Re: IML: K.T Keller

[Mark McDonald <tomswift@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

My understanding is he was an influence until his death in his 80's in 1996 or '67 (I'm drawing on memory here, so I'm probably off a little).  I can see where the next man after Walter P. was held in such regard.

I just bought a '68 LeBaron and it's amazing how much headroom there is in this vehicle, and the impression this creates of even greater interior space than in a Crown.  I attribute this extra headroom in part to Mr. Keller and his love of hats, but I'm not sure if this is correct or not.

Mark


On Sunday, September 4, 2005, at 02:19 PM, A. Foster wrote:

> Mark;
> ? The following K.T Keller has probably stems from the fact that he was the man that took over Chrysler after Walter P. retired, which I believe was around 1940, and the man held the job until 1956. Interesting that they don't have the?Dietric era or immediately post war?Imperials listed under K.T Keller either.
> ? Though the box on box hat height design is attributed to K.T. Keller, the inspiration really?came from Studebaker's?first post war designs.?The same basic shape was also copied by Ford and, to a lesser extent, G.M. The only difference being that Chrysler was a little more conservative in their interpretation but the roots?from Studebaker?can be seen in profile. Chrysler was following a trend in 1949, not setting one.
> ?? The early 1950's was an important period for Chrysler and the Imperial which needs to be examined in greater detail. Most are seen as having dull or dowdy styling, which they did have compared to the later 50's, but they need to be examined in the context of the day in which they were produced and what the competition was offering.
> Best Regards
> Arran Foster
> 1954 Imperial Newport needing a left side tailight bezel and other trim parts.
> ?
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Mark McDonald
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Sunday, September 04, 2005 10:28 AM
> Subject: Re: IML: Survey Results
>
> Dear Arran,
>
> I had to laugh reading your message! (Not at you, but with you.) Here you have pointed out something I didn't really know, about the differences between the late 40's cars and the early 50's. I don't know if you're being facetious or not, but I think you have a point. I wonder why K.T. Keller has such a name among Chrysler collectors, but not Mr. Colbert??? I know Mr. Keller's influence lasted all the way to the 68's, but Mr. Colbert also spanned a long time at Chrysler.
>
> BTW, I didn't mean to criticize anyone who didn't e-mail on this subject; I just meant to encourage those who hang back (for whatever reason) to get more involved. But yes, I sometimes can't participate either because I have so little time.
>
> Maybe you could educate us a bit more on the differences between these years.
>
> Mark M
>
>
> On Saturday, September 3, 2005, at 11:13 PM, A. Foster wrote:
>
> Mark;
> ?While I did follow the discussion over the old name I didn't participate because, quite frankly, I didn't have the time to go around in circles with those who liked the old name. When the survey came up I simply had a look at what the other by year sections called their cars and noted that most of the good names were taken from company ad campaigns. I had a look at the ad copy for the 67' as well as the 68's and figured that the pitch for the 67's was a little more catchy. The name "Newest prestige car in a decade" has a nice ring to it and, most unusual for advertising, is neither a exaggeration nor a white lie.
> ?? Not that I want to start a flame war or a long thread but I really think that there needs to be some delineation between the cars of the late 40's and early 50's. For example the 1949 an 50 cars had an inline eight engine while the 1951 to 54 cars had a hemi V8. The 1949 to 52?Imperials had little distinction cosmetically from the lesser Chryslers, aside from more jewlery, while the 1953's and 54's had entirely different grilles and trim. Regardless they are all lumped into the K.T. keller while the 1957 to 60's aren't all called the Tex Colbert era.
> ? While true that?K.T Keller?was the company president at the time, and that he approved the "box on box" design, I don't think that it says very much about the Imperials themselves. By the time 1953 came around the box look was all but gone but these cars don't seem to get a fair shake because the styling of the later cars was so outstanding.
> Best Regards
> Arran Foster
> 1954 Imperial Newport
> Needing A Left Side Tailight Bezel and other trim parts.
> ?----- Original Message -----
>
> From: Mark McDonald
> To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
> Sent: Saturday, September 03, 2005 6:01 AM
> Subject: IML: Survey Results
>
> Hooray for the survey!
>
> The majority has spoken. 1967 and '68 owners now have a name for their cars they can be proud of. And while I would have been just as happy with "Elegant Engels," I think "Newest Prestige Car in a Decade" says it very well indeed. I want to thank all of those who participated in the survey and Mark Elliott, Kenyon, and Jeff for making it happen.
>
> I noticed a curious thing when looking at the results of this survey. 73 people voted, and out of that 73 there were a total of 13 votes for keeping Haze Green as the name. That means there were 60 votes for a name other than Haze Green. That's over 4 to 1 for a new name, and yet, when we were having this discussion a few weeks ago, we only heard from half a dozen people, most of them on the side of keeping the old name.
>
> What this says to me is that there are an awful lot of people on the IML who feel fairly strongly about certain things, and yet WE NEVER HEAR FROM THEM. For whatever reason they do not speak up.
>
> I have been told by friends of mine that they no longer participate in the IML in part because they are afraid of being attacked if they speak their mind. I hope we can all work together to change that feeling and make the IML a place where everyone feels welcome and everyone is made to feel that their contribution, no matter how small, is a valuable one.
>
> So I want to encourage everyone on this list to participate-- as long as it's polite, positive, and constructive (and I can't say I've always been all 3 of those!). If you're an Imperial lover, this is YOUR CLUB. So don't be afraid to join in!
>
> Mark McDonald