Rare Drop-Top: 1963 Imperial Crown Convertible

The Imperial badge first appeared on a Chrysler in 1926, but Chrysler made it a separate marque in 1955 to challenge Lincoln and Cadillac. The status quo remained for two decades, and this 1963 Imperial Crown Convertible is a rare example of the breed. It is an unmolested survivor with a potent V8 that delivers effortless motoring. Potential buyers might consider a cosmetic restoration, but given its character, preservation may be more appropriate. The seller has listed the Imperial here on eBay in Livermore, Colorado. The high bid of $3,051 is below the reserve, with a week remaining on the auction.

The 1963 model year marked a transition for the Imperial Crown. It still retained elements of Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look” design philosophy, but the smaller fins and other tweaks reflected the tastes of his successor, Elwood Engel. Certain styling aspects divided opinions, especially the headlights, which first appeared in this form in 1961. The listing indicates that this 1963 Crown Convertible is a survivor, ordered by its first owner in Oyster White with a matching power top. The images show minor chips and marks, consistent with a classic that has been treated respectfully for over six decades. The panels are straight, and the only visible rust is minor surface corrosion where the paint has chipped, exposing bare metal. The top fits as it should and shows no rips or splits, while the trim and glass look excellent for a survivor-grade classic of this vintage.

Prestige manufacturers during this period developed a reputation for producing cars with impressive engines, and Imperial was no exception. The 1963 Crown Convertible followed a “one size fits all” philosophy, featuring a 413ci “Wedge” V8 that delivered a factory-quoted 340hp and 470 ft/lbs of torque. This car also features a three-speed TorqueFlite transmission, a 2.93:1 Sure Grip rear end, power steering, and four-wheel power drum brakes. At almost 5,000 lbs, the Crown wasn’t a drag-strip weapon, but the V8’s low-end torque made overtaking effortless, and the rear axle ratio made open-road cruising relaxed. The seller recently replaced the master cylinder, wheel cylinders, brake hoses, fuel pump, and many other items. The results justified the effort and expense, because this Convertible runs and drives extremely well, with a strong motor and a smooth transmission.

The Imperial’s luxury credentials are apparent when we assess its interior. Trimmed in rich Red leather, it features air conditioning, power windows, a six-way power front seat, cruise control, a clock, a radio with both floor and dash-mounted “Touch Tune” controls, a rear defogger, and an enormous array of courtesy lights that would make Steven Spielberg jealous. The interior isn’t perfect, but its overall presentation is easily acceptable for a survivor of this vintage. Its most obvious flaw is UV damage on the back seat, but there are no significant shortcomings if the winning bidder opts for preservation. The A/C blows cool, but needs a recharge. However, since the system uses R12 refrigerant, the buyer may need to upgrade it to handle modern R134a if they can’t find the increasingly hard-to-locate R12.

The seller says only 531 Imperial Crown Convertibles left the factory in 1963, and my research supports that figure. Their claim that only 212 featured air conditioning is harder to verify, but the figure sounds plausible. This one isn’t perfect, but I see no reason to restore it. It is a proud survivor, and if it is as rust-free as the images suggest, it would probably get more respect as-is than if it were returned to a factory-fresh state. Your opinion may differ, and I would respect the buyer’s choice if they refresh this classic. I’d be interested to hear your response and whether you would enjoy this 1963 Crown Convertible as a genuine survivor. So, it’s over to you.