Imperial Car Club Forum

I just scored another 59, also been sitting for many decades like my second one. Photos should show the status and what needs to be done yet.

A 3rd... wow, you are getting overwhelmed with them.

What condition is the interior?

I would love a 59, but don't exactly have the space right now.

easy to fall in love with them. This one will need an all new interior seats, carpet, and headiner. This one had a ton of money spent on it already after sitting for so long. Engine for example, hardened valve seats, 30 over on the bore, 10 under mains and rods. Transmission has a kit put in it and it has never been started! The previous owner had a sand blaster and a powder coating machine, just look at this for instance:

My number 2 is about done

Don, what all are you doing with #2?

Total body work now, still has the seats at the upholstery shop new tires, exhaust, fuel carb, tank, fuel tank all new, all brakes are now new as well.

Nice. Should be a really nice driver. What are your plans when you are done with them all?

That is a really great question. I am an 83 year old retired US Army Officer, combat disabled at nearly 200% by the VA, and at long last my age is beginning to show. My fun is rescuing them and restoring them, I probably will not be able to enjoy driving them, and when I get tired of petting them I will sell them.
Ah Ha you say, doing it to make some extra money! No, never considered that. In fact in round figures when I am done with either one of them, I will have about $25,000 invested along with a LOT of work. I realize that I will have to work hard to get even $20,000 from them, no market has ever existed unfortunately. If I can get them both done and lose $10,000 I will be quite happy, the fun I have had with them will be worth more than 10k!
I bet you never expected that answer!

Very cool. I really hope I'm as lucky as you where I'm restoring classics at 83. That's what we all should hope for out of life... to be happy and enjoying life at that age.

You will definately need to keep us all updated on the rescue progress. I'd gladly try to purchase one from you at the end as I really like the 59 style. Can park it next to the 57

Hopefully one day you can track down a 59 convertible. Restoring one of those would make you some money as there is a market for the convertible versions of these cars.

I never liked convertibles, had a half dozen or so already. If I wanted to make money, I would stick with the Chevvy/Fords. I restored a 65 Mustang and made enough money to retire on! Problem was, I felt no sense of satisfaction, every part was readily available aftermarket. ANYONE can restore one of them and make a buck or two, but only a really nutty diehard fan can do a 59 Imperial! and expect to lose a bunch of money.