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Fellow Imperialist's:
Here in New England this
weekend it was unseasonably cool for the time of year [low 70's/low humidity]
which of course makes for wonderful driving conditions: cool and
dry. This summer I feel I have been neglectful of my cars in much the same
way Paul W. has alluded to in the past, for I know they NEED to operate
and NEED certain attentions, but for periods there just isn't time to
make and this summer has been that for me.
Anyway, the
weather being so accommodating and my children otherwise happily occupied, I
decided it would be the day to drive each of my humble collection of three '10
footers' to maximum operating temperature. Now living on the coast of
Northern Massachusetts'/Southern New Hampshire affords me many options of
varying driving time lengths and
each has its own attractions. I have driven these roads for too many years
and know them intimately. Yesterday I chose the 'coastal route' which is a
2 hour loop drive through Rockport, Ma and takes me along
the Atlantic clear to the beaches in N.H. I leave
pointed south and come home from the north and the last leg is Interstate 95
which 'cleans up' the cruising
build-up....LOL.
Now the reason I
am taking the time to relate this is due to the attention
certain cars command. I elected to drive the same route
for all three cars as the ocean was magnificent and the fishing boats private
and commercial alike were working the traps or headed to Georges Banks for
netting. This road is loaded with tourists, so though in the off season it
is an intimate drive, but during the summer it is a ride in
the sense one doesn't stop, except at the no tourist stops off the
beaten path. I took my '55 New Yorker first, then my '68 300
convertible. Both commanding cars in their own right and did in fact cause
some rubber necking and when stopped, with the usual
compliments, which I am always appreciative of as we work hard on our
vehicles, whether a scale 1 or a 10.
Then I took out 'Turq', my '56
Imperial, and followed the same route. Where the
NY'er and the 300 are gawked at and mostly recognized, the
Imperial draws applause. People are attracted to it in a way only
an Imperial can hypnotize a crowd: What kind of car
is that? All that is stainless steel and
chrome?!?! Are those brake lights? Where do you put the gas?
Where is the shifter? It has A/C?, they had it then? Is that an
eagle woven into the seats? POWER SEATS!? Can you open the
trunk? WOW!!, do you rent that space out? A HEMI!?!?! Etc., where the ride for the other
two is straight forward, the Imperial ride is a
journey......and EVERY time I take her out after feeling like I
have been not so nice to her, feeling perhaps even neglectful, I find that
she brings me all the attention and I realize and
KNOW my 'things to do list' for her will grow smaller
as my journey along with her continues to bring open roads
to me.....she deserves it the way I deserve it, time and money willing.......and
with the priceless members of this list who
BAR NONE are the greatest car resource ever
imagined, she will be, like a still fresh Kerouac, forever On The
Road......
Most Sincerely to All,
Jack Get a sneak peek of the all-new AOL.com. |
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