Category Archives: Restoration

Cool!

Posted on June 5, 2025 by RussD

The Imperial has been running hot ever since the engine rebuild. It isn’t overheating, but running on the Interstate it goes to the top of the normal range – sometimes just a bit above. Running on back roads at slower … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment

Trunk Trials: the Bag Job

Posted on May 26, 2025 by RussD

Like most car collectors I have a cover for the car. Even in a garage dust collects on cars, so you throw a car cover over them for protection. The cover I’m using for the Imperial was originally for a … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment

Trunk Trials Continued

Posted on May 19, 2025 by RussD

A few of years ago I picked up a couple of yards of cheap indoor/outdoor carpet and (somewhat roughly) cut and fitted it to the trunk. The plan was to replace it with something better when I actually finished the … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment

Trunk Trials

Posted on May 12, 2025 by RussD

It’s with great relief that the interior is finally done! No more seats, door cards, trim, door switches, lights, or other tasks! Yeah, about that… I’ve seen some designs for custom trunks that I rather like. Basically the same kind … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment

Speaker Spacing

Posted on May 6, 2025 by RussD

Plans for a future radio upgrade included adding a pair of speakers to the package shelf behind the rear seat. Time to actually install them while the interior was apart. Turns out that there were already cutouts in the package … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration, Tips and Tricks | Leave a comment

Electrical 22: Retain that Switch!

Posted on April 28, 2025 by RussD

The power window switches on old Chryslers have a fatal weakness – the spring clips that hold them in place break easily. The window switches are inserted into the door cards. Every time the door card is removed the switch … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration, Tips and Tricks | Leave a comment

Electrical 21: New HVAC Dimmer

Posted on April 21, 2025 by RussD

I’m moderately proud of figuring out a way to use modern LED technology to replace the 60 year old electroluminescent technology in the HVAC (Heater Ventilation and Air Conditioning) controls. On the other hand, the mounting for the dimmer control … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration, Tips and Tricks | Leave a comment

Trim Trauma 2

Posted on April 14, 2025 by RussD

With the existing trim around the column between and back doors upgraded and looking good my attention turned to the rear trim pieces. Despite years of searching, I haven’t been able to find any more of the U-shaped spring trim. … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment

Trim Trauma

Posted on April 9, 2025 by RussD

A set of fabric covered U-shaped trim pieces hold trim panels to the center pillars of the car. These are in absolutely horrible shape. I’ve been looking for replacements for the last four years with no success. And I’ve been … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment

Rear Door Card Redux

Posted on April 3, 2025 by RussD

As I’ve mentioned once or twice, I seem to be a glutton for punishment. With the front doors done the difference between the front and rear doors was obvious. I actually had all of the trim pieces for the rear … Continue reading →

Posted in Restoration | Leave a comment