'57 Chrylser 300 C Highway Hifi

[electra225]

It might have a straight body and nice black paint, but the fit and finish is typical of Chrysler. Check the way the hood fits the left fender. And the piece of outer trim above the windshield. We were talking about GM stainless steel trim on another topic. Check the chintzy trim on this Chrysler. Okay, it will get scratch. Good for him. This is not a very well-done car. Lots of little things, the last 5% has been ignored. I like the looks of the DeSoto better than Chrysler in 1957.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1Cfn7CMlhk

[TC Chris]

If it showed up at my door I wouldn't turn it away.

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

I might not turn it away, but I wouldn't brag about the restoration quality, either. It is nice, but hardly outstanding. There is a difference. I showed cars too long. I see things and get picky beyond what most everybody else does. I laid under many a car with a toothbrush, dusting the rear end housing. I won a Concours D'Elegance one time due to having the spare tire inflated properly.

[TC Chris]

I won a Concours D'Elegance one time due to having the spare tire inflated properly.

I should check to see if my Chevy's spare tire will even hold air....

Chris Campbell

[electra225]

The spare in the Buick is so flat it has broken away from the rim. IT takes two people to remove the tire without messing up the mat in the trunk. Whoever thought it was a good idea to put light tan interior in a trunk........

I wouldn't trade the experience I had in the restoration business for anything. In fairness, it has somewhat limited my enjoyment of the local open car shows. I look for the flaws, rather than enjoying the effort and appreciate that the car even still exists. Every car doesn't need to be perfect, I understand that. In fact, I had more fun with my Buick before I restored it. When I was in business, finding flaws in the work of others was one way I learned, and could hold myself accountable. Finding flaws now, many times, just makes me appear haughty and snooty. That's not my intention. Old habits are hard to break. I will admit that I appreciate being able to critique a high-quality restoration, one that is 100% done to the nines.

[Hi-Fi-Mogul]

I loved the Plymouth/Chrysler "Forward Look" styling !

(and Gene Roddenberry grabbed that emblem for
the Star Trek crew's uniform insignia)

Those two-tone paint combos were fun, too.

Someone once said these cars looked to be cruising even
when standing still, ha ha !

'59...with swivel seats, yeah.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GA51okFc33U

[TC Chris]

When I was in business, finding flaws in the work of others was one way I learned, and could hold myself accountable. Finding flaws now, many times, just makes me appear haughty and snooty. That's not my intention. Old habits are hard to break. I will admit that I appreciate being able to critique a high-quality restoration, one that is 100% done to the nines.

My Mustang was hit by a drunk driver. It's an '86 and the accident was in '92. A local body shop said "we can fix your car" and they did an excellent job. Not perfect, but excellent. I knew a few places where you could see some minor bits that got sprayed red. Then the engine hydrolocked in a flood. The guy at the shop that replaced the engine insisted that my car had never been painted. "I worked in a body shop, I can tell." I then showed him a few secret flaws. But it did show what a nice job the body shop had done after the accident.

The Mustang has always been a driver. Cars aren't much fun if you can't drive them. Take care and don't be reckless, but they are fun to drive. The Mustang just turned over 153,000 last weekend. But it still looks good. At the gas station a truck driver said, "Don't see many of them old 'Stangs any more." (Remember, this is Michigan, where salt was invented).

Chris Campbell