This! A 1964 Imperial Crown is one of the first cars that I can recall that really caught my attention. Yeah, it’s an odd one for a “car kid” to latch on to and I’m not sure why. I guess it was the combination of its squared-off Lincoln styling, Pontiacesqe divided grille, and legendary Mopar power that put this version of the Imperial into a serious, all-business category as opposed to that of a frilly foo-foo tarted-up luxury ride. Today’s Fort Myers, Florida domiciled find, courtesy of PRA4SNW, is said to be an original example that has only experienced 60K miles (and it’s green!). Interested parties will find it here on craigslist where it’s available for $10,000.
This version of the Imperial is much changed from earlier Virgil Exner penned editions but its 1963 predecessor had, in fact, toned down some of the more extreme styling cues that adorned those from the late fifties and very early sixties. This car presents beautifully and the seller states, “No Major rust. Super Solid“. So, no major rust but is there minor rust? I don’t see any but maybe there’s some of the surface variety brewing somewhere. The finish, which resembles Pine Mist, has held up surprisingly well considering that it’s almost 60 years old and the same goes for the stainless trim and chrome-plated bits. Sure, there are a lot of shiny pieces but I would still consider the look to be refined and lean more to an understated vibe. It is impressive!
Power is provided by a 340 gross HP 413 CI V8 engine (not 375 HP as stated in the listing), connected to a push-button activated TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. The seller claims, “Runs & Drives great“. The engine compartment image isn’t very telling but from what can be seen, it shows as original. In spite of this Imperial’s significant 4,700 lb. weight, I imagine that it still moves out smartly considering the 470 lb. ft. of torque that is right foot available.
The interior takes me back to the days of my youth, we had a Chevy back in ’64 that had similar clear plastic seat covers installed. I would consider them to be a menace for various and sundry reasons but, their intended goal has been successful as this Crown sedan’s two-tone upholstery is still bright and clean with no indication of wear. The instrument panel is typical for luxury cars of this era, unfortunately, they were becoming less grand and ornate, but this setup is attractive and functional. The vertically finned dash panel is a bit monotonous-looking but it stands out as it is so far removed from that found in a modern car. The carpet and headliner are just perfect!
The seller suggests, “Take and cruise it while you fix a few, few things…” I’m down with that thought but I’d like to know a bit more about those “few things that need fixing”. I would posit that this is a lot of car for the money; what’s your take, priced right or not quite?
Mr Drysdale had similar I think
Ordered without air conditioning or a radio – Interesting…
That would certainly be a special order. Usually dealers want a hefty deposit for something like in case the buyer backs out. I thought the dashboard looked bare. There must be an interesting story behind this car, but without AC and radio it will be a hard pass for most potential buyers.
I’ll predict this car is headed for Canada.
But power front vent windows?
I thought AC was standard on these barges? Has to be a rare bird. Decent price in my book.
I checked the brochures on line but AC and AMFM radio were options. However I can’t imagine an Imperial ordered with neither of them.
Only American Motors Ambassador had AC standard and that started in 68.
With that wrap-around windshield suddenly it’s 1957!
Probably because the ’64 Imperial was still based on the ’57. The convertibles still used the 1957 windshield.
Atleast my 66 Newport had an AM radio and air conditioning.Damn hope it wasn’t built in PONCHO Michigan fcol.😂😆
I remember well when the ’64 Imperial came out as a young teen. I was already a fan of the ’63 Imperials. The startling new design was such a break from the previous year that the Imperial signature windshield was the only vestige of continuity with the past! That windshield was so well designed that it still could be used 8 yrs later on a luxury car no less. What other American car could pull this off? Now, more than 50 years later, people that don’t remember these cars when new, are highly critical of this windshield. But at the time, it was a look of luxury.
My family got a nice ten year old 65 IMPERIAL JUST LIKE THIS ONE NEAT UNTIL A COUPLE OF THINGS HAPPEND FIRST MY BROTHER GOT TO CLOSE TO SOMETHING AND PRETTY WIPED OUT BOTH RIGHT DOORS. THEN A COUPLE OF YEARS LATER IT BLEW A TIMMING CHAIN WHICH I REPLACED BUT IT DIDN’T WANT TO RUN. IT TOOK SEVERAL YEARS AND GETTNG RID OF THE CAR BEFORE I FIGURED OUT THE PROBLEM. WHEN THE TIMMING CHAIN WENT IT, NO DOUBT BENT A FEW VALVES
Next, you hit the Caps Lock button.
and it STUCK.
So it h-a-p-p-e-n-e-d that the t-i-m-i-n-g chain failed and the valves got t-o-o close to the pistons.
My dad bought a 1971 Ford Maverick four door without AC or a radio.
He asked the mechanic at the local garge to remove his AM radio from
his 1963 Plymouth Fury four door so he could get it installed in his new 1971 Maverick four door.
Why do people order cars new without a radio?
Answer: My dad was a CA and too cheap to buy a new radio for
his new car so he figured that the old AM radio from his old Plymouth
would do the trick and he got the local mechanic to install the old AM from the Plymouth Fury into the new 1971 Ford Maverick.
The mechanic complied and when our old Maverick died and had to
go to Ford Maverick Hell & Perdition I removed the AM Plymouth radio
because it still worked and I’m a cheap bastard just like my CA dad was, too.
Bob
I’ve been watching this car for several weeks, on Facebook Marketplace and Fort Myers Craigslist. I want it very much, but the only way I could justify buying a 60 year old gem like this is if I won the Florida Lottery. That’s not likely to happen. I commented on this car a couple of times when I commented on the ’63 Imperials in past posts in Barn Finds. I had a ’63 LeBaron in the late ’70s, early ’80s. Lack of radio does not necessarily mean the original buyer was too cheap to opt for either ’64 offering, they just did not want a radio. No air, possibly because at the time, believe it or not, it was just not as nasty hot everywhere during summers as it is now. This car fascinates me for both reasons. Less junk under the hood to deal with during repairs and maintenance, without air. And in my case, instead of tracking down the right model radio and speakers for this, or going to the lengths of hacking up the car to put some 2023 megasystem in, I have portable stereo cassette radios if I want music badly enough. I know these two missing “necessities” don’t make the car worth more, or desirable, it’s rare in its own right to people like me who aren’t concerned about its resale value in the future. Wherever this ends up, I hope it’s with someone who wants original, no matter how devoid of, or loaded with toys it is.
The Green Hornet wants his ride back.
At 10K this car is a really good deal. I want it really bad, but I kinda already have one in my 65 New Yorker.
I converted the brakes to dual-circuit, and added AC. My AM radio even works, but unfortunately all it plays is Mariachi music and retarded talk radio.
No air, possibly because at the time, believe it or not, it was just not as nasty hot everywhere during summers as it is now. ===I’ don’t want to thread hijack about climate, but back then we really didn’t expect it to be 72 all the time everywhere. Robert White- I don’t think you can order a car without a radio now. It’s not like the days of the standard DIN or double DIN add on unit, the infotainment system is unique to a vehicle and built in.
Closest I got to this one was the AMT kit you could make into an El Imperialo.
My grandfather had a 1967 Imperial,white with red interior.was fully loaded,came with the 440.Recieved it as a gift in late 66’from his boss when he worked for Honda.Rode in that car alot when i was a kid,even going from Los Angeles to Las Vegas in it one time.On the highway at 90mph it would just float along.He kept that car in excellent condition.
Fort Myers took a considerable hit 13 months ago, and there was a lot of storm surge in the area. Doesn’t mean this beauty wasn’t spared, but be advised.
I owned a ’64 Crown Coupe. It was built like a truck (which is no doubt why they were not allowed to compete in demolition derbys.)