Posted by don evans on April 04, 1999 at 22:45:57:
In Reply to: Re: Rare 57?/ Not rare, just UGLY !!!! posted by Marc Minarik on April 01, 1999 at 23:08:15:
Ugliness, or my preference, beauty is a very subjective thing. My view is '57's are an transition style to '58's. The battery was long overdue to move to the engine compartment, thus the redesigned engine compartment, hood and fenders.
Both '57 and '58 designs were on the boards concurrently as early 10/18/55. The '57 design was easiest to quickly put in production.
With the exception of the length of the extension at the rear of the fenders 58'-60 are from the same tooling.
I'm sorry your bitter about spending $5k for annoyances on the '57, but you don't seem to have comment on the '59 which has the same body and drivetrain. '57 is a known quality control problem year for Chrysler Corp but panel and wagon body problems are not limited to make during this period.
The drive train noises are problematic over time with any NP201 divorced system, utilized by many makes throughout the '60's.
I do agree that all powergiant years are equal for rareness. True value is what someone will pay, we are in the free market system. Vehicles, in general, are a bad investment for those who do not watch costs relative to resale value. One of the reasons I do all of my own work.
Buyers need to be cautious about any vehicle quickly primered, missing essiential parts to be original, at any price. I have seen buyers spend upwards of 3k for what would be parts trucks. What many don't realize is if your gonna pay for work better to buy one done.
In spite of you dislike for '57's they are responsible for a feature that is now a Dodge truck trade mark, the crosshair front end feature.
You can see it for 70-73 and 86 to present day.
I'm glad to see you are still interested in the powergiant era, I think it's one of the most interesting.