Here’s the 1960 Chrysler 300-F’s floor pan “before.” This car’s floors
had already been replaced, but incorrectly with flat metal that
flexed (note where the ribs stamped into floor abruptly stop). A
previous owner also drilled several holes in the floor for reasons
unknown; these were welded shut as the area they were drilled was
not part of the replacement floor.
Kopecky has restored several types of collector cars, but his restoration
business has evolved to specialize in finned MoPars, especially
convertibles. Thanks to his attention to detail, restorations out of
Kopecky’s shop have commanded record prices for finned MoPar
convertibles at Barrett-Jackson’s January auction. Kopecky’s latest
project car is a customer’s 1960 Chrysler 300-F convertible, one of
today’s hottest postwar cars. That 300-F is the subject of this article,
though the principles that Kopecky undertook to repair the floor pans
apply to all finned MoPars, as well as most other metal-floored vehicles.
When this particular 300-F came into his shop, it was wearing an
older, driver-quality restoration that still looked presentable. Its owner
was looking for a correct, show-quality restoration on the rapidly
appreciating Chrysler, and he knew Kopecky and his team were the right
shop for the right car.
Kopecky knew immediately that the 300-F would need floor repair.