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Hi All,
Yes, believe it or not, I had a car
show and 20% of them were Imperials. Last Friday I helped put on a car show here
in Red Bluff, Ca. to benefit the restoration of the State Theatre. We blocked
off the street in front of the court house and in front of the old movie
theatre. I was parking the cars as they arrived, when I noticed a man that was
checking out my 59 Imperial. 15 minutes later he was still checking it out, and
by then many other cars had arrived, both filling up the spots in front of the
theatre and filling the front of the court house. I walked over to my car when I
got a break in parking the cars, and when I opened my driver door the man stuck
his head in my passenger window, and with a very English voice said "Are you
Kenyon?". Well, that threw me for a loop, since I was expecting Kenyon Wills
(who I had never met before and did not know what he looked like) to show
up, but this was not Kenyon and neither was I. I said "No, I'm Marty Trendler,
who are you?". A big smile ran across his face and he said "I'm Tony Vickers,
but you would know me as Tony V. I've read plenty of your writings over the
years". I was flattered and happy to have finally met someone from the OIC in
person. I asked if he had brought a car and he said "No. I left my 61 Imperial
at home and brought my truck down from Canada (a 3 day trip) to meet up
with Kenyon here, and they we're off to Doc Bullock's barn to pick up a
truck full of parts" Well, to try to shorten this story, I spent many hours with
Tony talking about Imperials, England, Philly, Canada and some of you great
people from the list. We were grabbing a beer at the pub across from
the court house when Kenyon called Tony on his Cell phone. Kenyon showed up with
his 73 Imperial and drove up (about 4 hours each way) from the Bay area, to
make the car show. It was awesome to meet Kenyon and his wife, and see a 73
Imperial for the first time up close. I gave them a tour of the theatre which
was built in 1946 and we talked IMPERIALS a whole bunch. What a great day.
Thanks Kenyon and Tony for going out of your way to make my little car show, and
it was great meeting you in person.
After the car show,
we showed the Movie "American Graffiti" at the theatre to an almost full house,
thanks to the car show. The car show was free and the theatre made it's money
from the movie ticket sales. We had all the cars that were the main cars in the
movie. A 58 and 55 Chevy, a light blue 55 T-Bird, and a 32 five window Ford
coupe along with others. The whole day was a big success. I had 20 cars and 1
motorcycle show up, so with my 59 and Kenyon's 73 that's 20% Imperials. I have a
bunch of photos that maybe I can get onto the site in the future. I have much
bigger plans for next year which would include moving the car show and movie to
a Saturday, then an overnighter at a local camp ground by the Sacramento
river with live bands and a BBQ, then the CHVA annual car show that
has 100's of cars at the river park on Sunday. I'll will keep you all
posted as plans develop.
Imperially yours,
Marty Trendler
Red Bluff, Ca.
1959 Imperial LeBaron 4 Door Sedan
(Penny)
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