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Just curious, of the impression of other automotive enthusiasts on the Chrysler Imperial. Elegant or Gaudy? Realize, styles changed dramatically over the years. How would you compare against the Cadillacs or Lincolns during the same era?
The late 50's Imperials are one of my all time favorite luxury cars of the day, the 56's were really nice, they look awesome, and the gunslinger taillights of the 59's were just so sick. The 60's Imperials were also beauties, I just didn't like how much they looked so similar to 60's Continentals though. I understand Elwood Engel going to Chrysler had everything to do with it, but still. Imperials never really came out with anything unique or groundbreaking for styling purposes throughout it's history, or worth mentioning.
The 70's Imp's just didn't have the same kind of styling or flare like the 50's and 60's models, but you can say this about all cars during that time frame.
70's Lincoln's and Cadillac's outclass, and look a lot cooler and impressive IMO than similar year Imperials, although that 72 Imp in the pic is pretty nice. The Imps looked too generic, and didn't stand out that much like they did in the 60's. They were probably great running cars, that performed well, but they just don't anything for me.
I think Ford's hidden headlamps were one of the coolest design features in the 70's. From the LTD, Grand Marquis, and the Continentals, it was just one of those things that stood out, and was really elegant. Chrysler copied Lincoln in it's styling a lot starting around 74, and the Chrysler New Yorker front end was a slight rip off from the Continentals too, especially with the grill, hidden headlamps and the chrome strip that goes on top along the fenders. Some years look good, but overall the 70's Chryslers including the Imps were rather plain looking cars.
They are all gorgeous. I am a sucker for the big fins of the late 50's but I also hold a soft spot for the luxo-barges of the 70's. There is nothing like the highway ride of a 70's full size ride.
70's Lincoln's and Cadillac's outclass, and look a lot cooler and impressive IMO than similar year Imperials, although that 72 Imp in the pic is pretty nice. The Imps looked too generic, and didn't stand out that much like they did in the 60's. They were probably great running cars, that performed well, but they just don't anything for me.
Starting in 1969 the Imperial shared the same basic body as the Chrysler which made it less unique, although it still had a few luxury appointments not available on the New Yorker. I think that was the beginning of the end.
I've got a good friend who is an Imperial collector and used to own the local Chrysler dealership. Back in the '80s when a little old lady would trade in her big, old Imperial for a K-car he would hall them out to his farm rather than put them on the lot. A fwe years ago he needed some money and decided to "trim the herd" so I helped him haul a bunch of them in to a local auction house. He had dozens of Imperials from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s, mostly low mileage and in great shape other than being covered with dust, plus the nicer ones he had kept in more controlled storage areas.
Starting in 1969 the Imperial shared the same basic body as the Chrysler which made it less unique, although it still had a few luxury appointments not available on the New Yorker. I think that was the beginning of the end.
I've got a good friend who is an Imperial collector and used to own the local Chrysler dealership. Back in the '80s when a little old lady would trade in her big, old Imperial for a K-car he would hall them out to his farm rather than put them on the lot. A fwe years ago he needed some money and decided to "trim the herd" so I helped him haul a bunch of them in to a local auction house. He had dozens of Imperials from the mid-1960s through the mid-1970s, mostly low mileage and in great shape other than being covered with dust, plus the nicer ones he had kept in more controlled storage areas.
That's really cool! Did you find any that you really liked, and picked up off him?
That's really cool! Did you find any that you really liked, and picked up off him?
I liked pretty much everything he put on the block. At the time he also had a collection of 300 letter cars - one of every model - which he also sold. He also had a 1979 300 from the dealership that had never been registered. Plus some early cars, lesser Chryslers, and wagonloads of NOS parts from the dealership.
The coolest thing to watch sell was a shipping tube of those old Direct Connection girlie posters from the early '70s. The ringman pulled one out and unrolled it, and as soon as people could see what it was about 50 hands went up and just stayed there until the bidding got to well over $100.
Unfortunately I had just gone back to work after being laid off for a year so I wasn't in any position to buy anything. Driving some of those classics to the auction site was a blast, though.
my favorite was the 72 and 73's tho i personally thought the workmanship was better starting in 1974. the link is a road test of the 73, talks about how the car wasn't what it used to be but still was impressive
the 72 and 73's, if you covered up the grille and back lights, just looked like glorified New Yorker's or even Dodges
I'd kill for either the '61 or '62 Imperial Convertibles . . . BEAUTIES.
Perhaps I would not kill, but I would gladly take one.
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The 60's Imperials were also beauties, I just didn't like how much they looked so similar to 60's Continentals though. I understand Elwood Engel going to Chrysler had everything to do with it, but still. Imperials never really came out with anything unique or groundbreaking for styling purposes throughout it's history, or worth mentioning. 
. The Imps looked too generic, and didn't stand out that much like they did in the 60's. They were probably great running cars, that performed well, but they just don't anything for me.
