Re: IML: Bringing home my 1956 Imperial for the first time

[tom higgins <thomash85715@xxxxxxxxx>]

I am trying to decide whether to drive my new 63 across town on mostly side streets.  Distance is 9 miles.  The seller is telling me not to try because the gas in the tank has been in there for two years.  There is no way to drain and refill with fresh prior to this attempt.  This is in tucson arizona where temps have ranged from 35 to 105 over that period of time.  The car is starting and running OK in the driveway.  A clear glass filter shows decent transparency of the liquid entering the carb.  Am I nuts for thinking this will be no more than an adventure?  After all, a tow truck is a cell call away.  What is worst that can happen?  Who has experience driving old cars that have sat for two years in a desert climate?  Is there a screen in the tank that could stop up en route?  Brakes, motor and tranny respond to all commands.  Thank you for input.  --Tom

sosmi@xxxxxxxxxxx
 wrote:

I can relate, to your situation, I just returned from Detroit ,Woodward Cruise, with a 1977 Dodge Royal Sportsman Van, with  50K.Original miles 440 powered, garage kept since new. My dad bought it new. The whole trip was, DID YOU HERE THAT , and looking at gauges, and the rear view mirror for 1327 miles. Just Love Dem Ol Cars! Ya'll have a nice day Dave. 81 Imp, & TOO many Dodges .  (It wouldn't be too many if I was single)

 

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From: HemiDriver@xxxxxxx

I bought my 1956 Imperial in the Philadelphia suburbs after driving it for something like 20 minutes, looking it over for maybe half an hour, and getting a lot of blather from the owner. Anyhow, it was late November, cloudy and cold, as I headed down I-95 toward Washington full of hope and fear. The wiring was a disaster  (the car has since been totally rewired), so I was afraid to turn on the headlights; every time I stepped on the brakes, I prayed that the car  would stop; the car had a South Wind heater and, although it was bitter cold, I was afraid to fire that monster of a heater up; I kept the window down so that the windshield wouldn't fog; I had no idea about oil consumption; and, last but not least, I had no idea how good the gas gauge was or what kind of mileage I was getting.

 

In a nutshell, I was terrified, but on a real high -- after all, I would have to face HER HIGHNESS (wife) on arrival who wasn't exactly excited about me bringing home another antique auto. But, hey, that's part of the fun.

 

Trust me, adrenaline was pumping as I roared down the Interstate and kept up with traffic hauling along about 80. Fellow travelers tooted, gave thumbs up, and waved, as I raced home trying to arrive before dark and before I froze to death.. I finally made it, and my teeth chattered for about two days..

 

Although nothing untoward happened, I shall never forget that trip. Yes, you listen to every rattle and every squeak, and you worry about every bump in the road. I highly recommend a good trip in your old car.... it's a thrill a minute. I could have sold tickets if other guys felt the same sense of adventure that I did.

 

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