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 George McKovich | Home > 
1957 Chrysler 300C Restoration
Documenting a full ground up restoration of a 1957 Chrysler 300C conducted 2002 to 2004. New lower rear quarter panels installed, all rust removed and replaced with new correctly formed metal panels. Over 400 hours forming and welding by a professional body/fender man.
Date(s): July 29, 2004. Album by dk. Photos by dk. 1 - 249 of 249 Total. 23513 Visits.
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November 2004

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November 1999 - 1957 Chrysler 300C.

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November 1999 - 1957 Chrysler 300C.

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November 1999 - 1957 Chrysler 300C when sold by John Hayes.

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Car as found by John Hayes near Boston in 1995. Owner at that time was Bob Budrys. It had been painted black over its original Gauguin Red color.

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John Hayes repainted car to original color and fixed some rust but left more in the car than was fixed.

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Feb 2003 - Body completely stripped of paint by soda blasting and some sandblasting of rusted areas.

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Feb 2003 - Some rust holes can be seen in lower rear quarter panel.

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Feb 2003 - Some holes also appear at front of wheel wells, rockers and floorboards.

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Feb 2003 - More rust in this rear quarter.

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March 2003 - Some cut outs in the floorboards where newly constructed patch panels will go.

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March 2003 - Another view of the areas for patch panels in floorboards.

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March 2003 - Front bottom view showing holes cut in rockers for further inspection of rust areas.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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April-May 2003 - Floorboard patch panels correctly formed to original patterns.

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May-June 2003 - Floorboard patch panels viewed from the bottom side of the body.

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May-June 2003 - Floorboard patch panels viewed from the bottom side of the body.

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May-June 2003 - Floorboard patch panels viewed from the bottom side of the body.

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June 2003 - One of the newly constructed and installed rocker panels.

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Lower rear quarter panels from the Chrysler 300 Club International.

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July 2003 - Old quarter panels removed, rust blasted out and POR-15 applied to prevent future rust.

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July 2003 - Old quarter panels removed, rust blasted out and POR-15 applied to prevent future rust.

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July 2003 - Old quarter panels removed, rust blasted out and POR-15 applied to prevent future rust.

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July 2003 - Trying to fit the new rear quarter panels to the vehicle.

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It was necessary to add 1-5/8" to the rear of each patch panel.

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It was necessary to add 5/8" to the front of each patch panel.

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July 2003 - Rear quarter patch panel attached showing where additional panel piece was necessary.

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July 2003 - Font portion of patch panel partially attached at rear door edge.

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July 2003 - Passenger side completely welded. Much panel beating and straightening still required to remove warpage.

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July 2003 - Driver side completely welded. Much panel beating and straightening still required to remove warpage.

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July 2003 - Another view of driver side completely welded. Much panel beating and straightening still required to remove warpage.

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July 2003 - Another view of passenger side completely welded. Much panel beating and straightening still required to remove warpage.

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July 2003 - View of braces used to keep body from bending while on the rotisserie.

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July 2003 - Front view of rear axel housing and third member installed. This is a 58 Sure Grip limited slip rear.... They weren't available in 57.

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July 2003 - Rear view of rear axel housing installed.

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July 2003 - Rear brake installation prior to mounting shoes and drum.

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July 2003 - Rear brake installation with shoes and drum mounted.

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July 2003 - Front disc brake installation was a breeze using the AAJ kit.

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July 2003 - Front disc brake installation was a breeze using the AAJ kit.

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July 2003 - Front disc brake installation was a breeze using the AAJ kit.

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July 2003 - With rear axel, disc brakes and front suspension installed.

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July 2003 - With rear axel, disc brakes and front suspension installed.

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July 2003 - With rear axel, disc brakes and front suspension installed.

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392 Hemi engine rebuilt to 40 thousandths overbore and balanced.

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392 Hemi engine rebuilt to 40 thousandths overbore and balanced.

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392 Hemi engine rebuilt to 40 thousandths overbore and balanced.

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392 Hemi engine rebuilt to 40 thousandths over and balanced. One head and adjustable rocker installed.

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392 Hemi engine completed and ready for installation.

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July 2003 - 392 Hemi and 3 speed pushbutton transmission installed.

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July 2003 - 392 Hemi and 3 speed pushbutton transmission installed.

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July 2003 - 392 Hemi and 3 speed pushbutton transmission, including carbs, air cleaners etc.

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Sept 2003 - Patch panels installed on lower front fenders.

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Sept 2003 - Patch panels installed on lower front fenders.

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Sept 2003 - Front clip initially installed and aligned to body.

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Sept 2003 - Front clip initially installed and aligned to body.

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Oct 2003 - Front clip prior to removal in one piece for final sanding and painting.

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January 2004 - Bottom of body has now been seam sealed and coated with body sealer in preparation for the undercoating process.

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January 2004 - Bottom of body has now been seam sealed and coated with body sealer in preparation for the undercoating process.

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January 2004 - Bottom of body has now been seam sealed and coated with body sealer in preparation for the undercoating process.

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January 2004 - Bottom of body has now been seam sealed and coated with body sealer in preparation for the undercoating process.

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January 2004 - Inside floorboards also seam sealed and coated with body sealer in preparation for sound deadending coating process.

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January 2004 - Inside floorboards also seam sealed and coated with body sealer in preparation for sound deadending coating process.

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January 2004 - Body in final stages of being block sanded and primed for new painting to take place in next couple weeks.

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January 2004 - Body in final stages of being block sanded and primed for new painting to take place in next couple weeks.

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January 2004 - Body in final stages of being block sanded and primed for new painting to take place in next couple weeks.

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January 2004 - Body in final stages of being block sanded and primed for new painting to take place in next couple weeks.

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January 2004 - New trunk lid padding installed.

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January 2004 - New trunk lid padding installed. Notice the waffle pattern. The name of the company is Bob Drake Reproductions and their phone number is 541-474-0043. They are in Grants Pass, Oregon USA. The product you are looking for is either:

B-5010-F30 3/32" thick $60 per roll or B-5010-F31 1/8" thick $80 per roll. The rolls are 3 feet by 8 feet. I think I used the thicker 1/8” roll for my car.


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January 2004 - Body masked off for undercoating. My son did it for me with Morton's spray-in bedliner.

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January 2004 - Body masked off for undercoating. My son did it for me with Morton's spray-in bedliner.

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January 2004 - Body masked off for undercoating. My son did it for me with Morton's spray-in bedliner.

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January 2004 - Body undercoating completed and masking removed.

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January 2004 - Body undercoating completed and masking removed.

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January 2004 - Body undercoating completed and masking removed.

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January 2004 - Body undercoating completed and masking removed.

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January 2004 - Body undercoating completed and masking removed.

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January 2004 - Body undercoating completed and masking removed.

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January 2004 - Body undercoating completed and masking removed. Close-up of rear wheel well, showing texture of undercoating.

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January 2004 - Body undercoating completed and masking removed. An even closer view of rear wheel well, showing texture of undercoating.

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January 2004 - View of front clip after application of undercoating. The masking not yet removed. We applied a very heavy coating to the top of the fenders to protect against possible rock chips from the underside.

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January 2004 - View of passenger side front fender after application of undercoating. Masking not yet removed. We applied a very heavy coating to the top of the fenders to protect against possible rock chips from the underside.

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January 2004 - View of driver side front fender after application of undercoating. Masking not yet removed. We applied a very heavy coating to the top of the fenders to protect against possible rock chips from the underside.

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January 2004 - Rechromed door windows re-assembled with Greg Legatt's assembly kit and ready for installation sometime this spring.

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January 2004 - Rechromed quarter windows re-assembled with Greg Legatt's assembly kit and ready for installation sometime this spring.

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January 2004 - Close-up of the screws and nuts that come in Greg Legatt's assembly kit for the quarter windows.

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January 2004 - Close-up of the screws and nuts that come in Greg Legatt's assembly kit for the quarter windows.

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February 2004 - Front seats (rear view) media blasted and ready to be painted and taken to upholsterer to be rebuilt and have Gary Goers leather seat covers installed.

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February 2004 - Front seats (front view) media blasted and ready to be painted and taken to upholsterer to be rebuilt and have Gary Goers leather seat covers installed.

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February 2004 - Rear seats media blasted and ready to be painted and taken to upholsterer to be rebuilt and have Gary Goers leather seat covers installed.

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March 2004 - Engine pulled from chassis and mounted on pallet.... On its way to the dynometer to be broken in and tuned.

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March 2004 - Engine on the dynometer to be broken in and tuned.

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March 2004 - Engine on the dynometer to be broken in and tuned.

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March 2004 - Engine on the dynometer to be broken in and tuned. View through protective glass.

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March 2004 - Engine on the dynometer to be broken in and tuned.

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Download AVI
AVI107
March 2004 - Video with sound of the 392 Hemi engine running on the dynamometer.

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March 29, 2004 - Hood and front clip in paint booth for painting.

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March 29, 2004 - First spray from the gun to the hood. Color is Gaughuin Red.

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March 29, 2004 - Half the hood top completed.

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March 29, 2004 - The second half continued.

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March 29, 2004 - Top complete and heading for the bottom.

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March 29, 2004 - The bottom of the hood being shot.

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March 29, 2004 - Finishing the bottom of the hood.

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March 29, 2004 - Another view if the hood base coat completed and the front clip in the foreground to be done in a few minutes.

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March 30, 2004 - Front clip painted with three coats of base color coat and 5 coats of clear. It will be cut and buffed when re-assembled.

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March 30, 2004 - Another view of the front clip painted with three coats of base color coat and 5 coats of clear. It will be cut and buffed when re-assembled.

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March 30, 2004 - Driver side of front clip painted with three coats of base color coat and 5 coats of clear. It will be cut and buffed when re-assembled.

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March 30, 2004 - Top of hood painted with three coats of base color coat and 5 coats of clear. It will be cut and buffed when re-assembled.

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March 30, 2004 - Bottom of hood painted with three coats of base color coat and 5 coats of clear. It will be cut and buffed when re-assembled.

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April 2, 2004 - Body on chassis at the glass shop, where the front and rear windows are being installed.

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April 2, 2004 - Body on chassis at the glass shop, where the front and rear windows are being installed.

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April 2, 2004 - Body on chassis at the glass shop, where the front and rear windows are being installed.

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April 2, 2004 - Body on chassis at the glass shop, where the front and rear windows are being installed.

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April 3, 2004 - Refurbished gas tank. Tank has been boiled out at a radiator shop, checked for leaks and now painted with Eastwoods Tank Tone paint.

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April 3, 2004 - Refurbished gas tank. Another view.

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April 3, 2004 - Refurbished gas tank. Another view.

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April 7, 2004 - Newly refurbished gas tank installed.

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April 7, 2004 - Another view. Newly refurbished gas tank installed.

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April 10, 2004 - Newly installed gas fill tube and cap.

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April 5, 2004 - Re-anodized grille just back from Ano-Brite in California. Chrome surrounds has been attached but the medallion is still to be installed.

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April 7, 2004 - Back from the glass shop with the NEW front and rear window installed.

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April 7, 2004 - Back from the glass shop with the front and rear window installed.

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April 10, 2004 - Heater core back from the radiator shop, heater box restored and installed.

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April 10, 2004 - Heater core back from the radiator shop, heater box restored and installed. The fan motor will be back on Tuesday and the heater fan will then be installed.

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April 10, 2004 - Heater core back from the radiator shop, heater box restored and installed. Another view.

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April 10, 2004 - Heater core back from the radiator shop, heater box restored and installed. Another view.

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May 2004 - Front Clip mounted and yet to be aligned.

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May 2004 - Front Clip mounted and yet to be aligned.

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May 2004 - Front Clip mounted and yet to be aligned.

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May 2004 - Front Clip mounted and yet to be aligned.

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May 2004 - Front Clip mounted and yet to be aligned.

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May 2004 - Front Clip mounted and yet to be aligned.

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May 2004 - Front clip aligned and hood mounted.

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May 2004 - Front clip aligned and hood mounted.

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May 2004 - Front clip aligned and hood mounted.

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May 2004 - Front clip aligned and hood mounted.

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May 2004 - Trunk lid mounted and ready for alignment.

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May 2004 - Trunk lid mounted and ready for alignment.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on. Also the new Coker WWW radials have been mounted.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on.

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June 8, 2004 - Back from cutting and buffing. Starting to put some of the chrome and stainless on.

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June 10, 2004 - The new Gary Goers "CHRYSLER" letters on the hood. I think this was the last set he had sometime ago.

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June 10, 2004 - Rear medallion and license plate surround mounted.

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June 11, 2004 - Both tail lights assembled and installed.

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June 11, 2004 - Driver's side long spear buffed and installed.

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June 11, 2004 - Driver's side long spear buffed and installed.

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June 11, 2004 - Lower front air shield being installed.

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June 11, 2004 - Installing hood air seal.

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June 15, 2004 - Believe it or not, the power window mechanism for the left (driver's) side is marked as R for the right hand side.

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June 15, 2004 - Also, the power window mechanism for the right (passenger's) side is marked as L for the left hand side. Mother MOPAR never ceases to amaze!

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July 29, 2004 - Back of rear seat with Gary Goers original type leather upholstery installed.

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July 29, 2004 - Bottom of rear seat with Gary Goers original type leather upholstery installed.

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July 29, 2004 - Bottom of front seat with Gary Goers original type leather upholstery installed.

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July 29, 2004 - Driver side back of front seat with Gary Goers original type leather upholstery installed.

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July 29, 2004 - Passenger side back of front seat with Gary Goers original type leather upholstery installed.

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July 30, 2004 - Power windows in and working, stainless steel window surrounds installed and now installing the interior headliner.

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July 30, 2004 - Power windows in and working, stainless steel window surrounds installed and now installing the interior headliner.

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July 30, 2004 - Power windows in and working, stainless steel window surrounds installed and now installing the interior headliner.

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July 30, 2004 - Power windows in and working, stainless steel window surrounds installed and now installing the interior headliner.

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July 30, 2004 - Wheelcovers mounted.

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July 30, 2004 - These next few pictures are taken in natural light and show off the Gauguin Red color at its best compared to the prior ones in artificial light.

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July 30, 2004 - Natural light again.

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July 30, 2004 - Natural light again.

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July 30, 2004 - Natural light again.

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July 30, 2004 - Natural light again.

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July 30, 2004 - Natural light again. You can also see the hole for the power radio antenna in front of the mirror.

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July 30, 2004 - Natural light again.

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July 30, 2004 - Natural light again.

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July 30, 2004 - Natural light again. The headliner is in, the padded dash, the seats and door panels still need to be installed.

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August 10, 2004 - Trunk area completed except for spare tire hold-down.

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August 10, 2004 - Trunk area completed except for spare tire hold-down.

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August 18, 2004 - Pushbutton transmission shifter installed and appears to be operating correctly now.

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August 19, 2004 - Rear package tray and rear speaker installed.

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August 19, 2004 - Rear package tray and rear speaker installed. Youn can see the 300 embossed into the front.

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August 19, 2004 - Rear seat and quarter panel upholstery installed.

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August 19, 2004 - Rear seat and quarter panel upholstery installed.

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August 19, 2004 - Rear seat and quarter panel upholstery installed.

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August 19, 2004 - Rear portion of new carpeting installed with the power seat trays in place.

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August 25, 2004 - Struggling with the padded dashboard cover purchased new 3 years ago. You can see that the width has shrunk when trying to line up the defrost opening and the depth has shrunk when trying to line up the speaker grille.