I agree, David. Everywhere I go with my 64, people know it's an Imperial. Except one guy at a cruise night who asked me if I bought my Lincoln new. Heck, I was only 10 years old when it was built! That was a double whammy.
Various Imperial travel happenings have confirmed the special interest they draw, especially if kept pristine out on the highways and into cities--Road handling was always impressive--the 1962 Imperial easily kept in her own lane on California's coast highway while encountering hundreds of smaller vehicles rounding curves with their tracks regularly violating our lane. At one motel stop, a newly wed couple asked to have their photo taken with the 62 pausing under an entrance way framed in roses. In San Francisco special sheltered parking was offered and accepted although taking up two covered spaces earmarked for "sports cars". At Butte, Montana a motel owner welcomed the 1966 Imperial into the winter garage for safekeeping after her cleanup session was concluded (following insect aggression in Yellowstone Park). A stop in Detroit triggered a body shop work group to halt and walk across the street to gather around the 1966 Imperial (causing a bit of a scare at first to see these rough-looki
ng guys advancing). The 1966 Imperial received special attention at Albany, NY by being given special armed guard parking in the state government protected area. Their ability to provide long distance travel with a minimum of fatigue is a result of some brilliant engineering. The 1956 Imperial sparks the most conversations also regularly garnering favorable gestures in traffic or at signals. For sheer comfort and pleasure all three creations more than hold their own. Participating in seven formal Rallye competitions confirmed their operating merit under challenging conditions. There are times when the Imperialist encounters persons who simply do not know from whence the Imperials came or who Exner or Engel were, or for that matter, that Walter Percy Chrysler created advanced automobiles. Enthusiast Robert McAtee has enjoyed and written about several marvelous cross-country trips, at least two involving Imperials--a 1941 with standard overdrive (a rare model on
the 127.5" WB) and another in a 1959 Imperial. The 1941 did not have the available A/C of that day but in all other respects proved completely modern in performance and importantly, in comfort. Be encouraged folks--they are worthy of our attention. An Imperial is not age-impaired.
DGB
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