The Imperial Conundrum

[dardal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Chris, I have read road tests, and I am not saying its a bad car (especially 
for its price) given how modern cars are built (FWD).  What I am saying is that 
it has little to do with the name.  The 1961 Chrysler 300G was the absolute 
fastest 4 passenger car.  Nothing from Germany, Italy, England or anywhere else 
could get close to it (the Masserati Quadroporte came later, but even that 
would not be as fast, the 383 powered Facel Vega could compete, but that was 
not a real 4 seater).  The 300M is now outperformed by ALL V8 Mercedes, Lexus 
LS400, BMW V8's, many Volvos, Audi turbo V6's and V8's, Saabs, and I am sure I 
am forgetting a few.  Now, all these cars may be more expensive, but the 
Chrysler 300G was not about how cheap it was (which it wasn't), it was about 
how FAST it was.  And yes, you are right, Chrysler is not alone in killing 
their old names and traditions for the sake of profit.

I do not trust that the modern Chrysler will honor the Imperial name.  So, let 
me repeat myself.  My take on this is let the name rest in peace!
D^2

Quoting imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx:

> Dimitrios,
> 
> Have you driven a 300M, or compared to what else $30K buys in a new car
> these
> days? It has to be one of the nicest overall deals out there, with
> style,
> performance (even to this non-fan of FWD), features and room for barely
> more
> than a high-trim Camry. 
> 
> Give it a fair shot in the modern context. It might not be one of our
> Imperials (and what is?), but it seems closer in spirit to a
> letter-series 300
> than a new Impala does to an '63 SS, or a Marauder (remember, you can't
> spell
> Grand Marquis without Grand Ma) does to its namesake.
> 
> :)  Chris in LA
> 
> On Wed, 31 Jul 2002 21:22:07 -0500 (CDT) dardal@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx wrote:
> 

> > Yes, often old glorious names are sacrificed by
> > Chrysler for a bit of profit.  
> > The reason for that is that the people that
> > make these marketing decisions are 
> > not car freaks like us.  Also, most of the
> > public are not car freaks either, 
> > like they used to be.  My guess is that most
> > 300M owners do not know that the 
> > Chrysler 300 letter cars were the absolute
> > fastest 4 passenger cars of their 
> > time, while their car is an just barely above
> > average performance lengthened 
> > Dodge Neons;)
> > 
> > It may be better if they leave the name plate
> > "Imperial" rest in its grave!
> > D^2
> > 
> > 
>