1956 Imperial Owners Forums?

[DonFromTexas]

We 59 people have banded together and have profited immensely from the forum, exchanging parts and ideas. Does anyone know of a 1956 Imperial group?

[ImperialAtom]

This forum is for all Imperials, so feel free to cover 1956 here as well.

[DonFromTexas]

Of course I will. It just seems there is very limited response from other 56 owners so far.

[ImperialAtom]

I don't think there's that many 56 owners out there unfortunately. Every car you restore and get back on the road helps with that though

[wypowerwagon]

Wasn't sure where to post this but decided this would work since it is '56 Imperial information. Not saying any of this is concrete for all '56 Imperials, I'll post pictures too. The outside mirrors on the cars I have are more on the fender than on the door. One had a mirror on the door more recently than on the fender & the 2 door Southampton doesn't have a mirror but it does have a trailer brake controller. I guess they didn't care what was behind them. Only one of the 5 cars I have came with a 2 speed transmission. Vin is C563672. The lowest vin I have with a 3 speed transmission is the Desert Rose 4 door Southampton, it's vin is C567325. I have C569949 a green 4 door sedan that was repainted red, C5610714 blue 4 door sedan, C5611390 a 2 door Southampton. I couldn't get the trunk open on one of the 4 door sedans but I was sure we would've gotten in there somehow. It seemed to be locked but I got to thinking about how the trunk latch works & decided it needed a shot of whatever flavor penatrating oil I had. Sprayed the button really well a couple times, came back a couple hours later & it opened right up. Don, I hope your '56 is the same way.

[ImperialAtom]

You definitely have some options to play with. What is your thinking with those cars? Do you want to get into the business of restoring them, part them out, or just sell them to someone who needs some spare parts? Hopefully they won't end up as scrap.

[DonFromTexas]

Heavens no to the scrap yards! Thanks so very much for sharing all those photos, they were quite valuable to me and probably many others as well.
Thanks again!

[DonFromTexas]

What really jumped out and shouted to me was the apparently aftermarket AC unit. The control was the giveaway of course but the NOVI brand in the trunk was an even bigger red flag. Chrysler owned Airtemp so why would they use Novi at the factory. I see that same unit in Studebakers as well. I was unaware that aftermarket AC units for cars existed at that time. If you get a chance, would like photos of the compressor and whatever else was under the hood from this add on AC unit.

[DonFromTexas]

What really jumped out and shouted to me was the apparently aftermarket AC unit. The control was the giveaway of course but the NOVI brand in the trunk was an even bigger red flag. Chrysler owned Airtemp so why would they use Novi at the factory. I see that same unit in Studebakers as well. I was unaware that aftermarket AC units for cars existed at that time. If you get a chance, would like photos of the compressor and whatever else was under the hood from this add on AC unit.

[wypowerwagon]

Glad you enjoyed the pictures! Definitely no on the scrap yard. I may consider selling some parts at some point. Lots of stuff to go through still. I will get pictures of the Novi AC stuff under the hood the next time I'm there. I was under the hood looking for parts that day but completely forgot to get pictures. Lots of things running through my head when I'm there. The 4 door Southampton was bought in 1970. I'll post a picture of it here too. My parents bought the blue 4 door sedan around 1975. The other two 4 door sedans were bought in 1981 as parts cars for the 4 door Southampton & the blue 4 door sedan. The 2 door Southampton showed up around 1993. My dad wanted to restore the 2 door & the blue 4 door sedan but my parents got a divorce in 1996 & my mom got the Imperials. Unfortunately she was able to do a very good job of preventing me or my siblings around the cars. My brother has passed & both of my sisters live several states away. My mom passed away last year & it was looking like everything would have to be sold. Keeping the cars hasn't been an easy process but cool cars aren't found on any old street corner. I'm going through the brakes, the fuel system, the cooling system & new tires on the 4 door Southampton & I'll be driving it soon. It needs some interior work & a lot of little other things that I will sort out as I go.