The mid-fifties was an interesting time in history for the Imperial, as in 1955 the car went from being just another one of Chrysler’s car offerings to its own separate make and division, a move the powers that be thought might improve its competitiveness in the luxury automobile field, mainly with Lincoln and Cadillac in mind. The aptly named Crown lived up to its title, as an elegant upscale model with plenty of bling anywhere you looked, and for ’62 the convertible was the least produced variety. If you like open-air driving and are in the market for a project, this 1962 Imperial Crown Convertible here on eBay may be worth checking out. It’s in Henrico, Virginia, with the opening bid of $14,300 still yet to be made.
Barn Finds frequent flyer T.J. brought this one to our attention, and we thank him for sharing his find with us! The seller mentions that 545 convertibles were produced in ’62, and though the most agreed-upon number seems to be 554, it’s in the ballpark of 550 total, so these are getting kind of hard to come by, especially examples that are mostly complete. This one has been in the owner’s hands for about 20 years, but sadly. he’s now facing some health issues and is thinning down his car collection.
The seller clearly points out that his Imperial is a restoration project, with a considerable amount of rust present in the quarter panels and rear wheel wells, but a set of quarters from a Texas 4-Door hardtop are also included with the sale. The rust is stated to be confined to these areas, although I’d really like to see what the rockers look like if those lower trim pieces were removed just to make sure. The convertible top isn’t functioning on its own, but it can be raised and lowered by hand. That trunk lid is from a ’61 LeBaron and was swapped out a decade ago.
Standard under the hood for these cars in ’62 was a 413 V8 equipped with a Carter 4-Barrel, which produced in the neighborhood of 350 horsepower right from the factory. There’s no word on whether or not the motor is original, but it is said to have been rebuilt about 15 years ago and has been driven only around 2,000 miles since. The car has been sitting for a while and the fuel lines appear to be clogged, but it will run and move using a gas can.
Inside, the black leather interior is stated as original, and to have this much age it still looks pretty good overall, and I’m totally liking that odd-shaped steering wheel and push-button gear selector. The power window motors are missing in both doors, although the rear units are said to be functioning fine. We don’t get to see any photos from the underside, but the frame is claimed to be solid and straight, plus the suspension is said to have been rebuilt in 2010. I’m a bit surprised no one has made a bid yet, and with no reserve maybe somebody will end up getting a decent deal here. Is this a project you could see yourself getting into?
Beauty Drop Top to add to a collection!!
I need a BIGGER garage …
Needs some rust repair and quarter panel may be a tough part to find. Owner admitted there is a rust issue with the car, but it’s a cool car and yes I am saying this would be a nice restored car. The sedan never impressed me but the drop top looks really good.
Just an fyi, The car is not unit body. The rust isn’t structural like it would be with a build in frame. The quarter panels merely hand off the car and are welded in. The car includes to rust free quarter panels from a Texas Parts Car. It’s not going to be a tough part to find or fabricate since it’s included with the car among other parts. As the seller, I can assure the rust is much worse looking than it really is in the quarter. People are use to the rust issues in Unit Body and Chrysler did use Unit Body but not on this car model. I am the seller so I am biased, but just wanted to set the record straight for other readers
My father drove one of these back in the day, a four door Crown. Had that same steering wheel which we all thought was kinda cool. Ironically, around the same time my father also bought a small speedboat, a Glassmaster, that had the same shaped steering wheel.
That is the coolest steering wheel.
Ima in love! Wait, is that rust around the wheel wells? Never mind.
it’s not unit body, there is no structural support issues. It’s body on frame, so this rust is ugly looking but very minor in relation to the rest of the body work, paint and chrome. The quarter panel merely “hangs” off the car welded on around the three side with the fourth side left open. If a person is looking for a 1962 Imperial Convertible, they would be hard pressed to be able to find another one like it as there are probably only 50 left in the world and most sell in the 50 to 100K price range.
For me, this is the perfect year (love the separate headlights) and the perfect body style! I want this!
I have always like these big beasts. My oldest brother (RIP) loved thee cars and drove several. About a year or so ago I decided to look up those headlights for price, It’s astronomical to say the least, but there are reproduction bucket headlights available for much less. Twenty years ago, which don’t seem like very long anymore, I would have bought this to use as a daily driver in the small Northeast Texas town I lived in. but now I’m just not motivated. I sure hope someone gets it and makes it pretty again.
God Bless America
Thank you for the write up……I’m the guy that sold the Borgward 4 weeks ago, that you wrote on too….the Borgward last week left for Alabama……Yes, it’s all health reason, I was diagnosed with Cancer last June, I’m fairly certain I’ll beat it, we’ll have another test in March and if the Cancer is clear then, I can say I beat it. A couple clarifications, there is a bid on the car but it’s a zero feedback person…so I may retract it if the person doesn’t respond to the email I sent them. The comments about the frame are legitimate, extremely solid, if the car doesn’t sell, I’ll be able to get more photos in the next two week…yes, it’s the original leather interior, yes, it’s the numbers matching Engine to the car…..I’ve updated the listing before the bidder to show the option list per the build sheet. The cars engine was a complete rebuilt used a machine shop….I’m selling my project cars and keeping my nice ones…this has been fun to drive over the years to show…..I’ve normally worn a Admirals Cap and Ascot.
Good luck with your health issues, Francis!
Triple Black Convertible and no A/C – Ouch!
The car was from Boston, AC was not a thing yet in cars…….You would be hard pressed in 1962 to find a local car in Boston with AC in a Convertible, they have Summers, but it doesn’t get very hot for very long.
I know – I live in NH and owned a ’70 Corvette with no A/C. Nowadays, we get humid summer days that rivals Georgia.
I’m just saying – triple black and no A/C can make for some mighty roasty conditions.
Good luck with the sale!
The car was from Boston, AC was not a thing yet in cars…….You would be hard pressed in 1962 to find a local car in Boston with AC in a Convertible, they have Summers, but it doesn’t get very hot for very long.
Ram into the back and knock Ethel Merman into the front seat.
Just watched that again last weekend !
OK everyone, you heard what Mama said!
Why no mention of the engine size? Also, C-bodys were full frame cars too. A and B body are uni-body.
because there was only one engine size available for this car and it’s the original engine, so that would imply the 413. Anyone looking at the listing to buy the car would know it’s a 413, from the avid collectors standpoint. No, sorry, C bodies were no longer full frame cars after the 1959 model year, from 1960 thru 1978, when the last C body was produced, they were fully unitized with a front sub frame for the engine and suspension. The Imperial didn’t become a unit body car losing the body on frame D designation until 1967. AMC was 100% Unit Body in 1948, Chrysler Corporation made the major move in 1960 model year…..with the exception of the D body, A, B and C bodies were all unitized.
I’ve had 65, 67, 70 Plymouth Furies. All were C bodies and unit body construction.
Ffred, engine size is 413 cu.in. or 6.8 liters approx.
Just sold mine after driving it for the last 15 years, it was a 2 door hardtop, like driving something the size of an aircraft carrier but it would just float down the road, surprisingly flat on corners and bends due to the torsion bar suspension and rear axle setup. The chassis, or frame as you call it, was massive.
That’s what’s always surprising for people who drive these cars for the first time. They aren’t like their Counterparts at Lincoln or Cadillac, they have a suspension that’s designed to handle the road way better. It’s why Tom McCahill of Popular Mechanics always bought a new Imperial every year, the suspension and engine performance was far superior to a Lincoln or Caddy. They are indeed road cars. with very good braking too!
Being the Seller here, I’m sorry I have Cancer and that I’m not going to be able to fix the car up……..My life expectancy is suddenly a lot less than I thought a6 months ago. My overall goal was to finish the car when I retired. That’s not going to happen and why I’m selling everything now, so my heirs don’t have to deal with a mess. I hope to beat the Cancer but you never know, you have to make life choices. But I do know I won’t live as long as I thought and my plans of working until 70 is unrealistic.
I’d like to add I spent 22 grand on the drive train and engine rebuilt…….and selling it for 14K is a substantial loss but hopefully gets the car into the right hands to finish it. Possibly, if you have a chance, maybe you can show some photos of the restoration jobs you’ve done over the years to inspire others.
Sounds like he’s kind of jealous to me had all kinds of opportunities to have the cream of the crop, ignored them now is mad at anybody that has one
Who Knows? I saved this car from a junk yard. The engine was half assembled. We did so much to get it back on the road. I’ve enjoyed it and so have people at car shows over the years. I always wore my Admiral Cap, Ascot and Blue Blazer and folks use to call it my land yacht. I was a regular fixture year after year at a specific Mopar Show up until 2018……it’s brought a lot of joy in my life and for others too. I just hope it gets in the right hands.
Who Knows? I saved this car from a junk yard. The engine was half assembled. We did so much to get it back on the road. I’ve enjoyed it and so have people at car shows over the years. I always wore my Admiral Cap, Ascot and Blue Blazer and folks use to call it my land yacht. I was a regular fixture year after year at a specific Mopar Show up until 2018……it’s brought a lot of joy in my life and for others too. I just hope it gets in the right hands.
There was a gal in Chapel Hill back in the 80s who drove a 4 door version of this. She was either a college student or just hanging in town for the atmosphere.
Assume it was a grandparent’s gift. It was rust-free but a bit tawdry in overall appearance. Still I lusted after it…the car. I met her a couple of times too…a little kooky but nice and very attractive in a alternate lifestyle sort of way.
Beautiful looking Imperial. IMHO, 1962 is the best year for the Imperial until the 1967 model year.