We have a 1966 Chrysler 300 4 dr hardtop in the family that was originally my great-grandparents'. It has well over 100k miles, and served as a daily driver more many year.
For many years I've thought about restoring her. I've got basic mechanics' skills (i.e. if it's bolted together, I can take it apart and get it back together again), and I'm reasonably confident that I could tackle rebuilding the 383 (with suitable reference materials). Everything else though...
The paint is faded, the rear taillamp lenses have some cracks. The body is reasonably straight...there's a very slight dent in the left rear fender (really the vestigal "fin") from my dad backing gently into a tree ~ 30 years ago. There are some spots of rust, all surface/shallow. Interior is ok; there's a torn in the driver's vinyl seat, and some fading of the material under the rear window.
There's almost certainly mouse damage in inopportune spots.
So, I know the car itself pretty well, but have never restored a car before and don't really know where I'd start. I know I have no idea how much work it'll be, but have undertaken enough complicated projects that I know that's a plus.
Any ideas, tips, tricks, suggestions, resources, sources for parts, cataclysmic prophesies, advice on what to have someone else do, etc. that anyone can offer?
For many years I've thought about restoring her. I've got basic mechanics' skills (i.e. if it's bolted together, I can take it apart and get it back together again), and I'm reasonably confident that I could tackle rebuilding the 383 (with suitable reference materials). Everything else though...
The paint is faded, the rear taillamp lenses have some cracks. The body is reasonably straight...there's a very slight dent in the left rear fender (really the vestigal "fin") from my dad backing gently into a tree ~ 30 years ago. There are some spots of rust, all surface/shallow. Interior is ok; there's a torn in the driver's vinyl seat, and some fading of the material under the rear window.
There's almost certainly mouse damage in inopportune spots.
So, I know the car itself pretty well, but have never restored a car before and don't really know where I'd start. I know I have no idea how much work it'll be, but have undertaken enough complicated projects that I know that's a plus.
Any ideas, tips, tricks, suggestions, resources, sources for parts, cataclysmic prophesies, advice on what to have someone else do, etc. that anyone can offer?