Re: [Chrysler300] 300-D Body Seam Question

["christopher beilby" <thelastbestgenius@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

It seems that on 1957 300Cs, the short little vertical 'join' - where the 
rockers under the door are joined by the quarter panel - is on 300Cs at 
least left unfilled from factory - in other words you should see a short 
vertical 'gap', about the width and depth of single thickness of the body 
steel.  Other 300C owners may verify or debunk this, but I think I am right.

In constructing the 300C (and likely thru to, but ending with, new unibody 
60 300F) the rockers under the doors run right through to the rear wheel 
arch, with a detent, or step in, of one thickness of body steel, near the 
rear of the door. This allowed the rear quarter panel sheetmetal to now be 
'flush fitted' over the (now stepped in one metal thickness) 'hidden 
underneath continued on' rockers underneath. (The quarter sheetmetal 
came/continued forward a few inches ahead of rear door corner for this 
join.)

And that is often why on 300Cs and likely Ds and Es, the first place rust 
may be found is in the quarters just above where they meet the hidden 
rockers underneath.  It only takes a few leaves and some dirt, and water is 
held/trapped behind the sheetmetal of the quarters above the rockers, as the 
near vertical quarter panel steel meets in near vertical outer edge of 
rocker box structure - like coming into a ever narrower wedge.
First signs of this are bubbling in paint running from door back to 
wheelarches in a horizontal line about maybe 4-5inches above bottom of body.

Whereas many other similar welded panel steel joins on 300s were lead wiped, 
Chrysler perhaps minful of acids/chemicals need to tin the metal to lead 
wipe it, may have thought this acid/caustic use may only make future rust 
risks way too high, and therefore did not lead wipe here to cover the 
join/seam?  Pity they missed a few other bad spots re 300 future rust woes?

Another point apart from 'non concealed join' - looking under the body of a 
300C, should show behind the doors, the quarter panel sheetmetal does not 
run right under the full horizontal width of rocker that forms the 
lower/outer structure of the body here, but instead turn in towards the 
frame for only maybe half the distance to the sills vertical lower edge/lip, 
they being spot welded along their inner horizontal edge area over the 
rocker ('over' when in fact they are the lowest albeit briefly, lowest part 
of horizontal body construction)

Sounds confusing, but those that care to look at a 300C (and D&E?) body will 
soon understand, if car is factory original, and has no bondo concealing how 
it should be here also.

and a ps - if anyone has a 300C - D - E that has not yet rusted out/through 
here, take out/off the lower trim panels beside the rear seat lower squab, 
and clean and rust proof these areas as best you can - even just getting 
trapped dirt and mulch out, and feeling for, clearing, the  little factory 
drains into outer sides of (hidden) rockers may save future ruined paint, 
panel.

All the best from Australia where cold/damp start to winter continues, 
'seams' like maybe a long colder winter than usual ahead here.

Christopher




>From: John <spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>To: Chrysler 300 Club Intl <chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: Re: [Chrysler300] 300-D Body Seam Question
>Date: Tue, 19 Jun 2007 20:31:05 -0700 (PDT)
>
>Thanks Terry McTaggart, for your observation that there IS a seam, and that 
>the rocker appears to 'go under' the rear quarter panel.
>   John Spiers
>
>John <spiers@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>           I hope I'm clear on the location & position of this item:
>
>On the rocker panels on my D, my bodyman reminded me that my car had filled 
>vertical rocker panel seams on both sides under the trailing end of the 
>doors.
>
>He said he did a little research, and found pics of restored cars with and 
>without this vertical seam filled, that would divide the rear quarter from 
>the rocker panel under the door.
>
>Which is correct?
>
>Thanks,
>
>John Spiers
>Lake Worth, Florida
>
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