IML: Exhaust preferences - my '66 vert's choice

["Wm. R. Ulman" <twolaneblacktop@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

When I bought my '66 vert, new exhaust was part of the deal.  I was given
the option of NOS stock mufflers (my car has dual exhaust, whether from the
factory, or not, I don't rightly know), or NOS MoPar Hemi mufflers, told
they were circa '68, and still in the boxes.  I have, since being a child,
loved the low rumble, or the understated quiet sound of power from a V-8.
Imperial, and the lesser luxury marques used mufflers, and resonators to
keep these Luxo-barges whisper quiet, which of course was the style of the
time.  Same is true today for I would think, and I can't think of any luxury
makes today that have a real throaty rumble sound of power.  Many have one
pipe through the catalytic converter, and then split pipe chromed tipped
"dual exhaust" pipes out the back, and I think maybe one, or two (?) may
even have actual dual exhaust, but I can't comment on that really.  Anyway,
I chose the Hemi's, and love the low rumble, and like when I back into my
parking spot up against the concrete wall, I can just discern the "Potato,
Potato" from the mild cam, and dual exhaust.  My car is not noisy, like with
Glass Packs, or Hush Thrush's (do they still make the Hush Thrush brand?)  I
had those on my '70 Olds 4-4-2 Convertible, with it's 455 cid, it sounded
great to me at 18, but now prefer the "quiet sound of power" my 440 puts out
through the Hemi's.  Especially when taking off slowly from any stop where
people are gawking at my car, and then it starts to move out with it's low
tone.  

I just don't know if I'm getting really older, or am a fuddy-duddy, but I
don't see the logic, or appreciate the sound of the big mouthed, cylindrical
"Mufflers" that sound like someone shoved a Kazoo up the as*, err, tail pipe
of their Honda, or whatever rice-rocket kid's desire today.  I just have yet
to hear a 4 cylinder sound ominously impressive to me.  Oh well, to each his
own.  I will keep my 6,000 lb 20 foot long Imperial made with steel, and
chrome, with a massive V-8, and rumble along.  Besides, the kazoo's used
today are often just show, and way to big for the low stance of the little
cars they are on, and I see lots of them littering the highway, and city
streets from when they hit a dip, or bump, and the stupid things rip off he
car.  Hmm, perhaps a new city ordinance is called for here?  For exhaust,
and driving with the seat fully reclined, as if using mirrors on the
interior roof to see the road to drive.

Also, side note here.  I was watching on the Discovery Channel a couple
nights ago a show that I only caught in part, but they were saying the Chevy
BelAir, Impala's equipped with the 409 cid outran all other makes of the
time, and started the "SS" badge, and muscle car period.  I was immediately
aghast, appalled, and clutching my pearls, thought the '57 Chrysler 300, or
most any Hemi powered MoPar, especially any that sported the dual quad Ram
Air equipped MoPar, would have, and should have, the muscle car era
attributed to MoPar.  These are all full sized cars here, not the Pony car's
introduced in the mid '60's, but the big cars.  Comments?  Imperials always
had the best performance in the luxury field, and largest engine offered by
Chrysler, so I think this is somewhat relevant.

Have a great weekend everyone, and "Happy Motoring"!

Bill Ulman
Seattle, WA
'66 Crown Convertible Coupe, "The Youngest of all Imperials", from the '66
brochure - Doris Day
WA State vanity plates: FIT4AQN







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