restoration vs modification was Re: IML:why gm ......

["Phil Patterson" <hilljack7@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

I think one of the problems with the modification mentioned, is it is so
obvious the moment you lift the hood. I realize in some cases, parts may
indeed be hard to come by. I also agree that the merger was in name only,
the decision to kill off the Plymouth name was in the works long before
Daimler got involved. But the merger is hardly a good excuse to modify our
Imperials with GM parts. What bothers me about this type of modification is
that it is so very visible. This isn't something under the car that can't be
easily seen or would need disassembly to show. Its right there on the front
of the engine, in all it's incorrect glory. This usually leads to some
"brain surgeon" at a car show or on a cruise to pointing at the Imperial in
question and going, "hyuk guffaw, that thar MOPAR cain't run without CHEVY
parts"" , which then usually leads to a bunch of put downs and insults to
both Imperials and Chrysler. I guess this is ok if you never plan to show
the vehicle, but any time the hood is open, there it will be. Most folks
buying a vintage vehicle also don't want non-stock parts, because that means
they'll have to change it back some time if they use the car somewhere where
factory stock is an issue. Also, I'm just a little too hardcore of a Mopar
fan to do something to my Imperial that would make it the subject of a joke.
There's too many shivvy powered Mopars as it is.
I really have no problem with modifications to vintage Mopars and/or
Imperials, as long as they don't change the character of the car. Thats hard
to do when the part in question is in plain sight.
Unless you just never open the hood on your car around strangers.
Phil <><
----- Original Message -----
From: <Crown58imp@xxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 9:27 AM
Subject: Re: IML:why gm anything? this isn't a gm list! was gm alternator


> Rebuilding is definitely the avenue that I'm taking with my Imperial.
> However, people who rebuild old Mopar components are a dying breed. Every
> year there are less of them. I'm afraid that there are not enough young
> people interested in old Mopars to replace these aging fellows. Most
people
> who are reproducing Mopar parts right now started out as hobbyists who
were
> frustrated by not being able to find the neccessary parts to restore their
> own cars. They turned their neccessity into a business, and some became
quite
> successful. The fact is, that Mopar is now owned by Daimler motors. It
wasn't
> a merger, it was a buyout. The Germans first moved was to axe the Plymouth
> which shows how much they respect Mopar heritage. They show no interest in
> antique Mopars or their restorers. However, you can send a vintage
Mercedes
> back to the factory and they will restore it to showroom condition. No
such
> service is available for vintage Mopars. All that I'm trying to say is
that
> Mopar parts are not easy nor cheap to come by, and the search is not
likely
> to get any easier in the future under these circumstances. Case
Closed!!!!!
>
>                Doug
>                58 Crown coupe
>
>