1962 Chrysler Resurrection

[Ron Hamilton]

Over he past year, after looking at Steve Guthmiller's gorgeous 1962 Chrysler 300H Convertible build. I wanted to do one of these myself. At the time Steve did his build, I had in my possession a Revell '62 Chrysler Newport Convertible.

It was a little worse for wear, but it cleaned up nicely, and I have everything so I can put it in primer and re-build it. However, the JoHan 1962 Chrysler 300H Convertible is the Holy Grail when it comes to these cars, so I sought one out. I checked EBAY from time to time, but to be perfectly honest, I either was out bid on one, or couldn't afford it. Last Saturday, my club (MAMA) had an NNL, and fortunately my "used model car dealer" had in his possession a re-buildable JoHan '62 300H.

It's a little crusty, but everything you see is there, and the chrome is freshly re-plated (Thanks Matt!!!!). I have some wheel covers, a resin windshield frame, and some Modelhaus Vacuumformed glass, in the event that I am not able to save the original parts.

The new plan is to do both of them as brothers in the same garage. The Newport as the daily driver in Black, with the Red Interior, and the 300H as the "Special Car" in Black with the Saddle Interior. Both will be period cars, but not necessarily Replica Stock. I have a Cross-Ram that can go on the Newport  for a little flavor, but the 300 will keep its 413 with the in-line Carbs.  I hope to start cleaning up the 300H this week. I have a couple of Lincoln Continentals to be done ahead of these. Looks like I am going to have a busy summer.

[gtx6970]

Glad Im not the only one who went looking for a 62 300 after seeing Steves build.

I bought one a few months ago myself ( mine doesn't have the uptop though )  I've also picked up a clean original issue hardtop just because it was pretty reasonable .

 

[StevenGuthmiller]

Are you planning on using the up top Ron?

That's where I spent the majority of body work time on mine.

The top doesn't fit well, as with most of these old Johan kits, so not only did it require some body mods around the tulip panel area & the addition of boot snap detail, but the top benefited from some shortening & opening up of the sail panels to make it look closer to correct.

I also added the wide chrome band at the leading edge of the top.

It was a lot of piddling around but it was worth the effort in the end.

This was one of those kits that was never really heavily on my radar, but when Al Rich, (thatz4u) offered one up for trade, I jumped on it.

Once I had it in my hands I was over taken by the urge to build it & it jumped right to the front of the line!

Now it's one of my prizes.

 

Steve

 

[Tom Geiger]

Looking Good Ron!  That's the one you were fiddling with at the show?

[John Goschke]

Looking forward to your makeover on this beauty, Ron!  I like the idea of the matching Newport & 300 duo!

[PARTSMARTY]

looks awesome !!!

[Ron Hamilton]

Looking Good Ron!  That's the one you were fiddling with at the show?

Yes it was. Couldn't you see how giddy I was?

Are you planning on using the up top Ron?

Yes I plan to do it with the up top. When I owned my one-to-one convertibles I kept the top clean, and in good shape. My dad and uncles did the same.

That's where I spent the majority of body work time on mine.

The top doesn't fit well, as with most of these old Johan kits, so not only did it require some body mods around the tulip panel area & the addition of boot snap detail, but the top benefited from some shortening & opening up of the sail panels to make it look closer to correct.

I saw what you did with your top, and I plan to do the same.

I also added the wide chrome band at the leading edge of the top.

It was a lot of piddling around but it was worth the effort in the end.

This was one of those kits that was never really heavily on my radar, but when Al Rich, (thatz4u) offered one up for trade, I jumped on it.

Once I had it in my hands I was over taken by the urge to build it & it jumped right to the front of the line!

I feel the same way. Your build is one of the reasons I had to chase down a '62 Chrysler 300H Convertible. I was going to convert a hardtop. but now the hardtop will keep its top intact.

Now it's one of my prizes.

 

Steve

 

[MrObsessive]

Ron, that's a real nice piece you're trying to save! I'm getting more into the mode of rescuing these old builds as I restore my Porsche. We all know that most of these old Johans will never see the likes of a mold press again--------maybe a couple that might be redone by another maker, but for all intents and purposes they're gone for good.

Keep us posted!

[Ron Hamilton]

Ron, that's a real nice piece you're trying to save! I'm getting more into the mode of rescuing these old builds as I restore my Porsche. We all know that most of these old Johans will never see the likes of a mold press again--------maybe a couple that might be redone by another maker, but for all intents and purposes they're gone for good.

Keep us posted!

Thank you Bill. The Newport cleaned up nicely, and I have everything to get started on it. I may start on the 300H tomorrow, so I can see what I have to do to it to make it look half as good as Steve's car. I have a forlorn 300 Hardtop that may become the third part of the triad. I bought a Modelhaus resin 300H interior, windshield frame and boot to convert that car into a convertible. Depending on how this one comes apart is going to determine how the convertible works out. I wonder if the up-top from the 300H will fit the Newport? We will soon see. 

[br67]

Ron, Im looking for to this build

[Ron Hamilton]

Ron, Im looking for to this build

Thank you. I plan to start taking it apart this afternoon after I cut the lawn on "The Ponderosa".

[426-Hemi]

Ron,

Thats gonna be a GREAT one to save! NICE start too!

[Ron Hamilton]

Last night, I did a little work to the 300H Convertible. I went to work on the disassembly, evaluation, and clean up of the model.

I went to remove the windshield from the frame, and the frame broke off on the right side from the car, leaving only the left side "A" pillar and vent window. Fortunately, I had a replacement from the Modelhaus, so I installed the frame. While the interior was in decent shape, there was too much glue residue on the seats where the original builder used too much glue, and it oozed out on both sides of the belts. Rather than removing the belts and trying to clean up the seats, I opted to use the Modelhaus '62 Chrysler 300H interior tub, since I can display the model as an open car. The windshield came out without cracking, but it had a few spots of glue residue on it, so I sanded it, and polished it out to the best of my ability. More than likely I am going t use it. I cleaned up most of the glue residue from the body, and polished it out I still have to fix a couple of sinks in the body and detail the underhood area before I shoot the primer coat.

I took Steve Guthmiller's suggestion on the up-top, shortening it lengthwise, and cutting down the sail panels.

I still have to make the front trim, the molding with the snap detail at the base of the top, and improve the fit. l. Since I plan to display the car with the top, or the boot, the molding at the base will be attached to the top.

It looks like so far, so good. I am going to replace the tires with some pin-whites form my tire stash, and I am going to use either a set of Chrysler 300H wheel covers, or a set of Kelsey-Hayes Chrysler wire wheels from my Modelhaus parts stash. I have to do some further clean-up and detailing to the under hood, engine and chassis before primer and paint.

Of course, any comments, and suggestions are always welcome.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Looking great Ron.

Just as a little side note & a tiny bit of braggadocio, I just returned from the NNL North show in Bloomington MN this afternoon.

I was quite surprised when the gentleman from the Winnipeg Model Car Club saw fit to award me with their "Best Road Car" award & the participants voted for my 300 H as one of the top ten models at the show!

Thanks guys!

I am truly honored!

Keep up the good work Ron!

This can be a really nice kit with a little love, & it looks like you're headed in the right direction.

 

Steve

[Ron Hamilton]

Looking great Ron.

Just as a little side note & a tiny bit of braggadocio, I just returned from the NNL North show in Bloomington MN this afternoon.

I was quite surprised when the gentleman from the Winnipeg Model Car Club saw fit to award me with their "Best Road Car" award & the participants voted for my 300 H as one of the top ten models at the show!

Thanks guys!

I am truly honored!

Keep up the good work Ron!

This can be a really nice kit with a little love, & it looks like you're headed in the right direction.

 

Steve

Congratulations!!!! Your work is impeccable, and any award is well deserved. I would have voted for it.

[Greg Pugh]

I'm looking forward to watching this!

[Eric Macleod]

This one is my kind of a model. I'll be eager to see the progress on this one. 

Eric 

[StevenGuthmiller]

I would give my left arm to be building one of these again versus packing for a move!!

 

Steve

[misterNNL]

It's great to see another classic model being saved.I remember friends building cars and plane models as quickly as possible only to rush outside to gleefully destroy them with "cherry bomb" fire crackers ! I could never watch when they did it!!

[Ron Hamilton]

I played around a little with the "USA Oldies" 1962 300H Hardtop this evening. It was previously built, but unpainted. I fit the convertible interior tub in it after I did a little clean up to it. I have to root through my parts box to better detail the model. While the model will show nicely, I am not going to put as much effort in the build as I would the convertible, as it is a rarer kit, and it's presence would be greater. However, I am going to build it with care. I cleaned up the mould lines, and blocked the body. I still have a spot on the roof to contend with, and I want to use the wheels I am not using on the convertible. The hardtop is moulded in Red, which is not the shade that Chrysler used in 1962, so I have to do a color change. I have a picture of a Black Hardtop with the K-H wire wheels, which is downright stunning. I have to check my wheel stock to see if I have an extra set, as the K-H wires I have are reserved for a '60 New Yorker Hardtop restoration in the future.

[br67]

Ron I think these cars look absolutely stunning in red or black with the tan interior

[moparfarmer]

Looking great Ron.

Just as a little side note & a tiny bit of braggadocio, I just returned from the NNL North show in Bloomington MN this afternoon.

I was quite surprised when the gentleman from the Winnipeg Model Car Club saw fit to award me with their "Best Road Car" award & the participants voted for my 300 H as one of the top ten models at the show!

Thanks guys!

I am truly honored!

Keep up the good work Ron!

This can be a really nice kit with a little love, & it looks like you're headed in the right direction.

 

Steve

Wasn't there Steve but talking to Dennis and Rod they mentioned that the Chrysler was truly an unbelievable work of art..Being one who usually helps pick the winner but not being there this year, there was no doubt that they picked the right car..

[om617]

Nice projects Ronald. I was not aware there was a Newport. These should be beauties when you are done,looks like you are off to a good start.

Found a JoHan rebuilder reasonable,overall decent but no uptop,also got a new grill/bumper for it that was missing.

How i`d like it to look like when it`s time.

[StevenGuthmiller]

Wasn't there Steve but talking to Dennis and Rod they mentioned that the Chrysler was truly an unbelievable work of art..Being one who usually helps pick the winner but not being there this year, there was no doubt that they picked the right car..

Missed you Wayne!

Maybe next year.

 

Steve

[Ron Hamilton]

In looking through my wheel stock, I am going to use my last set of Modelhaus 300H wheel covers on the Hardtop. I noticed that there was a faint H besides the 300 script on the trunk of my Chrysler 300 H hardtop. I sold off my unbuilt example last year. The Chrysler K-H wires are going to go on a '60 New Yorker Hardtop, which I bought them for in the first place as I never cared much for the standard '60 Chrysler Wheel cover. I took a look at the Newport Convertible, and it has been cleaned up, but the chrome needs to be stripped, de-seamed, polished, and re-chromed. The same with the '62 Chrysler 300 Hardtop. The '62 300 Convertible has a stunning set of chrome that was re-done by the Little Motor Car Company. I figure that if I take both of the sets of chrome and have them re-done, I can start the paint-work on the cars.

Nice projects Ronald. I was not aware there was a Newport. These should be beauties when you are done,looks like you are off to a good start.

Found a JoHan rebuilder reasonable,overall decent but no uptop,also got a new grill/bumper for it that was missing.

How i`d like it to look like when it`s time.

Tommy, that 300 Sport is a gorgeous car in Metallic green, coupled with the K-H wires.

I have come to the conclusion that I am not going to be able to acquire many more restorable cars unless I have the parts to do the work. Replacement parts are getting expensive, as the supply is dwindling, and the demand is up due to The Modelhaus winding down. I still have a couple of pieces to get for a couple of still-born projects. Well, at least I can work on 90% of what I have, and the other 10%, I may get lucky and get the parts, or I will go to plan B, a mild custom.