I purchased this 1960 Imperial Custom Southampton 4-Door Hardtop Sedan from Craigslist on May 31, 2022. The color is Dawn Mauve with the Mauve cloth and vinyl interior. The Custom model is the base version for 1960.
The seller had only recently bought it from the estate of a 101 year old woman named Treasure Lambert. The car had reportedly been stored in their garage since at least 1980. I don't know yet how long they owned the car. Mr. Lambert had passed away in 2006 at the age of 80 and on his death certificate it shows that he had been a mechanic at a gas station for 45 years. He was born in 1925. I'm waiting to get more information from the family but I would assume that he had gotten the Imperial from one of his customers. There is a service sticker in the door from 1972 showing the spark plugs being changed at 72,656 miles. The car only has 81,179 miles on it now.
On the sales paperwork from the family it shows that the engine was seized but the seller told me he had been cranking over the engine trying to start it until the starter gave out. I will put the car on the lift and turn the engine over by hand and pull the spark plugs to see if there are any obvious issues. Then I will install a new starter and try to start it. This is going to be a real project to get back on the road but once I get it running it will be put away for another day as I have other cars that need work first.
Chrysler Historical sent me the build car for the car and it reveals that the car was ordered from Geil Motors at 802 Hill Street in Oceanside and is now 802 S. Coast Hwy. The location is currently a Uhaul rental center and appears to be the original dealership building. The building is slated for demolition to be replaced by a mixed use housing and hotel project. Haven't been able to find much information or vintage photos on the dealership. I found an article stating that Eugene "Gene" Geil moved to Oceanside in 1946 and purchased the Dodge-Plymouth dealership that was located at 221 South Hill Street.
In April of 2024, I finally got the car running. Since then, I've replaced the brakes, fuel tank and rebuilt the fuel pump and replaced all rubber lines. Installed new tires and the car was driven for the first time in 44 years. Have ordered a new exhaust system.
The story will continue...
This car is equipped the following options.
- Power Windows (yes, power windows were optional on the base model)
- Power Door Locks
- 6-Way Power Front Seat
- Front Air Conditioning
- Solex Tinted Glass, All Windows
- Left Outside Remote Mirror
- Right Outside Mirror
- Golden Touch Tuner Radio with Foot Control, Power Antenna and Rear Speaker
- Flight-Sweep Deck Lid
- 8.20x15 Rayon Whitewall Tires
