Dick Koch's convertible

[Dick Koch]

Well, I was wrong, the convert. wasn't finished. Early on I was hearing an exhaust leak on the drivers side and continually ignore it hoping it would go away BUT it kept getting louder and louder SO I put the car on the lift and tightened the ex. manifold nuts to see if that would take care of it (NOT). Dammit, now I have to take the ex. manifold out and replace the gasket. Got it out after having to take the exhaust pipes out. Thank God I used clamps instead of welding the system or I would have been in deep do do. AND this is what I found. When I bought the car back in 2002 the previous owner had a set of ex. manifolds he gave me. Don't ever throw anything away.
Dick.

[Dick Koch]

I meant when I bought my Red and white car back in 2002, not the convert.
Dick.

[Mark Merritt]

Dick; Minor set back,good to have extra's,the car looks great,must be like riding on A cloud!!!! Mark M

[Dick Koch]

DO NOT, l repeat, DO NOT ever specify or use NOS cloth upbolstery material. The nos factory material installed in my convertible in 2014 was very old and brittle and split in two places in the back seat and pulled apart at a seam in the front plus a tear in the front. (See the.pictures). I just had my 60 desoto reupholstered and decided to use that same cloth in the convertible. Pictures to follow.

[Faulkner]

I agree, Dick. That goes for anything NOS that contains rubber or fibers - belts, hoses, etc. They just dry out over time, and can't be put to working use.

I couldn't help but notice that sweet Rambler station wagon next to Bertha Irene. Whose be dat?

[Dick Koch]

About a month ago l had the seats upholstered in my 60 Desoto using factory correct cloth material. My 59 Belvedere. Convertibles cloth material was nos, old and brittle and started to split and tear and needed to be replaced. The interior is gray, silver and black and rather dull and boring. I had some cloth left over from the Desoto and took a look at it in the convert. The cloth is a combination of grey, silver, black and red colors. It really makes the interior pop! So with Yvonne's approval we decided to use it in the convert. It's not correct but it's not a points car anyway! Take a look.

[Faulkner]

Stunning!!

[Dick Koch]

Thanks Dan, l really appreciate the compliment but l think the vert's new cloth is stunning too.
Dick.

[Denver 59 Fin Convert]

Dick, both you and the convert are both classics! The new interior is super! Should hold up better!

John Q.

[Dick Koch]

Thanks John, l think! Do you mean Classic as in old. If so you are correct, I'm only 23 years older than the vertical.
Dick

[Dick Koch]

Vert. I did not type vertical!
Dick.

[Faulkner]

Yo Dick! (That's how we tawk in Philly.) If you gave yourself permission to do your interior in non-standard fabric...






...does that give me permission to paint my wheels bronze?

[Faulkner]

Oh, and whose Rambler wagon?

[Dick Koch]

Dan - The Rambler belongs to my upholsterer Sergio Morales. Its a 1959 Custom Delux six cylinder with 89K original miles, runs good. Its had a complete frame on bare metal restoration, all chrome redone, painted and complete interior. He wants 35K but l think he would take 29/30K. The pictures were taken at his shop when l picked up my vert.

[Faulkner]

So sweet. And hey, the wheels are the same color as the body