The race to the top in automotive luxury is almost as old as the car itself, but the zenith of excess belongs to the 1920s. Chrysler jumped into the game in 1926 with its Imperial. As competing makes fell… more»
Imperial
Nov 8, 2023 • For Sale • 22 Comments
How Much Would You Pay? 1956 Imperial
In 1955, Chrysler spun off its Imperial division as a separate make and they were on their own, at least in name, until 1975. The Imperial came back again on the J-platform (think, Cordoba and Mirada) from 1981 to… more»
Oct 23, 2023 • For Sale • 45 Comments
Up on Blocks: 1973 Chrysler Imperial
The Imperial was Chrysler’s answer to the Cadillac or Lincoln Continental. It was big and luxurious and – from 1955 to 1975 – was its own make in an attempt to be more exclusive. But, after 1969, it was… more»
Oct 19, 2023 • For Sale • 19 Comments
Stunning Drop-Top! 1966 Imperial
Though built by Chrysler and in the family for ages, the 1955 to 1975 Imperials were branded separately. The idea was to make it seem more exclusive than its main competitors, Cadillac, and Lincoln. This 1966 convertible might be… more»
Sep 25, 2023 • Auctions • 47 Comments
BF Auction: 1960 Imperial Crown
Of all the designs to debut for the 1960 model year, the Imperial Crown might just be the most radical and impressive. The Imperial line was Chrysler’s pinnacle of luxury and they really were impressive machines, but clearly, they… more»
Aug 29, 2023 • For Sale • 31 Comments
Barn Full of Dusty Classic Cars
It’s interesting how automobile collections are built. Usually, they favor an era, a manufacturer, or a type of vehicle. The group here may have been a collection at one time, but from the looks of things, they’ve been there… more»
Aug 6, 2023 • For Sale • 61 Comments
Regal Ride: 1963 Imperial Crown Two-Door Hardtop
Chrysler introduced its Imperial luxury nameplate in 1926. The car’s long wheelbase, numerous body styles by dedicated coachbuilders, lengthy list of options, and high price demarcated the Imperial from its nearest sibling, the New Yorker. By 1954, competition from… more»
Jul 23, 2023 • For Sale • 11 Comments
Stored 30 Years: 1956 (Chrysler) Imperial
Though it was the premium Chrysler brand since 1926, the Imperial was spun off into its own division in 1955 in the hopes of helping it better compete against Cadillac and Lincoln. I suppose the logic was that adding… more»
Jun 15, 2023 • For Sale • 55 Comments
14k-Mile Luxurious Beauty: 1969 Imperial LeBaron
The Imperial has sort of an unusual history, as in the early days the car was indeed a model offered by Chrysler, but by the mid-fifties the powers that be made the decision that it might better compete in… more»
Jun 15, 2023 • For Sale • 24 Comments
Award-Winning Survivor: 1963 Imperial (Chrysler)
During the 1960s (and before and after), there was an ongoing rivalry between Cadillac, Lincoln, and Chrysler for the top spot in the ultra-luxury car field. And most of the time, Cadillac came out on top while Imperial (Chrysler)… more»
Apr 19, 2023 • Auctions • 109 Comments
BF Auction: 1954 Cadillac Fleetwood Imperial
Being a world leader or a celebrity comes with many positives, opening doors firmly locked to mere mortals. However, it also means that there is no such thing as a private life, with that person’s every move under scrutiny…. more»
Apr 4, 2023 • For Sale • 9 Comments
Garage Find Hemi! 1956 Imperial by Chrysler
To give the Imperial a perceived boost against Cadillac and Lincoln, Chrysler spun the nameplate off as its own brand in 1955. In the process, the car got a design facelift with the “Forward Look” Chryslers just around the… more»
Mar 30, 2023 • For Sale • 39 Comments
Presidential Limo! 1964 Imperial Crown Ghia
The Chrysler Imperial was the automaker’s flagship car for much of its life, but in 1955 the Imperial gained a step in the luxury market by becoming its own brand, mainly to try and compete with offerings such as… more»
Feb 8, 2023 • For Sale • 39 Comments
Wiring Gremlins: 1981 Chrysler Imperial
The Imperial nameplate enjoyed a 50-year run at Chrysler as a luxury car before taking a sabbatical in 1975. The company resurrected the marque in 1981 as a personal luxury automobile. Since Chrysler had fallen on hard times, the… more»
Jan 22, 2023 • For Sale • 18 Comments
Only Backs Up: 1962 Chrysler Imperial
The Imperial was part of the Chrysler portfolio from 1926 until its demise in 1993. For much of this time, it competed in the shadows of both Cadillac and Lincoln, usually ending up a distant third in sales. This… more»
Jan 21, 2023 • For Sale • 34 Comments
Lovely Lebaron: 1966 Imperial
When I was a kid, I thought the ’66 Imperial, like this LeBaron find, courtesy of Kevin F, was the bomb. It was one of my favorite cars, probably influenced by the linkage between it and the Green Hornet’s… more»
