I agree 100%! The fact is, there are a lot of cars that are just too far
gone to be anything but parts. In an ideal world, I think derby guys and
restorers would work together because the derby guys could stand to make
alot of money from their parts that most often, currently, get scrapped. I
know it is a rarity but there ARE derby guy who have a heart and will not
derby a good car. I know one here and I have gotten some nice stuff (for
cheap) from him. I would like to see the restoration world develop a
relationship with the derby world (as unpalatable as that may sound) because
that relationship could prove to be mutually beneficial in a big way.
----- Original Message -----
From: <ImpSvcs@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, May 25, 2002 6:23 AM
Subject: IML: Demolition Derby - Let's take the high road
I don't wish to open a lengthy debate on the use of Imperials for
other than enjoyment or restoration, I would just like to throw out some
ideas of how to deal with something we can't change.
I'm afraid that if you search the "Parts for Sale" section of the web
site, there are many parts that are for sale that were pulled from Imperials
headed for the Demolition Derby. I bought what was supposed to be a 413
(turned out to be a 361) from a gentleman in Wisconsin on my return trip
from
Iowa when I picked up my '63. He is connected with the people on the listed
link. I don't remember for sure, but it seems like I got the lead for the
engine from the IML.
Anyway, there was a '64 in his barn being prepared for Demo Derby.
The car was pretty well rusted, with previous body damage, and most all of
the good trim and stuff had been removed. We talked about Imperial parts,
and it seemed that they were selling the parts from the cars that they were
to Demo. He did say that there are large stashes of Imperial parts around
from cars that had been Demo'd in the past. I'll contact the guy and see if
I can locate some of those.
Sad as it is, this has been popular for a long time. The up side is
that many, if not most tracks now forbid the use of Imperials for regular
Demo Derby use. The fellow explained that the '64 he was preparing was for
an "Unlimited" class, that is only run occasionally and had quite a large
payout.
As much as it pains us all, there is no way to stop the use of these
cars for Demolition Derby. The market value of these cars in deteriorated
conditions makes them prime candidates for Demo Derby, or as drivetrain
donors for hot rods and race cars. I bought my '68 out from under a racer
who was going to pull the 440 and transmission for a drag car and scrap the
47,000 mile body. I think the '63 would have seen a similar fate, probably
the Demo Derby. I paid less than $1000 for each of these cars.
On the positive side of things, I think we can do the following:
1. Contact as many Demo Derby contestants as possible, and locate
any
Imperial parts available, before they end up being scrapped. Put them up on
the IML. Put them on eBay. Put them in your basement. Just save them from
the scrap yard.
2. Consider sending older deteriorated Imperials to the reputable
Mopar parts yards like Murray Park in Ohio, rather than selling them for
bottom dollar. There are other yards like Murray's all over the country.
This will keep parts available to those who need them, and help support
people like Murray, who support people like us.
3. Offer up stripped bodies to the Demo Derby guys. I've seen more
than one Imperial that has been parted, and not much more than the frame and
body are left... this is exactly what the Demo guys are looking for.
4. Get the word out to members when you find distressed cars for
sale. Better for someone on the list to control the fate of the car than
let
it go to someone who may not share our passion.
Maybe I'm still suffering from years of Corporate Brainwashing, but
it
seems like this is the perfect opportunity to implement ideals that were
nothing more than buzz-words like "Win-Win", "Synergy", "Networking", and
best of all, "Recycling".
My $.02 worth
Steve Charette
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