When the 1969 Imperials first showed up, I had almost the same
instinctive
reaction that I had when I first saw the [new at that time] 1963
Chryslers
(no, the Imperial was still fine)-- I thought, "WHAT in gawd's name have
they gone and done NOW!?! Well, over the years they have grown on me-
both
the '63 (and '64) Chryslers, and the '69 Imperials. I went from a very
nice
'65 Imperial Crown (which was forced off of a freeway overpass unto the
road
underneath after five end-over-end somersaults with my my bride-to-be in
it-
the accident investigators said the car's tank-like construction saved
her
from being crushed inside it) and THOROUGHLY totaled!) to a then 2
1/2-year-old '69 LeBaron 4-door (that wasn't missing even ONE of the
offered
options) because we were about to be married and needed a family car, and
I
was darned if I intended to be left without an Imperial- especially after
that accident! I bought it sort of grudgingly because I didn't like the
body-style much, but Imperials for sale were few and far between. It
didn't
take more than a 2,000 mile honeymoon trip to fall in love with its
comfort,
features (ah, that factory 8-track!), and performance, however. That car
was
our family car for about 12 years and over 300,000 miles with no major
work
ever needed on the engine, and no oil burned. It was a spectacular
road-car,
and we gave it up with poor grace to a Tennessee salvage-yard in the late
eighties because it had spent most of its life being driven year-'round
in
Minnesota, and we just couldn't keep up with the rust any longer. The
drive-train was still very good, though, and so was the interior leather.
The main thing that frustrated me on the road was the lack of a flat
place
to put a tea-cup; all things considered, a small inconvenience compared
to
the privilege of owning that car.
I thought at one time that I would never hear myself THINK it, but if I
ever
found another '69 like that one at a time when I was flush with the
stuff, I
would grab it in a minute, and drive it all I could.
Kristian Oyen
1963 Imperial Crown Southampton 4-door
1966 Imperial Crown Sedan
1967 Imperial Crown Coupe
-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Kenyon Wills
Sent: Monday, February 12, 2007 7:31 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: Fuselage cars
--- Mark Jefferson <imperialist67@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
You have to drive them (or take a long ride in one) to really appreciate
them.......
---
It's interesting that you say that. My first one, Imperial Margarinem,
was
offered to me for a pittance.
I had never seen one in person, and went to see it with the intent of
perhaps scooping it up and flipping it for some $$ to fund the 1960
project.
I owned it mentally as soon as I drove it a block - story is here:
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1973/Wills/index.htm
-and the rest is history.
The cars ride poorly on worn shocks, undulating and confirming one's
worst
fears about their boat-like proportions, but the car rode so well that I
decided to keep it on the spot and still have it.
Aside from a valve cover that refuses to seal despite four tries, I have
since aquired 2 72's and a 70. The 70 has more apparent power, and the
flat
hood looks meaner and somehow different than the 72/73 cars, but they're
"better" than all the rest, and I grudgingly include the vaunted 196o in
that, despite my passion for the LeBarons of that year.
The really amazing thing is the subtle differences between 71 and 72.
Same
essential shape, yet so different. Probably just me, but the energy
spent
on the design of these cars continues to impress, and I feel strongly
that
the styling is on par with the Exner stuff. No fins to slap you in the
face, but equal sophistication that grows on you as you become more
familiar
with the car.
Remember that 1973 was the L O N G E S T postwar production car ever that
wasn't some sort of Formal Car variant at 235.3 inches long due to the
federally mandated bumperettes. Amaze and confound your Cadillac
adherents
with that one. Should be good for at least one drink at the bar under
the
right circumstances.
Kenyon Wills
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