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Projects Strangest Car Ever. 1961 Imperial CL Find!

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by chstitans42, Oct 3, 2014.

  1. pwschuh
    Joined: Oct 27, 2008
    Posts: 2,827

    pwschuh
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I love that thing! Nice score. Hope to see it put right.
     
  2. Looks like a keeper to me, but then I'm a fan of these older Mopars. Plus, by comparison, Cadillacs and Lincolns just seem, well, common. At that time I think Imperial was treated as a separate division by Chrysler. I think Valiant was treated the same way as well for it's first model year.

    Guard those tail lights! I've also heard them referred to as "sparrow strainers".
     
  3. I like it, great road tripping ride! If you had that up here for sale Id be interested. I don't have a problem with four doors when they are hard tops.
     
  4. harpo1313
    Joined: Jan 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,584

    harpo1313
    Member
    from wareham,ma

    I can imagine seeing a couple of Joeys guys jumping out with tommy guns.nice find.
     
  5. stuart in mn
    Joined: Nov 22, 2007
    Posts: 2,406

    stuart in mn
    Member

  6. Those are pretty cool. Look up some pictures of the Buick invicta. Even more extreme in my opinion. One up for sale near me, a little rusty though.

    EDIT: here;
    http://burlington.craigslist.org/cto/4640661768.html

    Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
     
  7. I have complete faith that you can make your Imperial just as stunning! :D

    Although your '61 Custom Imperial 4-Door 6-Passenger Hardtop was the base model, it still was a relatively limited production vehicle (4,129 were produced) ... so it's definitely still worth fixing up into a C:cool::cool:L Cruiser!

    If you haven't already done so, I suggest joining the ForwardLook.net forum ... as well as the ImperialClub.com website & mailing list!

    EDIT: D'oh! ... I see now that @stuart in mn beat me to it! :oops:
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2014
  8. GTS225
    Joined: Jul 2, 2006
    Posts: 1,244

    GTS225
    Member

    Classic Virgil Exner styling. Maybe not the most attractive, but today it's something else to see and own.

    Good on ya for scoring that one.

    Roger
     
  9. Not so much strange as it is rare.

    I've owned one of those and they certainly command attention when you drive them.

    Dig those headlight and taillight pods... kinda looks like it was an afterthought and was applied to the car like jewelry.

    The Power brakes are really touchy and the square steering wheel will catch you off guard when you're turning... no doubt you'll be putting on a show the first few times you attempt to drive it!
     
    Last edited: Oct 4, 2014
  10. Saw a pristine example of one of these this summer....really wild car, just way over the top design, we will never see anything this unique ever come out of Detroit again.
     
  11. roddin-shack
    Joined: Apr 12, 2006
    Posts: 2,512

    roddin-shack
    Member

    They cant be that Rare, we have 3 for sale locally, 1. Mint restored $29.K. 2. One repaint runs good $7000. 3. Looks like a parts car $1500. Any body want one let me know? Larry
     
  12. Chaz
    Joined: Feb 24, 2004
    Posts: 5,016

    Chaz
    Member Emeritus

    That one looks like it was a mourners car from a funeral home. I may be wrong, but that small oval rear window and the fabric half roof sure makes it look that way.
     
  13. Bad Eye Bill
    Joined: Sep 1, 2010
    Posts: 841

    Bad Eye Bill
    Member
    from NB Canada

    Yeah, those Buicks look like they're extremely pissed off.
     
  14. I don't know if this was the same car I saw in Milwaukee a few years back.
    It was parked out in front of a school I was working on near 16th and Walnut. All I know that it was the same color and out of state plates (can't remember what state).
    That might be Wisconsin patina on the bottom of that car or like we say "got a salted".
     
  15. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

    Maybe, but I know this one has been in texas since the mid 80s and before that was in new mexico (hence the NM plate on the back) How long ago did you see it?
     
  16. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

  17. Elbow
    Joined: Oct 19, 2012
    Posts: 50

    Elbow
    Member
    from outskirts

    Looks like someone died of a gunshot wound on the front seat.

    You just bought Christine!
     
  18. Nope ... It was Nelson Rockefeller's Limo when he was governor of New York.

    Here's a couple of pics of it from the Chrysler archives:

    NY Governor Nelson Rockerfeller\'s \'60 Imperial Ghia Limo - Factory photo, streets of NY.jpg NY Governor Nelson Rockerfeller\'s \'60 Imperial Ghia Limo - Factory photo, rear.jpg
    click thumbnails to enlarge
     
    kidcampbell71 likes this.
  19. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

    IT sure does... man hopefully that will come off with some cleaning! No holes in the windshield or seat so hopefully it wasnt that!
     
  20. If it was at the location I just wrote, then someone most likely could have got shot sitting in it.
    Chstitan, probably not the car as it looks like it hasn't run for awhile. I saw the car about 6 years ago, but it was a dead wringer right down to the tinted windows. But you never know.
     
  21. I bet it was the guy in the radiator bracket from the last video- he's got a nasty face. Did you see that, when the engine is getting turned with a bar. Lmao
     
  22. I don't know what it is about Rockefeller's car, but it is sinister looking. I like it.
     
  23. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

  24. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

  25. choptop40
    Joined: Dec 23, 2009
    Posts: 5,114

    choptop40
    Member

    A friend Found one 22 years ago behind a warehouse.....sold it me , pulled the 413 wedge /transmission and ran it in Chopped 36 Buick coupe. Short block is the same as a max wedge .....That ran real nice...
     
  26. halfasskustoms
    Joined: Jan 28, 2011
    Posts: 552

    halfasskustoms
    Member
    from Durham NC

    I almost bought the same type of car in NC. Ran but had tranny probs. He wanted $1200 for it. I didnt get it tho.
     
  27. WillyKJr
    Joined: Sep 5, 2009
    Posts: 152

    WillyKJr
    Member
    from Blackstone

     

    Attached Files:

  28. Before you get around to seriously trying to start the engine, put a couple squirts of oil in the cylinders. Also get some oil on the rocker arms around the rocker shafts, pushrod ends and valve stems. And before you put the plugs back in spin the engine over with the starter for a while and see if you can at least get the oil pressure light to go out or get a couple pounds of pressure on an oil pressure gauge.

    Love the "custom" pancake hood! :cool:
     
  29. chstitans42
    Joined: Feb 7, 2011
    Posts: 719

    chstitans42
    Member

    That is the next step! Would you say marvel mystery is best for the cylinders or the type of oil that is in the pan would work better?
     
  30. verde742
    Joined: Aug 11, 2010
    Posts: 6,269

    verde742
    Member

    crank those torsion bars down and let's boogie.....,,,,,,,
     

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