IML: End Of The World Rod Run, Long Beach, Washington State

["Eric" <gearhead@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All,
Finally, I have a moment to write about a trip I took in my '64 Crown Coupe 
last month. I went to the End of the World Rod Run and met Clint and Laurie 
Carter in Ilwaco, Washington, owners of the Imperial Schooner Diner, and 
owners of a 1959 Crown Sedan with an impressive list of optional equipment, 
and a striking black and white 1965 Crown Coupe.

I have heard of this event for years but never got around to going. Thanks 
go to the Carters for mentioning the event to the list. It was pretty 
impressive. The whole peninsula from Chinook to Oysterville is a virtual car 
show as the main event car show in Long Beach is limited to 250 cars. Aside 
from the Carters' cars, I had the only Imperial that I saw. I did come 
across a very low mileage '71 Chrysler Newport Royal coupe, a perfect dusty 
rose '64 Chrysler 300, a '57 Plymouth station wagon, and I briefly met Jon 
Carson while he was driving his pristine '61 Chrysler Newport station wagon 
at the Slow Drag Race in Ilwaco. Jon pointed me to the Imperial Schooner 
Diner where I met the Carters and ordered up a great plate of local oysters 
prepared in an impressive array of optional styles, and from where I watched 
the Slow Drag line up as well as overlooking the boats in the pier. 
Imperials and schooners at the Imperial Schooner! It's aptly named and a 
tasty stop.

Before my trip, I did some trip planning through the MS Streets & Trips 
program. It showed an optional route that I had never taken before and 
provided a 20 mile savings. The map showed a winding road through Jewell, 
Oregon, ending up in Astoria. I thought what the heck, I'll try something 
new from the usual highway I take. This turned out to be one of the most fun 
roads I've ever been on. Miles of undulating, 2 lane blacktop with banked 
and unbanked curves, pastural and mountainous viewpoints, and just about 
zero traffic. It was a treat for me and my 340HP, TorsionAired road eater.

I have to agree with Ron, if possible one should use their Imperial as 
intended. I've had maladies that were quickly remedied on the road and made 
for good story telling fodder once the destination was reached, and this 
rekindles an appreciation of the car.

The Carters have a really fun Imperial motif with their diner, making it the 
Imperial outpost on the Northwest coast. Their menu is replete with Imperial 
monickers and I heard of future plans for an Imperial Salon in one exclusive 
section of their restaurant. I highly recommend making the trip if you're in 
the Northwest. Thanks, again, Clint and Laurie, for reminding the list of 
this event.

Eric Ruud
Portland, Oregon

1964 Imperial Crown Coupe
1969 Dodge A-108 8 Door HiTop Van
___________________________________________________________________________
Date: Fri, 06 Oct 2006 11:00:03 -0600
From: Ron M <rfm10@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
I would encourage everyone to do a long road trip in an old car.  It
lets you get to know the car as well as being a true adventure.  When I
bought my 68 convert. I flew to Miami, had new tires put on her and
within 4 hours of first seeing her I was headed north on the start of a
2500 miles trip. One is very attentive in a such a situation, listening
to her, feeling her movements and responses.  It turned out to be a
wonderful trip other than the pouring rain from tropical storm Arlene
for the first 1600 miles.  The only car trouble was an overheat when a
loose clamp on the lower radiator hose allowed too much water to drip
out, easily fixed with a screwdriver and a gallon of  antifreeze.  A
little knowledge, a handful of tools, a AAA card and a visa will take
you a long way. 



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