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 getting hard to separate the Imperial from the Chrysler New Yorker and the latter stole some of its thunder. This ’73 edition of the LeBaron 4-door hardtop has had a lot of recent work done and is said to run well, though the photos show it sitting up on chocks. Located in Chancellor, South Dakota, this big Mopar may be ready for the road and is available here on eBay where the current bid is $8,300.
A redesign in 1969 gave the Imperial the same “Fuselage Look” as other Chrysler full-size cars. 16,700 of them were built in 1973 compared to 44,400 New Yorkers which were available at the same dealers for less money. With the new, bigger bumpers in 1973, the Imperial was the longest production car built in the U.S. at the time. After the OPEC oil embargo hit in late 1973, Imperial production dropped by about 15% in 1974, which was actually less of a drop than Cadillac or Lincoln (except the Mark IV).
We’re told that the seller bought this 1973 Imperial to add to his/her collection but has thought otherwise even after spending $6,000 on repairs and improvements. New parts and components include the tires, the fuel system from stem to stern, an alternator, brakes (also from stem to stern), some steering stuff, and all belts and hoses. This work suggests the car, with just 40,000 miles, had been sitting for a long time. The 440 V8 runs as it should and only the A/C needs some additional work.
The body looks fine on this 50-year-old Chrysler, though the repaint it received some years ago is starting to show its wear. The matching vinyl top is in good, but not perfect, condition. And the interior is in great shape, which probably means the low mileage is accurate. If you like big, 1970s-era cars before everyone got wrapped up in fuel economy, could this Imperial be the one for you?
Unbolt those big black baby buggy bumpers, and you have a nicer looking ride.
I like it,
I agree… I think those were optional, we had a neighbor with a 73, and his didn’t have them.
Actually, they were not opinion. 1973 was the start year for 5 mph bumpers. Chrysler got around putting huge stick out bumpers on their cars by putting these big black rubber guards.
All Chrysler products, Imperial, Chrysler, Dodge, Plymouth had them.
Take them off this 1973 Imperial and you have a 1972 Imperial.
Pops should’ve gotten one of these for low but in ’77 as a used car instead of the battle-damaged ’74 Lincoln continental he got instead. We pretty much just looked at Lincoln s and caddy’s. When we got behind a ’67-68 imperial on the highway he thought it looked bizzare, but after that they were SLICK! Cool car!
All aboard step right up! Nice car !
My grandmother had a 1973 Chrysler New Yorker same color and looked just like this she drove that car for over 20 years with no issues would love to have this car so many memories we all learned to drive in her car
I hope that you didn’t have to take the parallel parking portion of your driver’s license road test in it…
Back then, John, we knew how to parallel park big luxobarges. We did not need a computer to park it for us!
We also knew how to back up our cruisers without the aid of a backup camera.
The dent on the back bumper says otherwise.
LOL I had to parallel park a 1960 Pontiac Catalina for my drivers’ test. I know the pain.
Took my test in 67’ caprice 4door. Used to pull that car out or park it between 2 cars on a narrow dead end street with cars (other boats) on both sides. Looking back seems impossible but it was what we knew.
My parents drove Chrysler New Yorkers in the 60s and 70s. Unfortunately my drivers ed instructor new this and always stuck me in the biggest car at the drivers ed course ( usually a 75 Ford LTD so my parallel parking and backing through the obstacle course was always done in a land yacht.
Give the frame a good inspection while it is up on those blocks. The wet concrete is the perfect environment to create rust under the car.
Plenty of clean underneath pictures are included in the Ebay ad if you had a look.
Yep, I bet it rusted away from just one wash in the driveway!
🙄
Had the exact same car and color except the brocade cloth interior. This definitely has me tempted.
Those cars where great riding cars. Had a 74 Newport Custom 4 Dr ht with skirts and all. Put at least 150,000 miles on it. Plenty room for six adults.
Highly unusual for a seller on E Bay to supply so many photos!
The Imperial was downgraded in a sense when the 1971 models came with a trunk lid nameplate that said “Imperial By Chrysler.”
I’m guessing that, by that year, Chrysler gave up on its efforts to market the Imperial as a separate luxury brand. For some reason they never were really successful with that effort (unlike, inexplicably, other upstarts from Japanese automakers). Imperial began as a high-end trim option for Chrysler-Division cars, which was why most would still refer to it as the “Chrysler Imperial”…which would be akin to referring to the “General Motors Cadillac,” or the “Ford Lincoln.” Despite a few trailblazing achievements, Imperial was still perceived as an upstart; and back then we know how upstarts were treated. Not so much the case now, since the class distinction has been all but eliminated; but now is a different time from then.
Hi Rick,
Back in 1973 I owned a ’71 Imperial 2 door coupe. And you know, I never noticed that it said, Imperial by Chrysler on the trunk deck, or flight deck as we used to call it. I just googled ’71 Imperial and you’re right, there it is in full color. Imperial by Chrysler
Wasn’t nearly as bad as the ’79 thru ’83 J-body version! 👎👎
I got me a Chrysler it’s as big as a whale;
and it’s about to set sail!
Me and some buds cut up one of these land yachts way back when. Same year and color in fact. Sheetmetal from that car probably found its way into a dozen other projects, or more, in the form of patch panels, wheel tub fillers and such.
Nice car!!! Love those pillow-top seats, too, from back when luxury meant comfort, style, elegance and all around impressive! I hope it finds a good home. I’d get the A/C working, and enjoy it for what it is. Maybe add dual exhaust if it doesn’t have, I didn’t look.
The “by Chrysler” trunk lid badge was removed from the Imperial for the 1974 and ’75 model years. To add more confusion, the 1971 to ’73 advertisements refer to the car as the “Chrysler Imperial”, whereas the ’74 and ’75 advertisements call it the “Imperial by Chrysler”. Although Imperial was rebranded as a separate make in 1955, it seems that the marketing department gave up on this concept by the ’71 model year. I thought it was weird during Chrysler’s last attempt at a separate Imperial make from 1981 to ’83 that it was sold without any model names except for badges denoting the Frank Sinatra Edition, and LeBaron couldn’t be reused because it was now its own distinct model.
I harbored an educated guess on that, just above as a response to a post by Rick. In a nutshell, I think it was Upstart Syndrome.
Are the wheel chokes included? They may come in handy as shoes if you have a rice paddy.
What makes me curious is why it’s elevated the way it is. The only reason I can think of is to give a little more clearance to crawl under to do underside surgery of some sort…which would then beg the question, what underside work is the car in immediate need of to be chocked up at its wheels? It can’t be suspension work, because with the blocks situated directly under the wheels the car’s suspension is still bearing the full weight as though it were on the ground.
I think someone doesn’t understand the concept of “putting it up on blocks”
Exactly what I thought! 👍
I am beginning to think non working AC is a requirement to make it to Barn Finds. At least the seller does not say it just needs charging.
Back in the day, these behemoths looked ridiculous. Now, compared to the ridiculous pickup trucks on the road, something like this is quite quaint.
These “behemoths” were all over the road in the ‘70s. The big three were all making equivalently large luxury cars. People knew what real luxury and ride quality was all about. Cars have gotten nicer in some ways today, but markedly worse in others. Nothing today has the kind of soft, cloud-like ride these cars have. The only cars that come close are the big German luxury cars, but it’s still not at all the same.
I’m aware….I owned a 73 Caprice. They were comfortable, I agree. But you have to admit, even then, they were a bit ridiculous. I also owned a Spitfire and could have put it in the trunk. Never did I utilize all the room that Caprice had in it.
I don’t agree, I’ve never thought any of the big cars of the time period are ridiculous. An awful lot of people liked having a big comfortable cruiser back then, hence why so many were made and sold. The only thing that’s ridiculous is that people’s tastes changed and now they want disposable garbage that simply doesn’t compare to these.
Those blocks are pretty odd….kinda like Taekwondo meets auto mechanics.
SOLD for $8,300.
Somebody got themselves a good buy here. IMO
“Hop in my Chrysler, it’s as big as a whale
And it’s about to set sail
I got me a car, it seats about twenty, so come on
And bring your jukebox money”
It it said whoever lifts this Imperial off the stands by hand is crowned the King of Hamtramck…..
I get some maintainable after all these years, tires from dry rot etc, but that’s alot of work on a true 40k mile car.
The Imperial never had their own dealer network. I think that also contributed to the difficulty of separating the Imperial from Chrysler.
Took my road test in a 1970 Checker Marathon.
I took my driver’s test in a 1972 Plymouth sport suburban wagon. When I came time to park the boat the examiner said your never going to park this. I said sorry pops I can parallel park a school bus!! Bada bing one inch from curb!! He opened door looked down and said..” I’ll be damned” passed😂
Beautiful Imperial! BTW, I learned to parrallel park in a 3spd surplus army jeep! No power anything! One day of practice between two metal trash cans and I was ready for the test. However I had to wait a couple of days first to let my left leg recover from the stiffest clutch pedal that I’ve ever experienced!!🤣😆
I had the same experience with my left leg after driving my friend’s ’64 Corvette through the city on a Friday afternoon. I’m sure all Corvettes aren’t like his though. I hope!