To help get a leg up on Cadillac and Lincoln, Chrysler redesigned their full-size luxury cars for 1964. They were very different styling-wise compared to what was offered before, thanks to designer Elwood Engel, who hired been hired away from Ford a couple of years earlier. Whether coincidence or not, they had a Lincoln sort of look to them that help sales jump over the prior year. This Crown convertible looks like an original automobile that may only need interior work to be a great cruisier again. Located in Spokane, Washington, this Chrysler is available here on craigslist for $15,000 OBO.
Styling of the ’64 Imperials resonated well with consumers and production would reach 23,395 units for the year, up two-thirds from ’63 whose cars still had a late-1950s look to them. Gone were the free-standing headlights and taillights mounted on pods, the roofline was square, and the deck lid had a bit of a “kick up” that resembled the Continental Mark II. Other than the limousine, the Crown convertible had the fewest Imperial assemblies for ’64 at 922 copies.
We don’t know a lot about this Imperial beyond it’s only seen 67,000 miles of use. The seller refers to it as a “garage find” because it was tucked away for 20 years and is now being readied for a comeback. The seats have been removed and sent out to be reupholstered. They’ll be returned soon and then put back into the car. But that will still leave other parts of the interior needing attention, like the dash pad and door panels. I wonder why the seller didn’t send the entire car to the shop and have all that work done at one time.
The seller tells us the Imperial runs great, although you couldn’t test drive it without the seats. Under the hood should reside a 413 cubic inch V8 that produced 340 hp and 470 lb. ft. of torque. Chrysler was still using pushbuttons to control the TorqueFlite automatic transmission then, but that would change beginning in 1965. The black paint on this car is quite shiny and if there’s any rust, we don’t see signs of it. Because the convertible top is down in the photos, we don’t know if it needs any work.
This car wears California black license plates, though we don’t know when they were last registered. We’re told that the seller can facilitate delivery, but we assume the distance will be a factor there. Hagerty estimates one of these cars in good condition as a hardtop is worth $10,000 and this one could be in a little better shape than that, plus it’s a drop-top. If you decide to take it home with you, be sure you have plenty of space. These autos measure nearly 20 feet in length and weigh more than 5,000 lbs.
Well, though I really like this design, the fifties weren’t completely over, as evidenced by the wraparound windshield and resulting dogleg doors…but it SO works for me!
The top is down, the windows up. Those items are just a hint of the electrical gremlins (and the scarcity of interior switches, relays and motors) that await the next owner.
You really need to know if the top works. Although this seems like a high price, I think it is very close to the mark as these convertibles are hard to find in this shape. California plates help the sale.
I sure can see the Lincoln in this year’s Imperial.
I wonder if the title is still in Mr Drysdale’s name. ;)
Haha! And they put the windshield back in (so it wouldn’t reflect the soundstage lights in the supposedly “outdoor” scene in front of the Clampett’s mansion).
Or the old man from Pawn Stars
What is the last photo in cl ad with wooden wagon wheels?
Not a “Chrysler” Imperial, just Imperial.
Absolutely built like a tank!
And built back in the days when cars were manufactured more for their beauty and appearance than function. Beautiful car!
Kato! It’s about to rain, put the top up!
Or the old man from Pawn Stars
Okay, nobody else did, so I will.
“I’ve got me a Chrysler, it’s as big as a whale,
And it’s about to set sail!”
Yes, I know it’s really an Imperial.
I had a ’64 Imperial Crown 2 door. The trunk would sleep 4.
I love this beauty. Unfortunately my garage is only 17’ long so I have three feet hanging outside. I know a very good upholstery man who is very reasonable so redoing all those panels and dash pad would be no big deal. The top mechanisms can and do break and being pot metal are next to impossible to repair so I’d want to make sure to top works properly. Best to all.
God bless America
To take photos of a car with some windows down and others up is a sure-fire sign of electrical troubles. To leave a mechanics rag on the engine and a soda pop can on the the left front quarter panel means the seller is a slob. The price is stratospheric considering the problems sure to be lurking underneath.
Why reupholster the seats and leave the rest of interior looking like crap?
Had a friend who’s folks had the 4 door hardtop version of this car. It was huge, but ugh so sweet! Loved the side mount license plate!!
Had a buddy who bought a barn find 64 Imperial in the mid 80’s. Great times, 413 with all that torque needed it to get it moving.