Becoming the owner of a '55 Imperial rather late in my collecting history
(1997) I am finally enjoying the delightful use of the FLIGHT LEVER! I think it
may actually have been spelled Flite Lever since, as with most gadgets, it had
to have a special name.
This little feature was a one year only phenomenon, replacing the column shift
of previous years and being replaced itself by push buttons in 1956. As most
on the IML know, the lever protruded from the dash board just to the left of
the radio and is used to operate the Power Flite two speed automatic
transmission.
I find it to be quite satisfying to operate, probably because it is so unique.
Everytime I drive that car and reach for that lever I crack a smile that lasts
for hours! Practically speaking, it has its share of issues, not the least of
which is its easy access by anyone of two other adults or as many as four
misbehaving children sitting in the front seat of the car.
Chrysler stated that it was designed to break off easily in the event of a
collision, but I wouldn't want to see my nose after it won a battle with the
Flite Lever during an unwanted incident on the highway! In my years of spotting
wrecked '55 Chryslers in salvage yards, I never saw one with a broken Flite
Lever.
The Flite Lever: Strange, Gimmicky, Unique! What more could you ask for?
Paul
In a message dated 12/31/2003 6:42:58 AM Eastern Standard Time,
65luxuryliner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
>
>
> Paul,
>
> The Panelescent Lighting was definitely on my 'gadget' list! Great story!
> With all the posts about swivel seats, I started thinking about how gimmicky
> '50s and '60s cars were and Imperials and Chryslers were no exception. Push
> button transmission selectors, rear view mirrors on the dash board, remote
> buttons on the floor to change the radio stations (my '65 Imperial has that
> feature), hi-way hi-fi, tissue dispensers tempered glass headlight covers to
> keep rocks from cracking the headlights. And of course the unusual
> fin/taillight shapes. The list goes on and on.
>
> Thanks for sharing your story. I enjoyed it!
>
> Greg
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <RandalPark@xxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, December 30, 2003 11:01 PM
> Subject: Re: IML: Gimmickry and Gadgetry
>
>
> > Greg,
> >
> > I think that you have a great idea, and I wouldn't mind starting with my
> one of my favorite Imperial Gimmick/Gadget's being the Panelescent Lighting.
> What a beautiful set up, but imagine owning the car when it was 10 years
> old, with no dash lights, and no one readily able to fix it. Here is a sad
> little story to go with it.
> >
> > I once knew an elderly man who was still driving his 1962 Imperial Crown
> when it was 15 years old. It had not been taken care of and among the many
> things that were not right was the Panalescent Lighting. Never fear, because
> my old friend was nothing if he wasn't ingenious! He had purchased a small
> light that plugged into the cigarette lighter socket that he mounted over
> the speedometer, wire and all. He turned it on at night so that he could see
> the instrument cluster.
> >
> > The same gentleman screwed a door bell button from the hardware store into
> the padded portion of the steering wheel. This was used to activate the horn
> after the horn ring was broken off. He also had a very durable replacement
> for his long since sheered off turn signal lever, a bright green tooth brush
> sticking out the side of the steering column.
> >
> > Paul
> >
> > In a message dated 12/30/2003 7:17:33 PM Eastern Standard Time,
> 65luxuryliner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
> >
> > > Hello List!
> > >
> > > There have been a number of posts on the List lately regarding swivel
> seats. This morning I mentioned my experience with swivel seats and in
> another post I wrote about a very useful gadget in another make of car I
> own. My apologies to the List for mentioning another make! Had I not been
> pressed for time this morning, I would have added to that (other make) post
> with an idea I got while reading about the swivel seats. The idea is this:
> In the last day and a half of 2003, I thought it might be kind of fun for
> the members of the List to write with their experiences and or knowledge of
> gimmicks and gadgets down thru the 20th century that helped sell (kill sales
> of) our Imperials. I guess it would be out of the question for the IML
> moderators to allow mention of gadgets and gimmicks from other makes. But
> the gadgetry of Imperials and Chryslers alone could certainly generate some
> interesting emails. How about it List? Does anybody have any interesting
> stories to share or just want to mention some of the gadgets that have lured
> us into the showrooms and helped get us to sign on
> > > the dotted line!
> > >
> > > Greg McDonnell
> > > '65 Imperial convertible
> > > Other makes
> > ?ÿÂz.mNTjjzÊÊ"®1SS.z-TSSs?-¢w®¦{..w.¯x½Tjj¶?¶®z®¢mzÁj®z.mNI ¢§s?-¢z±m
>
>
>
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