Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

imfinlay · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 48

Hi all,

just joined having been browsing for a while. I've been a car nut for as long as I can remember. Currently I'm restoring a '57 Plymouth 4 door, a very rare right hand drive '64 Pontiac Parisienne convertible (one of 52 made) and keeping everything else running!

The Plymouth has been a bare metal resto on a very low mileage car, but the usual rust took hold in the floorpan at the front and the trunk floor, some dents and older repairs and so on. Mechanically she's good. Right now I'm tidying the electrics and reassembling trim and the front and rear valances.

The Pontiac has also been taken back to bare metal, fixed and painted but is on hold while I finish the Plymouth.

I used to have a '56 F100 pickup as well, but that got sold due to, er, family pressure! I have a bunch of NOS and repro spares for that which I'll put an ad for at some point.

I live in North London and have been active on the UK rock 'n' roll and jive scene for years.

I'll add some car pics when I get good enough weather to take the whole car cover off. Oh yes - I'm doing this all with no garage. I used to have a big double garage but we moved house some years back and that wasn't seen as a priority. Hmmmm.

Cheers all,

Ian

Uncle Joe · Guest

Welcome to the forum. How about posting some photos of your restos? We like photos on here.....

imfinlay · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 48

I have one from a couple of months back:

Uncle Joe · Guest

I hope you have a V8 in that, and not the 230 6 cylinder... Laughing

Scotty · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 883

Welcome Finlay. Wink

EDIT - Welcome Ian! Embarassed

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22446 Location: UK

Hi Ian, welcome to the forum, look forward to reading about the fleet Smile

Rick
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imfinlay · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 48

Hi guys!

Yes Uncle Joe, it's the 301 V8 (actually 299.7 in reality) with a 2bbl and dual exhausts. Power steering, manual brakes, radio and, er, that's it.

It done 49,000 miles, I'm the 2nd owner as far as I can tell. It's from Norfolk, VA originally. I did a search some years ago and I believe the family that owned it still live at the same house. This is the 2nd time I've restored it, first time the paint fell off after 10 years and then my builder hit it with a truck, not too seriously, but it gave me the impetus to do it again. This time it was new floorpans, every removable panel blasted, quality bodywork, new brakes (again) and now I'm putting it back together.

Ian

Uncle Joe · Guest

OK, I know that engine. As you are probably aware, Plymouth had two versions of it in that year.

imfinlay · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 48

I didn't know that - there was the 301 and the 318, if that's what you mean, but I'm only aware of one version of the 301.

Uncle Joe · Guest

In 1957, Plymouth used 5 engines in their line up. Smallest was a 230" 132hp 6 cylinder. Next up was a 276" V8 with 197hp. Third was the 299.6" 235hp with a two bbl. Fourth was a 299.6" V8 with 215hp and a 2bbl. The final engine was the 290hp 318...

The 215hp motor was the one that was usually referred to as the 301, and found as standard in the Suburbans. In yours it was an option.

imfinlay · Joined: 26 Aug 2008 Posts: 48

Interesting, thanks! I have no idea which 299.6 engine I have. Is there a way to tell?

Uncle Joe · Guest

Assuming that the engine is absolutely original, the an easy way is the carburettor. If yours is the 2bbl Carter BBD 2512S, it makes it the 215hp Suburban motor, ie the optional motor with solid valve lifters.