UPDATE: No, this is not deja vu. I usually avoid featuring a classic car when an owner lists it for the third time, but I am willing to make an exception with this 1957 Imperial Crown. There is no change to its condition or circumstances, but the seller has slashed its price substantially. Its last advertisement specified a figure of $49,000, but the seller has dropped it to $39,000. That’s a significant saving and might be the tipping point for readers who were previously interested but couldn’t justify the cost. If you fit into that category, the Imperial is listed here on Craigslist. I must thank Barn Finder MattR for spotting the latest listing and Pat L for the original lead.
08/05/2022: With Ford and General Motors achieving considerable success with their Lincoln and Cadillac brands, Chrysler saw the benefit of establishing its own prestige marque to compete head-to-head to capture a share of the luxury car market. The Imperial had been the flagship of the Chrysler model range, but the company spun it off as a stand-alone brand in 1955. Our feature car is an Imperial Crown Southampton that rolled off the line in 1957. It presents beautifully, with the seller claiming it is an original survivor that has accumulated a mere 30,000 miles during the past sixty-five years. It is located in Ontario, California, and is listed for sale here on eBay.
There’s little doubt that Chrysler established itself as the king of fins during the 1950s, although Cadillac gave the company a run for its money with its 1959 models. However, Chrysler managed to stay one step ahead during that period with cars that maintained a distinctive company appearance. Our feature car is a three-owner classic that has led a sheltered existence. It presents superbly in Emerald Green, with no flaws or defects worth noting. The owner doesn’t mention any prior restoration or repainting, but its fresh appearance suggests it’s possible. The panels are exceptionally straight for an unrestored vehicle of this vintage, but the best news appears to be its apparent lack of rust problems. No issues are visible in the supplied photos, and the seller indicates it is rust-free. If it has spent its life in its current location, that claim is easy to believe. The chrome and bright trim pieces could be considered relatively restrained compared to many models from the late-1950s, although features like the taillight surrounds look classy and futuristic. The trim is in excellent condition, with no visible damage or corrosion. The glass is flawless, and the whitewall tires are the perfect finishing touch for a car of this caliber.
While the world of aviation focused on the space race during the 1950s, American manufacturers turned their attention to the horsepower race. This Imperial is no exception, with its engine bay housing a 392ci Hemi V8 producing an impressive 325hp. Further reinforcing its luxury leanings, shifting duties fall to a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, with power steering and power brakes removing the physical effort from the driving experience. Since the company focused more on comfort than outright performance, it is no surprise that this Crown tips the scales at a hefty 4,920lbs. However, its ability to cover the ¼ mile in 17.1 seconds would have caused its original owner no shame. The seller states that the car has a genuine 30,000 miles on the clock. They don’t mention supporting evidence, but the vehicle’s known ownership history suggests they may hold appropriate documentation. The buyer won’t need to spend a dime beyond the purchase price because this classic runs and drives perfectly.
If time is going to catch up with a vehicle of this type and age, it is usually visible when you examine its interior trim and upholstery. Wear, physical damage, and stains are common. However, that isn’t the case with this Imperial. The seats wear Green leather and cloth, and apart from some minor and acceptable stretching on the driver’s side, it looks immaculate. The carpet has no issues, while the two-tone wheel has avoided the cracking that generally plagues cars from this era. Chrysler always seemed to strive to make its interiors stunning, allowing occupants to feel like every trip was a special occasion. This Crown is no exception, with the dash wearing lashings of bright trim and a futuristic appearance. By today’s standards, luxury appointments may seem relatively restrained. However, power windows, a six-way power front seat, and a pushbutton AM radio with a power antenna rated highly in 1957.
The space race and rapid developments in the world of aviation captured the public’s imagination during the 1950s, and these factors may partly explain the vehicle styling of the era. When you examine the appearance of this 1957 Imperial Crown Southampton, it is virtually impossible not to draw comparisons between those fields of endeavor and some of the design features like the enormous fins and taillights. Chrysler’s “forward look” design philosophy gave the world cars that were longer and lower than anything previously seen. This car is a stunning survivor, and while the seller’s price sits at the top end of the market, it is not unprecedented. I don’t think they will have potential buyers beating down their door with a fistful of cash, but I won’t be surprised if one of those watching the listing hits the BIN button. Would you find yourself tempted to beat them to the punch?
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