RE: IML: My Imperial Dilemma

["Steve Tenpenny" <10penny@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

John,

I think the thrill has gone out of the hunt for you right now. I suspect
this, for it did for me for a number of years. I had many 
, many, very special and mostly high performance cars earlier in my life.
Then, for whatever reason, raising a family, school activities, etc., I was
completely dormant for a number of years. I'm one of the, looking back now,
idiots that sold an absolute show car 68 GT 350 Shelby Mustang in about 1980
for $6,800. Well, that was a fair price back in 80. About two years
later,however, the Shelby's started going right off the charts.
I'm 60 now, and have had the bug again for about the past four or five
years. And, I now have my first Chrysler anything, a 61 Coupe I'm about to
spend a bundle (ton, boat load, lots) on having it restored. Well, I did
have a Sunbeam Tiger at one time sold through Chrysler.
My point is, just relax. I'm self employed too, and I also have to hire out
most of the serious work. And, you shouldn't feel a bit of guilt about
selling your car to another avid fan. You've done a good job, that we all
try to do, in keeping these cars preserved and away from the dreaded
crusher.
John, trust me. THERE WILL ALWAYS BE OTHER IMPERIALS. When you get the fever
again, go for it.
My problem is I like too many different cars, so I have my hauntings, too. I
have three or four cars off in the weeds just waiting for me to bring them
back to life. But, right now, my focus is on my 61 Crown Coupe. When done,
it should be gorgeous and a blast to own. But, will I get so attached to it
that I'll never consider selling it? Probably not. Some collector will
probably come along at Good Guys, or some show, and ask how much it would
take for me to sell it. Then, knowing my evil demons, I'll immediately start
thinking about my next project, and probably cave in.
I wish I could be like Mr. Leno, and just keep them all.
So, John, take yourself a break and pass your loving car on to someone else.
Stash some cash away, and when and if the bug bites again, get you another,
maybe even better Imperial.

Regards
Steve
Ovilla, Texas
61 Crown Coupe, Malibu Tan

-----Original Message-----
From: mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:mailing-list-owner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of jmeyer75
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 5:48 PM
To: mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: IML: My Imperial Dilemma

Hugh, no problem with the bluntness. The cost of providing shade is  
factored in to whatever it would cost me to refinish the exterior of  
the car, and it would be an enhancement to my house as you say. It  
might be tricky to get a permit as it would need to be hard against  
the property line. But either way, at 46 and self-employed I can't  
help but think putting that money towards my retirement would be a  
better investment. Can I afford to re-restore the Imperial and save  
for retirement? Depends on how important the Imperial is to me, which  
brings me (as always) back to the top of the circle.

JM

On Oct 10, 2007, at 2:54 PM, Hugh, 58 Imperial wrote:

> John,
>
> Do not spend another dime on this car until you create some  
> protection for it from the elements.  Otherwise any money you spend  
> on the car will be a waste of time and you will end up back in the  
> same situation sooner rather than later.  Once you have the car  
> protected from the elements, get in running again the way you like  
> it.  Selling a car that runs but isn't pretty is a lot easier than  
> junk with a paint job.  At that point, you may decide to get it  
> looking nice again, or you may decide to sell it.  However, the  
> additional shade for any vehicle you have created will add value to  
> your house and you may even get the money back when you sell.
>
> Please forgive me for being blunt.  What I am suggesting is simple  
> and pragmatic.  Spending money on the car at this point would be to  
> ignore your own direct experience of what the elements have already  
> visited upon your car.
>
> Hugh Hemphill
> 58 Imperial
> San Antonio, Texas.
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "jmeyer75" <jmeyer75@xxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2007 3:27 PM
> Subject: IML: My Imperial Dilemma
>


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