RE: IML: Two High beam floor switches on 67 Imperial

["Dick Benjamin" <dickb@xxxxxxxxx>]

Since Bill brought this story up, I have a bit of history to add, although
it has almost nothing to do with Imperial, I'm afraid;

One of my first jobs as an EE was with Philco Corporation, in the very early
1950s. I worked on the early color TVs, but across the hall was the auto
radio department.  As auto historians will know, Philco had been a major
force in the auto radio business since the very early days, and had always
been the supplier to Packard since the very first factory installed radios
back in the 30s.  Philco made the best radio possible with the then
available technology, as a ride in one of my pre-1951 cars will quickly
convince you - wonderful sound, incredible sensitivity! But I digress,
again, sorry.

Anyway - Philco was at that time reeling from the news that Delco had just
won the Packard contract for the 1951 Packards, and the signal seeking radio
was the reason!  The sound wasn't quite as good, but the marketing
department at Packard wanted anything at all to attract people to the
showrooms, especially since Packard's modern V8 wasn't nearly ready for
prime time!

The auto radio department at Philco worked day and night for months trying
to get around the GM owned patents on the signal seeker, but never was able
to get past our lawyers with the designs we came up with (I was across the
hall rubbernecking and trying to help every chance I got, even though it
wasn't my job).  I still have a couple of the very special speakers Philco
had made trying to show off the superb sound to the Packard folks - I
managed to get a few of them when the demonstrations were over.

Unfortunately, we never won the contract back - Delco built the Packard
radios right up to the bitter end. 

Now I'll go spread some Imperial on my toast.

Dick Benjamin

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Bill Watson
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 7:41 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: Two High beam floor switches on 67 Imperial


Yes, Cadillac and Buick had it.  It was actually a GM design, by Delco
radio.  When they first developed it, no car division at GM wanted it.
Packard staff approached Delco shortly after wondering what they had for new
radios.  After seeing the search-tune radio, they ordered it for Packard.
When the new Packards were introduced, then GM Chairman Alfred P. Sloan
asked Delco why they couldn't make such a radio.  To which they replied,
Delco did - the Packard radios were actually Delco units. Sloan was not
impressed and the edict soon came down that all new innovations by GM had to
appear in GM products first.

Bill
Vancouver, BC


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Isenhour
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 4:46 PM
Subject: RE: IML: Two High beam floor switches on 67 Imperial


So you don't take your eyes off the road to change those great sounding AM
stations.
If your older Mopar man didn't know about it, he ain't no older Mopar man!
I do forget if Cadillac and Lincoln had this luxury switch or not.  Anybody
remember?



-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dr David George
Briant
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 10:27 AM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: Two High beam floor switches on 67 Imperial

Radio station changing via shoe.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: Dennis
To: Imperial Club
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2006 7:59 AM
Subject: IML: Two High beam floor switches on 67 Imperial

Ok, I'm not young, but not to old either.  I have no idea why my 67 Imp has
what appears to be two high beam switches on the floor on the left side of
the drivers footwell.  One is definitely the floor sw for the high beams.
Used it last night.  Just got the car last weekend and noticed the second
sw.  They look the same though and the carpet is cut out for them so I know
they are original to the car.  I even asked an older mopar guy and he didn't
know either.  I have no owners manual to go with the car.

Dennis
68 Omaha Orange FB 360
67 Imperial Titanic 4 door sedan
64 Dodge 880 land yacht w 413



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