Love to see someone getting an Imperial (any big Chrysler) back to that King
of the Road status by towing a good looking trailer. But as to Airstream
being the "best", they weren't, that status belongs to Silver Streak. And
while the Avions, Streamlines and a few others all featured aircraft alumimum
construction, the Airstream was the lightweight. and lesser-built of the
group. But what they lack in HD construction and space, they gain in lighter
tow weight. A 28' Silver Streak is 8,500# and a comparable Airstream is
5500#. And 5500 is what Chrysler recommended as a maximum safe weight to tow.
(Not that an Imperial couldn't tow the big ones -- they did -- but at speeds
that reflected safety issues.) "Best" is relative. Have heard more than one
mechanic say he doesn't work on Airstreams, so that means that they'll be
some who specialize. They have a great support network, clubs, discounts,
rallies, etc.
For anyone interested in a beautiful Silver Streak, have a look at:
http:/tompatterson.com/
he has a mailing list dedicated to them as well as photos, brochures, etc.
He also has the excellent AIRSTREAM MAILING LIST
I sure would look carefully before buying, those people churned out
thousands of Airstreams (versus hundreds of the others) and most are gonna
need quite a bit of work if they are pre-1980. Look for the gem.
$6000-12,000 ought to do it.
A 6000-lb trailer will tow fine behind a sound 440/727, but 2.94 gears ain't
gonna do much in the way of hill-climbing. 3.23 is a LOT better (especially
with the T'NT/Magnum cam). Also, expect every system on the car to come
under the kind of stress that tests the whole thereof. I've plenty of ideas
on this line, e-mail me if you like. I'll recommend EAZ-LIFT Class 4 hitch
with sway contol, KYB shocks, front and rear anti-roll bars, and Sure-Grip.
Plus, carbon-metallic brake linings, NEW radiator, etctera, etcetera.
Please post some photos, better, video if ever the chance comes: a shiny
Imperial/Airstream rig is a helluva sight from the old days. Somewhere I
have a copy of a book published mid-late '60's showing a 65 pulling a
Streamline on the AL-CAN.
Good luck,
Ross Alexander
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