Restoration of '50 Ply convertible

[David Pollock]

I put an entire floor pan cut and trimmed from a sedan into my 51 convertible, all along factory seams so from underneath, at least, it looks like it is original. I had a lot of trouble making the door gaps right until I realized that the cowl had been bent forward as the result of jamming the driver's door against something solid while backing up. Also it was necessary to run a centerline from the leading edge of the hood, through the windshield opening and down to the trunk handle as the rear of the car had been pushed to the left. This made the gap on the passenger side door too wide and the top difficult to close on the right hand side. As you have noted, alignment is critical and must be maintained.  I would not do any welding until I had braced up the body and its components, especially the roof,and made sure everything fits. It may be better to leave the body solidly fastened to the frame, as I did, until repairs are complete. You will be rewarded when it is done. I have enjoyed my convertible for 45000 trouble free miles over the last 23 years. It has even been featured on the cover of the Plymouth Bulletin with Santa.     Good luck

[Court DeLorme]

I'm about to begin the restoration of my '50 Special DeLuxe convertible. I've spent the last several years collecting sheet metal parts to replace the rusted out door skins, rocker panels and front and rear floor pans. I've got a stock engine completely rebuilt and ready. I'm not equipped to do a body off rotiserrie type job so here's where I could use some input from those with experience. My plan is to do all body work with the body sitting on the frame as it is now. Then with doors closed and the top up (and interior gutted out) remove all the body mount bolts and raise the body up off the frame a few inches with a dozen or so jacks and some lumber for even support so as to scrape, wire brush, clean and paint the frame and underbody and replace the old rubber body mounts. I know this isn't as good as a body off job but in addition to not being equipped to do a body off job, I've been told that a convertible is so sensitive to proper alignment (and losing that alignment) that I'm also concerned about that issue as well. Any input that anyone cares to offer will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Court DeLorme, Azle, Texas