Fins of various height and sculpture punctuated the Virgil Exner-designed second generation Imperial from 1957 to 1961, and this 1960 Imperial Crown in Staunton, Missouri (outside St. Louis) wears the most outrageous Imperial fins ever. For 1957, Chrysler established… more»
Imperial
• For Sale • 29 Comments
Original Hemi: 1954 Chrysler Imperial
The 1954 model year marked the end of an era for the Imperial. Initially launched in 1926 as Chrysler’s range-topping offering, the company decided to take on General Motors at their own game by launching a premium brand to… more»
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1 of 922: 1964 Chrysler Imperial Convertible
To help get a leg up on Cadillac and Lincoln, Chrysler redesigned their full-size luxury cars for 1964. They were very different styling-wise compared to what was offered before, thanks to designer Elwood Engel, who hired been hired away… more»
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Bob Hope’s Ride! 1969 Chrysler Imperial Limousine
All of Chrysler’s full-size cars were redesigned for 1969, taking on a “fuselage” look that would dominate styling for the next few years. Already a big car, when these Imperials were converted into limousines, 30 additional inches were added… more»
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Rebuilt 440: 1966 Imperial Crown Coupe
It can often be a case of mistaken identity. Many people would refer to this 1966 Imperial Crown Coupe as a Chrysler, but the reality was that Imperial was a separate luxury brand within the Chrysler empire at that… more»
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354 Hemi V8 Desert Find: 1956 Chrysler Imperial
While the Imperial name had been associated with Chrysler since the 1920s, they spun it off as its own make and division in 1955 to better compete with Cadillac and Lincoln. And the first two model years of the… more»
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One-Owner Survivor: 1975 Chrysler Imperial
The Imperial was a long-standing brand at Chrysler, dating back to 1926. As the 1970s wore on – especially after gasoline prices shot up after the 1973 OPEC oil embargo – sales had fallen off to the point that… more»
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An Imperial Discovery! 1969 LeBaron Barn Find
An Imperial is usually referred to as a Chrysler Imperial and there was a time when it actually was but that ended in 1955 when the Imperial became a separate brand. Nevertheless, old habits die hard and thus the… more»
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Rare Luxury: 1966 Chrysler Imperial Convertible
In 1966, The Green Hornet aired on TV for one season, with Bruce Lee playing the Hornet’s sidekick, Kato. Their car? A heavily modified 1966 Imperial Crown sedan, called Black Beauty. This 1966 Imperial Crown convertible isn’t black, but it is a beauty… more»
Todd’s Rods! What’s in the Garage?
Before reading on, take your best guess to identify each of the vehicles visible here! For my 1000th Barnfinds post (and after multiple requests) I’m sharing a glimpse of the current fleet here on Fitch Mountain aka Todd’s Island… more»
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Faded Glory: 1955 Imperial Garage Find
Back in 1955, Chrysler decided they needed a new, separate marque to be truly competitive with both Lincoln and Cadillac. While the name “Imperial” had been used on various Chrysler models since 1926, 1955 was the first year it… more»
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No Reserve! 1981 Imperial with EFI
The flagship 1981 Imperial mixed retro styling cues with groundbreaking technology. This low-mileage specimen in Fort Lauderdale, Florida comes to market here on eBay in a No Reserve auction that’s enticed at least eight bidders to bump the price… more»
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Garage Find: Little Used 1965 Imperial Crown
The Imperial was Chrysler’s weapon in the luxury car segment dominated by Cadillac and Lincoln. While it once carried Chrysler badging, the Imperial was spun off into its own division in 1955. It would continue in this manner until… more»
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No Reserve Rarity: 1959 Imperial LeBaron Southampton
Buying a new Imperial LeBaron Southampton in 1959 indicated one of two things. It told the world that you were a success and that you weren’t afraid to use your money to indulge your passion for luxury. Alternatively, it… more»
Fitch’s Folly! Todd’s 1981 Imperial by Chrysler
Life is too short for boring cars! Having to decide *not* to buy an old car once a week comes with the territory here at Barnfinds, and last week, for the first time in three years, I bought one… more»
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Driver Quality: 1957 Imperial 2-Door Hardtop
If you’re looking to make a statement, bright red paint on a finned 1950s car is a good way to do it. Throw in the Imperial marque and I’d expect people to take notice. This 1957 Imperial was found… more»
