This also shows, not just the benefits of low mileage but of cars that have only had single ownership. My 68 crown 4 door hardtop in the garage is markedly tighter and quieter than my coupe, though they both have similar mileage. which is just over 100,000 miles. I enjoy my coupe very much, mainly due to the air conditioning being deleted, the engine is much easier to access, but even just puttering around in the driveway with the 4 door, I look forward to making a road car out of it someday. Just glad this one is being treasured, any surviving vintage automobile in mostly original shape should be treated as the special and prized time capsule it truely is. Phil <>< ----- Original Message ----- From: "Peter Engel" <peter.engel@xxxxxxxxxxx> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2003 8:40 PM Subject: IML: A rare opportunity > This is not Imperial specific but I thought that IMLers might appreciate > the opportunity to hear this story. > > I recently had the opportunity to work on a beautiful unrestored 1940 > Chevrolet Special Deluxe 4 door sedan. The car is owned by the original > purchaser's son and the odometer shows only 16000 miles. He uses it > only in parades. > > It was sold in south central PA, always garaged, and seldom driven > (obviously). It bears a nick here and there, but the paint, chrome, and > upholstery are original. The original spare is in the trunk. > > I really felt like I had the opportunity to feel what it was like to see > and drive one of these cars when it was new. The sound and feel of the > doors closing was totally unfamiliar to me. The driveline was > interesting, especially the torque tube, shock absorbers, and front > suspension. Oh yeah, there were the choke and throttle controls on the > dash, too! > > Looking at this car (which cost about $800 when new) and seeing/feeling > how solid the construction was, I couldn't help but wonder what an > Imperial of the same vintage (which cost about $2300) must have been > like. > > Here is a link to some pics for those interested: > > http://www.bos-engel.com/40chevy/ > > Pete in PA > > >