Dart GT808
New Member
Found one sitting in a junkyard, 95% complete, some rust. Can someone please chime in if it’s insane to even think of restoring? I haven’t seen much parts or services available for those years..
55 Dodge custom royal
- Thread starter Dart GT808
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sb61fury
Well-Known Member
I do not think its insane to think about restoring the car
Jakter
Well-Known Member
Big M Automotive
Mechanical parts like tune-up, brake, etc can be found on Napa, Rock Auto, E-bay.
Shipping parts to you might be costly.
Mechanical parts like tune-up, brake, etc can be found on Napa, Rock Auto, E-bay.
Shipping parts to you might be costly.
Those are cool cars. It looks like it will needs more than some floor repairs. Are you handy at that kind of thing? Hiring it done doesn't make sense to me for a car like that. Too bad it's not a 2 door.
57fury440
Senior Member
What motor is in it and does it turn over?
Jakter
Well-Known Member
In everyday use, "engine" generally refers to a device that burns fuel to create mechanical energy, while "motor" typically refers to a device that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy. While the terms are often used interchangeably, a key distinction is that engines are typically powered by combustion (like gasoline or diesel), and motors are powered by electricity.
It's always somewhat insane to restore a car, but we are all a little insane to begin with.
Rust is your enemy here and there will always be more than you thought there was. With cars going back into the 50's, it seems like the floors always need work, so that's not surprising.
It's all going to come down to your skills, patience and wallet. If you can't do most of the work yourself, I'd say to walk away as this will be incredibly expensive to have it restored by a pro. If you can do most of the work yourself, it's still going to be a lot of hours and finding parts isn't going to be as easy as a lot of other cars. You'll also need a place to work on it that you can tie up for a couple years, depending on how far you want to take it.
If you really want one of these, it will be cheaper to find one in better shape and running/driving. But if you are willing to forego a complete resto and just get it running and patch up the floors.... This could be fun.
Jakter
Well-Known Member
forwardlook.net
Their is a few folks on the above website that are well versed on the 1955 Dodge so you should have most of your concerns answered there.
Their is a few folks on the above website that are well versed on the 1955 Dodge so you should have most of your concerns answered there.
1970FuryConv
Old Man with a Hat
Restoring it is not insane if you like it.
I restored a 1969 Dodge Monaco 4-door hardtop. Cost was $17000. The car wasn't worth half of that.
A lot of it was paying a shop to replace the dutchman panel and repair the roof pillars because of vinyl top rust.
Resto took 4 years. I did it because I liked the car.
I built it with 440/727/8.75 with 3.23 sure grip
I worked as an associate manager at an auto repair shop at the time. I enjoyed seeing mechanics' faces after I did some parkinglot burnouts in that big old beast.
Dart GT808
New Member
It’s a super red ram- the good one , I was told it turns over
Dart GT808
New Member
I can replace floors and mechanically inclined, biggest concerns would be upholstery repairs, trims and such
Samplingman
Old Man with a Hat
I'm $20k and 10,000 hours into mine that might be worth $18k when done, but I'm one of the "insane" members.
Looks like a solid project, if you can get it running and the floors patched up, a decent trim shop could get that interior looking great as long as you don't need "factory correct" SMS fabrics and such. Get it on the road and cruising, you could always worry about the outside refinishing later. Just try not to go down the rabbit hole of pulling it all apart to clean and refinish every part, that's the trap that ends up spiraling out of control.
Is that a '63-64 300 next to it?
Looks like a solid project, if you can get it running and the floors patched up, a decent trim shop could get that interior looking great as long as you don't need "factory correct" SMS fabrics and such. Get it on the road and cruising, you could always worry about the outside refinishing later. Just try not to go down the rabbit hole of pulling it all apart to clean and refinish every part, that's the trap that ends up spiraling out of control.
Is that a '63-64 300 next to it?
Mopars & Missiles
Well-Known Member
You're doing damn good, only $2 per hour.
Dart GT808
New Member
One thing I’m anal about is correct interior, I really can’t stand beautiful exterior and random door panels and seats, I rather have it other way around… one thing that’s I’m debating about is 4 doors, lm like most people like 2 doors better, but this body looks extremely straight.
That 300 is sold actually.
Dart GT808
New Member
I was told it is sold
Glider
Member
I have a -56 Newyorker & all I can say is "they don't build these anymore" & the only tricky part is the steering box when it's worn out - but even that it's possible to fix & I think French Lake Autoparts have a few sitting...
Auto Parts – Annandale, MN – French Lake Auto Parts
Auto Parts – Annandale, MN – French Lake Auto Parts
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