>From: "Bill Watson" <wwatson@xxxxxxxxx> >Reply-To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx >To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> >Subject: Re: IML: Quality of the 1957 Imperial >Date: Tue, 11 Nov 2003 10:20:12 -0800 > > >Chrysler's new line of 1957 models put General Motors to shame. >Oldsmobile, >Buick and Cadillac used brand new bodies, but as one wag put it, although >Plymouth was "Suddenly It's 1960", Oldsmobile was "Suddenly It's 1950". >Popular Mechanics did an owner's report on a new 1957 Oldsmobile and the >assembly line worker that installed the grille nameplate installed the >letters "O-L-D-D-M-O-B-I-L-E" on the grille. > Bill: Good, but here's a better one, from the MOPAR '70s... Script "Volare" on one side, "Aspen" on the other. Also, "Dodge" steering wheels in Plymouths. Painting with a very broad brush, here's how I see Chrysler quality, and, by extension, Imperial quality. 46-1st series 49 (prewar bodies)...Best build quality of the Big Three. Packard and Hudson also impressive. 49-52 (first postwar bodies)...still the leader, still very impressive. Packard slips a bit from 51 on, and big time in 55. 53-54 (Exner refresh)...still very good, maybe slipping in body fits and finishes just a little (I'm thinking 52 vs 53 Plymouth here). 55-56 Some slippage. About the same as the others. Materials used in interiiors often superior to Ford and GM (true for many model years) 57...(already discussed) By the way, take a look at the Crossfire. Beautiful build quality! Currell _________________________________________________________________ Is your computer infected with a virus? Find out with a FREE computer virus scan from McAfee. Take the FreeScan now! http://clinic.mcafee.com/clinic/ibuy/campaign.asp?cid=3963