   
Location: North Australia | My 1960 Imperial Crown Southampton 2 dr hardtop arrived at my home in Darwin last week. 6 months and 7 days since I looked at and purchased the car in Cal. Car did not appear to suffer too much during the journey, except a good ding in the sump and possibly broken 'floating power' engine mounts, and failed brakes. Pedal goes to the floor. Emergency brake is OK, thankfully. I did have instructions put into the car to explain the park brake and no park function in the auto to the loaders/unloaders and truckies.
Car was a non runner on arrival in Australia, I suspect the key was in the aux position and the rear demister fan was running and dead flattened the battery. The battery seems to have recovered after 2 days charging surprisingly!
Engine runs OK, and looks better since I degreased and cleaned on the weekend. I should of taken a photo of the engine pre-wash, I am fairly sure it has not been washed before, a thick coating of black grease and muck, and the little red cardboard caution tabs were on the charging system wiring, one on the generator and another on the reg. These blew straight off, even with careful use with the pressure cleaner. Some of the original engine paint and lables also came away with the grease. Gearbox also seems OK, one of the receipts that were in the car shows a box re-build in 1980.
Looks like most shaft seals on the drive train are leaking to some degree. I purchased the car from the original owner, looks like the odometer has just cranked over the first time, just over 1000 miles on the clock! The maintenance receipts support this. The car has been registered (licenced) since new, and the stack of stickers on the plate is almost 6 mm thick! Car is optioned with the 'Road Command' package, auto beam changer, mirrormatic, tinted windows 2.9/1 slippery diff, also has power windows and vent windows, leather trim, Flightsweep, remote mirror, 35 amp genny.
Has anyone seen a number plate surround like this one? Car is in good original condition with only two minor rust spots one in the passenger sill and at the rear window lower edge.
Once I got the car and looked at all the paperwork that came with the car I realised I purchased the car 50 years from the original purchase. The owner service certificate shows purchase on 28/11/59, and I looked at and purchased the car on 28/11/09!
My intention is to make the car roadworthy, registered, so I can drive it , and preserve the car as best I can. I feel lucky to have been fortunate to have found one of these fine, rare cars. 'Americas most carefully built auto'!
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Attachments
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 1960 imperial 003.jpg (324KB - 318 downloads)
1960 imperial 006.jpg (281KB - 301 downloads)
1960 imperial 007.jpg (255KB - 319 downloads)
1960 imperial 008.jpg (243KB - 309 downloads)
1960 imperial 011.jpg (258KB - 303 downloads)
1960 imperial 012.jpg (290KB - 302 downloads)
1960 imperial 014.jpg (280KB - 322 downloads)
1960 imperial 015.jpg (280KB - 293 downloads)
1960 imperial 018.jpg (280KB - 307 downloads)
1960 imperial 019.jpg (247KB - 295 downloads)
1960 imperial 020.jpg (280KB - 306 downloads)
1960 imperial 024.jpg (303KB - 316 downloads)
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1960 Imp has landed!
