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Hagerty December 09, 2009
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Plating costs have skyrocketed in the last few years due to increased regulations. The cost of restoring bright work on collector cars can be shocking – upwards of $20,000 depending on the amount of chrome trim. It’s something that anyone contemplating the restoration of a collector car needs to think about before making a purchase or embarking on a restoration. The amount of the shiny stuff on any of these ten post-war cars below could set you back the equivalent of a year’s tuition at a private college.
I recently bought a 59 Lincoln Premier. It has the same color as the one listed on this site as #2. It is not rusty or scratched but the paint is rather dull without a showroom shine. The CHROME IS IMMACULATE though. The speedometer shows 70,000 miles. It runs pretty well, but probably needs a thorough tune up. It`s all there though. What do you think it is worth?
But its worth it. It is what made the American cars of the late '50s ICONS that the entire world admired then and continues to admire and collect to this day. The chrome may have gone out of style but the legends live on and those who restore them properly will continue to reap investment rewards in the future.
How about a '59 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special? Standard '59 Caddys certainly had their share of chrome, but the Fleetwood was over the top. Outdone by the '58 Limited, but not much else. Described even when new as looking like a rolling jukebox.
56 Packard Patrician has even more chrome and s/s than the Caribbean -- b/c convertibles don't have roof trim.
I have a 59 buick conv. its gonna kill me
Who does rechroming? I can't find a source.
great choices i own a 56 olds super 88 just had bumpers rechromed came out great, cost me $$$$$$$$$$ do not tell my wife
Look sometime at all the chrome on a spoke wheeled '84 Cadillac Eldorado convertible. Takes me 45 minutes just to shine each wheel.
I have a 2006 Chrysler 300C SRT8 And I wish mine could be as sweet as yours
Yes I have a 59 Olds Dynamic 88. It's just too much metal, too much chrome to put the money into... I think as much chrome as any of these...
I put $13K into rechroming my 1967 Mercedes 230 finback sedan. The problem is that rechroming requires a lot of toxic metals. Therefore,many shops have given up doing this work because of EPA regulations which make the cost of disposal of the post-chroming waste prohibitive.
Yes. I agree with he list as I own a 1954 Cadillac coupe de ville. I would add another to the list a 1957 Oldsmobile 98 could be expensive.
Good choices, I own a 55 chevy belair,lot of chrome. Cost ALOT to redo this ride. will look great when i get it done.$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
I owned two "Chrome Kings" From 1964-65 I had a '58 Impala two door hardtop and From 1970-72 I had a '58 Olds two door hardtop. Both great cars. Fortunately when I had them I did not have to have an re-chroming done.
love all of those cars....wheres my sunglasses?
1958 was the year that the folks at GM went chrome crazy. The one year run of the Buick Limited was the winner with the most chrome doodads.
'53 Buick with the bumper bullets would be pretty brutal, I would think.
I agree. While I own 6 antique or collector vehicles, the rechroming costs of my 1958 Coupe De Ville has been prohibitive. Fortunately, here in Tucson the climate is very kind to chrome and it's appearance is totally acceptable still. I think the quality of the original plating was acceptional as well. This could not be said of later years at all. We have several chrome shops in Tucson that are quite competitive though, if someone has the need.
Don't forgett the 1955 - 1958 pontiac, olds and buicks. with all of that plated pot metal !!!
I believe the 1958 Buick pictured (#8) is a Roadmaster Limited. The Special had slightly less chrome. Is the Eldorado Brougham the car that had the Stainless Steel top? [Editor's note: Thanks for pointing out our mistake. That's indeed a Limited! We've made the correction.]
I have two '59 Thunderbirds and a '58. They should share a higher place for weight of chrome, but much of the trim is polished aluminum.
The Eldo Brougham should be No. 1. The front & rear bumpers, as well as all the lower trim is actually cast aluminum! No banging with a hammer to get out dents, or a dip in the stripping tank for this stuff, it will just disappear. Nice article. I have a '60 'Bird, good choice.
Nice try, but you do not differentiate between stainless and pot metal (the expessive stuff) A '58 Buick Limited, like the blue one you show (not a Special) has far more pot metal than a '58 Chev. and very few repo. parts. Therefore more expensive to restore. [Editor's note: Thanks for pointing out our mistake. That's indeed a Limited! We've made the correction.]
Gatsy Theres a sreect about your post. ICTYBTIHTKY
Theres a sreect about your post. ICTYBTIHTKY
ralph catalano schenectady ny
you think these cars are bad i did all the chorme on my wifes 63 tempest/lemans convertible and it cost over $7500 dollars--even delivered and pict it up from the platers place--im afraid to re-restore my '57 Chevy Nomad--even though i can probably replace every part of it from a catalog--then it would not be numbers matching no more--ill probably drive her the way she is--keep up the good work --
Noureldin They are the chrome spray paint, but they do not work and it looks like vilser. If you want chrome stuff, such as door handles, you can on ebay, and there are people who chrome door handles to sell many vehicles. Have a look auf.http: / / motors.shop.ebay.com / __? _from = R40 _trksid = p3841.m39.l1311 _nkw = + chrome door handles + = _sacat or that you have chrome shop, but very expensive.
They are the chrome spray paint, but they do not work and it looks like vilser. If you want chrome stuff, such as door handles, you can on ebay, and there are people who chrome door handles to sell many vehicles. Have a look auf.http: / / motors.shop.ebay.com / __? _from = R40 _trksid = p3841.m39.l1311 _nkw = + chrome door handles + = _sacat or that you have chrome shop, but very expensive.
Mohini You do not have chrome-colored using Chrome, hyisprcoy, all gold plated materials are made. Find Re-plating room. It may be cheaper to go to the junkyard and you only get a share.
You do not have chrome-colored using Chrome, hyisprcoy, all gold plated materials are made. Find Re-plating room. It may be cheaper to go to the junkyard and you only get a share.