- Joined
- Nov 14, 2010
- Messages
- 28,160
- Reaction score
- 27,330
Amazing!
'66 Imperial Convertible Rebuild: A Fresh Start
- Thread starter Boomer
- Start date
Boomer
Active Member
Well boys & girls, it's been a busy coupla years here. The Imp has been on the back burner more or less since the move in 2019 with only slight attention paid to it and the occasional start up and move around. Did at least get the coolant changed out last fall so it's fresh. Still needs an oil change and tune up. Valve cover gaskets would be an improvement as well. Still no exhaust system, or new top, and haven't found a rear bumper replacement. Yet.
So - a little update as to why, because I don't want folks thinking I'm some fly-by-night slacker who loses interest after a few months. It usually takes a year or more.
The Wuhan virus mess originally pulled things down to a standstill here. Plenty still to do on the house, tractor, Lincoln, and I still have an old pickup in Durham, NC that needs to be hauled here. The virus issue, while valid at first, carried on far too long and for the wrong reasons. Sputter, sputter.
During this, my 83 yr old mother up north began to slip a bit mentally, so I started making 1400 mile round trips from VA to VT to take care of things there as well as keeping up from here online with her bills etc. after getting her finances cleaned up. They were a mess thanks to one of those unscrupulous car warranty companies and one of her other unscrupulous offspring. Add back in the virus mess, which had all the retirement/assisted living places closed up tighter than a popcorn fart just for fun. Not really an issue since they all had a 1-2 year waiting list anyhow. In the meantime, a new place was built and I got mom a slot. They were supposed to open at the beginning of April. Hopefully after June 6th I can get her in. Then get her house cleaned up, cleaned out (barn too) and on the market. I still have stuff stored in that barn!
Then there was this small issue of ongoing shoulder problems. Mostly my fault since the right one was damaged in the early 90s and the left in the early 2000s. They were dealt with at the time but I didn't pursue further treatment since I could still function. When I got around to seeing a specialist in Feb 2021, the news wasn't great. Both rotator cuffs beyond repair and numerous tendon/ligament issues. Turns out knees and hips aren't the only joints they replace now - shoulders, too. Got the left one done in April 2021 and liked it so well I had the right done last November. So a good part of last year was spent in an immobilizer or in PT. But man-o-man - what a difference!
I think it was Jan 3rd we got hit with a big snow and ice storm. Took down a LOT of trees, left a huge mess. We were without power for 3+ days. Sent the wife and daughter to a hotel and stayed home to keep the woodfire going. Never got above 54 in here but at least no pipes froze. Got a bit too anxious to get to the cleanup and aggravated my new right shoulder that was only a month and a half old. No problem, just another 1.5 months of PT.
They cut me loose from PT in April and I've been in warp drive since trying to catch up. Wife decided to start her own business mid-June so we're preparing for that along with the next trip north to move mom. Damn, I get tired just thinking about it.
Back to the Imperial....there have been some tiny victories along the way, but losses as well. The original top finally let go under weight of snow (no garage here). Fortunately I had a waterproof cover on it so no issues. Didn't even notice until it warmed up and I took the cover off. Also, the drivers side back window is stuck down. I hit the wrong button on the drivers door which started it, but no matter which switch I used, it went down more, and more - even though I was pressing UP. At least the motor works, or did.
Yesterday I received a box of 1004 bulbs to replace the map, trunk, and whatever else uses that size. Woo!
Here are a few photos from last October when my daughter helped wash the Imp. We put the then-mostly-intact top down just for fun. That was probably the day I screwed up the window. She was 4 when we got the car, she's 9 now. And it's still not on the road.........!! Adding a shot of her by the car the morning after it was dropped (literally) off.
More to come, eventually. Just figured it was time to crawl out from under my rock again.
So - a little update as to why, because I don't want folks thinking I'm some fly-by-night slacker who loses interest after a few months. It usually takes a year or more.
The Wuhan virus mess originally pulled things down to a standstill here. Plenty still to do on the house, tractor, Lincoln, and I still have an old pickup in Durham, NC that needs to be hauled here. The virus issue, while valid at first, carried on far too long and for the wrong reasons. Sputter, sputter.
During this, my 83 yr old mother up north began to slip a bit mentally, so I started making 1400 mile round trips from VA to VT to take care of things there as well as keeping up from here online with her bills etc. after getting her finances cleaned up. They were a mess thanks to one of those unscrupulous car warranty companies and one of her other unscrupulous offspring. Add back in the virus mess, which had all the retirement/assisted living places closed up tighter than a popcorn fart just for fun. Not really an issue since they all had a 1-2 year waiting list anyhow. In the meantime, a new place was built and I got mom a slot. They were supposed to open at the beginning of April. Hopefully after June 6th I can get her in. Then get her house cleaned up, cleaned out (barn too) and on the market. I still have stuff stored in that barn!
Then there was this small issue of ongoing shoulder problems. Mostly my fault since the right one was damaged in the early 90s and the left in the early 2000s. They were dealt with at the time but I didn't pursue further treatment since I could still function. When I got around to seeing a specialist in Feb 2021, the news wasn't great. Both rotator cuffs beyond repair and numerous tendon/ligament issues. Turns out knees and hips aren't the only joints they replace now - shoulders, too. Got the left one done in April 2021 and liked it so well I had the right done last November. So a good part of last year was spent in an immobilizer or in PT. But man-o-man - what a difference!
I think it was Jan 3rd we got hit with a big snow and ice storm. Took down a LOT of trees, left a huge mess. We were without power for 3+ days. Sent the wife and daughter to a hotel and stayed home to keep the woodfire going. Never got above 54 in here but at least no pipes froze. Got a bit too anxious to get to the cleanup and aggravated my new right shoulder that was only a month and a half old. No problem, just another 1.5 months of PT.
They cut me loose from PT in April and I've been in warp drive since trying to catch up. Wife decided to start her own business mid-June so we're preparing for that along with the next trip north to move mom. Damn, I get tired just thinking about it.
Back to the Imperial....there have been some tiny victories along the way, but losses as well. The original top finally let go under weight of snow (no garage here). Fortunately I had a waterproof cover on it so no issues. Didn't even notice until it warmed up and I took the cover off. Also, the drivers side back window is stuck down. I hit the wrong button on the drivers door which started it, but no matter which switch I used, it went down more, and more - even though I was pressing UP. At least the motor works, or did.
Yesterday I received a box of 1004 bulbs to replace the map, trunk, and whatever else uses that size. Woo!
Here are a few photos from last October when my daughter helped wash the Imp. We put the then-mostly-intact top down just for fun. That was probably the day I screwed up the window. She was 4 when we got the car, she's 9 now. And it's still not on the road.........!! Adding a shot of her by the car the morning after it was dropped (literally) off.
More to come, eventually. Just figured it was time to crawl out from under my rock again.
3175375
Senior Member
I completely understand about your mom’s situation. That alone is enough and I applaud you for doing the right thing. (My mom has dementia and I moved her into a retirement home last February, am in the process of selling her house - my and my siblings childhood home, taking her to her various appointments, spending almost every Sunday with her, managing her finances and keeping the family up to date on her situation).Well boys & girls, it's been a busy coupla years here. The Imp has been on the back burner more or less since the move in 2019 with only slight attention paid to it and the occasional start up and move around. Did at least get the coolant changed out last fall so it's fresh. Still needs an oil change and tune up. Valve cover gaskets would be an improvement as well. Still no exhaust system, or new top, and haven't found a rear bumper replacement. Yet.
So - a little update as to why, because I don't want folks thinking I'm some fly-by-night slacker who loses interest after a few months. It usually takes a year or more.
The Wuhan virus mess originally pulled things down to a standstill here. Plenty still to do on the house, tractor, Lincoln, and I still have an old pickup in Durham, NC that needs to be hauled here. The virus issue, while valid at first, carried on far too long and for the wrong reasons. Sputter, sputter.
During this, my 83 yr old mother up north began to slip a bit mentally, so I started making 1400 mile round trips from VA to VT to take care of things there as well as keeping up from here online with her bills etc. after getting her finances cleaned up. They were a mess thanks to one of those unscrupulous car warranty companies and one of her other unscrupulous offspring. Add back in the virus mess, which had all the retirement/assisted living places closed up tighter than a popcorn fart just for fun. Not really an issue since they all had a 1-2 year waiting list anyhow. In the meantime, a new place was built and I got mom a slot. They were supposed to open at the beginning of April. Hopefully after June 6th I can get her in. Then get her house cleaned up, cleaned out (barn too) and on the market. I still have stuff stored in that barn!
Then there was this small issue of ongoing shoulder problems. Mostly my fault since the right one was damaged in the early 90s and the left in the early 2000s. They were dealt with at the time but I didn't pursue further treatment since I could still function. When I got around to seeing a specialist in Feb 2021, the news wasn't great. Both rotator cuffs beyond repair and numerous tendon/ligament issues. Turns out knees and hips aren't the only joints they replace now - shoulders, too. Got the left one done in April 2021 and liked it so well I had the right done last November. So a good part of last year was spent in an immobilizer or in PT. But man-o-man - what a difference!
I think it was Jan 3rd we got hit with a big snow and ice storm. Took down a LOT of trees, left a huge mess. We were without power for 3+ days. Sent the wife and daughter to a hotel and stayed home to keep the woodfire going. Never got above 54 in here but at least no pipes froze. Got a bit too anxious to get to the cleanup and aggravated my new right shoulder that was only a month and a half old. No problem, just another 1.5 months of PT.
They cut me loose from PT in April and I've been in warp drive since trying to catch up. Wife decided to start her own business mid-June so we're preparing for that along with the next trip north to move mom. Damn, I get tired just thinking about it.
Back to the Imperial....there have been some tiny victories along the way, but losses as well. The original top finally let go under weight of snow (no garage here). Fortunately I had a waterproof cover on it so no issues. Didn't even notice until it warmed up and I took the cover off. Also, the drivers side back window is stuck down. I hit the wrong button on the drivers door which started it, but no matter which switch I used, it went down more, and more - even though I was pressing UP. At least the motor works, or did.
Yesterday I received a box of 1004 bulbs to replace the map, trunk, and whatever else uses that size. Woo!
Here are a few photos from last October when my daughter helped wash the Imp. We put the then-mostly-intact top down just for fun. That was probably the day I screwed up the window. She was 4 when we got the car, she's 9 now. And it's still not on the road.........!! Adding a shot of her by the car the morning after it was dropped (literally) off.
More to come, eventually. Just figured it was time to crawl out from under my rock again.
View attachment 532334
View attachment 532335
View attachment 532336
View attachment 532337
View attachment 532338
Taking care of yourself is also critical and I am guilty of neglect, too. You’ve got that lil’ pumpkin of a daughter to be there for!
The car will come in time.
Boomer
Active Member
Thank you for the kind words. It has not been easy with mom on many levels. Taking care of her from afar is taxing for sure, but also her 'receding' memory (she can tell me what she put in my lunch in 4th grade but asks me 4 times during a 15 minute trip where we're going) as well as just the overall aging process is tough. I lived with or near my folks for the first 47 years of my life, only being away for school until I got married in 2006 and moved south in 2008. The drive went from 18 miles to over 800, and that was when I finally saw them both age. Dad headed out in late 2016 2 days before his 78th birthday. Mom is coming up on 85, still smokes like a chimney and seems healthy as a horse. Her great-grandmother (my great-great) died just 2 weeks shy of 107, so.....
The li'l punkin girl is rapidly becoming a beanstalk! 9 yrs old and pushing 5 ft tall. Her mom is 5' 5", got a feeling she'll be looking up at the offspring before long. I got the Imperial on a lark, because I wanted her to enjoy the experience I had as a kid driving down the road with the top down, radio blasting, in a big, American V8-powered cruiser. We had a powder blue '64 Galaxie 500 back then with a 352 Interceptor in it. Never imagined I'd own something as luxurious and solid as an Imperial. Just gotta get it on the road, bent bumper and all. Had the money for a new exhaust system and top in February, then along came more bills.
You're right, it'll get there. Here's a couple shots from last fall when I changed the coolant. The other shows the original top showing its age. Far worse now.
The li'l punkin girl is rapidly becoming a beanstalk! 9 yrs old and pushing 5 ft tall. Her mom is 5' 5", got a feeling she'll be looking up at the offspring before long. I got the Imperial on a lark, because I wanted her to enjoy the experience I had as a kid driving down the road with the top down, radio blasting, in a big, American V8-powered cruiser. We had a powder blue '64 Galaxie 500 back then with a 352 Interceptor in it. Never imagined I'd own something as luxurious and solid as an Imperial. Just gotta get it on the road, bent bumper and all. Had the money for a new exhaust system and top in February, then along came more bills.
You're right, it'll get there. Here's a couple shots from last fall when I changed the coolant. The other shows the original top showing its age. Far worse now.
SGT FURY
Senior Member
I still have access to this 66 parts car. I sold for demo derby use. If I remember right it has a good driver quality or excellent core quality bumper.
Bumper won’t be needed for derby. For Sale - Parting 66 imperial
Also have this 66 4dr for parts
Bumper won’t be needed for derby. For Sale - Parting 66 imperial
Also have this 66 4dr for parts
Last edited:
Boomer
Active Member
Dang, that bumper looks pretty good to me. So long as it's not bent up or rusty, it'd be fine. Cloudy, dull, scratched, whatever. Of course, getting it from CA to VA would be the challenge. Shipped a rear bumper for a '52 F-1 pickup once from OH to NC for under $50 as I recall. Wasn't much to it, though. That Imperial bumper probably weighs as much as one of those not-so-Smart cars.
Trunk lid on the parts car looks decent, too. Mine is fixable, but only with bondo and pounding.
I'll fire off a message to you. Thanks.
Trunk lid on the parts car looks decent, too. Mine is fixable, but only with bondo and pounding.
I'll fire off a message to you. Thanks.
Last edited:
Boomer
Active Member
Okay, tried to message but it says your inbox is full. This was after I tried to msg and it said I was at my limit. One of those nights....
SGT FURY
Senior Member
Boomer if you’re still here?
I have the blue 66 parts car here at my place for a limited time if you still need rear bumper?
I have the blue 66 parts car here at my place for a limited time if you still need rear bumper?
Boomer
Active Member
Still here, just been busy and distracted. Still need a bumper, sent you a PM. Sorry it took so long.
Similar threads
