Originally an up-market Chrysler, Imperial was registered as a marque in its own right in 1954, a move which enabled the corporation to develop a separate identity for the cars. In the immediate post-war years though, the conservatively styled Imperials looked little different from mainstream Chryslers. The latter were virtually identical to those of 1942, and not until 1949 did a new look appear. Based on the Chrysler New Yorker, the new-for-’49 Imperial featured a canvas-covered roof and superior leather and broadcloth upholstery. Its engine was the 5.3-liter sidevalve straight eight, while ‘Fluid Drive’ and ‘Prestomatic’ (clutch-less) transmission were standard equipment. A Cadillac-style radiator grille was new for 1950, the last year of the straight eight engine. The latter was dropped at the year's end and replaced by Chrysler’s classic 331.1cu in (5.4-liter) ‘Hemi’ V8. A direct competitor to Cadillac, the Crown Imperial was Chrysler’s top-of-the-range and most exclusive model, being manufactured in relatively limited numbers. Imperial had been established as a separate make in 1954, and with the emergence of the dramatically restyled 1955 models the brand began to establish a personality of its own. The '55 Imperials were nothing less than sensational: styled by the great Virgil Exner along the lines of his Parade Phaeton show-cars, they featured full-length waistline trim, a startling ‘egg-crate’ front grille (divided to accommodate the Imperial eagle crest) and audacious ‘gun sight’ taillights that were unique to the make. Power-assisted steering and power-operated brakes were all standard equipment on all Imperials. Acquired by the current owner in 1996, this 1955 Imperial Sedan was last registered in January 1994 in Nebraska and has covered a believed-genuine (although not documented) 36,088 miles from new. Unrestored apart from a repaint in black (from original brown) it comes complete with jack and spare tire and is offered with Certificate of Title. A rare opportunity to acquire a luxury ‘milestone’ at a most affordable price.
Originally an up-market Chrysler, Imperial was registered as a marque in its own right in 1954, a move which enabled the corporation to develop a separate identity for the cars. In the immediate post-war years though, the conservatively styled Imperials looked little different from mainstream Chryslers. The latter were virtually identical to those of 1942, and not until 1949 did a new look appear. Based on the Chrysler New Yorker, the new-for-’49 Imperial featured a canvas-covered roof and superior leather and broadcloth upholstery. Its engine was the 5.3-liter sidevalve straight eight, while ‘Fluid Drive’ and ‘Prestomatic’ (clutch-less) transmission were standard equipment. A Cadillac-style radiator grille was new for 1950, the last year of the straight eight engine. The latter was dropped at the year's end and replaced by Chrysler’s classic 331.1cu in (5.4-liter) ‘Hemi’ V8. A direct competitor to Cadillac, the Crown Imperial was Chrysler’s top-of-the-range and most exclusive model, being manufactured in relatively limited numbers. Imperial had been established as a separate make in 1954, and with the emergence of the dramatically restyled 1955 models the brand began to establish a personality of its own. The '55 Imperials were nothing less than sensational: styled by the great Virgil Exner along the lines of his Parade Phaeton show-cars, they featured full-length waistline trim, a startling ‘egg-crate’ front grille (divided to accommodate the Imperial eagle crest) and audacious ‘gun sight’ taillights that were unique to the make. Power-assisted steering and power-operated brakes were all standard equipment on all Imperials. Acquired by the current owner in 1996, this 1955 Imperial Sedan was last registered in January 1994 in Nebraska and has covered a believed-genuine (although not documented) 36,088 miles from new. Unrestored apart from a repaint in black (from original brown) it comes complete with jack and spare tire and is offered with Certificate of Title. A rare opportunity to acquire a luxury ‘milestone’ at a most affordable price.
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.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
.jpg "Quelle: Christie's")
