That (restoring it) would do nothing but prove that it could be done, and turn it into just another 57 fury. How much of the car could possibly be left after a "restoration"? It needs so much stuff that, would it really be the same car or just a car assembled out of a bunch of parts with the vin tag off "Miss Belvedere" if that is even savable?
I agree,...maybe they should have restored another one,with the EXACT colours and options,and a N.O.S. can of Slitz and such and showcased them together. What was and what could have been!. It's kind of like digging up Walt Disney and letting Joan Rivers plastic surgeon, turned loose on him!!!
Joined: Wed Jun 06 2007, 04:17PM
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 211
The 'what is' and 'what might have been' scenario is the best one I've heard, and would make for a much better display than a restored Belvedere.
While it would have been great had the thing survived perfectly, the fact is it didn't, and now it's more interesting as a wrecked relic. It's like a shipwreck - that's what people like to see. When they raised the Mary Rose, they preserved it - they didn't rebuild it.
If they're just gonna restore the Plymouth, they might as well not have buried it in the first place.
Joined: Sun Feb 05 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Pa
Posts: 3064
The plan is to de-rust the car with Ultra-One and keep it from deteriorating further. The engine will come out to be dipped and de-rusted. Then they will be able to disassemble it and see what it needs to get it running (it only had 4 miles on it, so hopefully a hone is all it will need). The valve springs will need to be replaced, and the carb is a white blob. The electrical system looks like it is intact, so they want to get the lights to work. The rear framerails and quarters are very thin, so Dwight wants to strengthen them for the World tour. He mentioned something about spraying fiberglass in the quarters and getting a rear frame clip so he would have old rear springs as well. Once the doors open, the car could fold if the roof is as thin as it appears. They might need to strengthen there as well. Dwight said that the windows will roll down again. After experimenting with a gallon of his Ultra-One I believe he will succeed. The stuff is amazing! I soaked some parts including a very rusty 1914 automobile oil lamp and they all came clean with smooth surfaces and no etching! My 1925 Maxwell distributor that was frozen solid (out in the weather with no cap or rotor for possibly 50 years) now rotates and the points open and close! The trunk lid needs to be split from it's damaged structure and the old skin attached to another better base. Then it would bolt up to the hinges again. I think they want to put seat frames and springs in the interior to flesh it out.... so you can see what was there originally.
It's all a matter of preservation instead of restoration....plus it takes some of the "sad" away....and Tulsa needs that after this debacle......
<span class='smallblacktext'>[ Edited Wed Jan 30 2008, 11:54PM ]</span>
Joined: Wed Jun 06 2007, 04:17PM
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 211
I've gotta say that from what I've read from you guys who have actually been involved, it sounds as if it's actually in good hands, and will be preserved rather than restored.
I think that's a good thing, and you know - the fact that it was such a failure (as a time capsule) has made it probably more of a PR success than had it driven out of its tomb a brand new car!
Joined: Sun Feb 05 2006, 11:51PM
Location: Pa
Posts: 3064
Something like this has renewed interest in 50's Mopars.....and I think more Belvederes will be restored instead of becoming parts cars for "Christine" lookalikes.....just as the movie had done for those cars!
stitcherbob wrote ... Something like this has renewed interest in 50's Mopars.....and I think more Belvederes will be restored instead of becoming parts cars for "Christine" lookalikes.....just as the movie had done for those cars!
I hope so to for the rest of the fleet of 57-58 Plymouths. There is enough christine clones out there already. I was going to build a christine clone myself out of my 57 back in 1994 when i bought it , but vent for original only because i got the hole story of the car back to it was new and that i felt i would take away its sole if i did. And not only that, but the car was sold new in Jamestown,ND to a lady with the name Molli Anderson and she was 100% norwegian!!!! So in honor to her,i maid the car back to its former glory....
Joined: Sat Dec 10 2005, 04:28PM
Location: United States
Posts: 4954
Bob is partially right on the Frame.
The plan is to get it running and possibly get it to move under it's own steam. He is looking to replace the interior seats, door panels and the like. The trans was discussed, and is unknown. He thinks the lights are a possibility and the wiring is in tact.
The frame is bad all the way up to the firewall. the springs are gone fore and aft the axle. So it will need rear springs and a frame. They want this so it can safely be transported for the tour. I was incorrect about the front wheels turning, someone asked. They do turn, but do not roll. He's probably going to have to deal with each wheel at a time. Once all that is determined, then it's going to be decision time on the rest. He has to do something to keep it from rusting again just from the atmosphere.
The fiberglass Bob mentioned is for the rear quarters. They have to be reinforced as they are crumbling. Example is the RR 1/4 over the wheel. In the unvailing, there were no holes in that 1/4. Since then there are several small holes which have developed.
It's going to be some time before the exact direction of the car is determined. We'll be there for that.
I didn't go to Tulsa. . . I didn't really have the desire to go down there. But Butch and I were the few who said it was coming out the way it did. I never once imagined Bob and I would be actually part of her future. Kinda gives me the willies.
Tony You know? That was very well put. I hope we have more influence on it as she progresses. The general consensis is to keep her the way she is. The rightful owners want it to be a few steps better. In other words, get working what you can. Ultra One has the final say. Eather way, the car has to be stabilized for the future. I believe Ultra One is on the right idea and will keep it as original as possible. There are some things which will have to be done to her for sure.