This 1965 Imperial is a black beauty, there’s no arguing that point. But, it isn’t thee Black Beauty, as in the Green Hornet’s car. If it were, it wouldn’t be priced at $8,000 or offer. This Imperial Crown can be found here on eBay in Mondovi, Wisconsin.
The Imperial wasn’t like just any other car, it really was and still is something special. That’s etched, tempered glass covering the headlights giving it a bespoke look and protecting the headlights in the process. For 1965, the split grille went away and this is a pretty modern-looking car, relatively. This is a second-generation Imperial and they were made until 1966, with 11,628 examples of the elegant four-door Imperial Crown being made in 1965. I know that some folks don’t like to see wide whitewall tires on a car this new, but with the Persian White vinyl top, I like the look.
The faux spare tire compartment and that incredible bumper, tail lights, and big winged eagle medallion in the center give this car an imposing and elegant view from the rear, too. The seller is a person of few words – they give us just 15 words in total – but maybe with a car like this, you either know you want it instantly or you don’t. You know that an Imperial came standard with just about every option that would have been optional on other cars and there’s no use in telling us really that much. I would like to know about rust, being that the car is in Wisconsin. That would be my biggest worry but it really looks good in the photos.
The interior is just, wow. The optional black leather seats are fantastic and they should be given a good meal in order to keep them soft. The Imperial had standard power windows and even power wing/vent windows. I always mention when luxury cars don’t have power windows, that wouldn’t be the case here. Do I even have to say that the back seat is luxurious? That’s where an executive may have sat and got some paperwork done on the way to the office. This is a 5,000-pound car and it would have been incredibly smooth and quiet.
The engine and engine compartment both look pretty clean and tidy. As always, the red hoses would go instantly under my watch, they’re just too pedestrian looking for a car like this. This is Chrysler’s 413 cubic-inch V8 which had 340 hp. The seller says that this is a great running car and it has a solid body. This really looks like a winner to me and it’s priced just a bit below Hagerty’s #3 good condition value. Have any of you owned a 1965 Imperial?
These are very elegant vehicles, though I don’t recall any other car in the mid-1960s that was still using a wraparound windshield.
A basic carry-over from `57 that Chrysler refused to let go of. Even Cadillac did away with theirs by `63, and Lincoln by `61.
The windshield and front vent windows were pretty much the last Exner cues. The rest is Engel.
1965 Cadillac Fleetwood 75
Its not a Chrysler Imperial.
It’s an Imperial. Just like a Cadillac isn’t a Chevy Cadillac.
Funny its in Wisconsin but it has Nevada plates.
From Nevada? Maybe it belonged to the Old Man from Pawn Stars. I’m pretty sure he had one of these.
Close, but the “Old Mans” was a ’66 convertible, that almost burned to the ground, apparently. I believe Counting Cars restored it, so if that’s any clue to their work.
https://www.tmz.com/2011/02/10/pawn-stars-car-1966-imperial-crown-convertible-flames-engine-damage-picture-photo/
He did have an older one, a ’62(?) 4 door.
In a related matter, reason there’s no offers, is I was watching Mecum auctions in Kansas City the other day, the cars seemed like the cars that couldn’t make the “B-J cut”, dirty motors, faded paint, a ’63 Imperial came across the block, like this, same condition, struggled, STRUGGLED to get $3 grand. I think it sold for $3200. Nobody wants these barges anymore, and a shame. For ’65, nicest cars made. Milburn Drysdale knew what to drive.
The Old Man’s car from Pawn Stars was all Black! No vinyl top.
You’re right, Jon, my mistake. I forgot to change it on the title and first paragraph.
It’s an Imperial not a Chrysler.
Technically, iirc, Imperial by Chrysler. Because my Father was alongtime Lincoln man, our mailbox, every Sept., would receive beautifully printed, slick, multi page, large format brochures extolling the merits of the Imperial. Wish I had kept them.
Sure is an awful lot of car for the money. This would make a nice movie prop.
Wow-I know I’ll get torched for this, but ICON ought to throw a Tesla drive train into this.
By the time you put in enough batteries to give it any sort of ‘range’ it will go from a 5000 pound car to a 9000 pound car.
Yes. If I remember, it was one of the heaviest cars of that era. @5800 lbs of smooth riding comfort. That 413 had just enough power to move it. The 440 which replaced it the following year
That’s what an Audi A8 electric weighs… Whatever they are called
I sincerely hope that the hammer sitting above the rear seat was used as a prop for the “for sale” sign and was not used for forced entry to the car?
Seems like a fair price for a well-presented vehicle.
I never owned one, but a friend of mine did. Hers was a ’64 2-door HT that was
dark green with the black leather interior
that I see here. She had me paint a portrait of it back in 2010. And while she liked my work, I felt that I didn’t do that
elegant old car justice when I made it
for her. As far as I know, her sons inherited the portrait when she died in 2016 at the age of 71. They also got a
portrait of a ’68 Crown Imperial ragtop as
well that was made by me at their mother’s request. I think of her every time
I see one of these cars. She was a free
spirit who will be missed.
Your friend sounds like quite the free spirit indeed, you were lucky to know her and I’m sure she is missed. These Imperials are very memorable cars, my Dad had a new ’59 that was his pride and joy. Every time I see an Imperial I think of him and how much he loved that car, especially on the Interstates when he would pass cars that were struggling to make it to the top of the long hills.
I believe there are videos on YouTube showing how involved and intense the construction of these cars really was – well worth doing the search for.
Okay, here…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgdjzuntMBI
My first car in 1985 was a 1965 Imperial four door. It was white with blue leather interior. Saying the car was a boat just simply doesn’t do justice to the sheer massive size and weight of the thing. The power doo dads worked intermittently and the car left me stranded many many times (including mid left turn when the drive shaft actually snapped and I had to push the car through the remainder of the intersection). However, I loved that car! That 413 wedge has such a nice burble and the car just has such a commanding presence. Six people could fit comfortably. Seeing one here brings back great memories.
The infamous banned derby car .
guys that used imperials for derby cars should be have their ass kicked with steel toed boots
Yea Jerry brother and I ran demo in the 70’s and the cars we used. 62 chev wagon. 64 buick wild cat. 66 chevy wagon. Bigger the better. These were junkers headed for the crusher at the time. The wildcat would roast the rubber down to the rims. Who knew??
Cheers
GPC
I love the wide whites. I even installed them on my 1960 Austin Healey BN 7 back in the day, which made it the only one in South Africa at the time I’m sure.
Another very nice large barge for not a lot of money. We’ve seen a few of these big cars in nice shape here on Barnfinds recently; a 1972 Mercury Marquis Brougham, a 1978 Lincoln Continental, a 1965 Mercury Park Lane Marauder and a 1965 Pontiac Grand Prix to name a few. The full-size cars are the relative bargains of the hobby, cars that are within the financial reach of a lot of us. It seems for now, some very nice big cars can be had for under $10k. The seller here may have a little trouble getting his price, more information might help. This Imperial is a beauty and you’ll probably not see another anytime soon.
‘Thee’ is not ‘the’ with more emphasis. Taking some literary license, I suppose. ;-)
Hey, GP, I’m a more casual writer than most, hopefully you can live with such things. At least I don’t say “your” for you are…
F the grammer police.
Rattlehead: Wrong! YOU should learn proper English grammar…which you should have learned in grammar school! That’s what’s wrong with our country…illiterates.
Come on people, this is an informal car site. I don’t totally disagree with GP and Dave, but please lighten up a little. If you are looking for perfect grammar and spelling in the comments section of this site, it is never going to happen (and that includes my ramblings).
LMAO dave you sre definitely not a gear head, check wrighting engine builder and restorer, but no gear heard. i dumb myself down to fit in with people. i could tell you my edyoukashun butt y? how many years did you go to a younaversity?
Hard to believe that the front seat is not a split seat, rather it is a true bench seat. I guess with the 4 doors one doesn’t need to have the front seat seat back move at all. Hope you and your best friend have similarly sized legs.
OK, we can stop saying that nobody wants these barges anymore. I have two barges and I want this one, too.
how come when it comes to 60s mopars they are barges, ? if so what are 59 cadillacs and lincoln town cars sub compacts such crap!
My mom drove one of these except it was pink with white top. I think the official color name was “coral”. In our small town it stuck out like a sore thumb, everyone knew where my mom was.
Rex Kahrs..Absolutely right !! Barge and Land Yacht are good things!!!
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1965/index.htm
All you care to know about the Imperial.
I’ve owned several and loved them all. ’62,’65, ’73 and ’75. I’ve been searching for a black ’69 LeBaron for years.
Magnificent cars.
Tim D.
I owned a 66 Imperial! What a statement, when you show up anywhere, people just are in awe! I sure wish I had it today. It was all white 4dr. ,with dark blue leather interior. And it had pwr., vent windows as well. Mine was a Lebaron model. I got it after boot camp in 1973 because I was tired of driving my 1971 VW Karmin Ghia. What a change. Best $ 600. Dollar’s I ever spent. As I mentioned I sure wish I had it today.
AHHHH the old “Wet Paint” trick. That paint is toast.
Those are fairly new Nevada plates, too. The blowup is too fuzzy but the sticker looks like it says 18 or 19, referring to the year.
Howard A…… You said nobody wants these barges anymore. If I could afford it, I’d buy every one that comes across these pages. I love a 20′ car! Grew up on them and except for the occasional bungle for an MG (right Little_cars?) I always had Cadillacs, Lincoln’s and I had one 1972 Imperial LeBaron coupe.
PDXBryan…… You should be flogged and thrown out of the club for even suggesting that. Tesla-ize it. Good God!!!!
Jerry
Anything older than a 1988 Cadillac Fleetwood is considered a barge, compared to the plastic 10′ toys they’re putting out now.
Angel Cadillac Diva. With all due respect, no….pre-’77 are the elegant barges…the land yachts. From ’77 onward , they were pathetic midgets….in my humble opinion. I’d never swap my ’76 Fleetwood for anything newer.
d…….
Yes, GM including Cadillac shrunk down their (big) cars, and in 1985, Cadillac went FWD and shrunk even smaller.
I’m referring to the RWD de Villes and Fleetwoods. They stayed quite large until the late 80s early 90s. They were the last true Cadillac land yachts, although I believe the ’75 & ’76 de Villes and Fleetwoods were bigger.
I don’t blame you, I wish I had never gotten rid if my 1975 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Talisman.
Kick myself everyday for that stupid blunder.
My Uncle owned a ’65 Imperial as I was growing up in the 1960’s. My opinion is they were more restrained on “add on’s” like too much trim and chrome (’59 Cadillac). This why I found a ’59 Imperial Custom Coupe in 1988. It needed complete restoration but I love it and still own it today. To me there is two kind of people out there, one that want to stand out of the norm and others who want to blend in. You decide what you want to be in life.
Yes, I did, I would jump on this, they are fabulous cars, 1965 was a good year for Chryslers I’ll probably get an argument about that but I’ve had several of that vintage and never had much trouble woth any of them. If I had the room i would buy it, provided its bones are as good as the rest of the car.
With some dickering and cash in hand I bet a buyer could get this cruise ship for under the magic $1 per pound mark!
I think classy 4-doors like this are an ideal way for people to get into the old car hobby for not a lot of money. Could be a great bonding vehicle(pun intended) for parents and kids…and grand kids.
Ended up dickering and had cash in hand and I in fact got it for under the $1 per pound mark! It’s an amazing car and I love her, she needs a lot of work but she will be built with the utmost respect and love.
Congratulations Chazz. Beautiful car.
My friend had a ’64 four door with a bench seat. On the weekend, you would find him at the drive-in with 7 friends, several lawn chairs and a cooler of beer, all transported by that wonderful Imperial. The guys in the trunk, could open the lid by actuating the pneumatic trunk release and step out with the cooler or some lawn chairs. Ah, it was a magical time and a wonderful car.
IIRC, the ’64 was the last year for the full frame and the last year they were partially built by hand.
Absolutely a wonderful car! My Dad was a Chrysler products dealer from 1946 onward. ( I came along much later). Fortunately I am a pack rat and saved brochures, dealer books, , upholstery books ..paint samples …on and on…from the late ’50’s to the late ’60’s.
Rare 4 door hard top.
Looks like it has been well taken care of.
Wish I lived closer as I would go have an eyeball.
This could be a very good buy
@ d
D, I totally agree with you, and I was going to say anything older than a ’77, but then I figured someone would point out how big the ’80s Fleetwoods were or the ’92 Caprice or something like that. After the GM shrinkage in ’77, I really didn’t care much for anything GM.
I had several of the mid ’70s Cadillacs….. A ’74 Coupe de Ville
A 75 Eldorado convertible
A ’75 Fleetwood
And a ’76 Coupe de Ville d’elegance
Really wished I had kept all of them, especially the Fleetwood and Eldorado.
Angel…You’re absolutely right!
Question…….
Do I need to be a member to post photos?
@Angel. Yep.
1965 had the body on frame.
If I had the cash , I’d love this car in my garage.
The date on the place are from 2010.
Dang Otto spel…
PLATES
@Jon B
I’m sorry, boo, I screwed up. The sticker on the plate is for the month of renewal. So that would make it October. Those particular plates did not come out until 2016. The old plates were a pale light blue with the mountains on top and yellow behind the word Nevada. The new plates are a darker blue with the mountains on the bottom of the plate and blue behind the word Nevada
Under hood insulation looks heavily rodent eaten, hope the car is not…. Nothing worse than mouse infestation…. Poop, pee and nests. Although I love this big ride, last “old car” I owned was a 63 Monterey convertible I sold in 92 when I was surplussed from my job of 22 years…. Still miss that Monty…
I want this. And the Grosser from a couple of weeks ago.
I called him and the car came from Texas. he will be moving soon and 7k is the least he will take.
Nice detective work there Pete!
If underneath looks solid 7k wouldn’t be a bad price point for this.
As stated earlier its a more door hard top.
I apologize for the word “barge”, it’s just what we called them. Here’s the ’63 that sold for $3200 bucks, and like I say, the place was packed. A young man bought it, and who knows what he’ll do do it, personalize it with clown wheels maybe, doesn’t matter, but I just don’t think the market for these cars is there anymore.
https://www.mecum.com/lots/KD1219-393088/1963-chrysler-imperial-crown-sedan/
Howard, that is one beautiful car that I would love to own, and at $3200 there was a market. Lucky young man. I just hope that he appreciates just what he has bought.
I’m starting to get this gut feeling that unlike muscle cars…of which I have no interest….that maybe an auction is the place to go to find my sedan. Of course I’d blend in somewhat with the muscle car bidders being an older fat white guy…but minus the blank poker face showing all the enthusiasm of bidding on a storage locker.
Maybe you’ll see me there while I’m bidding on my favorite 1980’s “Asian junk”
Howard A: The word “barge” is a compliment…as is the term “land yacht”. They are positives. You had mentioned ” I just don’t think the market for these cars is there anymore.” With all due respect, I beg to differ…and I suspect that many others do as well. If there were no market, this site would not exist..nor would classic auctions. Many people including myself cherish these cars….which are not just automobiles…they are works-of-art…masterpieces of style, engineering, elegance and design. Many of us will continue purchasing pre-’77 GM and Imperial…and we will never spend 1 cent on a piece of 10-foot plastic Jap junk that’s produced now..nor …1 cent on a pathetic thing that GM today tries to pass off as a Cadillac….. GM has today disgraced the Standard of the World.
That’s why I told the story of the 1966 Imperial Lebaron, white over dark blue leather! Wow what a sled. Call them what you may but I grew up on these big automobiles. My first car was a 1959 Buick Lesabre Convertible. Black on black with red,white and grey interior accented with silver piping on everything. I was just 14 years old when I got it. A big $ 75. dollar’s bought that one. I had too pick green beans all summer long too pay for it. But I sure learned to drive and take care of my Big Black Boat!
@Bakyrdhero. There is no such thing as “Asian junk” these days. They caught up, and passed, the Western world automobiles a long time ago. Years back I had a friend that kept buying Daewoo cars at the local auctions because he would get them cheaply as nobody wanted them, which he would bring to me to sell for him. I drove them all and although they weren’t junk, they weren’t very good either. Well guess what, I now own one of the best modern cars that I have ever owned and it’s a Chevy Lacetti station wagon that used to be a Daewoo before GM took them over. It may be a GM product but it’s still the Asians that build them.
@Ken Tilly, just a little tongue in cheek from me there. I couldn’t agree more with you, I was just sarcastically dropping a line I hear repeated here from time to time.
Rattlehead
Make an attempt to learn the English language…..surely someone can teach you..(if in fact you didn’t learn it in grammar school).. Othewise you’ll continue to exhibit your ignorance.
Any chance we can actually stick to talking about the cars?
Admins?