Asking $24,500.00
Reasonable Offers Encouraged
Imperial was the Chrysler Corporation's prestige brand between 1955 and 1975, with a brief reappearance in 1981 through 1983.
The Chrysler Imperial had been the company's most luxurious model, and in 1955 when the company decided to introduce a separate luxury brand, Imperial was the natural choice for the nameplate of the new spin off vehicle line, meaning that the Imperial would be a separate make and division within the corporation and no longer bear the Chrysler name. Imperial would see new body styles introduced every two to three years, a solid underpinning of very dependable V-8 engines and automatic transmissions, and technology that would filter down to the lower rungs of the Chrysler corporation's sister offerings.
The main advantage of Imperials in the 1960s was their strength; their crashworthiness got them banned from demolition derbies for being too hard to take down. Unlike the rest of the Chrysler Corporation makes (Plymouth,De Soto,Chrysler,and Dodge ), that went to unibody construction in 1960, the Imperial retained separate full perimeter frames for rigidity through the 1966 model year. These substantial frames were in the form of a full box with cross members forming an 'x'. The drive shaft passed through a hole in the 'x' frame. Interestingly, the emergency brake, in the traditional Chrysler manner, was in the form of a clamp that would take hold of the drive shaft, and was not connected to the rear drum brakes.
In 1961, Chrysler scored a coup by hiring Elwood Engel away from Ford, where he had designed the 1961 Lincoln Continental (the same type of car in which President Kennedy was assassinated). Engel's design themes at Chrysler were a far cry from the wild fins of Virgil Exner, and instead featured the more familiar "three-box" design with more rectangular, angular cars with straight-line styling. The 1964 Lincolns and 1964 Imperials bear many of the same design hallmarks. A split grille returned, and the fake spare tire bulge moved from the trunk lid to the rear, incorporating the rear bumper in a very squared-off lump. A large boss in the center of it was actually the fuel filler door, covered with a large Imperial Eagle, with chromed bars going outward that terminated in the taillights. The base Imperial Custom model was now gone; the cars were now available as Imperial Crown or Imperial LeBaron levels of trim in four-door hardtop sedan, two-door hardtop Crown Coupe, or convertible versions. The LeBaron during this period had a formal rear window—reduced in size.
Changes for 1965 were largely confined to the front fascia and to trim. The split grille was gone, replaced by a large chromed cross and surround, and the headlights were inset into the grill behind glass covers (similar to that year's Chrysler 300 and New Yorker models. 1967 saw a completely new Imperial under the skin, as the car changed from a separate chassis to unibody construction to match the rest of the Chrysler Corporation makes. The styling kept the overall straight-line, sharp-edged Engel theme, but there were many detail changes intended to take Imperial away from Lincoln and into its own territory. The spare tire bulge was completely gone from the rear, although the boss remained. The practically full-width taillights spread out from it, straight, but ended before chrome-tipped rear wings. The front end was somewhat similar to 1966's, although the glass lamp covers were gone.
New this year was a new entry-level Imperial Sedan, with full frames around the windows unlike the hardtop frameless style of the other cars. A TNT version of the 440 engine was available as an option, delivering more power.
1968's Imperial was little changed from the previous year. The grille changed to a brightly chromed one with thin horizontal bars, split in the middle by vertical chrome and a round Imperial Eagle badge. At the rear, the horizontal bars over the taillights were gone. This was also the last year for the Imperial convertible.
A very nice older restoration, this car has been well cared for over the years by long term owners, campaigned on CARavans, and generally enjoyed. The car runs and drives well and needs nothing to be immediately pressed into service. It features Air Conditioning, Pull Power including Brakes Steering, Windows, Seats, Top with Glass Rear Window and boot, Tilt/Telescopic Steering Wheel, Auto Dimming Headlights, AM/FM Deluxe Stereo, and Front Disc Brakes. This car begs to be driven. These are among the most reliable and smooth driving cars of the Era. The top is in excellent condition, and the sumptuous full leather interior has just the right amount of patina. The engine runs smooth and strong, the brakes stop with authority, and the car handles nicely. In short this is a turnkey car you can enjoy and campaign on tours or show this Summer!
