Jump to content

johnlimperial

Members
  • Posts

    18
  • Joined

  • Last visited

About johnlimperial

  • Birthday 04/10/1947

Recent Profile Visitors

The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.

johnlimperial's Achievements

  • Collaborator

Recent Badges

10

Reputation

  1. One word of caution after seeing Mike's reference for a source of parts. Several of the vehicles I looked at on the line are not listed under the correct year. Make sure they know what year you are really in need of parts for.
  2. Greg, The official name for the faux alligator upholstery is "TOLEX" and I believe you can purchase it through https://smsautofabrics.com/ This material was used through the 1954 model run on Chrysler wagons. Also 1954 was the final year for the natural colored wood on the rear decking. I'm thinking the hardware may have changed between 1954 and '55 due to a major body change. Also, the latch assemblies for the rear gate changed I think between 1951 and 1953. Should you know of a qualifier buyer with an interest my '55 T&C which is shown in an earlier post on this link is on the market. I'm retiring very soon and will loose some storage at my business. I've been selling of cars for the past few months. It is not a panic as I can keep what I currently have at my home but it is a bit cozy. The truth be told I have more cars than I can manager. John
  3. Actually maybe not correct. There was one that was owned by a collector in the Northwest but he also had a residence in the Southwest. I'm not sure where that example is currently.
  4. Hi Mike, I'm reading your post regarding your '51 T&C with great interest. I also owned one of these some 20+ years ago. I live in Southern California and this is where I found mine. What I find interesting is soon after I purchased mine I wrote an article what was published in the WPC Newsletter and was contacted by a Dean Smith out of Washington State who wanted to buy mine on the spot. I told him it was not for sale and he relayed a story to me that he knew of only one other and it was in Alaska. I'm guessing yours is one in the same. Do you remember Dean if you were the owner of the T&C back then? Eventually Dean was so persistent that I did sell it to him and have regretted it every day since then. Dean passed away and some relative ended up with it and painted it a light top and burgundy body adding a continental kit on the rear with other accessories. Link attached with a photo: https://www.google.com/search?q=1951+chrysler+town+%26+country+station+wagon&rlz=1C1GGGE_enUS399&tbm=isch&source=iu&pf=m&ictx=1&fir=TcI1dbMi6t4gSM%3A%2C8--RR8vdvbYVwM%2C_&usg=__19ryk5uMk2J87WxRg_FHRHSwgqw%3D&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjQxYzd9-vWAhVKwlQKHbbcBhgQ9QEILjAD#imgrc=TcI1dbMi6t4gSM: I did try to make contact with the relative to explore the possibility of purchasing it but never got anywhere. Meanwhile I've owned a very nice 1955 T&C for some dozen years but my favorite will always be the '51. Here is a link to the current T&C: John Lazenby
  5. Well, I got so inspired reading all of this that I got Gracie (our '53 Newport) out and will be driving her this weekend. She started right up with a fresh battery. Had great oil pressure and you can hardly hear her purring as she idles. Drove her home from our storage and she shifted perfect. Gracie has a story of her own and has had a notable owner in the past, but that is another story. One other note I forgot to mention is I thought I saw wire wheels on Truman's NY. Seems a bit flashy for a man with his reputation, but he was one of the great Presidents in our countries history IMO....
  6. I do see what you are stating and it does appear to be a Powerflite. With that said I find something else interesting in the short video. Note the driver's door and the panel around the door handle. Those were only used on Imperial and not NYer to my knowledge. I learned to drive on a '53 NYer with Fluid Drive. So this must be a special order car and it would be very interesting to see more details of the car along with documentation. The dash-steering wheel are the same colors as my '53 Newport except ours is in far better "original" condition.
  7. I own a 1953 Imperial Newport, one of 823 built. As I understand it these were the first cars to receive the Powerflite with the exception of a few special built cars later in the production year. My car was built June 25, 1953 which is later than the Truman example. I'd also like to see some documentation to support the Powerflite on the former President's NY. Regarding checking with Chrysler Historical I'd be cautious as they have sent me documents showing where my car was shipped before it was built. I had to contact them for corrected documentation. Also, they advise people that Chrysler offered Kelsey Hayes wire wheels when the reality is MotorRim was the source.
  8. You are correct in that the Crown series were 12 volt BUT they were positive ground 12 volt. All other Imperials of that era were 6 volt positive ground.
  9. As I recall that meet was in 1995 and my wife and I were there. I knew your name was ringing a bell in my head...........
  10. John, a couple of questions. (1) So you are stating that the doors on 51-2 will also work on 53-4 wagons? (2) Have you ever attended a Chrysler 300 Club International Meet? If so I think we met some years ago and if memory serves me you own or owned the first Torqueflite 300B as per documentation?
  11. I can only speak for myself but this is the way WE ALL learn more about our interest (passion). No one has all of the answers and if you approach a topic with an open mind and attitude you will come away a wiser person. Case in point. I'd always been of the opinion that the '53-4 Imperial Newports were created using a '51-2 frame (131.5"), placing a NYer body with different exterior and interior trim and finally adding a '53 Imperial front clip. My reasoning for this is the low production of these two years, '53 (823) & '54 (1250) for a total of 2073 why would they build a different frame? Well, just last week I learned from a friend in the east that has owned two '53's and two '54's I was WRONG. He carefully explained to me how it was accomplished. In 1953 the four door Custom Sedan and Town Sedan (divider glass) examples were built on a 133.5" frame. When the Newports came along those frames were actually cut and shortened two inches. My friend told me where to look under mine and find it and he was correct. So with that info I can now provide accurate information to those not knowing and who have an interest. Had I not bothered to listen to my friend I wouldn't know.
  12. Hi Bryan and thanks for your reply. It was only my intention to clairfy for those who don't know. Many who see the "Crown" on one of these cars take it as a "Crown" when it is not. Same thing applies when wire wheels are listed as "Kelsey Hayes". The fact is Chrysler offered wires from 1953 through 1956 and they were supplied by MotorRim & Wheel. I agree with the build quality you speak of. Chrysler from 1946 through 1954 was great stuff and in my opinion the best offered in America at the time. 1955-56 were also good but not what the earlier cars were. By 1957 the styling was there but quality dropped dramatically. I say this with conviction as I own examples of all. The 1954 Imperials were the last year for Exner before the big change and "Imperial " becoming its own. Prior to 1955 Imperial was simply the top of the line Chrysler. The grill of the '54 Imperial reminds me of a '53 Chevy and the rear tail lights hang out over the sides of the fenders. To me these were changes just to be different. Also the first year of the one piece rear window but I prefer the '53 three piece as it brings the styling together. Since I was a kid I'd always dreamed of owning a '53 Newport and had only seen one in the flesh and it was in pieces. My friend StillOutThere discovered a private collection in Centeral California and we went to see it. Both of us left with new rides. My friend scored with Nelson Rockefeller's 1960 Ghia Limo that is really a one off car. I found the '53 Newport with 68K that had lived in a barn (barn find) for a number of years. Both cars were transported to Southern California where mechanics were addressed. The Ghia then traveled to Texas where StillOutThere lives and the '53 joined our group of other Chryslers. I really enjoy all of my cars but the '53 is really something speical.
  13. John, I'm reasonably sure the rear doors will fit but the fronts might be a question. Remember the windshield changed from a two piece to one in 1953 and the cowel is different. I'm not sure about the roof height and A pillar fitting with the earlier door.
  14. Also, the gas gauge sending unit is unique.
  15. The key to making these 6 volt systems work properly are (1) correct battery cables, 6 volt is much heavier than 12 volt which are usually the replacment for those not knowing. Point gap, timing and general condition of the distributor. Starters can play into is as well. For years I fought this stuff, ran one of the 6-12 batteries and then a friend made me see the light. Once he checked and replaced the necessary items my cars start everytime. Yes 6 volts will crank slower than 12, but they will start if all is well.
×
×
  • Create New...