Turbine Wheel Covers re-post
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Turbine Wheel Covers re-post



Hi,

I posted this message the other night and it was supposed to go to the list and to Chuck but I goofed.  Luckily Chuck replied with a copy.  So here it is.  Now my follow-up message of yesterday will make more sense.  (If you remember it.)

D(uh)an Wing


In a message dated 8/21/2002 1:21:25 PM Eastern Daylight Time, cariens@xxxxxxxxxxx writes:



Dan;

I have the twin to your car (well, almost..mine is an '81 without the mud flaps) also with the factory carb conversion.  The Turbine Wheel Covers look fabulous!  What model LeBaron did they come from?  I have the same wire wheel covers that yours had originally and, except for originality, I really like what you've done.  As far as originality goes, you can always switch back when in a show.  Looks really nice.   What brand of tires do you have?

Chuck Ariens
'81 Imperial ("Beauty")


Hi Chuck and all who responded,

Thanks for the compliments!  I have always liked turbine wheels of any kind, and when I saw these, well, that was it!!

I like having the somewhat rare wire wheel 'option' that my car came with, but I think they make the car look 'stodgy'.  Chrysler wire wheels have never looked as good as some of the other brands to me. I had been looking for years at trying to find some 'cooler-looking' wheels, but didn't know which ones would look good, and didn't cost a fortune.  I had seen a few New Yorkers with the Chrysler center cap turbine wheels and liked them a lot.

As far as which model Le Baron they came from.  I have no idea.  I was at Chryslers at Carlisle when the thought struck me ( Duuuhhhhh! ) that THIS is where I should look for some cool wheels.  I eventually found a couple of the turbine style ones that have 'Chrysler Corporation' in the center.  I thought, hey what the heck.  I got 'em at $15 each.  Cool.  Now to find two more.  Heh heh heh.  Right.

I went through all of the vendors at least two times when Bingo!  I spotted a third.  Lo and behold as I approached it I saw the Imperial Eagle in the center.  WOW!!!  I bought it, (without trying to look too eager). 

By now I had my son looking separately for me.  There were no more to be found. 

:-(

I did stop at Murray Park's place where I had picked up one of the first ones.  He thought that he might have some of the Le Baron (as he called them) ones back at his shop.  I got his card.

So, as it turns out the motel we were staying at in Wormleysville was just down the street from a little corner place called Hub-Caps Tires and Wheels.  Of course now it was Saturday evening and the place was closed (Duh again).  Oh well.  I stopped in and found out that the guy was only open on weekends by appointment.  Figures.  Oh well.

Later that night we went out to eat and as we drove by, the door to Hub-Caps etc. was open, and a car was there!  A kid was getting his girlfriend's flat tire fixed.  I pulled (swerved) in and pulled out the Le Baron cover. 

Do you have any more? 

Oh, yeah.  How many do you need?  (BOING!) 

Uh, three (he said not-too-eagerly).  No problem.

So, the guy finishes with the kid, and goes back into the store.  I walked in.  WOW, he must have about two or three thousand wheel covers and wheels in there!  He comes back out with a stack of three.  YES! 

I look at them.  The first one is in good shape, the second one is in OK shape, and of course the third one is pretty banged up.  How much?  $45 each, or three for $120.

YIKES!!!!!!!!!!! 

Take it or leave it. 

Got any nicer ones? 

Nope.  You won't find these anywhere for 4000 miles.  You can check the Chrysler show at Carlisle etc. etc. etc.

OK, OK.  I tried to deal.  Nope.  (Of course I DID pull in with an Imperial.)

Sigh.  In a fit of fear that I may be passing up a Golden Opportunity, I bought 'em.

So, there you are.  His phone number is wrong on the Bill of Sale (717 73-7809), but my credit card bill lists the address as West Fairview, PA.

At least he told me to keep my car in good shape.




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