Well, Hugh, I think that you have a great idea in trying to seek funding for
your Imperial project by selling it as a profit making venture.
I only see one serious hole in your logic. That is that if the idea was
accepted, they could hit the road running with a funtional car purchased on
E-bay for much less than it would take to restore Mrs. Blueberry.
As far as getting publicity for this venture, I used several of my Imperials
for family wedding events (big family) 20 years ago and found that many of the
guests were interested in doing the same. I never actually did charge anyone
for it, but I could have made quite a bit of money when all that was going on.
The difficulty came from the fact that the collection had to be maintained like
a fleet of rental cars, always ready to go. Also, since I couldn't be two
places at the same time, I was going to have to hire drivers to run the other
cars during peak seasons. To make money and be successful you can't pass up the
opportunity for a job.
As for using an old Imperial as a display for a car dealer, I have done that
once also, but ended up with a bill to clean the showroom floor after the
transmission threw up on the 5th day of the display. I even allowed one of my
cars to be used to make a commercial for Toro Outdoor Lighting. That worked out
okay, but a hot light fell over in the car and burned the carpet in the rear
seat area. It cost more to fix than I was given for the job.
Don't get me wrong, there are some wily business types out there that could
turn this into a money making proposition. I think that most of us would be too
conflicted over using our prized possessions as work horses.
Paul
In a message dated 2/7/2004 12:54:45 AM Eastern Standard Time,
hugtrees@xxxxxxxx writes:
>
>
> Inspired by a new member who acquired his 58 to be a wedding limousine, I
> was wondering who else might be using their car to make a little money. I
> need some ideas, essentially, to try to convince my colleagues at the museum
> that the 58 is not just a money pit. My problem is compounded by the fact
> that the museum has other more suitable vehicles in better condition for use
> in parades and weddings. The 58, a four door hard top might be suitable as
> a substitute in bad weather, but I am in San Antonio and without working
> A/C, it would not be very accommodating. I did use the 58 once at a senior
> prom once. It turned out to be a popular decision - do you know how many
> seniors you can cram into an Imperial? A fun night, but I did it as a
> favor, and I'd have to get a license to compete, and I suspect the car would
> probably be subject to vigorous inspection which it could not pass. Film
> work is out of the question. Any vehicle we have rented out for that
> purpose came back with so damaged the costs to repair them out weighed any
> gain, not to mention the horror of it all.
>
> If anyone is using their Imperial as a working vehicle, I'd sure like to
> hear about it. Mine is not in any danger. I'm am looking for support in
> getting it worked on. I have two persons lined up to help with the
> mechanical work, and, frankly, I am very keen to get started. I have never
> removed an engine before. I will be starting right at the head of the food
> chain with the 392, which is not called the whale for nothing. I recently
> saw one on a stand at a museum not too far from me and it was quite awe
> inspiring. I am quite content with the car's lack of practicality, the
> absurdity of it, but I'd like to give the impression that there is some
> logic, however tenuous, in the undertaking.
>
> There is also an outside chance that a certain dealership chain owner, quite
> well known nationally, might be persuaded to underwrite the work. He has
> two Chrysler dealerships in this town alone. What would be helpful is some
> good . . . the list filters would refuse the word I am thinking of, but its
> initials are BS . . . some high quality BS, like his sales people use to
> shift product, to either impress him with my nerve or make him laugh, or
> both. He is a member of the museum, and kind of likes my chutzpah - sorry
> if I mangled that spelling - and he just might go for it if asked in just
> the right way.
>
> Hugh
>
>
>
>
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