This was my second car I ever owned, same model and color. we would sit 4 people across in front seat. lots of very crazy stories in that car. I paid $100 for it in 1970. The FM radio worked and could be controlled from the rear (probably a faulty wire actually but it was fun) It went through used tires like crazy, but I took it from NJ to Atlanta and then to North Carolina stopping only for a party as it turned 100,000 miles. Sold it while in N.C. to a guy I worked with. LOved the video brought back good memories . (mine had no AC) giving it a monster trunk. OK one last note. I would drive, look in the side mirror at the bullet tail lights and pretend they were gun sights and honk the horn when on target. Had our usual 8 kids in the car and got pulled over and given a ticket. But - for a long story for a different day - when I went to the court house to pay, The clerk ripped it up and said he could not find any ticket and I went home. A wonderful car for whom ever buys this one.
@@USdefender1 wow a long time ago I posted about my 56 imperial. It was a fun car. interesting story I was driving and using the side mirror to line up the 'gun sights' and firing by honking the horn. Got pulled over, given a ticket, not for the light ... was going to tell the story, but changed my mind as I don't know if anyone needs any more race discrimination stories, even with a good ending.
First of all, excellent review of this iconic 56 Imperial. You did a great job highlighting this fine example of America's Golden Age of American Cars. I was born in Detroit in 1955. At that time, my mom's side of our family all worked for the Chrysler Corporation at Chrysler's Highland Park world headquarters, and of course, everyone in our family all drove Chryslers. My dad's side all were with The Ford Motor Company. That's just the way it was in the 1950s Detroit. Everyone worked in the automotive industry and were proud of it. As I grew up, I became a total American car Gearhead. The Chrysler Corporation was one of the Big Three. However, Chrysler always did things differently than GM and Ford. Chrysler's engineers introduced many new features and designs that would later become automotive standards across all manufacturers. The 56 Imperial was the car that first introduced many of Chrysler's advanced engineering. For example, transistorized radios that replaced radios with tubes. Chrysler's Torsion bar front suspension, that Chrysler called Torsionair, to name a few. Imperial styling had the most distinctive look compared to its direct competition of Cadillac and Lincoln. Imperial's unique combination of luxury and performance gave the Imperial the reputation for the best handling and most powerful American luxury car. The gorgeous styling had so many beautiful design elements thanks to Virgil Exner's creative genius. The split grill, the little points at the top of the hooded headlights, and those gun site taillights are fantastic. The bright work below the rear fins is incredibly detailed. These became Imperial Signatures that would define the Imperial through many generations. Getting back to this 56, and its original condition really shows how much this car's presence was admired through its history. The bold two tone paint may not have been in everyone's taste, but it sure represents 50s American automotive style and elegance that has and will continue to be a point in time for the American auto industry at its best, and will never be duplicated in the future. I feel fortunate to have lived at the time when American cars were works of art, The only problem is that after living with these fine machines, how can we be expected to live with the cars of today. These boring cars that all look like used bars of soap. Their all the same boring colors made of plastic. Take another look at this magnificent car. You will notice it's made of steel. Some wildly painted, a lot of it chromed. No plastic.
IMPERIAL was the FIRST PRODUCTION CAR in the WORLD with POWER STEERING. FIRST with CRUISE CONTROL . First in America with curved side glass, and Anti-Lock BRAKES. IMPERIAL had SO MANY FIRSTS over CADILLAC and LINCOLN , it WASN’T EVEN FUNNY !!
@@williamg2552 Also, electric windows where other brands were using hydraulic window lifts. Another neighbor owns his great-grandfather's 1950 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan and it has hydraulic window lifts and a power seat.
Nice!! This car has the three speed torqueflite transmission, which was introduced very late in 1956. Most 56 Mopars with automatic were the two speed Powerflite. Bonus!
The Imperial from 1955 through 1975 was a stand-a-lone nameplate IMPERIAL, a Chrysler product. My neighbor has his Grandfathers 1956 Imperial Southhampton Coupe, I think it is a St. Regis, and it is gorgeous. It's Red with a gray-tan interior, full power, factory air conditioning, real wire wheels, and a record player. He put a set of wide whitewall Radials, I think they are Firestone, and the car reeks elegance. There is a remaining Bob's Big Boy drive-in in the Toluca Lake (Burbank) area that he takes the car to once a month when they have their car show. He has a special trailer he pulls the car on behind his matching Red 3/4 ton RAM Diesel.
Getting the AC going would require a specialist and will cost a couple thousand dollars, but worth it. The compressor is probably bad but can be replaced with a smaller more efficient new one along with a new clutch. The fans probably work. I guess if it needs new lines that's another thousand. Some rear air conditioners like on Lincolns had clear tubes going to ducts in the roof but I see Chrysler didn't. You wouldn't want to sit in the middle of the back seat with it on. I carefully "steam" cleaned the delicate headliner on an old Lincoln with the Rug Doctor upholstery tool and it worked great. Headliners of this type can also be replaced by an upholstery shop but of course that would be another thousand. I don't think anyone makes radial tires that are high enough profile to match the originals. I had to go up an inch with the Lincoln rims and get the highest profile biggest radials I could find to get the right circumference (my calculations turned out to be right and the speedometer and odometer were perfect), but this does result in better handling and a much needed extra mile or so per gallon. Many people put regular radials on old cars but then they ride lower and the engine rpms go up. Don't do that!
Sounds like you had a lot of love for that imperial, I can see why. You're right about the use of radial tires on large older cars. I had a 66, 4, door hardtop Crown for over 15 years. A guy at a tire shop made me aware of the radial tire issues. I can still hear the sound those non radial tires would make when making left turns. Those cars, and many more from the 50s and 60s were a lot more than just cars. It was easy for them to become part of the family with all their personalities. I sure wish we could have cars like that today.
Smart car 😂 sounds like the cherry first gen Prius i took on trade, to make a deal a on Camaro guy was $1200 short so i took it. It needed a new battery pack so it sat for 2 yrs i didn't even look at it. I was in Charlotte picking up a car. guy had many Prius in his lot. He said he rebuilt hybrid batteries so i purchased one with one yr warranty.$1250 Had buddy help me install because the battery is heavy im tellin ya. It cranked and ive driven it every day for 6 months. A car i said id never own is my all time favorite daily driver ever. It take top dollar to get it from me i love it.
In 1956, The IMPERIAL DIVISION offered TWO FOUR-DOOR CARS. In addition to this FOUR DOOR SEDAN ,the division ALSO introduced their first FOUR DOOR PILLARLESS HARDTOP: The IMPERIAL Southampton
It's NOT A CHRYSLER. for Pete's sake!! Imperial was a sub brand of the Chrysler Corporation. It was the Cadillac of the Chrysler name plates. I can stand people who advertently get things like this wrong.
NOT A CHRYSLER. SORRY. The IMPERIAL was SPLIT OFF from the Chrysler line, and registered as a separate distinct make in 1955. Want PROOF? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_(automobile)#First_generation_(1955-1956):_A_separate_make
This was my second car I ever owned, same model and color. we would sit 4 people across in front seat. lots of very crazy stories in that car. I paid $100 for it in 1970. The FM radio worked and could be controlled from the rear (probably a faulty wire actually but it was fun) It went through used tires like crazy, but I took it from NJ to Atlanta and then to North Carolina stopping only for a party as it turned 100,000 miles. Sold it while in N.C. to a guy I worked with. LOved the video brought back good memories . (mine had no AC) giving it a monster trunk. OK one last note. I would drive, look in the side mirror at the bullet tail lights and pretend they were gun sights and honk the horn when on target. Had our usual 8 kids in the car and got pulled over and given a ticket. But - for a long story for a different day - when I went to the court house to pay, The clerk ripped it up and said he could not find any ticket and I went home. A wonderful car for whom ever buys this one.
The taillights were intended to look like gun sights. In fact, that's exactly what the engineers who designed them called them.
@@USdefender1 wow a long time ago I posted about my 56 imperial. It was a fun car. interesting story I was driving and using the side mirror to line up the 'gun sights' and firing by honking the horn. Got pulled over, given a ticket, not for the light ... was going to tell the story, but changed my mind as I don't know if anyone needs any more race discrimination stories, even with a good ending.
First of all, excellent review of this iconic 56 Imperial. You did a great job highlighting this fine example of America's Golden Age of American Cars. I was born in Detroit in 1955. At that time, my mom's side of our family all worked for the Chrysler Corporation at Chrysler's Highland Park world headquarters, and of course, everyone in our family all drove Chryslers. My dad's side all were with The Ford Motor Company. That's just the way it was in the 1950s Detroit. Everyone worked in the automotive industry and were proud of it. As I grew up, I became a total American car Gearhead. The Chrysler Corporation was one of the Big Three. However, Chrysler always did things differently than GM and Ford. Chrysler's engineers introduced many new features and designs that would later become automotive standards across all manufacturers. The 56 Imperial was the car that first introduced many of Chrysler's advanced engineering. For example, transistorized radios that replaced radios with tubes. Chrysler's Torsion bar front suspension, that Chrysler called Torsionair, to name a few. Imperial styling had the most distinctive look compared to its direct competition of Cadillac and Lincoln. Imperial's unique combination of luxury and performance gave the Imperial the reputation for the best handling and most powerful American luxury car. The gorgeous styling had so many beautiful design elements thanks to Virgil Exner's creative genius. The split grill, the little points at the top of the hooded headlights, and those gun site taillights are fantastic. The bright work below the rear fins is incredibly detailed. These became Imperial Signatures that would define the Imperial through many generations. Getting back to this 56, and its original condition really shows how much this car's presence was admired through its history. The bold two tone paint may not have been in everyone's taste, but it sure represents 50s American automotive style and elegance that has and will continue to be a point in time for the American auto industry at its best, and will never be duplicated in the future. I feel fortunate to have lived at the time when American cars were works of art, The only problem is that after living with these fine machines, how can we be expected to live with the cars of today. These boring cars that all look like used bars of soap. Their all the same boring colors made of plastic. Take another look at this magnificent car. You will notice it's made of steel. Some wildly painted, a lot of it chromed. No plastic.
IMPERIAL was the FIRST PRODUCTION CAR in the WORLD with POWER STEERING. FIRST with CRUISE CONTROL . First in America with curved side glass, and Anti-Lock BRAKES. IMPERIAL had SO MANY FIRSTS over CADILLAC and LINCOLN , it WASN’T EVEN FUNNY !!
@@williamg2552 Also, electric windows where other brands were using hydraulic window lifts. Another neighbor owns his great-grandfather's 1950 Cadillac Fleetwood sedan and it has hydraulic window lifts and a power seat.
Definitely , One of my FAVORITE 50’s Cars
One of my FAVORITE Designed Cars. This is way before my time but I love this style.
Beautiful car!
Amazing America from 1956 ! Aircon ,power seats ,power windows ,hemi V8 .
Nice!! This car has the three speed torqueflite transmission, which was introduced very late in 1956. Most 56 Mopars with automatic were the two speed Powerflite. Bonus!
The Imperial from 1955 through 1975 was a stand-a-lone nameplate IMPERIAL, a Chrysler product. My neighbor has his Grandfathers 1956 Imperial Southhampton Coupe, I think it is a St. Regis, and it is gorgeous. It's Red with a gray-tan interior, full power, factory air conditioning, real wire wheels, and a record player. He put a set of wide whitewall Radials, I think they are Firestone, and the car reeks elegance. There is a remaining Bob's Big Boy drive-in in the Toluca Lake (Burbank) area that he takes the car to once a month when they have their car show. He has a special trailer he pulls the car on behind his matching Red 3/4 ton RAM Diesel.
Me gusta el carro; está muy bonito
When you turn on the radio it needs to warm up and then you start getting signal takes a little while.
Beauuutiful Car!
I'm in the process of restoring a 56, it's a headache but I love it
Getting the AC going would require a specialist and will cost a couple thousand dollars, but worth it. The compressor is probably bad but can be replaced with a smaller more efficient new one along with a new clutch. The fans probably work. I guess if it needs new lines that's another thousand. Some rear air conditioners like on Lincolns had clear tubes going to ducts in the roof but I see Chrysler didn't. You wouldn't want to sit in the middle of the back seat with it on. I carefully "steam" cleaned the delicate headliner on an old Lincoln with the Rug Doctor upholstery tool and it worked great. Headliners of this type can also be replaced by an upholstery shop but of course that would be another thousand. I don't think anyone makes radial tires that are high enough profile to match the originals. I had to go up an inch with the Lincoln rims and get the highest profile biggest radials I could find to get the right circumference (my calculations turned out to be right and the speedometer and odometer were perfect), but this does result in better handling and a much needed extra mile or so per gallon. Many people put regular radials on old cars but then they ride lower and the engine rpms go up. Don't do that!
Sounds like you had a lot of love for that imperial, I can see why. You're right about the use of radial tires on large older cars. I had a 66, 4, door hardtop Crown for over 15 years. A guy at a tire shop made me aware of the radial tire issues. I can still hear the sound those non radial tires would make when making left turns. Those cars, and many more from the 50s and 60s were a lot more than just cars. It was easy for them to become part of the family with all their personalities. I sure wish we could have cars like that today.
This one has the 3 speed torque flite not the 2speed power flite
Yes correct.
Smart car 😂 sounds like the cherry first gen Prius i took on trade, to make a deal a on Camaro guy was $1200 short so i took it. It needed a new battery pack so it sat for 2 yrs i didn't even look at it. I was in Charlotte picking up a car. guy had many Prius in his lot. He said he rebuilt hybrid batteries so i purchased one with one yr warranty.$1250 Had buddy help me install because the battery is heavy im tellin ya. It cranked and ive driven it every day for 6 months. A car i said id never own is my all time favorite daily driver ever. It take top dollar to get it from me i love it.
You neglected to mention that this car has the 3 Speed Torqueflite transmission which came late in the production year.
PORKY’s LOLOLOL That came out when I was in High School my best Friend at the time told me I had to see this awesome Movie. Lol
and it has the Torque Flite Transmission
How much did it go for?
Been converted to 12 V ?
Not usually into a 4-Door,but this is Nice.
How much?
Yep, full info is in the link in description
In 1956, The IMPERIAL DIVISION offered TWO FOUR-DOOR CARS. In addition to this FOUR DOOR SEDAN ,the division ALSO introduced their first FOUR DOOR PILLARLESS HARDTOP: The IMPERIAL Southampton
1956🙂😊🤗🤗😊
It's NOT A CHRYSLER. for Pete's sake!! Imperial was a sub brand of the Chrysler Corporation. It was the Cadillac of the Chrysler name plates. I can stand people who advertently get things like this wrong.
Checked out website damned incredible! Kind Regards
How much are you asking $?
👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼🚗👍🏼
Please don't call it a Chrysler.
NOT A CHRYSLER. SORRY.
The IMPERIAL was SPLIT OFF from the Chrysler line, and registered as a separate distinct make in 1955. Want PROOF? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Imperial_(automobile)#First_generation_(1955-1956):_A_separate_make
LOL!!
😊🙂🚗🚘👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼
It's not mine it's YOURS
Not a Chrysler. You wouldn't say "Ford Lincoln"