A 1963 Chrysler Imperial that ive known of for about 22 years showed up at the crusher today... Its a really neat car but I know little about these cars... I knew the previous owner that bought it along time ago (I believe he bought it new) then he died... I tried to buy it from his kids about 12 years ago... The guy that bought it paid 500 more than I could, than turned around and set it out in a field for 12 years... He took it to the crusher this morning so I swung by... its a little rusty and the driver window has been down for years (all power car, ie door locks, windows, seats, push ****on shifter, etc).... Anyways... I talk to the guy that owns the s**** yard and got it a stay for now... So the question is... How hard would it be to find the parts it needs? all the trim is there and I believe i could make patches for the rust and ALL the trim is there... But what about mechanical parts, all the complicated electronics? He wants $600 for it but has NO ***le... Im trying to catch the last owner since I know he had the ***le for it when he bought it out from under me... Thoughts? Should I save the car? I dont perticularly like the looks of the car... but I have alot of memories around it... (My dad owns a hotel in a small town, and this car lived at another hotel across the street, we played in it all the time)...
I know you have been trying to save a lot of cars lately but if you keep buying them are you ever going to be able to build a car for yourself and the family? Someone may buy it but I would post it in the cl***ifieds.HRP
Lol... I know my wife is getting mad at me... I just hate seeing these old cars get turned into hondas... I think I need to stay away from this one... I have the feeling I could spend a fortune on all that stuff... lol The junk yard has a new owner and he will only hold stuff for me for a few days not 2 weeks...
It's cool you are trying to find them good homes ,,that's why I suggested the cl***ifieds..the car would have a chance at being saved if not at least you tried. HRP
Save it! Well worth it atleast for drivetrain plus the other 2 tons of metal. Granted I did have a '62 Imperial Crown four door awhile back that I sat on for awhile, but it needed a windshield. I also actually found a '62 2dht today. I definitely relate to saving cars from the crusher as I've bought 20 cars in the last month, and minus a couple all were close to being crushed. 10 of them had come out of an old junk yard that is closed and in the process of crushing everything. I probably should do a post on that, but most were OT.
That should have a 340hp 413cu. In it, what a great running gear for $600, good powerplant for a hotrod. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
I think you have answered your question. It does not matter what it was or what it could be. The only thing that matters is what it is and what you can realistically do to it. Sentimentality, fond memories and low purchase prices will get you you an empty wallet and a yard full of junk and still nothing to cruise in for a burger. Sure you can invite the friends over to take the blue tarp tour of automotive history but do you really want that? Focus the love and enjoyment into something that's worth your while, something that you can realistically repair and enjoy. Junk begats junk. Why, because it's cheap. If you can pull some parts and make some dough...fine. If this is really the ONE fix it. Otherwise let it's sacrifice make the rest of the 63 Imperials just a little more valuable. Unfortunately, I've been there, done that. The following is something that really made me think. I was selling a 55 2nd series Chevy truck. It was kind of rough but it was drivable. I had a caller very exited at first. As I was describing the truck he cut me off with, " Awwh Hell...That used to be my truck...It's a piece of Sh%t." and he hung up. Only buy if it's realistically viable or something that's a guaranteed profit to put towards your goal. There are too many decent cars and parts around at reasonable prices to waste your time on junk. Now if you have a million dollar shop and you are backed by a Cable network, disregard.
If the frame is good and solid you can get some money out of it from the demo derby crowd, double your money if nothing else. These are the ultimate demo cars, I've seen them get run multiple times and one guy I talked to had gone so far as to weld a top from a coupe onto a convertible so he could run that. And you can keep the drivetrain out of it for your own project, those guys build their own motors. For that matter, the small trim, the interior bits if any are any good, you can part that stuff out. They just need a complete body on a ch***is to demo it. It's also similar to the Green Hornet car, so you have some marketing there if you want to just flip it whole. I'd be shocked if you couldn't flip it to a demo guy, though.
In my state the crushers wont even accept a car if it doesn't come with a ***le! I've even seen them turn away major parts of a car if the seller doesn't have a ***le. Had a friend recently who s****ped out his 90's Camaro, and he had given the ***le to the person who bought the rolling floor pan and suspension. Took the main body to the s**** yard, and they wouldn't accept it without a ***le!
My recycler has said to me 'if it looks anything like a car or what used to be a car, I want the ***le' Gonna have to cut it up into smaller pieces...
This car is already at a s****per. He can sell it to a number of other states where no ***le is zero issue.
I have a '63 Imperial parts car if you decide to put it back on the road. I just bought 15+ car and 6 were Imperials all from the same owner.
The ***le thing... NC is a hell of a ****** to get ***les from... But Tennessee on the other hand... where Im 5 miles from only requires a vin search and a vin scratching... than transfer it back to NC and have the vin checked on it... I have the original owners daughter searching for a ***le for it, if she cant find it by monday its gone the way of many more...
I am STILL trying to get my ***le on my Buick from Raleigh sine late March. I will really have to want a car badly to go through this again. The latest obstacle was, "we need a power of attorney authorizing your indemnity bond agent ...." . You have got to be ****ting me!
It would be great if she could scrounge up the ***le. Unless it is a total rust bucket it deserves better than the crusher.
Hell i just had a 1979 jaguar (remnants) hauled off about a hour ago and even with signed off ***le since it wasn't in my name i had to run down "bill of sale" made out to me! P.I.A.!
i'd love to have the 413/trans if it's any good but sounds like it's stay is up first of the week and i'm broke and wouldn't have a way to come pull it til mid week at the earliest(if then). if you ain't got space for the whole car you should try to save the engine/trans. the rest should still be worth $400 back to the s****per at least. $200 for a 413 is a good quick money maker.
The '60 Imperial a buddy had, got parted out when a guy from Italy came over and bought the long set up 413 motor and trans for $500.
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