(Chrysler) Imperials at Iola Car Show 2000

Imperials at Iola, Wisconsin 2000

Imperial Home Page -> Events -> Iola 2000

This past weekend, July 6-9, was the annual Antique Car Show at Iola, Wisconsin, which included a large contingent of show cars, including many pre-war vehicles, a Car Corral with 500+ cars for sale, and a swap meet with over 4000 vendors. This year's theme was "Century of Progress".

I attended for the first time this year. My wife, six boys and I headed out Friday afternoon in our 76 Eldorado convertible and had a fabulous top-down drive through northeast Iowa, southeast Minnesota, and central Wisconsin. The weather was perfect for cruising and car-showing this weekend--cool and overcast. It did sprinkle and eventually rain on Saturday, but not for long. It did probably keep some cars away, and I felt bad for the owners, but it was great for spectators!

There was no way we could see the whole show in just 6-or-so hours we were there, and I didn't get many pictures, but we did see a fair number of Imperials, including 2 that were for sale. If anyone else was at the meet and has pictures they'd like to share, please email me at trettin@pcpartner.net and I'll post them here.

Mike "Moron56" Trettin
Newton, Iowa

Fin shot of a beautifully restored 1961 4-dr hardtop for sale for $15,500. Car is owned by a man in Minnesota (sorry, no other info.) and was previously restored and owned by Jess Ruffalo. Everything works, including the a/c, and the owner said he just took the Imp on a trip to Mount Rushmore.

A shot of the 1961's engine compartment. Owner says he gets 16-18 mpg on trips, but he's a retiree and can't afford to own "a rich man's car" any more. When I asked if it runs/drives as good as it looks, he replied "Better".

Everything about this 1961's interior looked very nice.

Close-up of the Flitesweep decklid trim shows off the charcoal gray metallic paint--a gorgeous color for this car.

Also in the car corral (cars for sale) was a very nice 1973 LeBaron.

Close-up of the Imperial nameplate/emblem. The car appeared to be rust-free and straight, with very nice paint. Asking price was $3750.

Rear view was also very clean and straight. What color is this, anyway? Honeydew? Golden Fawn??

Back end of one of Jess Ruffalo's 40+ cars, in this case a 1962 Imperial Crown convertible. The red was stunning, especially against the lush green Wisconsin grass!

In the main show tent were these two lovely convertibles, a 1961 Imperial Crown and 1960 Chrysler Windsor. Also in the tent was another of Jess Ruffalo's cars, a 1961 white Imperial coupe.

Yet another of Jess Ruffalo's cars that was at the show. I failed to get a picture because of a sudden rain shower, and the fact that his car was under a tent, but here is a picture of his 1959 convertible from an article in Collectible Automobile magazine.

A 1963 convertible departing just as the rain was about to start in earnest. I've seen this car before back at its home in Des Moines, Iowa.

A lovely 1968 convertible parked in the show field.

Mike Trettin's boys outside a little mom-and-pop motel in Wisconsin. We had a great trip driving the bomber 1976 Eldorado convertible through Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

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	Fin shot of a beautifully restored 1961 4-dr hardtop for sale for $15,500. Car is owned by a man in Minnesota (sorry, no other info.) and was previously restored and owned by Jess Ruffalo. Everything works, including the a/c, and the owner said he just took the Imp on a trip to Mount Rushmore.

	A shot of the 1961's engine compartment. Owner says he gets 16-18 mpg on trips, but he's a retiree and can't afford to own "a rich man's car" any more. When I asked if it runs/drives as good as it looks, he replied "Better".
	Everything about this 1961's interior looked very nice.

	Close-up of the Flitesweep decklid trim shows off the charcoal gray metallic paint--a gorgeous color for this car.
	Also in the car corral (cars for sale) was a very nice 1973 LeBaron.

	Close-up of the Imperial nameplate/emblem. The car appeared to be rust-free and straight, with very nice paint. Asking price was $3750.

	Rear view was also very clean and straight. What color is this, anyway? Honeydew? Golden Fawn??

	Back end of one of Jess Ruffalo's 40+ cars, in this case a 1962 Imperial Crown convertible. The red was stunning, especially against the lush green Wisconsin grass!

	In the main show tent were these two lovely convertibles, a 1961 Imperial Crown and 1960 Chrysler Windsor. Also in the tent was another of Jess Ruffalo's cars, a 1961 white Imperial coupe.

	Yet another of Jess Ruffalo's cars that was at the show. I failed to get a picture because of a sudden rain shower, and the fact that his car was under a tent, but here is a picture of his 1959 convertible from an article in Collectible Automobile magazine.

	A 1963 convertible departing just as the rain was about to start in earnest. I've seen this car before back at its home in Des Moines, Iowa.

	A lovely 1968 convertible parked in the show field.

	Mike Trettin's boys outside a little mom-and-pop motel in Wisconsin. We had a great trip driving the bomber 1976 Eldorado convertible through Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin.