For many moons, the Imperial was Chrysler Corporation’s top-of-the-line automobile. But the powers that be thought the Chrysler brand detracted from Imperial sales against Cadillac and Lincoln, so they positioned it as a brand of its own in 1955. As the 1950s wore on, the styling of the cars got more exaggerated in an attempt to keep up with the equally wild looks of the Imperial’s competition. This 1960 edition is a roller that comes with two engines but lacks an interior. Located in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts, this luxury mobile is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $6,900.
The Chrysler-less branding may have been an okay idea, but little was done to back it up. Imperials were still built at Chrysler plants and sold at Chrysler dealers. One decision in the Imperial’s favor in 1960 was to stick with body-on-frame while the rest of Chrysler’s offerings went the way of unibody construction (which tended to rust away faster). Previously an option, swivel seats in the front of the Imperial’s passenger compartment became a regular thing. The cars were designed by Virgil Exner and proved to be a last stand as he soon became a consultant rather than Chrysler’s design leader.
A 413 cubic inch “Wedge” V8 powered the 1960 Imperial (the same one was also employed in the New Yorker). What we believe is the car’s original engine has been rebuilt and another “fresh” 413 comes with the sale so you can have your pick and to which one to install. The TorqueFlite automatic transmission continued to use push-button controls (as it would through 1964). Though not pictured, everything you need to put this car back together is there but the interior.
There’s no discussion of rust, but since the car is said to have originated in California, it may have little. Though most of the interior is gone, the seller does have a new carpet set and all the chrome pieces for this vehicle, which probably weigh a lot just on their own. If you don’t mind unfinished projects and have an affinity for Mopar land yachts, would you tackle this one? Thanks for the tip, “Paul in MA”.
There’s more metal in those fins than there is in my entire compact sedan.
NO SURPRISE! Unfortunately Imperials body and frame were so substantial that many were destroyed in demo derbies!
So, a roller (separate engines) full frame car and no interior…hummmm. I would be looking for a Ram 1500 crew cab and do a body swap. I would also try for a lower price on the Imperial.
Hard to imagine anybody having the desire to pursue this as any kind of viable project. Looks like a parts car and one that will sit as the demand must be low.
Quickly moving along…..
One look at that beautiful body, and it’s in rust free California, only needs some reassembly, I’d jump all over that to restore if I didn’t already have two of them.
“Previously an option, swivel seats in the front of the Imperial’s passenger compartment became a regular thing.”
Not really. They were always an option, not standard. My dad bought a ’60 Crown brand new and it didn’t have them. OTOH, the ’59 “salesman’s demonstrator” with every possible option he test drove did have them. AFAIK, they weren’t offered after ’61, so never caught on.
Hey Tiger! Aren’t you forgetting Bruce McCall’s line up of 1958 BULGEMOBILES that featured rotating seats There was the FIREBLAST, FLASHBOLT, BLASTFIRE, and FIREWOOD, the last being the wagon.
More than like mice intrusion got the interior and you would have to find another car and make one out of 2 so I doubt if it will sell
You’re going to have to put that last wheel on to get it out of there (right?). Why not do that, and then roll it outside, wash it, and try to make it look more attractive. Being lazy as a seller in photography can really hurt you. I suspect that I could double the eventual sale price with well lit photos of a clean car that doesn’t look so distressed.
Seller optimism springs eternal!
pop cans
Not a lot here, but if you do it right, you could have a nice car in the end.
First thing I’d wanna do is to put the left front tire on it as Kenyon Willis said so you could at least roll it up onto a trailer for transport to your house and hope your wife or domestic partner has a sense of humor when he/she finds out about it. And now for the car. Sorry folks, I’m gonna be the voice of reason here. A 440 makes a lot more sense
here than a 413 does when it comes
to the engine. Face it folks, parts are
indeed easier to get for a 440 than a
413. If you want a few more ponies,
slide in a cam for an RV. Fuel injection? Many companies out there
have setups that will make this beast
a bit less thirsty to run and more enjoyable as a daily driver. Brakes?
2-pot master cylinder with discs up front and drums rear. Unless you can
find a disc brake conversion kit for the rear axle. A/C? Vintage Air all the way. They make most anything to fit
most any car so you and your tribe can be cool and comfy even on the hottest summer days. To me, the 900
pound gorilla in the room is the interior. Does the seller have all the
seat frames and fancy bits for the door cards? If not, you’ll play hell
trying to find replacement parts for what you’re missing here. And can
you still get those special lights for
the instrument panel? A modern day
radio and speakers can easily be had
for the ultimate entertainment feature
on those long road trips. Well, that’s
All I’ve got on this one. Hopefully it’s
more complete than what the seller is
telling us. And the price? Sorry Mr.
Seller, but you need to get a cure for
Barrett Jackson Syndrome and price
what you have accordingly. Rare doesn’t mean stratospheric pricing for
a car that’s not much more than scrap as it sits right now. Lower your price and you may get a few more takers.