1962 Chrysler 300 Convertible. 1/1, Basically Done!

[Roadrunner]

That firewall actually looks pretty good to me.

[1972coronet]

Are you going to convert that bad boy to a 4-speed ? 

[David G.]

Excellent work so far!

David G.

[StevenGuthmiller]

That firewall actually looks pretty good to me.

I won't be doing much for mods to the firewall.

I ground off the master cylinder to be replaced, but it's pretty well fused into place, so I'm not going to risk breaking the cowl trying to remove it.

It might be a bit of a challenge doing the detail painting on it while still glued in place.

 

Steve

[mustang1989]

That's a good lookin' project right there!

[Ron Hamilton]

 

Steve,

I just can't get over the improvements you are making to the old girl. As a kid, I have never seen an early '60's Chrysler 300 in person, but I have since seen them as an adult, going to the various Carlisle and Hershey shows. The reason that I love this one, is that back in '62, my dad had a 1962 Olds Starfire Convertible, and this build brings back memories of that car. I remember in the heat of the hottest summer day, my dad would leave the top up, drop the side windows, and lower the rear plastic glass. That gave the car a different look, in that the car was white, with a 2 tone dark red interior, and a white convertible top. He added a set of skirts to it, which added a little length to the car, which in my opinion made the car look a little better. I have been trying to figure out how to convert a JoHan '62 Olds Super 88 4-Door hardtop into a Starfire to my satisfaction. Several years ago, I saw a R& R Resin '62 Starfire, but that thing looked so crude and incorrect in the photos, that I did not bother with it.

I have a  question concerning your build.

Are you going to do it as a letter car, or a 300 sport?

If you are doing a 300H as I plan to do, there is a nice car listed on Hemmings.

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/chrysler/300h/1804505.html

 

While the Festival Red car looks great, I am going with a different exterior color on mine, either Embassy Red (Dark Red), Cordovan Poly (Dark Brown), or Moonlight Blue Poly (Dark Blue Metallic).

Judging from the color combinations you have chosen in the past on your builds, anything you put on the car will look great!!!!

I cannot wait for the next installment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Mike Chernecki]

Looking good!

Growing up we had a 1962 Chrysler Windsor in Coral Grey (Lt Pink) with a Rose Pink interior, beautiful color combination. We had 2 more over the years; one in Sapphire Blue (wasn't crazy about that color) and another in Black w/ red interior (very nice color combo).

[StevenGuthmiller]

A little more accomplished on this project.

First, a rear package shelf had to be configured, because as you can tell from the original post, the original one wasn't going to cut it.

So I scrounged through the parts box & came up with an old '62 Ford convertible interior tub.

I picked it because obviously, it has a "well" in the center.

So I cut the rear shelf from it & found that it needed extending on either end.

So I cut pieces from the original shelf & added them to the ends.

Next a little quick filler, some sanding & a coat of tan paint.

Then I wrapped it with some of the wife's nylon material.

Probably not the most accurate material for a convertible, but it will add some texture & look better than painted plastic.

I'm not even sure that I will need to paint the nylon.

The color looks pretty close to what the interior will be.

I also had to try to remove the molded in heater hose detail on the firewall.

Not an easy task with the firewall glued in place!

But I think it will do.

 

Steve

 

 

 

[Mopar - D]

Steven nice save on this 62 Chrysler 300H. Looking forward to see this finished. 

[John Goschke]

Excellent work, Steven!

[charlie8575]

Steven, I will be following this restoration, when I deglue I use mineral spirits, doesn't hurt plastic, but softens & loosens the glue. Have fun...Al

Thanks for the tip, Al. Do you brush it on or use a syringe bottle? And how long do you let it sit?

 

Charlie Larkin

[charlie8575]

Also, thanks for posting the close-ups of the correct original interior. The USA Oldies 1970s reissue used an interior that was sourced from the '65 300 promo:

Interesting.

I wonder if The Modelhaus' '62 interior is correct? Might add that to my order.

Charlie Larkin

[StevenGuthmiller]

Interesting.

I wonder if The Modelhaus' '62 interior is correct? Might add that to my order.

Charlie Larkin

I checked the Modelhaus website Charlie, & the only interior parts listed are the dash & steering wheel.

There are 2 full '62 Chrysler kits listed, but they are not the 300.

They have a New Yorker station wagon, & a Newport 4 door Sedan.

 

Steve

[StevenGuthmiller]

Got the first couple of coats of primer on.

All of the body work looks good as far as I can tell, so now a few coats of white primer & I'll be ready for the Duplicolor "Bright Red".

 

Steve

 

[ChrisBcritter]

Charlie, you might want to contact them directly just in case; see if they still have the mold for it to make one last run (I could use two of them if they do). Can't hurt to ask, especially now.

[peekay]

Really like what you've done so far and it's looking nice and smooth in primer.

[thatz4u]

Thanks for the tip, Al. Do you brush it on or use a syringe bottle? And how long do you let it sit?

 

Charlie Larkin

Charlie, I use a small  brush, test pry with toothpick, reapply as needed, try on old body or parts first...Al

[Roadrunner]

Looking mighty nice, Steve.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Color is on & ready for clear coats.

Nothing earth shattering.

Just plain old bright red.

I did have to strip & redo the hood after absent mindedly breaking one of my cardinal rules & not getting enough material trimmed from the edges of the hood to allow for paint thickness.

I was obvious after a couple coats of color that the hood would not close correctly once all of the clear coats were applied.

Not a major deal.

 

Steve

 

[slusher]

I like the color choice Steve..

[charlie8575]

That big, bold car in a big, bold color.

Cool.

Charlie Larkin

[thatz4u]

I don't usually care for the color red, this Chrysler looks great with the choice....Al

[StevenGuthmiller]

After a couple of coats of Duplicolor rattle can clear, a good sanding, & then a coat of Duplicolor "Paint Shop" clear.

 

Steve

 

[David G.]

Coming along quite nicely, great color choice.

David G.

[Bob Ellis]

How about the Revell 1962 Newport, anybody like that one?