For several decades, the Imperial was Chrysler’s top-of-the-line product. To help it compete better with Cadillac and Lincoln, it became its own make in 1955. While the use of tailfins was on the way out by 1961, the Imperial flies them tall and wide (is the car ready to take flight?). This beautiful and rare example came out of a collection and was just fine until the nose got bumped in transit. Other than that, you could have an unusual daily driver if you decided to leave it in its original (we think) condition. Located in Roanoke, Texas, this land yacht is available here on eBay where the current bid is $5,400 (no reserve).
After the branding change, second-generation Imperials were built from 1957 to 1966. Unlike other Chrysler products which went with unibody construction in 1960, Imperial stayed with body-on-frame. The 1961 Imperial received a significant styling update, including free-standing headlights (thanks to designer Virgil Exner). The wide tailfins would begin to be de-emphasized in 1962 and were virtually gone in 1964. A 350 hp, 413 cubic inch V8 powered these beasts with Chrysler’s pushbutton automatic transmission.
The seller, a dealer, bought this Imperial along with several other automobiles in a private collection. It may be an original car, although some touch-ups may have been done to the interesting Coral paint. More will have to be done once the front-end boo-boo is corrected. This possible low-mileage survivor (23,000 miles?) was stored indoors in dry Arizona for much of the last 10 years. This 2-door Crown hardtop was just one out of every eight Imperials to leave the factory in 1961.
A full run-down of what the seller knows about this car is given, but it’s far from being 100%. Other than some slight rust, the Mopar is cosmetically solid including the hood, which seems to have escaped the little crunch that occurred in the trailer when some straps came loose. The black interior looks good with the little bit of cracking in the leather upholstery you might expect after 64 years.
With a new battery and fresh gasoline, the car runs and drives nicely around the lot, but that’s the extent of how the seller has tested it. There is some slight lifter ticking which the seller postulates could go away with more use (or not). The factory air conditioning doesn’t work but seems complete to enact a fix. Part of the magic, if you will, of this car is that it retains some of the Space Age appeal that Chrysler brought with its “Forward Look” styling in 1957. If you’re looking for a rare and unusual vintage car to add to your harem, could this Imperial be it?
What a crying shame! It looks like it whacked the RT door out of specs also.
Was there an insurance payout for the damage? If so, why wouldn’t the money be used to fix it? Just wondering.
I was just thinking the same thing! Someone is pocketing that money!
It’s possible the car was uninsured. A buddy of mine bought a nice newer Vette from a friend, intending to flip it. Since he wasn’t driving it he didn’t insure it. Car had an electrical short a week later and burned to the ground. Total loss.
Pure profit now, they were probably compensated about the amount they paid for it the car.
Double dipping, I guess. Low of value claim plus a sale might allow for making more money?
What a beauty from the days of excess. Maybe they shortened the front end to fit it in the modern garage! Ha Ha.
It would be nice if there were some decent pics of the damage. Cool car.
I agree, we’re not getting solid information or decent pics from the seller. Ebay description overly flowery and bloviating. We prefer Sgt Joe Friday’s famous phrase “just the facts, Ma’am”
What a shame! Such a good car overall. That will be expensive to fix and difficult with parts being so scarce. Maybe a good body man could buy it and get it looking right.
can it not fix itsself or am i thinking about a different car… ;)
Guess you’re thinking of 58 Plymouth Fury AKA CHRISTINE or perhaps Black Cadillac from Carrie Underwoods TWO BLACK CADILLACS! 👍
cool ride. good luck finding the parts needed for the repairs. i guess the seller took the ins money and is just too lazy to fix it. real shame
The Incomparable Imperial! I’ve always wanted a 61 LeBaron. The most INCOMPARABLE Imperial of all. I believe this Imperial Crown Coupe(not to be confused with Crown Imperial limos) was still referred to as a Southampton. So unfortunate that the front end got damaged. Parts for repair will be hard to find. Still it deserves a restoration as A Genuine LAND YACHT and MONUMENT to an era unfortunately never seen again. Truly the GRAND FINALE for Exners fabulous finned OTT fantasies for Chrysler! What say you other members of The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY? 🤔 Yoo Hoo ANGEL, Frog, Jon R 👋 .
Bungie cord that hood down and get in and drive it. Work on making it pretty over time. Just the grille would be the tough part to replace but I’ll bet a good body guy could straighten that one.
That boo-boo looks more like an uh-oh.
There is a used grille Available on Ebay for $899. But only one and someone is watching. And it’s not mine. Just trying to help!
Yeah what a nasty crunch right in the middle of its grill. And yes, the owner probably pocketed the insurance money, but didn’t repair the car. What a shame for such an otherwise great Imperial.
That’s minor damage any good body shop could fix that. Great styling the way, the retro headlights are fitted into the front fenders. Great daily driver use it for a few months up to a year. Have some fun then switch to another one.
Regardless of the damage, that’s a great color for that car.
Look at the pictures, no way minor, a lot of badly bent metal, straighten and /or replace, then you have to carefully color match, without the trim, sheet metal and paint only , with eyes on it, $4k or more. Good luck with trim.
Exactly, no problems for today’s body shop guys replacing all plastic, but finding a old school body guy that knows what he’s doing is as hard to find as those grill parts. It’s not a minor problem. Hopefully, front hinge wasn’t also damaged. But can’t tell by photos. Also, the damage is in the most conspicuous area of the car. Damn shame.
The seller is a dealer, as such, the goal is to turn a profit. It’s called “Capitalism”. I’m sure that the seller is devastated by what happened to the car. The parts needed are made of Unobtainium. Even if they could somehow be located it would take considerable time and money. A true metal smith could possibly repair the damage to the grill, and an actual body man could repair and paint the rest. More time- more money. Evidently, the seller has opted to roll the dice, and sell it as is- totally their prerogative. GLWTS
Oh, yeah, I forgot how upstanding and reputable used car dealer are. AMS Obsolete in Fairmount GA certainly has the parts. They’re out there.
My favorite year of the Crown Imperial, I love the stand alone headlights.
I’m no body man but unless you can find someone who can fabricate the trim pieces for the grill and grill housing; you will probably never find replacements. What a shame. I would love to know what the insurance settlement was.
No matter what your automobile, insist on Insurance agent taking pictures and notes on mileage and condition for your file. When a car reaches a certain age, the Insurance company will try to total it. And I believe there is special (but costly) Insurance for Antique cars.
Unless Sheet metal is crumpled, it can usually be straightened out
This dealer probably came to the quick conclusion most of you pointed out.
You could spend years tracking those parts down.
I had an accident with my 66 F-100 pickup 2 years ago that damaged my right front fender, my grille, the apron below the grille and a small dent to the hood. The insurance paid for all plus extra because I did the labor myself except paint for a new fender. I bought the parts that were readily available new except the grille, a good used one. This Imperial does not show a separation for the fender to front. How is that?
The front fenders & header are all one piece- which adds to the cost & complexity of repairs.
Thank you, that’s unbelievable, and I never knew that. All for the sake of beauty!
Same with late 60’s Lincolns- all one piece. My mom’s got bumped in the right front back in the early 80s and it pretty much totaled it. I was very young but still remember watching it get hauled away.
Fast forward to modern times, and certain Rolls-Royce and Bentley models also have one-piece header/ front fender units. Imagine the astronomical cost of repair!