Lead on 1983 Imperial

[rocketraider]

I know these late Imperials have some following in AACA. This one showed up in a local shopper paper this week. Here's the ad as published.

 

 

I know nothing about the car, truthfully didn't know there was even one left in this area, but it's the kind of car I think ought to be in collector hands so posted it here for exposure. Phone is a Danville VA cell number.

[bryankazmer]

"Call for price " tells you all you need to know.

[rocketraider]

I thought the same thing, and with those years' noted fuel injection issues it may have been garaged and not running for who knows how long. Just tossing it out.

[John_S_in_Penna]

The 1983 Imperials are much scarcer than the 1981's.

I don't know if there is any difference, though.

 

From what I've read, most of those 1981-1983 Imperials

have had their problematic fuel injection systems converted

to carburetion, under the aegis of Chrysler Corporation.

When Chrysler made the replacements, they put an asterisk

next to the odometer and reset the mileage to zero.

 

So a "low" mileage car with an asterisk doesn't necessarily

have low mileage.  Check for an asterisk!

[Leif in Calif]

15 hours ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

The 1983 Imperials are much scarcer than the 1981's.

I don't know if there is any difference, though.

 

From what I've read, most of those 1981-1983 Imperials

have had their problematic fuel injection systems converted

to carburetion, under the aegis of Chrysler Corporation.

When Chrysler made the replacements, they put an asterisk

next to the odometer and reset the mileage to zero.

 

So a "low" mileage car with an asterisk doesn't necessarily

have low mileage.  Check for an asterisk!

How did they add an asterisk? 

[John_S_in_Penna]

1 hour ago, Leif in Calif said:

How did they add an asterisk? 

I didn't know, but your question spurred me to look up

the answer on the Internet.  A search turned up the 

following from the Imperial Club website.  Evidently the

digital instrument cluster was replaced when the cars were

converted to carburetion:

 

Q:  Can anybody tell me why the instrument cluster was changed when my car was converted?

A:  That is part of the conversion process. The interface to the dash electronics is different enough that new dashes were supplied. There should be a label in the glove box and on the driver's "B" post telling the mileage at which the conversion was done.  Add this number to the mileage displayed on the new dash to get the correct total, unless there is an asterisk in the odometer display.  If there is an asterisk, all bets are off, you have to rely on other data to know the true mileage.  Since your dad bought it new, I assume you have the paperwork to demonstrate the true total miles.

 

Q:  I noticed references to the "dreaded asterisk."  I happen to have such a creature (I assume it refers to that little dot between "ODO" and "MI") on my odometer. What exactly does this mean? 

A:  Asterisk--cluster replaced or over 199,999.99.

 

And here's the link for further reference:

https://www.web.imperialclub.info/Repair/Electrical/digital.htm

 

Edited February 19, 2023 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[John_S_in_Penna]

Here is an article from the Hemmings website,

and it also mentions the asterisk.  Overall, the 

author sounds very positive about the 1981-83 Imperials.

Note that their stated meaning of the asterisk is a bit

different from the Imperial Club's explanation above--

but both indicate that, with an asterisk, the registered

mileage is not the actual total:

 

https://www.hemmings.com/stories/article/1981-1983-chrysler-imperial

 

"...Chrysler issued a recall, replacing most systems with carburetor conversions. Odds are slim that you'll find an Imperial with the EFI system, functioning properly or otherwise....When inspecting an Imperial, check for an asterisk between "ODO" and "MI" on the instrument panel. This indicates that the car has been converted from original EFI to a factory carburetor retrofit; the original mileage should be on a sticker in the doorjamb, and should be added to the mileage shown on odometer to get the true number of miles on the clock."

 

[rocketraider]

John, thanks for those links. I remember Litwin's article on these.

 

I truthfully wonder how many calls the seller will get on this unique car. I hope it doesn't meet the same fate a 76 Lincoln a few ads down has. Its ad prominently states "24" rims".🙄

 

People around here are terrible about can't/won't leave a nice car alone on its own merits.

[rocketraider]

It's not in this week's shopper. Wonder if it found a good home with someone who appreciates it or if the owner just pulled the ad?

[John_S_in_Penna]

With publications like that, it's likely the

owner paid just for one week's worth of advertising.

My guess is that the car wouldn't sell so fast.