Having been a chauffeur for a long time and having thought about using
antique cars in a limo company of my own (haven't done it), there are a
handful of issues to consider. The biggest issue is liability and insurance.
One accident and injury equals one big lawsuit and loss of everything
without real good insurance. The minimum insurance the ICC (Interstate
Commerce Commission. Regulate truckers and the like) is,last I knew, $1.5
million per vehicle. That's a hefty monthly premium. I'd probably go for
more than $2 million per car just to be safe. With the car being used (and
abused) more often, maintenance will be considerably higher. Spilling
champagne, beer, soda, chips, cheese, crackers, bubble gum, etc., will cause
more repairing and replacing of interior parts and upholstery than Sunday
drives. Getting sick in the car.....well...... let's not go there.
Basically, all of your expenses will increase dramatically. I'm not against
this idea, as I still occasionally think about doing it, but it's stuff to
think about. It's a business. there are contracts to consider, who to pick
to maintain the car, because when it breaks, it needs to be fixed NOW,
because the next job is in a few hours. You can't piss off clients like
that, or you'll be out of business soon. One possibility I thought of might
be to approach a limo company and see if you can run your car under through
their company. If you can be covered under their insurance, that might be
money saver. A myriad of possibilities.
Dave
in Maine
'56 4 dr sedan
> --------- Original Message ---------
>
> DATE: Fri, 6 Feb 2004 23:54:45
> From: "Hugh & Therese" <hugtrees@xxxxxxxx>
> To: "Imperial Mailing List" <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Cc:
>
> >Inspired by a new member who acquired his 58 to be a wedding limousine, I
> >was wondering who else might be using their car to make a little money.
I
> >need some ideas, essentially, to try to convince my colleagues at the
museum
> >that the 58 is not just a money pit. My problem is compounded by the
fact
> >that the museum has other more suitable vehicles in better condition for
use
> >in parades and weddings. The 58, a four door hard top might be suitable
as
> >a substitute in bad weather, but I am in San Antonio and without working
> >A/C, it would not be very accommodating. I did use the 58 once at a
senior
> >prom once. It turned out to be a popular decision - do you know how many
> >seniors you can cram into an Imperial? A fun night, but I did it as a
> >favor, and I'd have to get a license to compete, and I suspect the car
would
> >probably be subject to vigorous inspection which it could not pass. Film
> >work is out of the question. Any vehicle we have rented out for that
> >purpose came back with so damaged the costs to repair them out weighed
any
> >gain, not to mention the horror of it all.
> >
> >If anyone is using their Imperial as a working vehicle, I'd sure like to
> >hear about it. Mine is not in any danger. I'm am looking for support in
> >getting it worked on. I have two persons lined up to help with the
> >mechanical work, and, frankly, I am very keen to get started. I have
never
> >removed an engine before. I will be starting right at the head of the
food
> >chain with the 392, which is not called the whale for nothing. I
recently
> >saw one on a stand at a museum not too far from me and it was quite awe
> >inspiring. I am quite content with the car's lack of practicality, the
> >absurdity of it, but I'd like to give the impression that there is some
> >logic, however tenuous, in the undertaking.
> >
> >There is also an outside chance that a certain dealership chain owner,
quite
> >well known nationally, might be persuaded to underwrite the work. He has
> >two Chrysler dealerships in this town alone. What would be helpful is
some
> >good . . . the list filters would refuse the word I am thinking of, but
its
> >initials are BS . . . some high quality BS, like his sales people use to
> >shift product, to either impress him with my nerve or make him laugh, or
> >both. He is a member of the museum, and kind of likes my chutzpah -
sorry
> >if I mangled that spelling - and he just might go for it if asked in just
> >the right way.
> >
> >Hugh
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