The Imperial had been Chrysler’s top luxury brand since 1926. To help it better compete against Cadillac and Lincoln, it was spun off as a separate make in 1955 (which may or may not have helped). This 1967 edition was the first to have unibody construction and – though the seller describes it as a “super rare barn find” – it appears to have been treated with kid gloves. Located in Murrieta, California, this magnificent Mopar is available for $15,500 here on craigslist. Bravo, T.J., for another cool Auburn Hills tip!
Now using the C-body platform of the other big Chryslers, the 1967 Imperial was an all-new car for the brand that was still considered a separate division. So, it may have now been even harder for buyers to choose between the Imperial and a similar Chrysler New Yorker (which was cheaper). The Imperial’s trademark spare tire bulge in the trunk lid was now completely gone. Imperial continued to offer convertibles and 2-door hardtops, but the 4-door units were still the most popular. At 3,235 copies in 1967, the 2-door HT like the seller’s car was just 24% of sales.
The 1967 Imperial was still one heap of an automobile. The wheelbase was 127 inches, the overall length was 225 inches, and the big car weighed at least 5,000 lbs. This beauty is said to be numbers matching (440 cubic inch V8, TorqueFlite automatic transmission) with a reported 60,000 miles. No mention is made of cosmetic originality, so either the factory paint is super clean, or the Chrysler product was refinished at some point in its 57 years.
There was no denying that the Imperial was a luxurious vehicle. Just look at the interior, for example, which sports split seats front and rear. The leather upholstery looks to be in fine shape, and nothing seems to be amiss. You’re not likely to pass up many gas stations while cruising around in this well-equipped tank, and it appears to be a fine example of how cars were made before technology became all the rage. Since so few 2-door hardtops were made, this may be one of the nicest ones left.
440, Torq-flite a perfect combo.
2.94 ring and pinion to effortlessly cruise in comfort and style. Good write up Dixon. Love the front end on this car.
I find it quite interesting that it has a manual seat–strange for an Imperial, but one sweet classic. I had a 67 New Yorker, at 80mph it floated and still had plenty if you needed it. It had all the bells and whistles–power everything -auto high and low lites, tilt and telescope steering wheel am fm 8 track tape player, it was very well built – solid – the only neg. thing is with street tires it sucked in the snow.
Just magnificent. I haven’t seen too many cars where that half vinyl roof worked but it’s perfect on this one.
You never saw one of these parked in front of a mobile home park. Doctors, lawyers, teachers…with the Ward Cleaver look!
Gee, hard decision…. this beauty for $15k or that 1966 Belvedere just posted that is on its last legs for $15k.
My goodness there’s been a bonanza of vehicles on BF this weekend that have a lot of appeal for me. A little too close to Christmas to expect delivery from Santa to my garage. This is a beautiful car and I would love to own it but no way it’ll fit in my garage.
Never drove a ’67 Imperial but, the advertising firm I worked with in the 1960’s had 1967 Chrysler New Yorker 4 door hardtops as company cars. I can’t imagine that there was much difference in handling and performance between the New Yorker and the Imperial of that year. Those heavy New Yorkers seemed to float on the Interstates. The Imperials may have had even softer suspensions.
Doctors and lawyers yes but, if one of these behemoths was parked in front of a teacher’s home back in the day, it was because the teacher would be hard-pressed to keep that 24 gallon gas tank full. Chrysler’s 440 cu.in. engine guzzled gas at the rate of 10 to 12 mpg.
A friend owned one of these in the mid-90’s and I got to ride around in it. I loved the electric vent windows, as well as the floor-button operated seek/scan am/fm radio, complete with a cover to hide it in the dash. These cars were definitely a statement about style, even if a lot of tech was also included. I have to wonder when new vehicles will once again lean towards style while providing covers over their tech.
Had one of the 4 dr of these. Those front seats have been redone without matching the original pattern as seen on the back seats. Otherwise a very good looking vehicle. ’67 had the last use of real wood on the interior and it might have been the best looking of all too.
This vehicle further proves my assertion that 1967 was the zenith of automobile manufacturing. It just happens to be my birth year but that’s strictly coincidental I’m sure
‘65-‘66 for both Imperial and Cadillac, actually, but close enough. 😅
It is not a hard decision; The Imp wins over the Satellite!!!!!
A Crown Coupe! The official model designation for the 2dr…I’ve owned a total of 4 of these in both hardtop and convertible version over the years…great cars. Powerful and quiet with all of the bells and whistles. Fun fact: unless the optional dual exhaust was ordered, these came from the factory with single exhaust. Many moons ago, a friend and I were driving our 68 converts from Seattle to Lake Tahoe for a car show…mine already had duals but his was still running single exhaust…when he would pass someone you couldn’t hear the roar of the 440, only the hissssss coming from his pipe that sounded like a jet.
Great cars.
My first car was a 67 Imp. it was my mother’s car. It was like sitting on a cloud that was fast as Hell. It passenger compartment held 8 buddies and the 5 Dago trunk held 10 twelve packs+.
Luxury at its finest.
This is a lot of fine automobile for the money.
The straight-line-styling has aged well, the car looks clean and classy even today.