The Golden Age of Imperial Ownership?

["Greg and Russell" <65luxuryliner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Just read Kenyon's post and I totally agree with what he wrote.  I am (and
have been since '96 when I purchased my first Imperial) so very proud to own
such a unique and special automobile.  It was truly the Lexus of its day!
So many different mechanics who have been involved in its restoration have
commented on how incredibly over-engineered our '65 is.  From the two piece
drive train to the "I beam" type frame to the massiveness and weight of ever
single part (even the headlight housings are heavy), this car was so well
built.  In retrospect, I only wish I had started the restoration sooner.  I
know there are some of you who think I'm nuts for spending so much money on
this frame-off restoration.  Maybe I am, who knows?  But I will have a brand
new '65 Imperial Crown convt. in better than new conditon in a knockout
color combination.  There are so few left (only 633 were even made) that in
theory it should be worth 50K or more.  It probably never will see that kind
of value on it but that's ok.  I will enjoy my ownership and be on the
lookout for one from another year to add to collection.  Thank you Kenyon
for so succinctly expressing how I feel about the Imperial marque!

Greg Mcdonnell
'65 Crown convertible (under restoration)
----- Original Message -----
From: "kenyon wills" <imperialist60@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, December 18, 2002 5:21 PM
Subject: IML: The Golden Age of Imperial Ownership?


>
> --- Jim Gathmann <jim_gathmann@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Actually, if I were to guess, I'd say that we are
> > right now in the "peak" of Imperial interest thus far
> > in history.
>
>
> I agree with Jim.
>
> Today's ownership experience is second only to the day that your car
> rolled off the lot new for the first time if you ask me.
>
>
> Imperials seem to be terribly available, low in cost, and have plentiful
> parts and support for them.  While there is no aftermarket reproduction
> per-se; we have the other Chrysler big-block cars keeping mechanical parts
> available at the parts-store. Lowell Howe, Bob H. and the others like them
> are also on our side.  If you own a prewar Imperial, as Jim Martin and
> others do, I think that you'll find it tougher to get parts and knowledge,
> but there is terrific support offered here on the IML and conveninece of
> the internet that was not around 5 years ago.
>
> Ten to thirty years from now, I predict that the population of cheap, good
> condition Imperial cars will have been shrunken considerably by the
> factors of:
>
> cars being left outside to rot,
> demo derby guys that get 70k creampuffs for $1000,
> the other Chrysler owners that want cheap 440's for their projects,
> and a dwindling reservior of relatively scarce, unique trim and body parts
> that go only on our cars.
>
> This is already the case with my 1960.  They're around, but getting
> scarce.  The demo guys that I have spoken with agree that 1964's are the
> oldest ones that are really "around" anymore - earlier than that are just
> "gone".  The later 60's and 70's aren't far behind, but may not look like
> it right now.  I'm not zapping anyone (especially the muscle guys, some of
> whom are on the List), just saying that these are forces of attrition that
> are working against continued easy pickings that have existed so far.
> Imperials ARE pretty cheap to get and run, judging by the percentage of
> people that have multiple Imeprials on the list.
>
> The fuselage cars and 1980's seem to be held in especially low regard by
> the marketplace and currenly have little resale value.  This sort of thing
> leads to ebay ads like the one with the 197? fuselage Imperial that was
> advertised as "440 drivetrain" without mention of the fact that the
> drivetrain was surrounded by a really nice, worthwhile car.
>
> Despite my restoration expereince being "expensive" relative to my
> personal budget, it's not really all that expensive as far as scarcity
> goes.  I don't have to walk up and down Hershey or other swap meet aisles
> looking for an alternator or a hood ornament.  I also have a great
> resource in the IML for advice on anything, even putting Delco parts on my
> car (hey! What?).
>
> We have more in common than we have different, and I think that we have it
> easy by comparison to 10 years ago or maybe even in comparison to ten
> years in the future.
>
>
> This is a grand time to own an Imperial!
>
> Thank you, group, for making it easier and more enjoyable to do so.
>
>
> =====
> Kenyon Wills
> 6o LeBaron - America's Most Carefully Built Car
> 73 LeBaron - Long Low & Luxurious
>
> San Lorenzo/SF Bay Area
>
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