There's a lot of the worn-out comment "they're only parts changers today" showing up here that I had to speak up. First off, please recognize that there are not only significant mechanical differences between our beloved Imperials and a new computer controlled car; the economic and business environment mechanics, shops and dealers find themselves in is completely different from the climate of the 50's, 60's and 70's. It makes absolutely no sense to learn how to perform certain repairs if there's a 99% chance no one would ever show up needing such a repair or would ever PAY you to do it. Just as it does not make sense to train all mechanics how to repair a cracked battery case (or rebuild a battery, for that matter), other common repairs of the past are also no longer needed. It was also more acceptable in the past to regularly bring your vehicle in to a *professional* for scheduled service. Not so today. The "gas goes in here; key goes in there" mentality demands minimal service. And then there's "service". Today, people are not willing to pay for it. What maintenance is left goes to the quick-lube shops. Regular repair shops and dealers get much less of this work which used to be gravy. As one poster said - they'll pay for a $200 repair on their $500 TV but complain about a $200 repair on their $25,000 car. And then there's attitude. Today's customers assume all shops are out to cheat and run up a high repair bill. Try performing a repair on a car that is more than a couple years old and you'll see how easily parts break when they are removed, even when they aren't involved in the original complaint. The mechanics don't design the cars. Secondly, the skill set needed today is *different*. If you don't believe me, go speak with an instructor at your local community college/trade school mechanic program. Before, it was easier to gauge aptitude: the potential student came in having worked on cars at home or at least showed an interest in how mechanical things worked, etc. Today, that is NOT enough, especially if you want to be very successful in the trade. If you don't believe me, take a look at the wiring diagrams for a late model car. If you think an OBD II scan tool has turned the job into one a monkey can perform, I suggest you talk to a mechanic who regularly repairs drivability and emission control problems to find out how "easy" diagnosis can be on these systems. (For that matter, on late model cars also include transmission, ABS, HVAC and many other systems that are under computer control in the list.) Lastly, if you are upset because your local mechanic refuses to work on your Imperial - THANK him. ;) He is trying to save you money by not attempting a repair/diagnosis with which he is not familiar. He might be gruff, but hey, it's not easy to say 'I don't know'. Plus, he's probably had many, many more people complain about what he charges so, he's skeptical that someone *would* be willing to pay for the time needed to come up to speed on something. A skilled mechanic has always been a good find. Skill and experience are what count in the trade, whether for late model repair OR classic car repair. -gh No, I'm not a mechanic