Minneapolis Street Sighting: Imperial

Now here's a vehicle I don't think I've ever featured; the 1980s Imperial. When one conjures up images of Imperial, usually the much bigger 1950s to 1970s cars are thought of. Immense luxury content, gigantic interiors with enough space to probably house Jon and Kate plus all 8, and huge V8 to waft the big barge forward. You'd be both wrong, and right. While not as big as their predecessors, these Imperials did exude 1980s luxury at its finest, this side of a Rolls Royce anyway.
Meant to compete with such contenders as the Ford Thunderbird, Lincoln's venerable Continental Mark series, the big luxury coupes from GM, the early 1980s were all about relatively midsize luxury excess. However, despite the various luxurious features (power everything, rich leather, an all digital gauge cluster, and even a 40 band CB radio (it was the '80s after all), these cars were not quite all they were cracked up to be. Because it was the relatively early days of fuel injection, many of these systems went afoul, sometimes rendering the cars inoperable unless retrofitted back to carburetors.
This example was surprisingly clean, and given the owner's other fine cars, it's not really a shock. Finished in baby blue with navy interior appointments, this car portrays 1980s subtle elegance in a way a Cadillac or Lincoln couldn't. Everyone and their mother knows a Cadillac or Lincoln when they see one. But, an Imperial? That's another matter. Having an Imperial signifies you knew (and do know) your stuff when it comes to cars. Seeing this thing made me do a double take. Not only have I not seen any since my early youth, all the ones I did see then were relatively new. With these last-run Imperials reaching collector status, I wonder if they'll appreciate in value? Or will they just be another bygone product of 1980s psuedo-luxury? Only time will tell, but the car geek in me hopes these Imperial reach a status like their predecessors. While some may argue that these are merely warmed over Cordobas (and they are), I do think they have a special place in Chrysler history.

Minneapolis Street Sighting: Pontiac GTO

Y'know, after all my street sightings, I honestly can say I don't see many qualified "muscle cars" outside of Mustangs and Camaros; if I saw them, I would shoot them. Seeing this legendary great on the street (okay, it was in parking lot, but still) both amused, and amazed me.
Usually, I frown on red cars, but this GTO carries the hue well. I can't really explain why, but I think red is the perfect color for it. Sure, this generation looks amazing in black, but somehow this red just work. Looking this Ponch over ever so carefully, it's clear that this example is reserved for nice days. The paint looks dent and (more importantly) bondo free. All the trim is intact, and all the badges are still in their proper place. Inside, this GTO's story was much the same. All the correct interior markings were in place, the proper trim was kept intact, and no lame aftermarket pieces adorned the dash; a testament to how much the owners respect his (or her) pride and joy. No, it isn't perfect, but honestly, I don't expect it to be. While it's true that a car like this deserves to be "kept pristine", it is a muscle car. It deserves to be driven. I loved finding this, and I hope to find more great muscle cars roaming my city's streets preying on ricers.