Imperials sighted/early AZ auction action

[mopar48291@xxxxxxx]

I just spent the day looking at all sorts of cars for sale and at auction 
here in Phoenix.  The solitary Imperial offered at the Silver Auction was a, 
at first glance, sharp looking '61 4 door Southampton in green.  Closer 
examination revealed the green to be more John Deere than anything on the '61 
color chip chart, but fairly well done.  The interior, was far from the mark, 
with a cloth insert that never graced the interior of an automobile and a 
dreadful green vinyl headliner.  Chips in the paint showed it to be 
originally painted Malibu Tan.  The wire wheels (Motor Wheel, not Kelsey 
Hayes, for sure) with wide whitewall radials and a pentastar on the front 
fender completed the picture.... She "sold" at $11,500.
On to the Scottsdale Pavilions, the longest running every Saturday car show 
on the planet.  Again, only one Imperial--a '59 Crown 2dr Southampton 
Silvercrest in Silverpine metallic.  The paint looked a bit light to be 
Silverpine and way too nice to be original, but I could find no evidence of a 
respray.  The Oyster leather in the swivel seats was excellent, tho the 
inserts had been changed to a black hopsack cloth.  The LeBaron wheelcovers 
and radial tires were the only other detraction from the originality of this 
Minnesota-plated car.
Next week, we "only" have three auctions--Barrett-Jackson, RM and Russo & 
Steel to choose from, followed by the Kruse auction at the end of the month.
Alas, I left all my Imperials at home today.
Peace,
Roger