Demo Derby Champ

Once Chrysler Corporations’ ultimate luxury statement, the 1965 Imperial Crown ended its days deforming Cadillacs and Lincolns on the demolition derby circuit…but never on the showroom floor. These things were so robust, the Demo Derby Demagogues banned them!

[@sporty196071]

I had a black 65 Imperial I bought in 78 for $800. with 1267 miles it never had a license plate, it was used to drive people in the cemetery to look at plots. I used it for a derby car. NO!! I sold it to a friend who has a small collection of Mopars, he still has it.

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

I almost threw up when you said, that you used it for a derby car! You got me! Ha!😂

[@kanadianbacon7733]

"Thank God!♡¡"

[@maineiacman]

I saved a '65 2 door from hordes of demo derby guys trying to get it. Ad was posted at midnight and I was the first to look at it the next day by 9:30am the lady selling it already had 10+ people wanting to buy it. Nowhere near mint condition but the frame is rust free.

[@johnmaki3046]

I am GLAD that you saved this QUALITY CAR!

[@ScottDLR]

I was a little kid in 1965 when our wealthy neighbor had one of these. It was a spectacular machine. Anyone remember Mr. Drysdale driving a gorgeous white convertible?

[@SteveMagnante]

Beverly Hillbillies! I remember Jethro often pulled into the mansion's carport in a spiffy new Plymouth or Dodge convertible. I particularly recall a bright red 1965 Coronet 500 drop top. Thanks for the memory and for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@ScottDLR]

@@SteveMagnante I forgot about those. There was quite a parade of Mopar goodness. Miss Jane often had a shiny new ride.

[@noonehere1793]

As a kid, our next door neighbors had a visiter that drove a crown imperial. It had a .45 record player in it…..i thought that it was the most beautiful thing ever made! Thanks for the memories and i hope hope you are doing well.

[@vettekid3326]

Used to love watching demolition derby on TV when I was a kid in the mid 1960's. Of course back then most of the cars they used were full frame cars from the 1950's and all were built like tanks. Our local speedway would have stock car racing on Friday and Saturdays and then demolition derby on Sunday.

[@roberthill2219]

Why I'm I not surprised you like the worst POS ever to roll out of Garbage Mobiles... Corvettes...

[@johnmaki3046]

It's AWFUL that so many of these GREAT CARS were "disposable-in -the-day"! They are TREASURES compared to MODERN CRAP!

[@pennywise8182]

My grandfather always bought Imperials....From the Airflow years of the 1930's all the way up until the front wheel drive K car 1990-1993 Imperials...His final Imperial being a 1992 model....He even special ordered a unibody 1974 Imperial as a retirement present to himself when he retired.....My father still owns this Imperial today.....Long live the mighty Imperial.

[@johnmaki3046]

GREAT CARS! I owned a '66 "plain-Jane" Imperial Crown from 1986-2003! I WISH I STILL HAD THIS!

[@Vet-7174]

Good Morning Gents ! 🇺🇸

[@Troy440Dodge]

I had a teacher that owned a 65 two door in white, black interior and roof. She took me for a few drives. The Imperial was always spotless, and just absolutely beautiful. My family's car was a 67 Newport, 383 2bbl, gold on gold. Even as a child I remember comparing the two and wondering what my father was thinking. Lucky for me his personal ride was a 68 Road Runner, black on black, and he wasn't afraid to hammer on it on a regular basis. This helped me overlook that rather common Newport.

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

Ahh Yes, the bad bird! Beep Beep! Your dad sounds like he wanted a lot of metal around his wife and kids to protect them! Those Newports were built like tanks!😂 Sounds like a good man! Especially owning a 68 Road Runner!

[@corvairjim1]

My dad was more practical. He combined the family car and (kinda) muscle car in one: a 1969 Chevy Kingswood Estate wagon with woodgrain down the sides and a 4-barrel 427 under the hood. It got our family of five wherever we were going in comfort... quickly.

[@ddellwo]

He was thinking if he bought the Imperial he wouldn’t be able to afford the Road Runner……..!!!!!

[@gteefxr3094]

Probably the case.👍

[@michaelwilkes399]

I had a '65 Chrysler 300, non-letter hardtop. Sold it ten years ago and I miss it every day.

[@moparcasey3135]

Also made a really cool movie car,the green hornet!

[@peterantonopoulos2572]

Morning Steve.....love the imperial

[@Troy440Dodge]

The body on frame Imperial was usually outlawed for demo use because of it's construction. Derby organizers would not let these cars compete in my neck of the woods. The Mopar chassis was considered much stronger than the other makes. Good us Mopar guys, we got our hands on more 413s and 440s because they weren't absolutely destroyed.

[@frankjones4094]

Here in the Northeast. Same story. Only car to be outlawed by name.

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! There short comings lbs. by the pound need not make it . Few friends as a kid in Brooklyn there dads had these vehicle 🚗; ( TANKS ) with Classic ! Need to LOL , SUV’s will have no fallowing when they make there way to the yards in our country ! ⚰️⚰️⚰️⚰️

[@deanstevenson6527]

Bustle Back Evil Banger Attack 🥝✔️ Bruised Eg🤕s..!!!! National Highway Traffic Safety Administration changes to the Buttons...Ralph Nader strikes fear in the Heart ❤️ of the Gear....And the Class of Headlamp glass ..outlawed in 1968 till 1985.

[@dansimon1100]

There's a Derby not too long ago that had imperials only. I think it was on KZbin it was pretty cool though.

[@toddbob55]

Chryslers were garbage

[@allanharris4281]

There was a gold on gold on gold mint Crown on my street in Vancouver BC in the 1990's. What a beauty! Glass headlight covers.

[@alpennsygg1]

My best friend from Berner High S6in Massapequa, N.Y. had a 65 Imperial Crown Coupe, and though it was a heavy car and not a cool hot rod it was still a fast car . His father also bought a 64 Crown Coupe too . But they couldn't find a rim for it . His brother had a 71 300 2 door with the am/ fm cassette with dictatphone mics and a factory sun roof that was metal underneath the vinyl top Thanks Steve for bringing me back almost 40 years to 1984 - 1992 when I moved off Long Island , NY

[@michaelnazaruk4100]

When I was a kid, I remember this little old guy driving around in his Imperial. He was so small he looked THROUGH the steering wheel, always wearing his Fedora and smoking a big, fat cigar! I think they buried him in it when he kicked off.

[@moondogdieselworks3883]

This guy is a wealth of information, I’ve watched him on regular tv for years.

[@SteveMagnante]

Thanks for the kind words! -Steve Magnante

[@moondogdieselworks3883]

@@SteveMagnante you are awesome my friend

[@jimmysexton4201]

Steve is a automobile encyclopedia! What a memory!!

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

Good morning everyone!

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

I rode in one of these in California,from San Diego to Concord! She had a 413 it was a lovely car! She was a two door, kind of a Gold color! You just floated down the highway! I will say it rivaled any Cadillac that I’ve ever ridden in as far as Luxury! I would love to own one! Great Video Steve! Memories! If a car could be sexy This car epitomized a blend of class power and sexiness all in one! I can’t believe that car was in fourteenth place! That must have been when America started losing its mind! LOL!😂

[@robertbeckler5058]

It is a good morning

[@Chris.8.8.]

Good mornin!

[@Vet-7174]

Every Day Above Ground Is A good day !

[@RonnN-gf8tm]

Iv seen guys get 10 or more races outa one a these cars

[@chrisscearce]

Hi Steve, another great video on this 4dr Imperial. I've told this story once before that I once owned a 70 Imperial LeBaron Coupe white in colour. An absolutely beautiful car with hideaway headlights etc. I literally bought it off the side of the rd. My friend had bought the car and soon after took it to a car wash and cleaned the engine. It had gotten water in the distributor and ran horrible afterwards, spitting and back firing. He punished the car full throttle takeoffs cursing the previous owner for selling him a 'lemon'. He wouldn't let me dry out the cap and continued until the car jumped time. So we sat on the side of the rd and I made an offer and he excepted. A week later after I installed a new timing set in the 440 it ran like a scalded dog. I went by his place and laid down a couple of black marks that would of impressed Don Garlets himself. My grandfather was a big Chrysler/Imperial guy also. The 1st car I remember him owning was '62 Chrysler 300. I'm not sure if it was a letter series car. I remember why he traded it in, it was because that dome dash cluster filled up with smoke one day and I remember him running around the car and popping the hood and then ripping off one of the battery cables. He later owned a 77 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham. That was a beautiful car also. He later traded it for a LeBaron K-car a not so pretty car but it was the best Chrysler offered that particular yr. The 77 was great but had a problem one day that got me into hot water. I was saving this story hoping Steve would do a video on a 46-47 Dodge truck. So I had been in some trouble with my cousin and his great decisions that I became a victim of circumstances 😇. My grandparents were planning a trip to Canada. He made sure when they left that every vehicle I had excess to didn't have a key. I was "grounded" you see. All but the farm equipment and the old '46 Dodge 2 & half ton stake body. It just so happened that it had a small amount of fertilizer on back. It was about 2tons. 😬 My best friend Johnny had moved away to Richmond VA and he was down in Carolina for the summer. He was telling me about some skirts up there he'd met and I decided I'd like to meet them also. But no way to get off the farm except for the loaded down Dodge. So off we go. The old Dodge flat six screaming down the interstate and I literally mean screaming at 45-50ish mph too. A real sight to see a couple of dirt farming teenagers riding down the rd with 2 tons of fertilizer riding on back. The trip was going good 😎 it was about a 4hr trip to Richmond but in the old Dodge I figured it would have taken about 5-6hrs to get there. No worries grandpa and grandma were gone for a couple weeks too Canada🤔 So about a hr or so into the trip and much to my surprise, my rearview mirror was full of 77 Chrysler and an arm and hand that I surely recognized, hanging out of the window instructing me to pull over. So apparently the Chrysler had some troubles and they turned back, passed us heading in the opposite direction and then pulled a 'U' and chased us down. 😮😂 I can't repeat what was said to us on the side of the highway that day but I think I learned a few new words. My grandma was the mean one tho and we had to ride back in the Chrysler with her while grandpa drove the Dodge home. She could make you feel lower than dirt without the cursing 🤬. 🤣 Its funny how as a teenager you think you have all the answers and yet you dont even know all the questions yet. Well y'all have a blessed day🤙🏼Namaste 🙏🏼

[@SteveMagnante]

Skirts will make us do crazy things. I remember a similar skirt-themed experience I had in 1982. I just got my Learner's Permit but not yet the real driver's license so no diving without an adult and no after-dark driving. But Mom and Dad went out of town for a few days so I decided to use Mom's 1981 Renault LeCar to take little Janie on a date in the nearby city of Worcester, MA. The date went well (we saw the movie "Porky's") but I wasn't used to the 4-speed stick and clutch. I stalled repeatedly on a steep hill but we did make the date without me getting busted. Later Mom and dad were none the wiser until Janies' Dad mentioned my date with her to my Dad. No problems (I was a gentleman back then) but I had to confuse my Dad into believing that me and Janie were passengers in a car driven by someone else and it was actually a double date and how Janie's Dad had confused ME as being a driver that night. Dad was confused enough by my spaghetti bending story that he never followed up to discover my lie. Anyhoo, that LeCar "cured me" of French cars. There is RE-NO-WAY I'll have another - mostly because any car with THREE LUG NUTS is not a cr...4-lugs are lame enough! OK, Thanks for sharing your story! -Steve Magnante

[@chrisscearce]

@SteveMagnante Hi Steve, I 100% agree I'm not much of a fan when it comes with only 3 lug wheels.🤣 I did have to drive home one morning with 3 lug nuts on each wheel of my 80 Pinto after I lost the back wheel. 🙃 I learned a long time ago that I'm not great at lying and fibbing. I think my eye twitches or something. For the most part, I would get caught even if it were a day or 2 later. 🤣 I think I heard you say something once 'women like cars will sooner or later let you down' HOW TRUE! 🤔 🤣 even if you didn't say it. 🤣🤔😬 Have a blessed one, Steve,🤙🏼 Namaste 🙏🏼

[@k.c.marshall921]

"Accepted".

[@marioncobaretti2280]

Mr Drysdale car from Beverly hillbillies was a convertible imperial Jane Hathaway mostly drove it

[@SuperOperator4]

Must have given a beautiful ride.

[@SuperOperator4]

@DarthShibby Just because you can be, doesn't mean you have to be.

[@reversemaxxus]

Had a chance to drive my brother-in-law's '66 dark blue on black 4 dr. back in the '70's. STRONG acceleration from that beauty! 🏁

[@kevinmcbride6006]

Unfiltered cigarettes, Martinis, Frank Sinatra, Steak on Saturday night, and church on Sunday. Your wife wore a dress to both.

[@paulday6875]

Those were the days

[@tomwesley7884]

LOL when men were men and women were happy about it

[@Jim-ic2of]

Uncle Tony says "Steve is a good guy !" . Not surprisingly at all .😊

[@SteveMagnante]

Uncle Tony is a "good guy"! And also an INSPIRATION to me for his magazine writing in the 1980's where he covered street racing and hammered new muscle cars in print. I wanted to become a magazine writer after seeing his articles and did just that in 1991 when I moved from Massachusetts to California and got my first writing job at Chrysler Power magazine. And more recently, Tony suggested that I start my own KZbin efforts. He is a GOOD DUDE and inspiration. Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@fishgeralding9224]

I had to have emergency surgery done Friday morning so I haven't watched since Thursday. I just got up and decided, time for some coffee and crawl. When you did you're M.T. bit with that chefs hat, I had a mental flash and pictured you in an old margarine commercial. I damned near split a stitch Lmao, I needed that! Just got done wiping up the coffee I spit on my front porch!

[@SteveMagnante]

I hope you recover quickly! The "cancelled?" bit is from an old Hot Rod Magazine TV bit from about 1999. The bit showed how to make fiberglass replica parts on the cheap. You can see the actual video right here by going to the Channel Playlist and searching the "Hot Rod Magazine TV" videos. Then look for the "Cooking With Steve" video and there it will be. Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@fishgeralding9224]

@@SteveMagnante Thank you, and thanks for the laugh too, I needed it! I pictured you wearing the imperial margarine crown, must've been the pain meds! Lol I recorded Barrett Jackson super Saturday and am watching that while I recuperate and always enjoy your expertise and commentary.

[@andrewzabel3691]

Canceled gets me every time

[@garymckee8857]

The 65 Imperial that I had was equipped with Bendix cruise control, and the radio had a second dimmer type switch in the floor that could move the radio dial. 📻

[@googleusergp]

It was probably a very nice car.

[@garyszewc3339]

If memory serves me correct, which these days isn't great, I believe that was called the Search Tune radio. They didn't all have the floor switch, but many of them that didn't have it still came with the spot in the back of the radio to plug that switch in.

[@johnmaki3046]

My '66 Imperial Crown had this feature also!

[@garymckee8857]

@johnmaki3046 Thanks, I am glad someone else remembers this option 😅

[@johnmaki3046]

@@garymckee8857 These were GREAT cars! I was PRIVILIDAGED to own one! The QUALITY, DRIVETRAIN, AND "BUILD" WILL NEVER be matched!

[@kennethwise7108]

This dude knows more about cars than anybody else I've ever seen

[@THROTTLEPOWER]

Great vid!!! 👍👍

[@OceanJoe-cy8rx]

Recall pulling in to a demolition derby near W Palm Beach, early 1970's, same time somebody trailered in a 1957 Lincoln, the type they made the Batmobile from. It didn't do well. Notice how nice the door closes on this old beast.

[@seed_drill7135]

The Batmobile actually started its life as a concept car rather than a stock Lincoln.

[@stephenmacleod1506]

You're not lying! Saw many of Imperials at Hopkington State Fair Derby, mostly the winners!

[@haljohnson5729]

Perfect car to be seen on an episode of MADmen.

[@edwardhalpin7503]

While driving on Madison Avenue, of course

[@ddellwo]

Not if you were a member of the firm - they had the GM account!

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Imperials were great, looking cars, especially the trunk with the continental look and awesome seats 😮

[@UberLummox]

Had a black '64 Crown 4dr. hdtp. I don't think they had a sedan version until '67 with the body/platform change. I still have a black '71 coupe. Great video!

[@philipstephan5451]

That car would have been absolutely beautiful when new. With the show room floor overhead lights shining down on it. Thank you for another great automotive historical video. Cheers.😊

[@TairnKA]

My mom hat a 66 Imperial Crown 4dr with a goldish tint paint color. I thought the headlight covers and speedometer bar were cool, but the floor mounted (above dimmer switch) radio station scan feature was fun to trick my friends with (weight activated channel selector). ;-D

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

I rode in one of these in California,from San Diego to Concord! She had a 413 however, I remember that she had dual exhaust, it may have been added post manufacture, but she sounded nice when you kicked in the passing gear on the interstate,it was a lovely car! She was a two door, kind of a Gold color, with a goldish saddle interior? You literally floated down the highway! I will say it rivaled any Cadillac that I’ve ever ridden in as far as Luxury! I would love to own one! Great Video Steve! Memories! If a car could be sexy this car epitomized a blend of ,class, power, and sexiness,all in one! I can’t believe that car was in fourteenth place! That must have been when America started losing its mind! LOL!😂

[@SteveMagnante]

A lot of L.S.D. in the 1960's and not just Limited Slip Differentials if you know what I mean. Timothy Leary was a "head mechanic" back then! Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

That was hilarious,and a wonderful play on words! Bravo! Keep those videos coming! It is amazing how many different cars touch our lives in so many different ways! Of course I didn’t realize it at the time! Your videos have made me think of people and places that I haven’t thought of in years! Thanks again, for all you do!

[@jeffreycarleton1535]

I don’t care how many times I hear you say that, with the chefs cover! It cracks me up every time!😂

[@hackfabrication139]

I still remember the 1976 Imperial I delivered to a dealer in Ohio. Triple black, 2dr. A true battleship sized vehicle. Had to load it up on the top of the car hauler in the very front position. I seem to recall the MSRP being somewhere in the $15k-$17k range. For reference, a top of the line Chrysler New Yorker was in the $13k-$14k range.

[@seed_drill7135]

You have to recheck your memory calendar, ‘75 was the last year for Imperial, though the same basic car continued on for a few more model years as the New Yorker Brougham.

[@Exemplar9]

It’s like a game of Simon Says, to say “Imperial” without the “Chrysler” first lol. Even you appeared to do it Steve but we forgive you; Great video!

[@clutchkicker392ison5]

Go steve ! You've been on ozzie TV twice this week mate . Assmokey auction and yesterday u were on a top ten Sportscars show . HAha , u really hit the bigtime now . Good to see you on our TVs .

[@stefanfeeg7388]

Ive had a few Imperials in my life, one interesting fact is that the front windsheild is the same from 1958 to 1966,

[@TinManKustoms]

Here in Ontario Canada a buddy of mine used a Imperial as a derby car and won over 30 derby events before they banned it. He also used it in train racing (3 cars chained together racing around a circle track) after a bad accident on the track it too was banned from racing circle track. So it now lives as a 4x4 mud runner with a custom 4x4 setup under its body. He's also the reason for other banned cars at the derbies here in Ontario somehow he always finds the heavy hitting cars of the days gone by and uses them to their full potential.

[@johneckert1365]

Leaf spring unibody Lincolns are sometimes banned, and sometimes 71-76 full-size GM wagons.

[@jamielacourse7578]

Cheers from Oshawa.

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

We have a 65 coupe in dry storage for 25 years. Left over from my demo derby years. Will be a fun project when we get to it.

[@roberthill2219]

You mean you are not going to destroy this one? Wow, what a guy!

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

@@roberthill2219 It came close a couple of times. If it wasn't a coupe it would have got used years ago. they're just old cars.

[@solo2r]

Dont forget about the "Green Hornet" '66 Imperial[s]!

[@MillerMeteor74]

I almost bought one of those, way back in 1983. My parents had a `67, which they bought used in late `67. It was the base model called "Sedan", and yes, it was a pillared sedan. It had cloth seats and AM radio, but was an awesome car. My parents drove it for 9 years. They sold it 4 years before I started driving, unfortunately.

[@DaPenceman]

That tilt collumn could make a nice addition to your dart

[@jamietie]

Please never drop that bit, Steve

[@AjAJ-qr4vo]

The family wagon, a 1965 Dodge 880 also had the column shift vs. the push button for the automatic transmission. Interesting with the torsion bar design on the trunk lid on Imperial. I know the 1970-81 Chevy Camaro and Pontiac Firebird also had that design to lift the trunk lid up a bit when opened with the key.

[@Wolfie66]

Great content! I'm old! I remember seeing these cars on the road!

[@rogerkett2133]

A wealth of information on many auto subjects , this man just keeps playing the hits.

[@jeffclark2725]

Great video,thumbs up that thing is a beast

[@aa64912]

I had one, same color. Excellent driving and riding. It was 15 years old when I got it. Beautiful car and a real head turner

[@johnmaki3046]

The '64-'66 Imperials had "THE CLASS LOOK", and the rest of the vehicle BACKED THIS UP!

[@tomstiel7576]

Dave Kanners love those for demo derby cars

[@misieeek0485]

I love how after watching certain amoung of Steve's videos, you can guess the car just by the title of the episode

[@TheRoadhammer379]

Steve, we have a 4x4 Demo derby in West Winfield NY. It's a huge former high school parking lot, ringed by concrete barriers, and it's truly heartbreaking to see square body chevys and my beloved f350s getting destroyed.

[@pmafterdark]

When I think of how many beautiful Imperials were probably demolished in demolition derbys I think of how many beautiful 69' Chargers were totaled just for filming the Dorks of Hazzard.

[@jaymoe5.7]

Dukes destroyed around 300 69 Chargers. I witnessed at least 100 Imperials get destroyed at my local county fair alone when I was a kid. Absolute tanks those cars were. The only thing wagon drivers really feared was an Imperial.

[@captaindew3106]

1965 Imperial Crown Sedan now that a Green Hornet car originly drove by Bruce Lee from the 60s before the 00s release film and then the 1981-83 Imperial that look like the Lincoln and Caddy with the short deck rear style drove by Burt Reynolds and Dom DeLuise in the 2nd Cannonball Run film in 1984 the sequel to the 1981 Cannonball Run film. Also that color of blue for a patina got my eye a lot better than red patina.

[@billmanzke758]

The Green Hornet car!

[@robertvance1873]

I first saw them watching reruns of the Beverly Hillbillies you most of the time saw one pull up out front of the Clampett Mansion 😅

[@robbyaugtel5189]

That’s the show I remember them from, loved the glass covers on the headlights

[@kenttalsma7906]

When I was a kid in the mid 60s, watching the boob tube, reading the closing credits for who furnished the autos. About 72 or 3 Adam-12 switched from MOPAR to AMC.

[@michaelnazaruk4100]

Was Mr. Drysdale's?

[@kenttalsma7906]

@@michaelnazaruk4100 I remember Miss Jane drove a mid sized Dodge convertible, or Plymouth. This was pre 68.

[@michaelnazaruk4100]

@@kenttalsma7906 - Yeah, I think it was a Coronet. Mr. Drysdale didn't pay her enough to afford a Monaco.

[@remko1238]

Man i do miss Steve on daily base of giving the Tube a ❤️‍🔥

[@rickloera9468]

I can definitely see Ford influence in this car. My 1977 Mercury Cougar XR-7 has the squared off hump on the trunk lid like this car.. Loved Imperials. I would cringe whenever I saw one at a smash up derby. Unfortunately their were more then one. More like a dozen. I'm surprised their are any left.

[@fredrikfalborg3459]

Thanx steve

[@Nunofurdambiznez]

"We'll go easy on 'em... NO" LOL!!!! excellent!

[@butcher390]

Never knew these 65 & 66 's were body on frame construction . Always liked these Imperials 🙏

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man what a beautiful car that was! The Green Hornet comes to mind! I always thought it looked like a Lincoln continental! Boy and I wasn’t wrong! The same designer!! Great video Steve!

[@waynebuzzell2483]

Looks like lots of poison ivy under that hood Steve. You brushed your hand up to it when you grabbed that shifter cable. Hopefully you washed up real well. Great presentation as always.

[@The_R-n-I_Guy]

We're all pulling for you Steve. Hope to see you soon

[@daveridgeway2639]

Hi Steve, nice video! I am 63 years old. You can see a 1966 Chrysler Imperial Crown four door customized by George Barris as the "Black Beauty" for the 1966 20th Century Fox TV series "The Green Hornet". You can also see a 1966 Chrysler 300 convertible, as Hornet's personal car. Please reply. Dave...

[@russellriggan2088]

4:45. The door closing sounds like bank vault, other than the squeak of the hinges.

[@charlesa8136]

Best part of these is the props. Are the magazines, models etc all out of Steve’s collection

[@debbiebermudez5890]

Mr. B. Here ! Morning Mags ! ☕️☕️🍩🍩. 👁️👁️

[@tomwesley7884]

Morning

[@stevepouliot6906]

I ran a 64 Imperial for a derby car up here in NH that car was tuff it lasted a total of 7 derbies

[@speedfreak8200]

Thanks Steve now I know why it's called a Continental Kit .... my dad had a 57' Chevy with one on it

[@ScarlettFire341]

STEVE - What's a Good Nickname for your FOLLOWERS ? maybe Maggots ? lol As always great presentation !

[@SteveMagnante]

Maybe "Junkyard CRAWLERS"? Crawlers? Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@marktimberlake4493]

Magneto"s

[@academaciated7466]

The interwebs have read my mind again... a coworker and I were just talking about this car and derbys just three days ago! Weird.

[@Glenn_123]

Been watching for a very long time Steve! Thank you for doing these videos love them. I also can not give it over how thick the vegetation is now. It is really growing!

[@nathanbarden9709]

Lots of rain.

[@SteveMagnante]

The crazy part is how the entire junkyard reverts to brown dirt by late October! The vegetation vanishes. That's my favorite time of the year to shoot there. Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@jamesadkins1780]

Interesting how the wiper blades mounted toward the outside.

[@santaclause2875]

Seems like the banker 'Mr. Drysdale' on The Beverley Hillbillies show drove one of these....not sure of the year, though.

[@1987glhs]

My 1965 Dodge Polara 880 convertible sold new for $3,380.00 (Canadian), so yeah... Imperials were pricey.

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

Folks bought a 65 Crown Coupe. In the late Sixties they purchased it. We are talking a nice car, not a junker. Nicest riding, most powerful car ever. Not a hot rod. A luxury car. Cruised at 85 mph on freeways effortlessly. You had to keep an eye on the speedometer or you did not know it. What did the body style look like like? Steve shows us in the magazine he cracks open.

[@georgechambless2719]

No crumple zones on these tanks!

[@johnmaki3046]

In 1992, I witnessed one of these SOLID MONSTERS DECIMATE the "Demo Class" at the Superior Speedway (Wisconsin)! THESE CARS WERE AWESOME!

[@DuneRunnerEnterprises]

O!! Am i already a "junky/addict"? When i seen that video name,and that tubnail,i knew it's gonna be about Imperial???

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve

[@daviderickson9445]

The shape stamped in the trunk lid reminds me of a 1975 Plymouth Roadrunner.

[@demetridar506]

I have discussed the rear frame strength with others too. If you look at the frame rails on the back, they actually get fairly thin towards the back. Also, the fact that the frame is not integrally connected to the body, but instead with a finite number of bolts with rubber bushings, means that the structure is actually weaker than a unit body because the body and frame deflect independently as two different structures. Therefore, the 67 and later Imperials, given that they used similarly thick sheet metal and properly designed structure by Chrysler engineering, it is likely stronger than the separate frame. The front subframe of the later Imperials was bolted on the body directly, not via rubber bushings, and it was at least as thick as this one. So, the front end of the later Imperials (at least up to 69) were probably stronger. But I can see how intuitively, the continuous frame from front to back can appear to some as stronger, even if it is not. As for the single exhaust. The main reason for the switch to single was that they heated up faster and rusted slower, so saved warranty money. You can certainly make dual exhaust to be as quiet as single.

[@BigSkyModelWorkshop]

The 67-73 "Hammerhead" Imps are a little stronger up front, but the rear is significantly weaker than the 64-66 "Boxcar" ones, at least in demo derby application. It's easier to take a 67-73 out so long as they don't protect or instead overuse the rear. The sub from them can be swapped into other Mopar C-bodies to build a nasty demo demon. There's a nice "beam" on the front of that 67-up subframe.

[@johneckert1365]

​@@BigSkyModelWorkshopI loved c-body Chryslers in derbies, but they couldn't be rusty

[@demetridar506]

@@BigSkyModelWorkshop If you could somehow weld the thicker rear frame secction of the earlier cars to their body, I can see how the rear would be stronger. But as long as the rear frame section is connected to the body with rubber bushings, it is not possible to justify the premise that the rear portion is stronger than the unitbody. There is a reason why the industry abandoned the separate frame and body construction. It gives a lot more strength and stiffness for less weight (in this case, the weight of the earlier and later Imperials is actually identical). The downside is a bit more expensive tooling. GM and Ford remained stuck on their separate body and frame because they were backward companies and only cared about profits. The public was too stupid to know.

[@BigSkyModelWorkshop]

@@demetridar506 The 67-up actually buckled at the front leaf spring mount and bent the whole rear portion straight up in the air behind the C-pillar, whereas the 64-66 would pack in and eventually go up, but it takes awhile.

[@95roadie]

@@demetridar506easy solution for the rubber bushings. Get rid of them and bolt the body directly to the frame. There is simply no debate that the body on frame Imps are significantly stronger than the C bodies. C body rear ends are soft. Often times whale tailing within a hit or 2. You cannot and will not say the same for the body on frame cars. Simply put, you’re debating something that isn’t a debate.

[@scottymoondogjakubin4766]

Also sad how many gm B body station wagons disappeared from the roads used for demolition derby's !

[@gulfy09]

A 9 minute video takes me almost 15 minutes// i always read the comments before

[@mejurgensen]

Maybe it's already been noted, but Bruce Wayne drove an Imperial and I think that Black Beauty driven by the Green Hornet was based on an Imperial.

[@ddellwo]

I’m thinking this must be one of the last American passenger cars built with a wrap-around windshield and that dog-leg door jamb detail that everyone claims you knocked your knees against? By 1965 even the Ford and GM light trucks had converted to a flat windshield with the more modern straight door jamb…….🤔

[@ktm42080]

Imperials were such beautiful cars! There isn't much today to even compare, but big blocks don't exactly save on fuel or expenses.

[@waynetaylor8082]

I must admit that as a child at the time, demolition derbies were AWESOME!!! So much Soo, that ABC's Wide World of Sports would air them on Saturday afternoons😮!

[@butcher390]

I remember when ABC wide world 🌐 🌎 of sports showcased , the figure 8 "world championship" from the , Islip Speedway , in Long Island .

[@doctorgravel8572]

The triumph of victory and the agony of defeat.

[@corvairjim1]

​@@doctorgravel8572uh... the "THRILL" of victory!

[@SteveMagnante]

@@doctorgravel8572 The agony of MY FEET - after a long day on the job wearing work boots. Thanks for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@doctorgravel8572]

@@corvairjim1 Thanks! I knew it didn't sound quite right, and I couldn't be bothered to do a proper simple internet search, even while on said internet.

[@williammeszaros3382]

I had a 64 Imp, and put dual exhaust on it. It was quiet....and hauled butt. It didn't really show its stripes till after 70 mph, then it would rocket...great car, wish I still had it. As I remember it was around 22 ft. Long.

[@maineiacman]

You remember right. Mine is a '65 and its almost as long as my dads crew cab long bed '91 F350

[@paulwoodman5131]

Indiana Jay county had outlawed the imperials in demo derby like a lot of other counties. They still talk about the last year that the imperial was in the demo derby. It actually became dangerous. It would slice cars open.

[@stanley67s13]

Those were beautiful cars

[@madmike2624]

Hey Steve and Shane fans, Let get the word out and get Steve over the 10k mark on subscribers! They work hard and it shows on the quality and content they provide!!!!!

[@tracyschmitz9192]

A buddy of mine drove one of those that belonged to his folks in high school in 80. It did awesome burnouts. I also remember going to a demolition derby in the late seventies and seeing those and the old Fury's' beating the crap out of the other cars and, looking back, it is rather heartbreaking. Only slightly worse than watching someone mark up an almost 60 year old out of print publication with a permanent marker.

[@edwardhalpin7503]

Why on earth does he consistently do that?

[@corvairjim1]

What it comes down to for me is who owns the car (or the magazine/showroom brochure) in question. Whether you or I like it or not, we have no say in the matter. Steve is free to mark up his literature anyway he likes. Apparently, he likes to use his large collection as an educational aid for his Crawls. As he does with his vintage car models. I'm a model builder myself, and I'm aware of how much some of his kits can bring at auction. I'll tell you this: they're out of my price range. But then he builds them, taking away most of their collector value. But he gets more enjoyment out of building the kit, exactly what they were meant for in the first place, than he would looking at the box sitting on a shelf. Bravo, Steve! If I want to build a particular vintage model, the only way I can afford to do it is to find one that someone built back in the day, strip it down, and start over. But I would love to know the thrill of breaking the 60+ year old seal, opening the box, and building the model as the manufacturer intended. So if Steve gets pleasure out of using his magazines to help his viewers learn something, more power to him. And if Joe Shlabotnik from Podunk, Iowa wants to use a rusty, clapped-out, 50 year old 6-cylinder 4-door sedan that he bought for $300 to drive around a bull ring in reverse to inflict greivious injury on other older cars, hey, it's his car. Let him get his pleasure out of it the way he wants to. I've been to exactly one demolition derby (there really aren't too many to be found in the Philadelphia suburbs) and had a great time. But, let me tell you, I cringed when I saw that someone had entered a '63 Impala wagon that looked restorable! I hear that they aren't so good in derbies anyhow, with their X-frame chassis.

[@terry-zi7eh]

Hey! I’m from Podunk Iowa, and we love Steve too!

[@SteveMagnante]

@@corvairjim1 Hello corvairjim1, Thanks for watching and writing. I don't mean to upset anyone by marking my magazines and brochures in these videos. The reason I do it is to help me - and Super Shane Richardson the cameraman - to zero-in on the pertinent sentences and pictures with no delay. We make these videos in ONE TAKE due to time constraints and it never fails, when I have tried to find the words I want to showcase during the hectic, anxious moments of a live video shoot, the letters jumble, I get lost, I begin at the middle and it is a bumble-fest / hassle. But a simple Sharpie circle or Bic 4-color pen highlight efficiently brings me right to the desired passage. Also I NEVER cut or slice these magazines / brochures (unless they are already dry and falling apart) because that ruins them for future video use. As for building rare models, I often buy "built up" examples and then (as you describe) strip them using Easy-Off (no-gloves formula is best) and rebuild them again to my taste. Once in a while I will crack open a true rarity (like a JoHan Haulin' Hearse) but I believe my work justifies the "sacrifice" of a rare old kit. As for most other plastic model kits, most have been re-released by Round 2 so many times it is possible to buy BRAND NEW examples today at the hobby store / eBay. Same stuff, just a newer box and (often) MUCH BETTER DECALS than the original release from 30 to 50 years ago. And it is a fact that most JoHan kits produced in the 1970's onward (small boxes, NOT old flat-boxes) are so common they always show up on eBay (JoHan Turbine Car, 1964 Dodge and Plymouth and many others from the "USA Oldies" series of re-releases). Also, vintage car magazines and most brochures are far more common than most folks assume. I have THOUSANDS of them in my 50-year collection (I still have some of the first magazines I bought as an 8 year old kid starting in 1972). That said, I know better than to mark up a Tucker brochure, but the other stuff is easily replaced on eBay any time. OK, Thanks again for watching and writing. -Steve Magnante

[@Jim-ic2of]

Good Morning junkyard dawgs !😊

[@MenofScratch]

The Green Hornet rode around in one.

[@427Musclecar]

I was in a derby back in the late 70's that had a specific rule banning those cars.