One of the most refreshing surprises when I took delivery of my 62 was how well received it is everywhere I go.
Especially with the younger folks who are usually fixated on their Honda and Mitsubishi tuners. They really give the car a very close second look.
going to the gas station, or parking at a restaurant always brings some kind of unplanned visit from an onlooker.
So far here is my favorite story:
I'm was pumping gas before going to a show, and I saw this decked out conversion van with NJ plates pull up alongside me at the next pump. Three characters got out and they started looking at the Imp. They asked all kinds of questions, and one of them leaned up towards me and said; "That trunk, you know how big it is?"
I told him I hadn't measured the volume of it, so I wasn't sure.
Then he gave me this wonderful nugget of wisdom; "You can stack four f*#$ing bodies across side by side in that thing. That's how big
it is..."
The other two guys started to laugh and then all of them went inside the convenience store. I must say, I felt convinced, the bunch (their wives eventually stepped out) were wearing enough gold and fancy designer clothing to convince me of many things. All of them were at least in their 60's or so, making conclusions in my mind very plausible, back when the Imperial name was a big deal back in the 60's. Their wives took notice of the car, and had a different take on it. It was more of a reminiscent tone, about trips with the girls, and memories of times very fresh in their minds.
Chris Middlebrook
1962 Custom Southampton
--- On Sun 04/23, < Bear1249@xxxxxxx > wrote:
From: [mailto: Bear1249@xxxxxxx]
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Date: Sun, 23 Apr 2006 22:31:47 EDT
Subject: IML: Lurkers and Imperials
Ok Ok I admit I am a "lurker" most of the time. I usually just glance through the technical discussions. I am not a mechanic but love old cars...especially the unusual ones...just happy to be able to drive any of my beloved oldies. Anyone who drives a vintage Imperial probably suffers indignities from time to time ("Eww...what is that old boat?"). I like to think that we are saving pieces of history from the scrapyard. But, hey, would you rather drive a 74 LeBaron or a beige 2004 Toyota Camry? Hee hee.
Barry
74 Imperial LeBaron
65 Chrysler New Yorker
77 AMC Matador
56 Packard Patrician
92 Buick Roadmaster
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