IML: What do I do with a '55 parts-car sedan?

[Adam Smith <hydrauliclifter@xxxxxxxxx>]

Hello everyone.  I just recently joined the list, but I've been reading the Club's website for about 2 1/2 years, ever since I bought my New Yorker.  It's not quite an Imperial, but most of the same stuff applies, of course.

 

This summer I DID get an Imperial, though.  I bought it for $125, for parts.  Apparently the previous owner got it just so he could sell the rear A/C unit and didn't want the rest.  It had been broadsided pretty bad on the passenger's side back in the early 80's and had been sitting in a field, minus engine, since then.

 

That's about all I knew, other than it came with replacement body parts to fix the crash damage.  To my surprise it had tons of GOOD parts left in it (T&C radio, A/C compressor, brake booster, etc.) and almost no rust.  Just some surface rust here and there, and some little bits of rust-through around the wheelwells.  Very minor, and easily fixable.  I'm still just amazed how little rust this thing has.  I guess they don't salt the roads in Oklahoma, but they sure do here in Minnesota and my New Yorker shows it.

 

My plan before the car showed up was to take the parts I needed off of it, take the parts I could sell off of it, and scrap the rest.  Basically, the whole "buying a parts car from out of state" plan was a lot simpler when I thought the body was junk and the glass was less than perfect.  Now that it's not, I'm stuck with it, because there's no way I could in good conscience send this car to the crusher.

 

Another unfortunate thing for me is that the Imperial is longer in the front doors than my New Yorker, otherwise I'd have a very straightforward solution.  I COULD cut it down to fit, but I'm worried I'd get overwhelmed by trying to reattach two halves of a very big car.  I thought of simply making an Imperial out of my New Yorker, but I'd have to collect virtually all the Imperial trim pieces, and as you guys know there are a LOT (plus I like the New Yorker's styling better, no offense!)

 

So finally, I'm asking for opinions on what to do with it.  My options as I see it are either to cut the body up for use as patch panels on my very rusty New Yorker, or to try and sell or give away the Imperial's shell.  I really don't think I'd have luck with the latter option, since someone would have to pay a lot to have it shipped even if I gave it to them for free.

 

What should I do?

Thanks,

 

Adam