Mauve was in the air at Chrysler Corporation in 1960, and one of the great Barn Finds Mysteries of today is the following: Is this 1960 Imperial painted Dawn Mauve or Dusk Mauve? The paint has taken on that faded glow that hides its original identity*, but the fact that we’re talking about two mauves in one calendar year means that someone was taking their pastels seriously in the styling department. Regardless of which it is, I think it’s a striking choice on this big Imperial, which is currently for sale on Craigslist in the Denver area, and brought to us courtesy of Mike F. Thanks, Mike.
We may as well get the bad news out of the way; this car needs a new interior and that’s not as easy as picking up a Summit Racing catalog. As always, one must first decide what they’re going to do with a car when they buy it, and this one is more than likely going to be a fun beater/driver rather than a garage ornament. However you can best restore the seats on a budget is what you should do; it’s a shame, really, since the matching interior must have been a show stopper. The gaping round gauges are another treat brought to you by Imperial in 1960.
More bad news: It doesn’t run, but it does crank. As long as compression is good and no valves are stuck, any reasonably competent mechanic should be able to get a big-block Chrysler reawakened; this one is the traditional Imperial 413 with 350 horsepower. The fuel line is disconnected at the carburetor, which is an ominous but not unexpected sign that the gasoline in the fuel tank would be more suitable as a wood protectant. Still, what long dormant car doesn’t need a new gas tank? Notice that this is a factory air car, which might be a selling point (but it probably isn’t).
The good news is that it’s a solid car except for “minor surface rust on bottom of [the] doors.” It comes with some spare parts and an extra windshield, but it will need a battery. If it isn’t obvious by now, you will need to tow the Imperial home, so it’s a good time to start checking U-Haul’s website to ensure their trailers can handle an Imperial.
I have a neat two-page advertisement from 1960 featuring a car very similar to this one, and I’ve always liked it. The 1960 model was a one-year bridge between the handsome ’57-’59 Imperials and the more outlandish ’61-’63s, and I think it’s aged rather nicely. It’s certainly unique, and how many chances do you get at a solid one? The seller is asking $5,000 for it, and it looks like a fun project to get back on the road (or an ambitious restoration project).
* I’m overselling the mystery; I think it’s “Dusk Mauve.” Your thoughts?
Hey Aaron, if you eulogized Stalin I’d think he was a pretty good guy. Seriously, 1960 Imperials were extreme in every sense but this one’s gonna need a lot of work. Seller should ask for $1 and be entitled for a few rides once it’s restored.
I laughed out loud with nobody else in the room when I read your comment. :)
Wondering how many younger folks even know about STALIN? 🤔. Just PUTIN my two cents in before I TROTSKY off. 🤣
And just how many younger guys look at Barn Finds? Just kidding😅
I agree this would be a fun project, but boy would it be expensive. I look at cars like this and sometimes have trouble believing we drove cars this size. This thing wouldn’t fit in most modern garages. It would get lots of attention and at the local cars and coffee.
Man when that upholstery was new it probably looked like a bordello on wheels.
Overpriced for a non-running car that needs everything except body work. Will be fabulous when done, though.
I believe that this color should have been named “Sauve Mauve”…
Being a base Imperial doesn’t bode well for a restoration candidate, along with being a 4dr. But a ht body style does help. So does that incomparable dash with the first year of electroluminescent lighting. It looked best in 1960 with those huge round pods. When these are restored correctly, they are spectacular! The price does seem overly optimistic…
Unfortunately This INCOMPARABLE Imperial is not so INCOMPARABLE 😕. First, I believe in 69 Cadillac colors included Chateau Mauve Firemist (ah those halcyon days of vivid colors). Actually there were two of these, a Crown and a LeBaron in our town always attracting attention. Always impressed with Imperials, my ultimate dream cars were 61 LeBaron and final 61 DeSoto, the GRAND finale for Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler. Devine Decadence! Sad to see this rare beauty in such sad shape! And black walls? 😲. Someone PLEASE save this MONUMENT to an era unfortunately never to be seen again!
Had to look up Chateau Mauve Firemist, and wow, I love it
PAUL in MA! 👍 Great minds DO drive the same roads to get to The BARN. Chateau Mauve so impressed me that I always remembered it. Unfortunately it was not available on Lincolns VERSAILLES. What a perfect pairing! Now, realizing the current Peasant cars ARE revolting, by Imperial decree 👑 !I’m on to VERSAILLES! 😉 in my Town Car.
The 1960 dash with those 2 huge pods and squarish steering wheel is my favorite from those glorious Chrysler dashes of the late 50s to early 60s. Too, too bad this car was not kept in better condition as it might be impossible in this day and age to find someone willing to invest in this very expensive project. There are better examples that would be a better value than starting from scratch. But then, some like it hot…
For example:
https://www.gatewayclassiccars.com/vehicle/ftl/1409/1960-chrysler-imperial-crown
That’s a beauty, Phillip
I know the purist will cringe but why waste time on that engine instead swap in a 5.7 hemi for better power decent fuel economy and effortless cruising. if that was in Alabama I’d be on my way.
Remove the 413? Only to rebuild it and add more ponies!
I spent nearly 30 years saving Imperials from the clutches of the demo derby boys and over the years,I have had 4, 60’s. With this one being in my backyard I would buy it in a heartbeat if I had a place for it. The color is definitely “dusk mauve”. Looking at the condition of the body and chrome, I would say the car is very fairly priced.
64 to 67? were the best demo derby cars. Solid and punishing. That’s why they’re so few and far between…
This one brings back the memories! I had a ’60 Imperial for a while, owned by 1 family since new, and supplied with tons of provenance. While not concurs, it showed very nicely and ran great. Sits now in Dezerland auto museum in Orlando, https://dezerlandpark.com/orlando-auto-museum/