Let’s cut to the chase, this 1959 Imperial Crown convertible is a whammer-jammer in all of its Virgil Exner excess. As outrageous as it sits, it looks like it could be auditioning for a part in delusional director John Waters’ next film. Like it? You bet! Do I want to own it, well…let’s look it over and then make a decision. This big “Mo”par is located in Norwalk, Connecticut and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $21,315, with reserve not yet met. Thanks to T.J for this outsized find!
Actually, I exaggerate a bit as the front end of this Imperial is fairly mainstream, at least for 1959 and Mr. Exner’s studio. The back end is another matter entirely. The seller claims that he bought this Imperial from its second owner, literally a little old lady, who purchased it in 1961. He further states, based on conversations with that second owner that he believes the 75K mile recording is accurate. The Imperial came in seventeenth place in the 1959 sales race with about 17K finding new garages that were probably too small to accommodate it. For perspective, number one Chevrolet ranked up almost 1.5 MM in sales that year, while Cadillac saw purchases of 142K units and Lincoln rang the register with just about 27K buyers.
The seller states, “The car mostly has original paint except for one fender and there is no rust but there is a small shallow dent on the driver’s door which I pictured. Beyond that, there are a few paint chips but the car is quite impressive“. How could it not be with almost 19 feet in length and the jet engine taillights! I’m not going to disparage this work of art so I’ll lay off of my usual reference for that “thing” on the trunk lid.
Imperial’s big news for ’59 was its 350 gross HP, 413 CI V8 engine that is claimed to be, “actually 101 pounds lighter than its predecessor…” For those well versed in ChryCo’s history, you’ll know the “Hemi”, in its 392 CI configuration, was 86’d at the end of the ’58 model year. The listing claims, “The car drives beautifully on its new radial tires and handles like it was new“. And of course, a pushbutton-actuated TorqueFlite automatic transmission is in place.
Move over ’73 GM A-bodies, Imperial had swivel seats many years before Monte Carlos and whatever else ended up with them. Being an Imperial, there’s no scrimping going on as that upholstery is leather. The seller mentions that the seats have been reupholstered but based on the visuals, I’d say that the interior has seen very little top-down activity since that occurred. That instrument panel is just a feast for my eyes – it’s the kind of get-up that would keep me staring at it as I managed to rear-end some unsuspecting motorist.
I was partially kidding with my comment about fitting this beast of a car into a garage but it’s something to consider, not only its length but its 81″ (6 feet 9 inches) of width too. Wretched excess? Maybe, but who cares, it’s not like anything similar will ever be built again. Live a little, right?
Sorry Jim, much too uniform for leather, looks vinyly to me.
Well, it would have been leather originally, that’s an Imperial known but the reupholstery work could have been done in vinyl I suppose.
JO
It says right in the Ebay description that it was redone in vinyl. Probably because it would have taken a herd of cattle to do this boat in leather! Lol!
I had my ’67 Imperial convertible seats reupholstered in genuine leather, including all of the stock trim flourishes, by the top upholstery shop in San Diego. The bill was over $5500, and that was 20 years ago
Reading the comments here, I’m leaning towards that the whole car is a Disney remake , with a simple Tijuana interior. I ‘ll also preemptively also agree the the mindless bots here thats it’s probably got a salvage title, too.
That’s a car that would be noticed on any road today. Quite a difference in the two ends of the car styling is big and bold up front and by comparison the rear is trim and much more streamlined.
Right on that. Cars back then were unique and bold. Today’s cars have all the style and excitement of a kitchen appliance. No soul. Plastic, plastic and more plastic and for me, boring. Tesla comes to mind, ghastly.
Is this Imperial excess? In 1959, perhaps. Today? Yes, of course, but it was a glorious time for automobile designers back then. This is a beauty.
not a moparphiliac myself but i would literally daily this gorgeous old girl, this were old walters finest ever.
***** absolute 5-star beauty*****
Back in the day when no two cars looked the same.This is a beauty.
I’m reminded of a ’59 Imperial sedan the owner calls “Mrs. Drysdale” because it was delivered new in Beverly Hills. When I saw it and met him at a car show I had to point out that given the location and Cadillac’s towering market share at the time, there’s a nonzero chance it went to the star or producer of a show with Mopar sponsorship.
Rare for me to say this about any car but I simply love everything about this Imperial! Even the fuses! I mean why didn’t I (bold type) win the Powerball Lottery so I could afford it? Congrats to the new owner. And if you ever get tired of it you can donate it to the charity that George Costanza and I operate, ‘The Human Fund.’
Don’t know who Virgil is but this really is a well preserved, overpowering example of excess.
bobhess, It refers to Virgil Exner. Mopar’s chief designer during this era.
Thanks Lance. I was pretty young to have picked up on that at the time. Some of these cars of that era could be measured in acreage.
I had 3 1959 Imperials. I have pictures of Jay Leno bringing his 1958 Crown Convertible to share. Don’t think I can post here.
I let my daughter drive them to hi school, and my current 1961 LeBaron.
The 1959 Imperial is my second favorite. First is the 61’s.
I have no building opening for this beautiful Imperial.
Next owner, drive it. Be patient, no need to hurry. The little rice rockets can’t hurt ya.
Everyone except those in a hurry will smile at you.
Other customers at gas stations have two quotes, gas mileage and wow for admiration.
On gas mileage, I always respond, gas is cheaper than blood.
p s, I still pull trailers with the 61 LeBaron, but not with the convertible.
More than goin to get Ice Cream or cars n coffee.
In a sea of 59 Cadillac coupes, this stands head and shoulders above. Absolutely gorgeous – even the color combo hits it out of the park – and Chrysler always had amazing interior touches in that era that separated them from the other two/thirds of the big three
Well, let’s not forget our American Motors fans. Big 4 back in the day, Saab man.
I usually call it a toilet seat but I took a nice pill right before I wrote the post.
JO
Pu-leeze, like you could design better?
If only…
1) I had the cash.
2) I had the room.
3) I had an understanding wife.
(sigh)
I have two out of three!!
All I can say is Magnificent!
Had promise until I got to the front! FUGLY!
I agree! If cars have faces, this one wears glasses and has braces on its teeth.
Wowwy, Zowwy!
Now THAT’s the way to present a classic that’s been well preserved!
(Are you paying attention, Mr. 1957 Chevrolet guy?).
These cars with their styling stir my soul, maybe because I lament selling my ’60 Imperial shown here. sigh!
Jim,
My father had one like yours way back when, only white. Beautiful car.
“Handles like it was new”
Are we sure this is a 59 and not a 60? Isn’t that a 60 grill?
Eric_13cars:
IIRC, Imperial used a variety of grills each year, depending on model. Here’s my ’60 Custom grill.
BTW, if you ever visit Orlando, there’s a GREAT auto museum in Dezerland!
Not crazy about the grill but I could definitely live with it. Beautiful car to drive on a beautiful day!
I remember in my youth a neighbor had a 62 Imp that needed a new door since someone crunched one on the passenger side. He paid me and a buddy to find one and put it on. Well I took the job but didn’t realize it was like changing a door on a bank vault. We did it but earned every penny.
Norwalk was my last East Coast residence before my eventual relo to the SanFran area. The info triggered a short dream of picking this up and tooling across the country, a great road trip.
Alas, then I would need to store it and there is no space right now so I hope the buyer gets full enjoyment. My only turn-off is “vinyl,” couldn’t sit on that for 5 or 10 days across the country.
I was in the 10th grade in 1959 and I doubt that if I saw this car then ,I would even give it ,a second look. How time and age change things. I would kill for this car and I don’t even know why? “I LOVE IT”
I usually am disappointed in vinyl reupholstery which replaces original leather. This looks like such a good job, though, that I’d be perfectly happy with it.
What a magnificent car.
I want it…I want it…Ya can’t have it. Not a big enough garage or wallet. Beautiful car and a tribute to Mr. Exner and the Forward Look. BTW, I prefer the “toilet seat “ to the ubiquitous continental spare. That said I freely admit to eclectic vehicular tastes.
Good point. A continental kit wrecks the lines of pretty much any car it’s on, to my eyes. The “toilet seat” is a much more elegant nod to bygone days. Though the full conti kits admittedly do free up some trunk space.
Spectacular representative of the era. Well worth some money and love. Eventually, both will be returned.
Gorgeous! Fantastic classic! I may be in the minority, but I LOVE the faux spare on the trunk, just like I love it on the ’59 Plymouths, and just like I love the slightly more modest iteration on the Continental Mark III’s! If this was a two door hardtop, it would be on my top 5 list! What a beauty!
I’d sell my soul for this car
At first glance, I thought of Milton Berles car in It’s a mad mad mad mad world. His was a 62 though. Jonathan Winters creamed it good.
I’ve forgotten the amount of people who’ve asked me if the spare wheel of my 62 Imperial 2 door is attached under the trunk lid, (duh), you’d need three guys to open it. The other one I get here in Australia is, ‘ because the steering wheel is on the left are the pedals also swapped with the gas pedal on the left?’
Somehow I don’t think so, try driving with your left foot on the gas pedal, not for the feint hearted.
That “thing” on the rear deck lid reminds me of a casino roulette wheel. It does not look like the cars original hub caps. I have a 62 Lebaron that I wish had this bitchin option. Was it available on a 62?
Marc, the dealers would fit them when buyers said they didn’t like the 62’s straight chrome strip down the middle of the trunk lid. They used the same lid and chrome parts from the ’61 model on the 62’s, very few were factory fitted, in ’63 they had to bring it back or lose sales, the power of the buyers won in the end. My ’62 2 door has it and idiots ask if the spare wheel is mounted underneath, duh! Try lifting it if it was.
I’m a Caddy guy, but I would cheerfully drive this heavenly beauty with no disguise!!!!!!!