The Imperial was Chrysler’s top-of-the-line automobile for many decades. In 1955 (to better compete with Cadillac and Lincoln), they broke the Imperial out as a separate make. So, Chrysler badging disappeared even though they were built and sold alongside Chrysler products. This 1963 Imperial has been owned by the same party for the past 21 years, but he/she has lost its indoor storage and has decided to let someone else enjoy the magnificent vehicle.
These cars were redesigned in 1957 as part of Chrysler’s “Forward Look” movement, but the sheet metal would vary from year to year. Styling differences from 1962 to 1963 were subtle with perhaps the most noticeable being the taillights being moved from atop the rear fins into the fenders themselves. The elegant land yachts would be powered by a 413 cubic inch V8 that had an output of 390 hp, plenty to propel the automobile down the interstates that would soon be developed.
The seller’s description of this vehicle is one of the most complete and detailed that you’re likely to find on a free service like Facebook Marketplace. It was an Arizona car for much of its life when the seller acquired it in 2003 and believes the odometer reading of under 64,000 miles to be accurate. Work to keep the car in top shape has been done over the years, with more recent attention given to the brakes, fuel delivery system, and tires (new). The Imperial rides well enough but could probably use a new set of shock absorbers.
Pretty much everything seems to be in working order, including the dealer-installed air conditioning (it has one of these under-the-dash units). Though there’s no rust, the paint is starting to show its age and was redone previously but in sections that don’t entirely match years later. The color is Mayan Gold with an interior of a similar color. There is a scratch and scape here and there in the body as you might expect for the age. The front seat may be getting near time to have the upholstery redone.
The seller is generous with photos, but more can be found here. You can inspect the car if you take a road trip to Waukegan, Illinois, or check it out here on Facebook Marketplace where the asking price is $8,500 (or about $1.75 per pound). Assuming this is an Imperial Crown 4-door hardtop, it would be one of about 7,000 assembled in 1963. Our thanks to Barn Finder “Ted” for this well-described find!
Wayne having lived in Waukegan has some great stories about cars like these back in the day.
Look at that dashboard-taking the faux jet pilots cockpit to another level. Pretty cool stuff. The rest of the car looks well cared for too, and is in terrific shape for being 61 years old.
Really great price!!
I wish that at 77, I were in such good condition 😔. Unfortunately, now a Vintage Rolls Canardly, Roll down one hill and Can ardly get up the next! 😅 🤣.
Growing up a friend of mine up the street his father had one. Was probably 2 to 3 years old and he would wash and wax that monster a couple times in the summer months. This one looks quite nice. By the way these models were banned from demo derbies in the seventies due to their weight and durability. They were virtually industructable!
Thankfully they were banned. With low production numbers, fewer would have survived!
They’re still wrecking them in demo derbies them in the Mid west states ; guys are buying them from old junkyards and driveways. look up some derby sites ; a lot of the old cars crashed will bring a tear to your eye
My father’s ’63 Crown was white. This color, Mayan Gold I’m guessing was not that common. Nice car.
My family had a car almost like this one . It was this gold color. It had an Ivory cloth interior. The most beautiful car we ever had in our family. It was a Crown.
That’s how an odometer with actual miles should look……all the numbers line up correctly.
Like this one!
Needs a good Home – tired paint but rest looks good.
Nice power barn.
Add some seat belts.
Hope this finds the right buyer.
Nice – needs a good caregiver.
My comments drop off lately so trying again to say nice things about this Gem.
“The elegant land yachts would be powered by a 413 cubic inch V8 that had an output of 390 hp,”
Nope. 340 (gross) hp for ’63, which was down 10 hp from the ’60 my folks bought new. The 413 was torquey, though, and would really “burn rubber” if you floored it from a standstill as I discovered in my teen years. The coolest thing about it, though, was probably the electroluminescent instrument panel lighting.
Too bad about the aftermarket a/c. The optional Airtemp factory air in these was very good and the dual a/c option even better.
I was NEVER a fan of those headlight ‘pods’, but overall like the styling on these. That dashboard, as Nevada1/2rack mentioned, is worth the price of admission ALONE! Someone will enjoy this one!
PLEASE, do not call these a “Chrysler” Imperial.
Always loved Imperial. Ultimate favorite was 61 LEBARON with FINS soaring higher than fabled 59 Cadillac. For me, too much is NEVER enough! Although definned, and lacking the LEBARON limo style roof and upscale interior, It definitely is a bon marche and hopefully will go to a new home, where it will be cherished as a MONUMENT to the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT and an era never to be seen again!
I have a farmer neighbor that has taken out his 1963 Imperial and has it for sale. Is a 2 door, Crown series and has factory AC. Paint is a yellow with yellow leather. He is asking $5,000.00 but I bet he would accept $3,500.00. I kind of want to buy it but I am loaded with 4 Lincolns each one in need of some repairs. I could send pictures to a really interested person. This is located in Patterson, Ca. I am sure he bought it new.
Thomas Crum can you give me neighbors info?
Thomas Crum can you give me neighbors info?
Thomas Crum can you give me neighbors info?
Mr. HANEY. LISA DOUGLAS requests your presence at Green Acres to join OLEVAR and me for some of my HOTZ CAKES! 🏠 🐄 🐖🐔! 😁 🤣 😂
Another AZ car on this site and this one now in Illinois. There alot of folks out here from Illinois, especially in Mesa,home of the Cubs spring training. Every year they have the highest attendance.
Wow! Someone is going to get a great deal on a great old car. Love that 413!
I would love to have this car but for two things:
1) I have no good indoor storage for it
2) death by spouse
AAAARRRRGGGG
Like you, I lack storage. In Mama ain’t happy…. 😉. Also recall plaque reading My wife tells me IF I bring another project home, she will leave me. I sure will miss her! 🤣 😂 Guess that may be a CROWN Imperial decree. 🤔
They’re still wrecking them in demo derbies them in the Mid west states ; guys are buying them from old junkyards and driveways. look up some derby sites ; a lot of the old cars crashed will bring a tear to your eye
LOST STORAGE! Goodyear needed to park their blimp.
I always dug the floating headlights, and the square steering wheel, that I see GM ripped off for their new Corvette.
I have a good Imperial story: The owner of Willy Sign company, (made the dealership building neon signs had two Imperial 2 door hardtops. the cars were used to take the two great dane dogs for an evening drive. The chauffer, and grounds keeper drove them around. These two Imperials remained in perfect condition except the back seats. I got to know them by buying an older Imperial traded in at the dealership. So my first car was a 1951 Chrysler Imperial. In 1955 the name “Chrysler” was dropped. The cars were then only Imperials.
I just purchased another 1981 Lincoln Mark VI. I now have three. I keep a lot across town and thus my wife does not know about these cars. I would love to buy this 1963 Imperial but I now need to concentrate on fixing these three sitting. My telling the owners how I have two of these cars and consider the Mark VI to be the ideal collector car allowed me to buy this one owner for $750.00. The 1983 Towncar, Signature I only paid $200.00 for it. I had to be there at a certain hour and have a tow truck pull it out of a garage for the first time in 33 years. Right in the middle of San Francisco with very narrow streets.
🎶San Francisco, Open your Golden Gate🎵 and celebrate this great golden car🎶.Other Land YACHTS only make me long for more! 🎵 I’m impressed,🎶 but distressed 🎵 my sweetie might kick me right out the door! 🎶. 😲. I left my heart in SAN Francisco years ago and recall seeing a 59 Pink Cadillac (along with others) in the early 90s. Hope your secret isn’t discovered, causing a quake like 06 and 89🤔. 👍 😅 🤣 😂
Bob Washburne, Love your comment. My wife has stopped me from acquiring some really terrific deals. One was a one owner 1956 Nash Ambassador Custom with the spare tire continental kit. I have devised this rental of property across town and have two Lincolns and a Packard there and two Lincolns sitting in the drive way. The Lincolns are each with different options and I need to enjoy all of them. Most willing to help someone buy this 1963 Imperial near me. Trying to figure out how to connect
See response above! Ain’t Mama happy, Ain’t nobody happy! 😠 😡. Once saw a plaque…My wife says if I bring another project home, she will leave me! I sure will miss her! 😅 🤣
Rick W. Took me a while and then I caught on…… Green Acres !!!!! Loved that show. and the pig !!!!!
T. C. Ride the little train 🚉 to the Shady Rest 🏨 ! And meet me at Sam Druckers to Ketch UP! But Olivar drives a Lincoln!
There is a big car parts gathering in Pleasanton, Ca. This is south of San Francisco. I saw this 1958 Cadillac ElDorado Broughm, color was pink. Car was originally owned by the actress who was in the movie Streetcar named desire. She sold it to Tommy Smothers and the pick slip remains in his name. Have not seen this Cadillac for 10 years now. Should pop up again one of these days. It does need a good restoration
That probably was Kim Hunter, but possibly Vivian Leigh who was Scarlet O’HARA in Gone With the Wind. In the 80s, I spotted a pink 59 Sixty Special in SAN FRANCISCO. Guess neither was the legendary PINK CADILLAC! 😕
I am now remembering who this actress is,, Sherly .M………. now I am forgetting the last name. This Cadillac is one where the bodies were flown in from Italy and the cars were then finished at the Cadillac plant off Michigan Avenue very close to Dearborn. The rear doors were hinged backwards and the doors when open have a very small pillar. Only about 300 a year were produced.
Although not in STREETCAR, could you be thinking of Shelley Winters?
I finally have now remembered, Sherly McLane. She was a more modern movie and she gained a great deal of when she appeared in this movie. I just might be incorrect about her being in the movie from the 50’s called Street care named Desire. She might not have been in it.
Chrysler Corp. was a bit justified when they separated Imperial from the regular Chrysler line up. In the eerily 50’s A Chrysler Imperial looked a lot like a Windsor or a New Yorker. In 1955 when Imperial was separated it did have a totally different body and design. In 1976 Chrysler then dropped the Imperial name and called it a New yorker. They did remove many features. A 1976 New Yorker is not the same car as a 1975 Imperial but the changes are many and inside the car. I owned a 1975 Imperial. It had four wheel disc brakes, floor button to change stations, many options were standard in 1975.
RICK W. You are on the spot. That who was the original of this Cadillac ElDorado Brougham. Some how Tommy Smothers obtained it from her. I am sure it still remains in storage in the Bay area.
Shelley was a beauty , but life, fame, and other issues sent her on a downward spiral. She ended up as a veritable recluse in squalor in her home out of money. She may have sold the Cadillac to raise much needed money.