Re: IML: restoring to a #1

["Greg and Russell" <65luxuryliner@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks Dan for the pat on the back regarding what I have done and continue 
to do to my '65 but as John Corey mentioned, Henry Hopkins' Imperials are 
definitely fully restored cars.  Richard Burgess has spent hundreds (he 
probably would correct that and say thousands) of hours on his '60 LeCrown 
and from what I've recently seen in photos, it is on the way to being a #1. 
Mel Wyshynski's
'59 is another example of a fully restored car.  It's beautiful! John's '61 
is another example.  I feel certain there are others.

As for me, due to the amount of rust on the frame and firewall (my car 
hailed from Massachusetts), I ended up removing (well, the shop did) my '65s 
body from the frame and started from the ground up.  You name it, I've done 
it (including having the steering wheel recast because I couldn't find a 
suitable replacement and having the 413 rebuilt to the specs of the 300L's 
engine).  I didn't start out with the intention of going as far as I've gone 
with the car but as time went on and more work was done, I felt I couldn't 
leave this or that undone or only do it 'halfway'.  I'm sure others can 
chime in on how far one can get sucked into the vortex regarding car 
restoration.  Thankfully I can still work and earn the money to pay the 
enormous costs involved.  The rechroming alone will eat you alive!!!!!!!!!

Regardless of all I've done to it, I plan to drive it and put the top down 
as often as I wish so it probably would be considered a #2 and not a #1. 
Number 1 cars are few and far between and are more for museums than for 
enjoying (driving, showing, touring etc).

As Richard stated, I too could have bought a high end Mercedes, BMW or 
Jaguar for what I've spent on a few of my 'four wheeled children' but that 
was not what I wanted.  I have exactly what I wanted parked at my shop and 
await the arrival of the others who are still off at 'finishing school'! 
LOL!

Greg McDonnell
'65 Crown convertible (aka 'Dash')


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "dansgarage@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx" <dansgarage@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Cc: "Chris Strohmeyer" <chrisstroh@xxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Sunday, November 04, 2007 12:35 AM
Subject: Re: IML: restoring to a #1


> Hi Chris.....the only IML member who has done, or is in the process of 
> doing, a 'full restoration' is Greg McDonnell with his '65 Imperial. As 
> far as what the costa are i think it best if you contact Greg 
> directly...and take your heart medicine before hand!
> Dan
>
> ---- Chris Strohmeyer <chrisstroh@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
> =============
> Just curious,
>
> As you know I have a 67 Imperial Convertible.  In the back of my mind I
> sometimes fantasize about if I had the money I would like to see my car
> restored ground up.  I keep thinking of what a tremendous expense this 
> would
> be and certainly wouldn't be cost effective (it rarely is).
> Any of you forumites heard of a 67 Convertible being restored to a #1 car?
>
>
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