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


Reply
  Search this Thread
169,639 views
Old 5th September 2014, 13:32   #61
Distinguished - BHPian
 
karlosdeville's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pune
Posts: 11,976
Thanked: 18,238 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
Thanks for the update on the trims. In our car the seat is fully blue and the front door is blue and white.
This was the original material? It is rare for it to have survived (door pads especially). Do share some photos for records.
karlosdeville is offline  
Old 5th September 2014, 17:55   #62
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bulldogji View Post
Hi KPS,
Lovely story, kudos to your determination to find this Dodge. .......
Look forward to yet another immaculate restoration for which you are well known and appreciated.
Thank you Bulldogji. You are an inspiration to all of us. I am super excited on the Southern Trip

Quote:
Originally Posted by karlosdeville View Post
This was the original material? It is rare for it to have survived (door pads especially). Do share some photos for records.
Here we go Karl, as requested

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dsc02733.jpg

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dsc02734.jpg

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dsc02735.jpg

Cheers

KPS
KPS is offline   (10) Thanks
Old 5th September 2014, 20:43   #63
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

The plastic hood medallion was some thing I wanted badly. I noticed in most cars that attended rallies, either the existing ones were badly faded or were replaced by a metal replica. The problem is that the 1954 Hood Medallion was last year it was produced. From 1955 the hood medallion was redesigned.


You will notice that the plastic medallion was badly broken and only the metal part of the DODGE had survived
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-hood.jpg

We would regularly trawl eBay for a hood medallion. Finally after 6 months we found one and we started bidding earnestly. Everyday it was going up and when it reached $200 with 2 days left, we knew it was going to be something we had pass. We continued to watch and the bidding ended at $350+. I was resigned to fact that I too would have to work on getting a metal replica made locally.

Then as luck would have it, my uncle found another 1954 medallion, with a wrong description. Guess what, there were only a few bidders and we could get it at a reasonable price.

Here is the eBay description showing Dodge Brothers Grill Emblem
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-hood-emblem.jpg

This is how the 1954 hood medallion looks
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dscn2648.jpg

The condition shows this is unused
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dscn2649.jpg

I have placed it on my hand to give you an idea of the size
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dscn2651.jpg

Cheers

KPS
KPS is offline   (20) Thanks
Old 7th September 2014, 19:01   #64
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

The engine is 3.8L 230 cid L6, the more powerful Dodge engine

We opened the engine, the valves needed replacement
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e2.jpg

The piston was 40 over. The right option from here is to sleeve and downsize the bore. The larger the bore, the more chances the engine will heat as walls below between the bores will thin
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e1.jpg

Since we got 10 over size pistons, we sleeved the bore to this size
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e3.jpg

New valves
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e4.jpg

New main bearings
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e5.jpg

New connecting rod bearings
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e6.jpg

The assembly is progressing well
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e7.jpg

The timing chain is solid
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e8.jpg

Progress from the other side
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e9.jpg

We modified the crank case cover the move the oil drain nut down so that oil will fully drain out
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e10.jpg

"Grooving" the bore was a term which always fascinated me. Groove ensure that the connecting shafts do not contact the bore
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e11.jpg

The clutch is completely over hauled.
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e12.jpg

When the small screw is opened, at "zero degree" timing to check that the piston is at dead center
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e13.jpg

"Zero Degree" timing is indicated here by this marking
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e14.jpg

The Head
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e15.jpg

The engines is assembled and painted
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e16.jpg

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e17.jpg

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e18.jpg

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e19.jpg

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e20.jpg

Cheers

KPS

Last edited by KPS : 7th September 2014 at 19:07.
KPS is offline   (21) Thanks
Old 8th September 2014, 13:00   #65
Senior - BHPian
 
r_nairtvm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Dubai/TRV/BLR
Posts: 2,091
Thanked: 2,542 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
I would like to dedicate this thread to my dad, Prithvi Ganapathy and his ex-boss Jack William Lawrence. My Dad has always been a car and bike enthusiast.
As has been said by many before, this thread is indeed a true dedication to Mr. Prithvi Ganapathy - THE PETROLHEAD.

I had the pleasure of meeting him over the last weekend in Bangalore. The glee in his eyes, when we were talking automobiles - at his age - is really something worth watching and that alone made my day. I really wish to GOD that, if ever I reach that age, I too should have/retain the same passion exhibited by this Gentleman, when some one talks automobiles to me.

I met him at the workshop wher the Dodge is being restored. His attention to detail and the entusiasm is really great and it rubs off in no small way on his son - KPS.

The car has come out in great bodylines and is going to be a real head turner and the way the build is going on will be/can be a daily runner as well.

Best Regards & Drive safe

Ram
r_nairtvm is offline   (3) Thanks
Old 9th September 2014, 19:26   #66
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Once we opened the gear box, we found the gears were in great shape. All the parts had painted Job Card number, indicating that the gearbox had been given a major overhaul in the past. Dad remember that in 1974-75 the car had under gone a major overhaul at Addisons, Bangalore.

The gear box is fully dismantled where we changed the bearings, O Ring and Oil seal. The transmission brake was given a new shoe
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-g1.jpg

The Counter gear in great condition
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-g2.jpg

The reverse gear is seen along with the counter gear
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-g3.jpg

The gear box is fully assembled
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e21.jpg

Cheers

KPS
KPS is offline   (18) Thanks
Old 11th September 2014, 21:08   #67
BHPian
 
Twinn's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Coorg
Posts: 339
Thanked: 285 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
The engines is assembled and painted
KPS Brother! Please tell me that the Nuts and bolts are also not painted in the same color of the engine?

Really would that paint stick on to the engine? Please get the bolts and nuts electroplated or polished and it would really matter a lot of this level of restoration.
Twinn is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 12th September 2014, 22:19   #68
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by Twinn View Post
KPS Brother! Please tell me that the Nuts and bolts are also not painted in the same color of the engine?

Really would that paint stick on to the engine? Please get the bolts and nuts electroplated or polished and it would really matter a lot of this level of restoration.
Thanks Twinn for your suggestion. You must have realized by now we are old school. As way back in 1928 the Plymouth Engines were painted silver. In fact the engines were called "Silver Dome"

Quote:
The "Silver Dome" engine had 45 horsepower, more than Whippet or Ford, and allowed for speeds of 60 mph (without overdrive). Unlike the earlier Chrysler-Maxwell engine, it had full force-feed lubrication (also featured by Willys, but not Ford), a revised manifold, larger chrome-nickel intake valves, crankcase ventilation, silchrome steel exhaust valves, vibration dampening, and an oil filter and air cleaner.
Source

The paint remains on the cast iron engine

Cheers

KPS
KPS is offline   (1) Thanks
Old 13th September 2014, 15:08   #69
Distinguished - BHPian
 
Stanher's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Hyderabad, AP
Posts: 6,491
Thanked: 2,083 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post
Thanks Twinn for your suggestion. You must have realized by now we are old school. As way back in 1928 the Plymouth Engines were painted silver. In fact the engines were called "Silver Dome"
BTW KPS, is the lower manifold painted brown or in red oxide primer?
Stanher is offline  
Old 13th September 2014, 21:07   #70
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by Stanher View Post
BTW KPS, is the lower manifold painted brown or in red oxide primer?
Correct Stanher, we have just done red oxide primer.

The engine is now ready to be mounted into the car

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e22.jpg

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e23.jpg

We are got an unused carb
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e24.jpg

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-e25.jpg

Gearbox is ready to be mated to the engine
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-g4.jpg

The dash was badly affected by rain water corrosion
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dash1.jpg

The dash is repaired
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dash2.jpg

The fuel tank was in bad shape
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-ft1.jpg

In 1954, they introduced a baffle in the tank to stop fuel from leaking. Due to the position of the filler cap, which is almost parallel to the ground, fuel would spill on hard acceleration, till they put in the baffle
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-ft2.jpg

Tank is ready for paint
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-ft3.jpg

The seat had rexine but underneath we have found leather. The debate is whether we should retain leather or not. I am more inclined to rexine as it would be easy to maintain, considering the dust we have in this country.
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-seat-1.jpg


Cheers

KPS

Last edited by KPS : 13th September 2014 at 21:09.
KPS is offline   (13) Thanks
Old 14th September 2014, 06:28   #71
Newbie
 
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: Riverside
Posts: 12
Thanked: 16 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Outstanding progress on this fine old classic. As for engine paint, my guess is the factory would have painted the assembled engine block and thus all the nuts and bolts would have received the same paint. May not be the prettiest, but correct nonetheless.
wilkmanracing is offline   (2) Thanks
Old 14th September 2014, 12:31   #72
BHPian
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 386
Thanked: 793 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

IMO you should consider using leather for the seats..The rexines available here are by and large of poor quality and cracking/tear will appear in due course of time...

Last edited by car love : 14th September 2014 at 12:34.
car love is offline  
Old 14th September 2014, 14:34   #73
Senior - BHPian
 
r_nairtvm's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Dubai/TRV/BLR
Posts: 2,091
Thanked: 2,542 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by KPS View Post

The seat had rexine but underneath we have found leather. The debate is whether we should retain leather or not. I am more inclined to rexine as it would be easy to maintain, considering the dust we have in this country.
KPS, Faux Leather could be an intermediate option. I have seem some good restorations of seats using that from some other TBHPians in Bangalore. So options must be available

It would be easier that leather to maintain, I believe. The whole engine and GB has come out well in the looks department as well.

Best Regards & Drive Safe

Ram
r_nairtvm is offline  
Old 15th September 2014, 07:36   #74
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

Quote:
Originally Posted by wilkmanracing View Post
Outstanding progress on this fine old classic. ..........
Thank you for the thumbs up. We are keeping things simple

Quote:
Originally Posted by car love View Post
IMO you should consider using leather for the seats..The rexines available here are by and large of poor quality and cracking/tear will appear in due course of time...
I agree with you, but one needs to look at practicality too. We are looking to use this car regularly, hence we need to have something which has low maintenance

Quote:
Originally Posted by r_nairtvm View Post
KPS, Faux Leather could be an intermediate option. I have seem some good restorations of seats using that from some other TBHPians in Bangalore. So options must be available
Ram
Will check this out Ram. I am finding it difficult to find time, as I am traveling a bit these days

In the mean time

The panel switches were refurbished
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-ps1.jpg

Headlight, wiper, panel and ignition switch
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-ps2.jpg

The water seepage has jammed the convertible switch. The usual reaction is to buy a new one
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-ps3.jpg

The price is beyond our reach. Hence we will have to find a way to repair the existing switch
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-nos-switch.png

The meter has been refurbished too. There was a lot of water damage
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-m1.jpg

I would guess the car has done 2 Lakhs+ kms considering it was a used extensively by Jack Lawrence.
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-m2.jpg

The is best we could achieve
Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-m3.jpg

Cheers

KPS
KPS is offline   (17) Thanks
Old 17th September 2014, 20:40   #75
KPS
Distinguished - BHPian
 
KPS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Bangalore
Posts: 2,751
Thanked: 11,485 Times
Re: Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible

The leather upholstery mystery has been solved.

We found a "George Oaks" badge on the leather seat

Our Lost & Found Classic - 1954 Dodge Convertible-dscn2700.jpg

History of "George Oaks" is as below

Quote:
In 1941 George Augustine Henry Oakes established 'The Garage' in Ootacumund, Tamil Nadu which was primarily involved in selling automobile spare parts. 'The Garage' was later acquired by, Mr. W.W.Ladden who then changed the name of the Company to George Oakes Limited.

In 1945 the legendary industrialist, Mr. S. Anantharama Krishnan and his fast growing Amalgamations group acquired the Company. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Simpsons & Co. Ltd. Later that year George Oakes Limited acquired Gordon Woodroffe Motors Limited and moved its headquarters to Chennai. During this period the Company was the sole distributor of Ford cars in South India.
Source

Interesting to note that George Oaks were the sole Ford Dealers

Guess the leather seats were put locally.

Cheers

KPS
KPS is offline   (9) Thanks
Reply

Most Viewed
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

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