My 1965 doesn't have fins, but is still a total
pleasure to drive. My mother's 2005 Mercedes-Benz cannot glide across
washboard surfaces with the disdain of my Imperial, nor does it have nearly
the roominess and comfort. My Imperial feels like sitting on an
expensive living room sofa with a steering wheel and controls in front of
me. I drove it 2,100 miles in one shot and didn't feel any back pain or
anything from lack of support. It is, without a doubt, the most
luxurious car I've ever had in my life, plus it gets good gas mileage for a
car that large with such a huge engine.
I see people buy and sell and understand that
they have many cars and this is their hobby, but, hopefully the day my
Imperial goes on the block, I'll be dead, as I have no intention of ever
getting rid of her. Not only does she turn heads on the road, but I
smile every time I walk into the garage and see her.
What kind of amazes me is that when I see the
options on my car and look at new ones, I don't see that much
difference. Aside from the standard features, I have the power door
locks, automatic headbeam changer, Auto-Pilot, AM/FM radio with reverberator
and power antenna, push button trunk lid release, six-way power seat, dual
unit A/C, etc. My mother's Mercedes-Benz has versions of the same
options. Granted, she has heated seats, which in South Texas you never
use, plus the Sentinel type headlights, that she doesn't use because in the
city, the lights won't come on at night because of the street lights and the
rear, powered head rests. However, her car doesn't ride nearly as nice
as mine and, frankly, it's a bit claustrophobic. The beam that runs from
the roof to the front fender is so wide that it creates it's own blind spot in
the front. Finding a comfortable driving position is difficult, at
best. You're either comfortable and can't see over the hood, or you can
see over the hood and you feel like you sitting on the roof. Good thing
it has the hood ornament.
Anyway, I know how you feel about taking your car
out and enjoying taking her for rides.
Timothy
1965 Crown 4-door
This afternoon I spent under my '60 re-installing
the gas tank, blowing out the line with compressed air before hooking it up to
the fuel pump and finally giving the little two gallon red plastic tank
back to its rightfull owener: My lawn mower.
After getting cleaned up enough to head to my
friendly gas station to fill two six gallon cans with premium, I lifted up the
lid and put twelve or so gallons into the car's own
tank.
Moment of Truth.
Turned the key and she started right up as usual
and I gunned the engine a little to provide as much suction from the pump as
possible. There was a slight hic-up or two but then she settled down to
her normal quiet tick over.
By now it was almost dusk and common sense told
me to wait until tomorrow morning to take her out for a drive. But then,
if I had any common sense I wouldn't be doing this in the first place and
besides I personally think common sense is over rated.
I couldn't resist.
I pressed "D" and slowly pulled out of the
garage, down the alley to the street. Moved the turn signal lever over
to the right and headed off down the street. I had intended just to go
around the block but I thought f*** that and kept on
going.
I passed a local side walk cafe where we caused
quite a stir; some people even standing and pointing but I didn't
care.
For suddenly, it was 1970 and I was 22
again! My back didn't hurt, I was filled with energy and optimism and
all things seemed possible. My fingers gripped the wheel without any
sign of arthritis - all that was years away. I switched on the
headlights and the soft green EL glow bathed my eyes. Life is
Grand!
It didn't last all that long, but long
enough. I headed for home and one of the things I always enjoyed in my
Imperial - backing up. My head turned over my right shoulder and looking
back with the view framed by the fins and the glow of the brake lights
reflected in the rings of the "Sparrow Strainers" as Uncle Tom of Mechanic's
Illustrated used to call them. I pushed the "N" button and put on the
parking brake and switched her off.
Do all time machines have fins? Well I
don't know the answer to that.
I just know that mine does...
Jim L. in OR
'60 Crown 4dr
Southampton
'62
Crown 4dr Southampton
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