Re: IML: A few questions about my '55...

[randalpark@xxxxxxx]

I can't answer the question about the window shades unless you provide 
a picture. From your note, it sounds like they are dealer add ons. The 
steering wheels in 1955 and 1956 Imperials were nearly always a shade 
or two off from the rest of the interior. I don't know why, but that 
has been my experience, and I have seen LOTS of them over the years. 
Black ones usually match up, but color discrepencies were common for 
blue, green, and gray. It is very possible that the steering wheel is 
original and doesn't match the rest of the car very well. The space 
behind the grilles is supposed to be painted with Argent, a form of 
silver/gray color or dull sliver. The paint from the factory often wore 
away, especially '55. I found a similar color in spray paint at the 
auto parts and repainted that area myself on my '55. The grilles in my 
'56 are still original and in good shape. The side trim on the car 
should not have been painted. Some one used their artistic license to 
add that touch. It probably looks great. If you like it, leave it alone.

Paul W.


-----Original Message-----
From: Jim Poltrock <jtpoltrock@xxxxxxx>
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sun, 22 Jul 2007 5:55 pm
Subject: IML: A few questions about my '55...




Hi fellow Imperialist-

 

I brought my 1955 Imperial sedan to an all Mopar car show near my and 
left with a few questions:

 

My car has stainless steel window shades above all four door windows.  
An older gentlemen who seemed very knowledgeable about this vintage of 
Mopar told me they were dealer add-ons in 1955 and his friend stated 
they were rare- he had never seen them in person before.  I guess I 
never paid much attention to them (but I do like them).  Another fellow 
commented that the steering wheel in my car must not be original.  He 
based his observation on the fact that my car has a Wisteria blue roof 
over Rhapsody in blue body with matching leather interior and the 
steering wheel is greenish.  The dash is blue as are the door jams.  I 
have noticed this and thought it a little unusual, but never gave it 
any further thought as so much of the rest of the car is original.  The 
same fellow who pointed window shades told me that the horizontal 
surfaces in the egg carton grill were painted black and that was not 
how they came from the factory- they should be gray.   Also, the inside 
of the “spear” trim running down the side of the car is also black.

 

So, my 3 1955 Imperial originality-related questions are:

 


Were the stainless window shades a factory option in 1955 or a dealer 
add-on?  Are they rare?

What color steering wheel should my car have?

Were the inside horizontal parts of the grill of the ’55 black or 
gray?  How about the inside/middle portion of the side trim on the car?


 

Any and all insight appreciated!

 

Jim Poltrock

1955 Imperial sedan

42k

 

 

 

 



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