IML: '66 Crown Convertible on eBay. Don't everybody rush and bid at onc

Check out this beauty! I'm certain it is truly a '66 due to the grill, and deck lid and script are correct, so I think the other items have been replaced. Notice though, it does have a coveted right side outer mirror.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4521821850&fromMakeTrack=true

Notice the drivers seat headrest. This feeds the thread about head rests/restraints on Imperials. This would also explain why the '66 did not have the passenger seat head rest, because the upper portion of the passenger bucket seat on the '66 pops up about a foot to create a head rest, most likely for comfort when the passenger seat is reclined to the full 45 degrees. Different than the more block style head restraints/rests offered on the '64-'65 Imps. Does anyone know if the '64-'65 bucket seat for the passenger had the pop up, or recline feature? I would think not due to my observations above. Also, please note the hubcaps are pre '66, obviously '64-'65, I think, and the rear bumper is a '64-'65 as well since the reverse lights are incorporated with the brake, tail lamp assembly, rather then the lower bumper as has been discussed recently. Also note the tow hitch, and decal on the right side valve cover (was the Imperial decal applied only to the left valve cover?). Not stock, and indicative of heavy load use, or at least adolescent decal application to the valve covers. I would bet the farm on that!! Maybe I'll sell Doris, and buy this slightly more road worn, but surely highly reliable, unit to drive, and have my new condo too!! By the way, the add is incorrect in it's reference to the number of '66 verts built. It was 513, or 514 in '66, not 400 units. Also, note the seller has a 100% approval rating. Some people must have lower standards than others.

I would like to get my hands on the drivers seat headrest assembly though. Maybe worth buying the car just for that item. Then again, maybe I really just need to up my dose of meds instead. That would be the more prudent route I think. Does anyone know of a vendor who might have this drivers seat headrest/restraint assembly that I could put on my current car, Doris? Or would I need to replace the entire seat, and thus recover the whole seat, as opposed to just installing and recovering (and de-lice, or de-mold) just the headrest, and upper seat cushion, which would contain the headrest base, and assembly? How rare of an option was this on the bucket seat '66 Imperials? Could the headrest and assembly be installed, without too much distress to my current original standard upper seat back cushion?

On another note related to the possible sale of Doris, my refinance deal is still going on. Two approvals, both rescinded. First due to current construction on my current condo, lender downgraded my appraisal. Second approval got as far as signing closing company docs, and completed preliminary loan disclosure docs being delivered for inspection, and signature, then lender actually read what they had approved, and rescinded due to my unit being below their minimum square footage requirements. My condo is a studio, and 472 sq ft. Their minimum is 650. I needless to say, have felt compelled to apply a Satanic Pox against the lender corporation's entire employee base as a whole. This will consist of the following: all their children shall end up as communists, or Progressive Socialists Worker Party leaders, and have multiple body piercings by the age of 10, and the pre-requisite sullen, angst ridden teenage attitude, and social interaction problems associated with and inclusive of a partially shaved scalp with whatever remaining badly cut hair done in the standard blue/black hair dye, and heavy black eye makeup and at least two highly visible socially unacceptable tattoos, preferably on their face/neck areas. As a bonus, the decision makers husbands/wives will develop a severe prescription drug/alcohol problem, something along the lines of a Judy Garland (yeah, I know, what a stereotype!) hopeless addition. Just enough to require several failed attempts at expensive rehab centers, and subsequent failed marriage. As for the decision maker him/herself, I have applied a powerful hex meld on them to have their modern, imported, overpriced (so called by today's standards) luxury sedan's computer short circuit, thereby killing the car while driving through their respective home cities worst "Bad neighborhood" with a large print, highly visible bumper sticker on the car that says something along the lines of: "Stop REVERSE discrimination: End Affirmative Action policies NOW". Oh, and for good measure, their cell phone will be dead, and a large wad of $100.00 bills will drop from their pocket upon exiting the car to hail a non-existent cab. I want to be clear here though, in that I harbor no resentments, and I fully understand their position. After all, I am a reasonable person, and recognize it was just business.

My broker has informed me of a new, third approval, and we will close by the end of January. I am not holding my breath though. It ain't over till the "Big boned" Escrow lady sings, and moreover, blue is not my color. My new condo's sales staff, and the developer himself are being extremely nice, and patient with me, and are confident, and reassure me they know it will work out in the end, as I am doing everything possible to secure my earnest monies, and said not to sweat it. The developer took a liking to me one day when I was in looking over kitchen/bath finishes, he was sort of doing a "secret shopper" interview of buyers, and prospective buyers. We started talking, and I told him about my current condo and it's issues in the context of how this new development was being built, and materials used to assure myself I would not be jumping from the frying pan into the fire, and when he revealed he was the developer, said he would let my Sales Rep. know to be sure to work with me in whatever way was needed to make my deal gel. Very nice since I signed a promissory note stating I would have the funds to them by mid December '04. I even offered up the title to Doris to hold against the immediate sale of my current condo upon completion of remediation construction work due to be done by mid March, if I was not able to secure a refinance. I would then have to rent for a year, but they declined, graciously. My unit as of today, this last week, has few interior walls intact, ceiling too in parts, and workers are here each morning at 7:30 am to work, watch, and help me get dressed and ready for work. Since I can't see outside due to the protective shroud wrapped around the building for the last 5 months, I must go down to the lobby to look outside, beyond the scaffolding to determine the weather, then dress accordingly. FUN, and not a bit of stress in my life at all! I thank my divine higher power each day for modern pharmacology breakthroughs, and my Dr.'s generous issuance of psychotropic, and stress relieving medications, which allow me to live a better, longer, more productive, and fulfilled life! As for my two cats, well, let's just say I'm grateful to find them here, and not dead from a massive coronary brought on by their shear terror they must endure each day.

This is all Imperial related since I may still have to sell Doris, and people should know why, and that it is not due to mechanical, or cosmetic requirements. Beyond the interior being the original, and quite serviceable as a driver, but not "showroom fresh". After checking out the '66 vert on eBay, via the above link, I will allow no sniveling, or nit-picking of my car ever again. I may just have to print out some pictures of the above car to show any prospective buyers if they start whining about anything not showroom fresh on my car.

IML: '66 Crown Convertible on eBay. Don't everybody rush and bid at once...