for over 2 years! Not to mention, the numerous teas and food to the entire crew!

Its been a mindblowing experience overall, and i hope you guys enjoyed reading it, as much as i enjoyed working on it and sharing with all of you!
JayD is online now   (28) Thanks
Old 3rd March 2014, 16:22   #74
BHPian
 
abishek2222's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Chennai
Posts: 355
Thanked: 166 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

A very beautiful restoration,the car looks fabulous with a very stock and original look.
Perhaps some pictures of the rear too.
abishek2222 is offline  
Old 3rd March 2014, 16:38   #75
Senior - BHPian
 
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: Namma Bengaluru
Posts: 1,311
Thanked: 2,265 Times
Re: My '55 Dodge Kingsway 'Rustoration'

Quote:
Originally Posted by JayD View Post
Last but not the least, This thread wont be complete without thanking My Dad, for all his support, and direct involvement in the project, trips to hunt parts, sitting up late nights, poring over the parts manual to find the right parts to order, and a whole lot more! My Mom, for not losing her cool, when her garden was partially destroyed with car stuff, and for putting up with all the noise and mess for over 2 years! Not to mention, the numerous teas and food to the entire crew!

Its been a mindblowing experience overall, and i hope you guys enjoyed reading it, as much as i enjoyed working on it and sharing with all of you!
Awesome bro!!Congratulations.

No words to express the respect for your entire family in getting this baby to the outside world. Mind blowing some inspirational job done here. Hats off to the team who has worked hard on this day and night.

Its party time now buddy!! Enjoy.
fusionbang is online now  
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Team-BHP.com
Proudly powered by E2E Networks