Imperial Car Club Forum

I got my 61 on eBay...I had no intention in buying an Imperial. I stumbled across it and had never seen one before. I couldn't look away it was so beautiful. The impressive front end and massive fins were just too much. I gave it a month to consider before I bought it. In the end I paid $475 for it and took a two day trip from Chattanooga to Havelock North Carolina. It's quite a project but I want to teach myself to do as much as I can. I don't know a lot of its history but I do know at least the last few years. Last registration is a sticker in the windshield from New York in 1994. Made its way to South Carolina. Made its way into the hands of some fools who dismantled it for a derby. Removed all specialty trim and all interior except the dash. Guy I bought it from saved it before any more damage was done and took it to havelock. He had about $700 in it and took a loss to see it go to a good home. Im planning to rebuild the engine soon but every time I try to get started something keeps me from going. When I make some significant progress I'll probably create a dedicated thread for the restoration process. Anyways, enough rambling. Thanks for reading.

That's a great looking 61 there! I really look forward to the restoration thread - maybe have two going, one in the interior section and another for the engine in the power train section.

Is the engine in the car right now? Seems to be sitting very high as if you had already pulled it.

I would love to take shot at rebuilding an engine, but I don't have the space. My garage is way too tiny. My 57 is in the shop getting the final touches on it's engine rebuild, and my 66 runs well enough that I likely wouldn't touch it until something breaks on it.

ImperialAtom wrote: Mon Feb 10, 2020 6:40 pm That's a great looking 61 there! I really look forward to the restoration thread - maybe have two going, one in the interior section and another for the engine in the power train section.

Is the engine in the car right now? Seems to be sitting very high as if you had already pulled it.

I would love to take shot at rebuilding an engine, but I don't have the space. My garage is way too tiny. My 57 is in the shop getting the final touches on it's engine rebuild, and my 66 runs well enough that I likely wouldn't touch it until something breaks on it.

The Fools who wanted to derby it took the engine and transmission out. So I don't know the condition of either. They were tossed back into the car when the guy bought it. Trans is in the floor and engine is sitting in backwards. I've been collecting missing parts till I can get a space to start the engine work. It's sitting so high because the tires are all different sizes and it sat so crooked. I put it on blocks so it sat straight.

My brother's life-long friend was at my mom's one Sunday. When I drove up, I spotted this huge, white car sporting fins and kit. I jumped out and checked it out. I immediately fell in love and decided I must have it. It was a 1957, four door sedan. I told brother's friend if he ever sold it, I would take good care of it and it would be like it'sstill in his family. A year later it was mine. I've had Bebop 10 years. My love

Janice Chapman wrote: Sat Feb 15, 2020 10:15 pm My brother's life-long friend was at my mom's one Sunday. When I drove up, I spotted this huge, white car sporting fins and kit. I jumped out and checked it out. I immediately fell in love and decided I must have it. It was a 1957, four door sedan. I told brother's friend if he ever sold it, I would take good care of it and it would be like it'sstill in his family. A year later it was mine. I've had Bebop 10 years. My love

Got a picture? I too have a 57 four door and love it.

I found my 71 Imperial 26 years ago in the old publication called Hemmings Motor News. Anybody remember those old paperbacks books??!!?? I'm in NW Ohio and the car was in Vegas, but an original California car. I had it shipped here. The shipping was delayed a couple weeks as it turned out that it was being used in background scenes of the movie "Casino"! I have owned the car since then. She is my baby. I returned her to her original Spinnaker white and treated her to a new vinyl top and four new Firestone FR721 tires with the 1 7/8 whitewalls. I have driven her all over the place! The only changes I have really made was that I put the 69 imperial grill and wheel covers on it as I think they look better. Also, the 440 has been worked over for added power and midrange torque for pulling duty.

on craigs list a few years ago fresh our of a storage unit

and now after 4 years

I have a 62 lebaron $1500 little rust parts car does not run

I actually owned one back when they were new, had to sell it when US Army sent me overseas. Never got over it though and spent 20 years trying to find one just like it. I finally did, it has been sitting in a carport in Salt Lake City for 45 years, tires rotted off, exhaust rusted off, fuel system gone as well. Restoration is in full swing Photos are of Then and Now, only a few months effort.,