The Imperial was Chrysler’s premium automobile dating to 1926. In 1955, hoping to better distinguish it from other Chrysler products, the company branded the line strictly as Imperials. The goal was to try to catch up with Cadillac and Lincoln in sales (which it never did). With a redesign in 1957, fins became a prominent feature, sticking around through 1963 with that model year being perhaps the most attractive (IMO). This ’63 edition may only have 12,000 miles and looks to be quite solid, original, or not. Located in Sacramento, California, this beauty is available here on salvageseller.com where the current bid is just $475. Kudos to barn finder “numskal” for the tip!
This generation began as part of Chrysler’s “Forward Look” design which may have been taken to excesses through the styling of the Imperials, still sold at Chrysler dealerships. The ‘63s were the tamest of the lot, yet only 10,000 or so copies were built that year, with 70% being “hardtop sedans” like this one. If liked the works of designer Virgil Exner, this was your last chance to get one – the all-new ‘64s were created by Elwood Engel.
Little to no information is provided on this car, so we assume an estate sale may be involved. The odometer reads just 12,600 miles and the seller says it runs and drives. While the machine looks great, this car is said to have a few minor dents and scratches. For some reason, the hood doesn’t look to close properly, but the rest of the car presents nicely, especially the interior which looks use-free.
If you decide to buy this car you may have to take a gamble on what you’ll get when you pick it up. Like the 413 cubic inch “Wedge” V8 and automatic transmission. And the latter still used push-button controls. That seemed way cool to me when I was a kid! The air cleaner isn’t stock, so have any mods been made?
A nice `63, but no…..more like 112K miles. Those cheesy seats are obviously aftermarket and are nothing an Imperial would have from the factory. What I wonder is, who made the stainless cap for the rear half of the roof? Chrysler never offered that on these. GLWTA!
The roof cap LOOKS similar to LeBaron, but as Will observed, I’ve NEVER seen anything like this on ANY Imperial. The seats are not original, probably seat covers. Though Imperial never beat Cadillac in sales, the 61(My ultimate dream car in the form of LeBaron) Imperial beat Cadillac in the Fin war with Exners fabulous fins rising an inch above Cadillacs famous 59. Though this 63 falls short of advertised The Incomparable Imperial, it is a rare survivor of an era unfortunately never to be seen again 😢. Well, Doggies 🐕,Duke, this looks a lot like Mr. Drysdales first Imperial. Guess I’ll ride the little train to Hootersville to tell OLIVAR this Imperial still has it’s windshield intact unlike cars on Green Acres and our show. While I’m there maybe I can get some of LITZAs HOTS CAKES! 😉 on second glance the roof may be standard vinyl!
It sure looks like the ultra rare Le Baron to me. The script on the trunk and the cloisenette on the trim by the back window.
Agreed. This is the LeBaron trim level. Seems to be a very nice car. Redoing the interior would be inexpensive enough. Maybe $3k.
What a Chump-mobile. Hard PASS !
“chump-mobile”? Why, steve-oh?
It’s a vinyl roof for sure. But I think the original spot for the vinyl was supposed to have been installed from
the front of the roof bar to the rear edge of the windshield trim. I seem to recall seeing what I just described
on ’63 models of this car at the local
Chrysler dealership when new. I also
recall my ’58 LeBaron Crown hardtop
having a stainless steel insert on its
roof that ran from the roof bar to the
rear edge of the windshield trim as well. It also had a small golden eagle
on the top of each fender just above the headlights backed by a chrome strip that ran from the top of the eagle’s head to just ahead of the radio
antenna and and a like placement on
the driver’s side as well. They were placed on the crowns of the front fenders. Mine also had those fender mounted rear view mirrors mounted
half way down the distance of each
front fender. My seats were done in
leather with either jacquard or brocade inserts. Very comfy on long
trips. No, this car is NOT a bona fide
survivor as our seller claims, but it IS
an above average rejuvenation of a
good driver quality car. IMHO, the car has been driven at least 112K miles or maybe a bit over that. Don’t not pick it, just drive and enjoy it.
I see a Mopar electronic ignition box inside the engine compartment so it’s been converted…that should make it run pretty sweet!
P.S. Hey Russ…it would sure be nice to have a ‘thumbs down’ button for some of the total bonehead comments…
Original or not I like the roof and the seat covers? They look like reupholstered seats to me but what do I know? For the right price you’d be stylin’.
Never liked the ’63 — what a disappointing bring-down from the pretty ’62!!! Fortunately, although completely restyled, the 1964 Imperial reprised a few of the intermediately lost cues of the 1962. 1960 also is my favourite Edsel: can you tell that I love centre-divided grilles? Those tail-lamps riding rocket-like pods atop the rear fenders were great on 1962 Imperials!
Based on the brochure for the Imperial Le Baron (from Old Car Brochures) the roof is correct (maybe the color isn’t). It also has the dual side view mirrors that would have been on the Le Baron.