This past weekend was the 35th Annual Imperial Owners Statewide Meet held in Port Hueneme, CA this year. A great deal of preparation in weeks prior and my 1960 Imperial LeBaron 4 door Southampton was ready for show. Kevin demonstrates the swivel seats. A touch of a lever and you can easily glide to the perfect exit position. I won’t even discuss Kevin driving until his feet can reach the pedals. The other dinosaurs in the Park look on with excitement as Kevin rides in the back seat of this American Classic. Many might refer to cars of this era as dinosaurs. However, Kevin and the other Dinosaurs in the Park would disagree. They can appreciate the artistic designs and beautiful chrome. However, at a little over ½ a century old for most of the cars at the show doesn’t come close to the 65 million years ago when the dinosaurs ruled the earth.
Club Members begin arriving on Wednesday. Thursday was the first outing for the group. A stop at Mrs. Olson’s on West Channel Islands Blvd. where we enjoyed a wonderful lunch overlooking the harbor. The fish & chips were great and the portions so large I made 3 meals out of them! Next stop The Channel Islands Maritime Museum. The artwork and antique model ships were a treat. The use of color to create light in some of the paintings was incredible. Many could be mistaken for photos. The details on the model ships was fantastic. Check out their website www.cimmvc.org
Fridays activities included a visit to the Port of Hueneme where many new vehicles arrive. Then we set out to the US Navy Seabee Museum with a docent tour. I had the wrong idea for what a Seabee actually is! They are the engineers and construction workers that build the barracks, airports, bridges and pretty much whatever is needed for the troops! In addition, they need to be combat ready. For more information go to:
https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/museums/seabee.html
Friday evening Kevin & I gave a talk about PaulsPrehistoricPark.com and our many Activities & Adventures.
Saturday the Car Show. There were a few guests that brought a 1955 & 1956 DeSoto, a 1957 Dodge Sierra Station Wagon and a 1966 Chrysler New Yorker. The Imperials at the show ranged in years from 1956 through 1981. The Imperial was Chrysler Corporations Flagship. From 1955 through 1970 it was a separate division of Chrysler Corporation. Prior to and after those years it was the top of the line Chrysler. It was discontinued in 1976 came back as a 2-door personal luxury car for 1981, 82 & 83 discontinued again and returned in the early 1990’s as a large version of the “K – Car” platform for a couple of years. Now its name appears on Concept Cars from time to time. Will we see it in production again? Time will Tell.
Stay Tuned for Next Weeks Post “How to Draw Dinosaurs and other Prehistoric Beasts”
“Encouraging the Appreciation of Art and Education through the Inspiration of Dinosaurs”
Paul & Prehistoric Pals
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