As the seller of this 1960 Imperial Custom suggests, “If you like big fins, this project car is for you.” Well, since it’s a 1960 vintage, that means Virgil Exner styling, and of course, big fins. This rig looks as if it has been sitting for a while, but the seller claims the engine still turns over, so let’s check it out. Thomaston, Connecticut, is where you’ll find it, and it’s available here on Facebook Marketplace for $4,750. T.J. wins the cigar for this tip!
All three domestic luxury marques seemed to compete for the most ostentatious styling job in ’60. I’d still consider the Caddy to be the most reserved, the Lincoln to be the goofiest looking with those ju-ju eyeballs (though subjectively speaking, a huge improvement over the ’59 edition), and the Imperial, well, it makes a big, overt statement just sitting there. As for sales, Imperial mustered 17K units in ’60 with about 4K being Custom four-door hardtops, or “Southhamptons” as the hardtop body style was known. Getting a comprehensive look at this car’s largesse is a challenge. The images are dark and non-comprehensive, while the accumulated garage mung disguises this Imp’s finish and body panel condition. Being in Connecticut is always a reason for concern – you know, salty winter roads and the resulting disappearing body, but the current location does not mean a 65-year residency. What can be seen shows as being reasonable, and one standout feature is the “Canopied Landau Roof” treatment. The side portions of the roof, between the stainless trim and the roof edge, are supposed to be finished in a contrasting hue, but it’s difficult to discern due to the aforementioned reasons.
“Golden Lion FirePower” in the form of a 350 gross HP, 413 CI V8 engine is what gets this 4,800 lb. monolith up and moving. As stated earlier, it, as with so many barn finds that I encounter, is claimed to have “run when parked,” and, as also previously stated, the engine does turn over – good to know. When operational, a push-button actuated TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission puts 470 lb-ft of stump-pulling torque to the rear wheels.
The interior appears to be upholstered in red leather, though it looks like a mischief of mice has been exercising a group fitness class here and there – the upholstery is pretty torn up. The carpet is missing, and the speedometer has been extracted from its pod. Beyond that, it’s hard to say much else, but a rehupholstering job, at the least, with this much real estate to cover is going to be $$$.
Love or hate the styling, these are fabulous cars. The designs really went their own way, and maybe that’s what those 17K buyers appreciated – perhaps it matched their character. Whatever the case, this leviathan absolutely needs to be saved. Anyone up for the challenge?
Thanks for the vocabulary lesson J.O.,I have never heard the term “mischief of mice”, used in my neck of the woods before.
This car underlines one fact. You certainly knew what make it was compared to others, unlike today’s “cookie-cutter” and ubiquitous SUVs. The floor on this car looks unrusted, which means you may just have a perfect foundation to work with. Also, those gun sight tail lights illustrate some of Exner’s quirky ideas.
Looks like a funeral car.
American extravagance at it’s height!
the elusive words ran when parked. gotta love it.
That 413 will fire up. Nice car, Wash and drive! After fluid changes, tuneup, check brakes, etc…
Fuzzy minimal pictures; no pics of dash from driver seat. Seeing the speedo laying on the seat gives me pause. Obviously, some work started for who-knows-what malady. Let’s see, needs rubber; needs complete interior, probably needs exhaust, brakes, fuel tank/lines, etc.. Having been down the road with other similar offerings, plus the cost of transport to FL….It’s a $500 piece. Sorry!
First I would rather have the looks to be 52/53 Chevy parked behind it for this I would take some parts of to sell or use for other custom projects and scrap the rest
Pro street. Bagged to lay frame. Twin turbos. Bright green. You’re welcome.
A bit of parts sharing going on here. The side spear is from a ’61 as is the decklid with it’s “fake spare” and the chrome Imperial trim piece around the gas tank filler door. In addition someone added a small crown near the taillights even though this is a Custom, not a Crown.
Also: “The side portions of the roof, between the stainless trim and the roof edge, are supposed to be finished in a contrasting hue…” Not unless you ordered it that way. The contrasting roof hue was optional, not standard — we had a ’60 and it was body color there. Contrasting paint or a stainless steel insert were optional. The canopy roof was standard, the contrasting inserts were not. The brochure is clear on that.
Gee, did you find anything else wrong?
JO
He seems to have found lots more wrong than anyone else so far.
By the way, the “Thumbs up” button seems to have been restored, finally. Thanks for that.
Maybe with better photos…
My dad bought one new in ’60 (Crown 4-door Southampton) when I was 11 and kept it 9 years. So I am pretty familiar with them (years of washing/waxing and later driving one on occasion will do that). A special car in my memory. Great highway cruiser. 80 mph on a then-new Interstate was like a ride on the Super Chief.
The engine is the wrong color, hubcaps and air cleaner missing, incorrect tire air pressure, wiper blades prolly need replaced, battery dead…
Just kidding, if this jewel was 800 miles closer it would be mine!
Offered up by Mr. Axle.
This represents top of the top of the line cars of the era. Lincolns and Cadillac are top of their group, Imperial is top of every group.
That’s not a contrasting paint color above the side windows, it’s stainless steel.
The stainless treatment was an option – in addition to the contrasting color (though stainless does, technically, contrast with black).
JO
Yep, and this one has that option, called “Silvercrest Landau.” It’s called out in the ad.
@Troy
Babe, you can have the Chevy in the background. As much as I’m in love with this Imperial, I’m interested in seeing more of the ’57/’58 Cadillac parked next to it.
It looks to me like the beginnings of an outboard motor museum in the background.
I do believe there are rear axles on end. Hence my comment Mr. Axle
I’ll offer up a palindrome: Parked when ran.
Nar nehw dekrap?? Not quite a palindrome….