As your new president. I would like to thank all of you who attended this event and a special thanks to those of you who drove Imperials. Also l believe a thank you is in order to the McPheeter’s for their long haul down from Visalia, CA. Thanks also to the Los Angeles Maritime Museum director, Dr. William Lee, and the archivist, Michael Cropper, for their hospitality.

I believe this was the best turnout of members (40) and IMPERIALS (14+, and one very nice 55 New Yorker convertible) that I have ever seen at any happening in years. All I can say is fantastic! This is your club and YOU made it happen!

Your President,

David Doty

Our Club had a great event and meeting on December 5, 1999 at the Los Angeles Maritime Museum, San Pedro. There were many Imperials in the parking lot. Starting before 10 a.m., these majestic "land yachts" pulled into the Maritime Museum parking lot, the later cars to a bigger crowd, of course.

Nannette Clark-Cook and Charlie Cook did a great job of welcoming all and keeping a list of attendees. These included Irving Axelrod, Bob Baker, Dick & Nancy Benjamin, Kenneth Cassady, Dave Cleveland, David & Billie Doty, Art Flanders, Doug Gilfillan, Franklin Golisch, Stewart Gordon, Lindsay Hudson, Alison, Martha, Caitlin & Vernon Ikeler, Reinhold & Lydia Klein, Ken Knox, Denis & Martha Lardner, John Lloyd, Larry Maroney, Bill & Jan McPheeters, Zvonko & Tony Mihovilovich, Norman Phair, Mark Pickard, Barry Poynter, J. Christopher Reynolds, Stuart Riggs, Don Savard, Bob Schmitt & Dawn Saunders, Alan Schweir, Norm Silverman, Ben Taniguchi, Dennis Thurmond, Jay Weinert, Greg Wright & son Benjamin - and perhaps others - whom may have missed the sign-in with Nannette.

About 10:45 a.m., after a little socializing in the parking lot around the Imperials, some owners were heading to the museum to tour there, some were still in the parking lot, but a few had drifted over towards the firehouse, on the other side of the lot, and were clustering around a white car. A closer look revealed the Imperial Parade Phaeton owned by City of Los Angeles! What the heck was it doing in San Pedro?

The amazing story, as told by two of the firemen, was that it had been brought to the firehouse to be used by a city dignitary to ride in the San Pedro Christmas Parade later in the day. They had noticed all the Imperials in the lot, so pushed it out a little early for their "entry" in our "show".

A few club members were posing with the Phaeton. Vernon Ikeler took some great pictures. John Lloyd appeared to be in a state of joyful shock, never expecting to be so close to this "crown jewel" of Imperials. A half-hour later, this Imp was on the way to the parade (what else could be more appropriate?), but many of us were left with great memories of this unexpected Imperial treat.

So the next time the Club issues an invitation to an event, think twice about missing it - you may miss more good karma! For the record, the LA Parade Phaeton is now white with a white interior.

Our meeting was in the museum's Brass Room, a very colorful location decorated with many brass ship's "titles" from vessels which were scrapped at the harbor. 30+ of our Imperial owners and friends were at the meeting.

Our crowd declined slightly to 25 when we assembled for lunch at the Acapulco, but this filled our reserved table perfectly.

This was a great location - San Pedro, the Maritime Museum and Ports O’ Call may require a return visit!

SCIO’s new officers met on January 22 to discuss revisions to the Club’s Bylaws and plan events. We’re targeting four events and four newsletters this year. Nannette reported that she is holding funds paid by members for an Imperial Eagle subscription for 1999 because no issues were published. We decided to offer these members a refund or a full Club membership for this year (saving $5). Call Nannette with your decision. All now on the roster (175) will receive this and the next newsletter; when the new Bylaws are passed, your dues must be paid to receive a newsletter after these two.  In addition to the Club officers, Bill McPheeters was invited to this meeting to provide expertise with Bylaw research.  Our thanks to Bill for his research and advice.

The proposed, newly-revised Bylaws are attached to this newsletter. Call me (818-563-1419) if you want a copy of the current Bylaws for comparison. The primary changes are to create a Board of Directors and institute dues, rather than depending on donations and Eagle subscriptions for income. This is important for our hosting of the Statewide meet in 2001 if a DaimlerChrysler donation is not available. As required by the current Bylaws, these revisions will be voted on at the next Club event/meeting, which is:

SCIO has set March 25, 2000 for a meeting and tour event in sunny Palm Springs. The planned tour will start at 11:00 a.m. at the exciting Palm Springs Air Museum which houses the world's largest collection of "flight ready" W.W.II era aircraft. After a picnic lunch and a vote on our new Bylaws, we will caravan to the private estate of the Museum's founder, Mr. Robert J. Pond. There we will have a rare opportunity to view one of the most important private automobile collections in the country - consisting or nearly 100 classic, collectible, and special interest automobiles. The admission total for both events is $10.00 per person. A map of the museum location is on the back cover of the newsletter. So mark this date on your calendar, pack your sunglasses and a picnic lunch and we'll see you there. Call any club officer for further information. (Thanks to Jay Weinert for planning this event.)

At the 1999 Statewide meet, the location for the 2000 Imperial Owners Statewide meet was announced as Modesto, CA (original home of George Lucas and "American Graffiti"). The meet is traditionally held on the first weekend of May, and this year the dates are May 5 - 7. The Imperial car show will be on Saturday, so mark your calendars for May 6! The host club is the Imperial Owners Association of Sacramento Valley (IOASV).

The Meet events will include an Imperial caravan to the Hershey Chocolate Factory in Oakdale and a poolside reception on Friday, the Imperial car show and Awards Banquet on Saturday, morning brunch and another Imperial caravan to the Hilmar Cheese Factory on Sunday. You’ll receive an event announcement and details from the IOASV in the next few weeks.

The last issue of the Imperial Eagle was published for 1998 and the Club’s officers have decided a newsletter will provide better member communication until a new editorial staff is in place. Please call Dave Doty if you can help with the newsletter or the Eagle. The Imperial Eagle has a great history and will be published as a membership extra-cost option when the staff is ready to go. This newsletter can also start a great tradition and needs help with an editor, contributors, a name and a design!

Volunteers are also needed for an ad hoc Events Committee. Not only does the Board need help - and suggestions - to plan events for this year, but our Club will be hosting the 2001 Statewide Meet. We’re off to a running start with site selection (hint: think Scandinavian), but there’s MUCH to do, so now is the time to help with ideas and ground-work, especially to find sponsors and plan the Meet events and tours. Again, give Dave Doty a call.

In addition to the mugs, visors and baseball hats that the Club has long stocked, Dave Doty has added pins, NOS keys and many other unique items.

Also call Dave for back issues of The Imperial Eagle for $3.75 each (subject to availability).

Bob was a founding member and very active in the SCIO until he and Jackie moved to Oakdale, Nebraska in 1993. His three great loves were his family, Chrysler products and life. Bob succumbed to lung cancer on July 19, 1999, two months after attending the 1999 Statewide meet in Visalia. Jackie, their three children, eight grand-children and 2 great-grand-children were at Bob’s services.

Bob and Jackie were married 49 years and she said "Life was an adventure with Robert!" For all who knew Bob, this was right on the mark.

Just a reminder that there are many sources for Imperial information on the Internet. To start, try the following:

The Imperial, by Chrysler (mine):

The On-Line Imperial Club (also a mailing list):

Leslie Kettenhofen’s Many Imperial Links:

http://www.imperialclub.com/ClubsAndLinks/Links.html

The Imperialist (Dave Duricy’s classy site):

Interim editor, Bob Schmitt (bsbrbank@pacbell.net)

Palm Springs Air Museum

Membership Application

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA IMPERIAL OWNERS, INC.

I would like to join the Southern California Imperial Owners, Inc. Enclosed is my check for $20.00 made out to "Southern California Imperial Owners, Inc."

Send this form and a check for the Southern California Imperial Owners, Inc. to:

Nannette Clark-Cook, Treasurer
7178 Forum St.
San Diego, CA 92111-3440 Phone: 858-277-9870

email: nannetteyclark@dellnet.com