Skrach's 1955 Chrysler Project

Hello all,

My name is Skrach, you may know me as the author of www.VividlyVintage.com. I started this website to highlight and keep track of the progress being completed on my 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe. The car originally was purchased by my great grand father (also known as “Pop”)in 1955. But it was not the Chrysler that he originally wanted.  The originally intention was to order a 55 Chrysler Windsor and trade in his 1940 dodge. There was one special request that Pop had made and it was for the mirrors that normally were located on the fender’s to be relocated onto the doors like they should be. The salesman wrote it on the order form and stated that there would not be an issue. That day they left the 1940 Dodge at the dealership and they went home. A few weeks later Pop received a phone call from the dealership that his Chrysler had arrived. Once Pop and “Nana” my great grand mother seen the Windsor they knew it was wrong. The mirrors were located on the fenders and not on the doors as requested and as it was written on the receipt. The salesman then stated “well we can fix this by removing those mirrors and relocating them for you on the doors”. Pop then asked the salesman if they would do that, would they then sell them the car as a used car of which the salesman had given Pop and Nana a simple NO.  So Pop asked for his 40 Dodge back but the salesman had given Pop good news for him but bad news for the dealership as they had sold Pop’s and Nana’s 40 Dodge a few days before. Pop was short in stature but tall in negotiating. He some how ended up taking home the 1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe 4 door that was located in the center of the floor and that had every single option that they were pushing that year. Options included power windows, power seats, power steering, AC, and deluxe trim. Pop and Nana owned it for about 12 years until their son, my great  uncle had gotten married and needed a family car so as a wedding gift Pop and Nana gave them the Chrysler. My uncle and his wife had the car up until 2009 of which Pop’s 55 was given to Pop’s grand son (my mom’s brother) ; my uncle Dan. It was going to be a project for both him and I. When the market took a crash and everyone was being laid off he had been laid off from his job as a mechanic. So I had recieved the disheartening news that he was considering selling the Chrysler. With me being an addict of anything 1950′s I knew that this would be my only chance to have a car from the 1950′s. So we agreed on a price and I set up a payment plan. I am currently only $600 away from completely owning it. Currently it is stored at my uncle’s house. When my girlfriends family moves into their new house early next month I will be able to park it inside the garage.

So I have started this blog to post progress of the restoration and customization of my beloved 55. Pop’s 55 will remain in the family. I most likely will start posting new entries once the car is in the garage. So please stay tuned in by subscribing to my blog and you will recieve email updates alerting you that I have posted a new entry. No SPAM will be sent to you from my website nor will your email me handed out to anyone.

I hope you all can learn something from my site during the restoration process and or help motivate you to finish or start that project you may have. With my project I plan to teach my girlfriend’s little brother techniques and skills by having him assist me with the restoration. Cars are great father and son projects. It brings the 2 involved closer. When the car is finished the son, or daughter will most likely cherish the vehicle as a most prized possession as they will remember the love and passion and time that was spent during the restoration process. I hope to also involve my wonderful girlfriend Michelle in the progress as well.

Michelle and I last New Years Eve aboard the USS Hornet

Thanks for reading,

Skrach