“America’s Most Carefully Built Car” was the slogan in the advertisements for the 1962 Imperial. The invitation (mailed to a select few, I’m sure) described a demo car being delivered to the recipient for a “demo-tour” and implied that the quality of the car would sell itself. I don’t know how successful that campaign was, but you have the chance to experience one for yourself; listed here on eBay, this Imperial is located in Pottstown, Pennsylvania and currently has not met reserve at just over $1,000. With only 87,922 miles, if it really was assembled that carefully, I’d expect it to still work, and it does. With a feature list (all functional) including auto-pilot, auto headlamp dimmer, power windows, power seats, touch-tune radio, power antenna, A/C, and a rear window defogger, I’m seriously impressed! There are a few blemishes in the interior, but nothing I couldn’t live with, and I really like the lived-on but intact leather seats. The seller mentions that it has a 1961 trunk lid; the Imperial club mentions that many 1962 owners did that due to the desirable trim on the 1961 model. I like it!
Nice!
These designs were Exner at his best, but even back then, they were unbelievably expensive to repair.
Don, if you had insurance the cost was real cheap. The whole front of these cars are one complete piece from the front door hinge area to the other, I had a new one in my shed ‘just in case’ I bent mine, it even had the bumper bolted on, sold it to make room, it was the size of a Mini Minor but you know the old saying, ‘if you’ve got a spare you won’t ever need it’ it’s the stuff you haven’t got that usually fails!
What a great Sunday/parade car…all luxury, appears to be nice condition. Has the popular fake continental kit from ’61…not many in this condition
Don’t forget to add the cost of extending the garage. These beasts are 18″-11″ long.
Sorry, that’s 18 FEET-11 inches long.
I know my Mom had a ’62 Le baron black with white leather. Nice…. and big. It had all the incredible option that we have standard on very car today…….
Here’s yet another example of a car advertisement that forgets to include the most important photo, in my opinion, the DASHBOARD!! When you’re driving this beautiful thing, your view will be of that cool square steering wheel and all the chrome on that instrument panel. So why on Earth wouldn’t the seller jump in the back seat and get a perfect shot of that dash? And why do so many car ads omit that photo? It’s baffling.
The entry for this marque talks about quality issues – this marketing campaign was probably an attempt to reframe that dialogue.
The design of the front of this car makes it looks like it is possessed by a demon.
Yeah, those headlights! Not a good look, IMO.
I had a two tone beige over copper ’63 Imperial Crown into the mid eighties. Still have the woman though,Rectangular steering wheel and all the bells and whistles. Beautiful original interior. A total hoot to drive…………..if you were eighty…………..oh wait now I’m….oh never mind. Sold it for eight hunded bucks and a 10 speed bike.
If this one was on the Left Coast I’d be looking at it. Great colors.
Many years ago, early ’70’s, my old man had a building business, and rented a portion of a big warehouse, and in it were several older cars, including a car just like this in a corner, that had suffered an engine fire. I remember it was yellow, and the hood and front fenders were all burned. If I remember, it had every option and a stainless roof. I agree with Rex, why wouldn’t you include a picture of one of the nicest dashboards to be offered in the day. Trivia note: Mr. Drysdale drove an Imperial very similar to this (among others) in the early Beverly Hillbillies.
http://imperialclub.com/Yr/1962/MessickVert/62C_Left_Dash.jpg
there is one of these parked outside an old salvage yard nearby…..all black….looks like the deathmobile …
seeing images of these Imperials (when new) gives me a greater appreciation for what beautiful cars they were….
and a stainless roof to boot….(wow !)
Imperials of this vintage are nice cars; big, comfortable, and reliable! The convertible and the top-of-the-line LeBaron were rare when new (only 554 converts). Here’s a pic of my 62 convert project: rust free and runs/drives excellent. I hope to get it painted later this year.
Thats gonna be a beauty Bryan!