In terms of Big Three luxury cars in the 1950s and ’60s, it was really Cadillac and everyone else (at least in terms of overall sales), but that didn’t mean that everyone else stopped trying. The Lincoln Continental was a style icon from the moment the 1961 model was introduced, and the same guy that penned that minimalistic shape was also responsible for this attractive Imperial (hold the Chrysler) that’s currently for sale on Marketplace. It’s always been my opinion that 1965 was one of the peak years in automotive history, and the Imperial was one of that year’s most expensive cars, so let’s see what you got then and what you’re getting now.
This Crown Four-Door was the best seller in the Imperial lineup, with 11,628 sold at a base price of $5,772. That was a lot of money in 1965, but nearly everything a discerning buyer could want was standard, including power seats, windows, and locks. The dashboard was trimmed with real walnut, not veneer, and all-in-all I don’t think Imperial owners could complain that they weren’t getting their money’s worth.
Under the hood was Chrysler’s stalwart 340-horsepower 413. After the 413’s life calmed down a bit and its hot-rodding days were over, the 413 led an interesting life powering luxury cars and motor homes. It was certainly a well-rounded high achiever, a renaissance engine. The advertisement claims that this Imperial has covered 40,000 miles in its long life, but the text doesn’t expound upon that.
As I alluded to in the introduction, Chrysler’s styling chief Elwood Engel was responsible for the 1961 Continental before heading over to Chrysler. The Imperial suggests that he took his portfolio with him, because many Continental styling traits found their way onto the big Crown, including a vague representation of the Continental spare tire hump and crisply folded fenders. Even the Continental’s front-to-rear wheel opening ratios seem similar to the beautiful Continental’s. Well, if you have a hit on your hands, you might as well stick to what works, and as far as I know, nothing litigious came of it. We’ve all certainly benefited, as we now have two beautiful and similar luxury cars to choose from.
Up front, Engel introduced these cool glass headlight covers on Imperials and New Yorkers for 1965, and that bold hood ornament told you and others that you were driving something special.
Today, the Imperial’s seller (in Akron, OH) is asking $14,888 for this Crown. There isn’t much text discussing the car’s condition aside from “runs and drives like new,” “been parked inside garage,” and “ZERO PROBLEMS.” The pictures say a lot, however, and this Imperial looks like a winner. Thanks again to T.J. for sending it our way!
My favorite model year of the Imperial. Maybe the same stylist as the Continental but he added motion to those crisp lines. Car looks ready to pounce.
413..didn’t have the fame of the 409 but sure gave them a hard way to go! You’d need it though in this big beauty. Had forgotten the inside door opener-like a release handle for a cockpit? It may not get the MPG of a new Chrysler (which may be on the corporate chopping block soon) but there’s a lot more panache and elegance here.
This car is a beauty! Price seems right too. Imperials have loads of options so much potential for problems. Not exactly easy cars to work on, or find parts for. A close personal inspection is a must!
I have a 1965 polara 500 I decided to take the heat and air conditioner box out of the car when I opened it up, two heater cores in series, evaporator with least 12 -1/8″ copper suction tubes running to every coil in the evaporator core, vacuum controls everywhere I’m going to stop right here and say I’m refitting it with a complete aftermarket unit including compressor, lines, condensor, controls, and it’s a universal kit, it would take plenty of time and money to fix the original.
If this happened today, Mr Engel would have been in court on intellectual property design theft for sure. Seller should have spent some time cleaning up the engine bay of this beautiful 413 power plant. I’ve seen a few 2 door versions of the Imperial here on barn finds, and prefer those, because this 4 Dr just reminds me too much of Mr and Mrs Drysdale. Seller is asking a fair price for this very clean luxury Mopar.
I think of John Fogerty, who was sued for fundamentally plagiarizing himself back in the ’80s. That would have been an interesting case, Engel v. Engel.
Your comment made me think of almost every Chinese auto manufacturer https://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-news/87772/chinese-copycat-cars-how-do-they-get-away-with-it
As ads stated…The INCOMPARABLE Imperial. But not the most INCOMPARABLE. That was left to LeBaron. Top of the line (except for custom Crown Imperial Limousines). IM (not so humble) opinion, the ultimate was 61 LeBaron with FINS soaring higher than fabled 59 Cadillac, the FINTASTIC grand finale for Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler. But, as a Founding Member of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY, I hereby declare this to be a bon marche and a genuine LAND YACHT! What say yes other GALYS?
Well, Doggies 🐕 HC. As I recall Milburn had two LeBarons, a 63 and 64,which Mrs Drysdale referred to as Limousines. Dash Rimrock drove a 64 Crown convertible, and Miss Jane drove various Dodges! Automobiles furnished for consideration by Chrysler Corp! Back in those days, auto manufacturers often provided vehicles to TV shows as an advertising gimmick! Sorry, I have to catch the little train to the Shady Rest at Hootersville on my way to Green Acres for some of Lisa’s HOTS CAKES! Y^all come back now!
Rick W, as much as I appreciate the LeBaron and Crown Imperials, I liked Miss Jane’s cars even better. Especially the Coronet convertibles.
Don’t ya love how they always removed the windshields so there was no reflection while filming ?
If you want to see some 1960s Chrysler products on TV, I always enjoy episodes of Gomer Pyle USMC. From staff cars and trucks to taxis and Sargeant Carter’s rides, great fun to watch for real nostalgia!
I don’t like her hotcakes, I don’t like her coffee, I don’t like her mother, but I like her, and that Continental ragtop too!
Beautiful car. I would love to have it, but can’t justify the expense or garage space. When I was a teenager I had a 1964 New Yorker 2 door with the 413. The paint was horrible with sections that had peeled off and since I was on an extreme budget I had it painted at econo-paint in Florida (where I lived at the time). The paint job was so bad that I sold the car rather than deal with it. Other than the paint that car was immaculant and I always wondered what happened to it.
60s imperial with ZERO Problems(?!)
I got a good laugh out of that one!
That said, I’ll give this guy the benefit of the doubt: this car looks to be an amazing original that has had exceptional care through its life. Maybe it IS the only 60s Imperial with ZERO problems :)
Beautiful car! In 1949, Mopar’s first postwar bodies came out — a conservative blend of prewar and cautious postwar (Chrysler and Dodge even invoking their 1941 tail-lamp designs). In 1950 they face-lifted the entire bunch, making them plain and dowdy, and emphasising their stubby proportions. Then, for 1951, the Chrysler/DeSoto/Dodge/Plymouth fronts got a badly needed face-lift: and they did the same with the rears in 1953. The 1953 Chrysler was one of the most beautiful cars; however, they did not persist on our roads as long as their lesser 1953 makes (though the dowdy-looking 1950 models were still common as “beaters” in the late 1970s — long after you couldn’t locate a 1953 with a sesrch warrant!). As Chrysler went into the mid-1950s, something went terribly wrong in styling — I utterly HATED the FINS!!! The 1957 Chevrolet was about as much “fin” as I could tolerate — nearly all of those late 1950s fins were UGLY!!! — especially the 1959 Cadillac. And some of Exner’s designs were just plain WEIRD — I would not be seen DEAD behind the wheel of a 1961 DeSoto! And the front end of some Chryslers seemed to be growling, ready to ATTACK! Then, suddenly, the Mopars not only got weirder still — but SMALL-looking! And some of those Dodges seemed to by ready to go in either direction! But then came the 1962 Imperial, which was a work of art and beauty. They wrecked and mangled it for 1963, but then seemed to recover their senses in 1964. So this was a good era for Imperial. However, given how relatively quickly they vanished from our roads, I would be afraid to own this one. The objective with a luxury car, is to be able to drive it in luxury, not to pay thousands of dollars to have fussy things rebuilt. Some newer features in 1965 weren’t yet quite ready for prime time — and owners simply gave up on cars that kept returning to the shop for sundry repairs. By the way, I love the four door, and would not even have looked, let alone replied, to a two door version. Considering condition, low miles, and it’s general presentation, the price here seems fair for this car: would that all mid-1960s cars had been this classically dignified. By the way: yes, the 1961 Continental was a breakthrough in styling — but, in my view, writers here make too much of it. (Jus’ SAYin’)
Was the Green Hornet TV show car based on this model?
Yes! TV Green Hornets Black Beauty was a customized 66? IMPERIAL. SAME generation.
Kerwin, Dean Jeffries of this place called California had thirty (30) days to go from sketch to rolling real estate. The street frontage was a Chrysler Imperial.
Lawrence Welk’s sponsor was Chrysler and Welk was loyal to the brand, so much that he fired one of his musicians for buying another product.
My brother, a musician told me that story many years ago.
Actually Welk was sponsored by Dodge on his show and by Plymouth on his short lived Wednesday night show TOP TUNES and NEW TALENT. Both Dodge and Plymouth were divisions of Chrysler Corp. DeSoto sponsored You Bet Your Life with Groucho Marx. Dodge, seeking younger buyers dropped Welk. Then, GERITOL became his sponsor. I never knew about the musician, but recall his firing Alice Lonn (the Champagne Lady) for showing too much cleavage in her gowns! Thanka you for your kinda wurds . 🍾 🥂
TODAY, I could use some GERITOL to energize myself enough to face the future! It will take more than SERUTAN to clean things 💩 out. Angel! Please call your Uncle Vito ASAP! I’m down and out, and NOT in Beverly Hills! Maybe that Hearse is like me, OLD and falling apart! Still Rolling down one hill but not sure how to get up the next 😕
I don’t doubt that Lawrence Welk fired an employee for buying outside of Mopar. While his show was sponsored by Chrysler. He was all mild mannered and Perry Como, calm on the show, but he was famous for a terrible temper. I definitely preferred Miss Jane’s convertibles.
Believe it or not, the story is true. welk really did fire the guy. Not knowing the exact model he bought instead of MoPar, I just knew it was a GM product.
Great looking Imperial. I always felt the profile is a bit “off”. The whole c-pillar needs to be pushing back about 4 inches over the rear wheel opening which would shorten the rear deck and make the rear door cut more vertical. It is cool how all the angles match… front fender, rear fender, rear roof backlight/c-pillar and rear sweep of the wheel openings.
From front to windshield is an equal distance from the base of the C pillar to the rear fender edge, appears Engle was going for symmetry in the design.
The wheelbase, and rear door enlarged would have accomplished the look you want, and I agree. Wish I had Photoshop to create it.
You can certainly see Engel’s Lincoln lines and designs in this Imperials and other large Chryslers of early thru mid to late 1960s. I’m sure Lincoln, Ford, Mercury were not amused.
In the late 70s, my college landlord had one of these. Beautiful condition and used it to haul a work trailer usually loaded with several thousand lbs of wrought iron railing and gates. His son in law kept bugging him to sell/give it to him. Turned out, he wanted it for entering in a demolition derby. If you aren’t familiar, these and other mid 60s full size Chryslers were eventually banned from DDs because they were so strong and heavy. No, the landlord never did sell it.He loved it so much, I think he might have been buried in it.
413!
That rear deck has always looked strange to me, too.
I had a ’65 Caddy Calais 30 years ago, it wasn’t in half as good shape as this still is, and being a Calais, wasn’t half as well equipped as this either. This is a beauty! But gosh, do I spend $15k on this, or a stripped Versa?
ANDY! This is a much more VERSA tile classic! No question! 😉 👍
Andy, as a car-crazy kid I always snickered at Cadillac Clais models–the only Caddy with CRANK WINDOWS. Even at that age I wondered why Cadillac even bothered. I don’t think of ‘entry level’ & ‘Cadillac’ in the same sentence.
Was working @ A & W in college, boss needed some products from the distributor 20 miles away. Gave me the keys to his ’65 Imperial, some $ and sent me on my way. Took secondary roads there and back. Thought I was doing 60 mph in the 55 mph zone, looked down and I was doing 105 mph! Almost wet my pants. That car rode so smooth, I would love this one but my garage isn’t big enough.
Seems like a really good deal if you’re the kind of guy who likes big, powerful, smooth luxury cars from the 60s, which I am.
My car buddy sent this photo to me today. It’s me in my 65 New Yorker in Tampa traffic. His neighbor took the photo, and sent it to my buddy, knowing that he was a car guy, and owned a 66 Chrysler 300. Surprise when my buddy told his neighbor it was HIS car buddy!
14-88?
Interesting asking price
Those 1965 Chrysler products were tanks. Big, strong & heavy. And yes, they were all oddly proportioned with average hoods, average roofs and long deck lids. But you could transport quite a few bodies in those trunks at one time.
One of my teachers in 1965 had a ’65 Chrysler. That was the first time I saw white taillights on an American car. Something that took 60 years to reappear.
Ya’ll know I’m a stickler for details. The ’64 Imperial had slanted sides on the “Continental ” spare tire trunk. Less slanted on the ’65 and practically straight up and down squared off on the ’66.
This ’65 is in great shape inside and out. Obviously loved from day one.
Really sucks to be poor.
I’ve never seen a bench seat Crown before. Or am I confusing it with another Imperial? I thought they came with front buckets that swiveled so the secretary in the front seat could turn around and take dictation from the boss sitting in the back…
@JagManBill. Bench seats were standard on a Crown hardtop. Buckets were on the Crown Coupè. And the swivel seat and secretary desk was offered on the ‘67 Crown Coupè.
Yep, the 2 Dr’s are the only ones I’ve ever seen with bucket seats and ones that swivel. These bench seats and upholstery patterns in the Imperials look like my grandma’s sofas.
My favorite year for the Imperial. Those glass covered headlights were very, very cool. Even as a staunch General Motors kid (I was ten) these stood out. I even built a scale model kit of this car.
Beautiful car! In 1949, Mopar’s first postwar bodies came out — a conservative blend of prewar and cautious postwar (Chrysler and Dodge even invoking their 1941 tail-lamp designs). In 1950 they face-lifted the entire bunch, making them plain and dowdy, and emphasising their stubby proportions. Then, for 1951, the Chrysler/DeSoto/Dodge/Plymouth fronts got a badly needed face-lift: and they did the same with the rears in 1953. The 1953 Chrysler was one of the most beautiful cars; however, they did not persist on our roads as long as their lesser 1953 makes (though the dowdy-looking 1950 models were still common as “beaters” in the late 1970s — long after you couldn’t locate a 1953 with a search warrant!). As Chrysler went into the mid-1950s, something went terribly wrong in styling — I utterly HATED the FINS!!! The 1957 Chevrolet was about as much “fin” as I could tolerate — nearly all of those late 1950s fins were UGLY!!! — especially the 1959 Cadillac. And some of Exner’s designs were just plain WEIRD — I would not be seen DEAD behind the wheel of a 1961 DeSoto! And the front end of some Chryslers seemed to be growling, ready to ATTACK! Then, suddenly, the Mopars not only got weirder still — but SMALL-looking! And some of those Dodges seemed to by ready to go in either direction! But then came the 1962 Imperial, which was a work of art and a beauty. They wrecked and mangled it for 1963, but then seemed to recover their senses in 1964: indeed, the 1964 was better-looking than the 1965. So this was a good era for Imperial. However, given how relatively quickly they vanished from our roads, I would be afraid to own this one. The objective with a luxury car, is to be able to drive it in luxury, not to pay thousands of dollars to have fussy things rebuilt. Some newer features in 1965 weren’t yet quite ready for prime time — and owners simply gave up on cars that kept returning to the shop for sundry repairs. By the way, I love the four door, and would not even have looked, let alone replied, to a two door version. Considering condition, low miles, and it’s general presentation, the price here seems fair for this car: would that all mid-1960s cars had been this classically dignified. By the way: yes, the 1961 Continental was a breakthrough in styling — but, in my view, writers here make too much of it. (Jus’ SAYin’)
I had a 55 Ford with a dodge 413 and torque flight trans, nine inch rearend, a bullet proof driveline.
Beautiful. Very similar to my father’s 66.
Why is is that people seem to want long hoods and shorter rear decks? I love the OPPOSITE — LONG rear decks, and not-so-long hoods. Molars of the 1964-1967 era were pretty, in my opinion.
The only Lincoln that used a spare tire hump before this Imperial was the 1956-57 Continental Mark II (technically, not a Lincoln). If Ford hadn’t trademarked the hump (and I’m guessing they didn’t), Imperial could have, and then sued Ford when the Lincoln Continental Mark III was introduced.
To CCFisher: it gets crazy when we speculate on what COULD’ve been/happened. We were less inclined to sue over every little thing, back then. In 1954, Hank Ballard and His Midnighters had an “off-colour” R&B #1 hit with “Work With Me Annie” (I leave its meaning to your fertile imagination). A number of months later, using the very same tune and rhythm, a teen-aged Etta James had a more smoothly-produced “Roll With Me Henry”, which sort-of stayed away from “pop”/top 40 radio — until they hastily re-titled it, “The Wallflower” (which title had nothing to do with the song!). Georgia Gibbs had the lyrics cleaned-up and made a “pop” version called, ‘Dance With Me Henry”. Nobody sued anybody. All three records sold well, and aided in getting “black” music played on “mainstream pop” (Read, “white”) radio. White kids were loving these black hits, the more risqué, the better — and the more “proper” suburban stations that still carefully avoided playing them collapsed in audience-share. This music was supposed to corrupt everyone — though somehow, those “delinquent” 1950s teenagers managed to survive and lead rather conventionally productive lives. It would be tough to patent or register a car’s style, and sue another maker to prevent “copying”. In 1980, Cadillac came up with a marvellous version of the Seville which reeked of Euro-luxury (though no European car looked quite like it). It proved highly successful, in making a smaller car exude luxury and exclusivity. And very soon, Chrysler “copied” it — though nowhere nearly as deft a concept as the original. But Cadillac didn’t sue Chrysler.