1958 Imperial Convertible - Jay Leno's Garage
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- Опубліковано 26 вер 2024
- With it's "Forward Look" design and massive 392 Hemi, Jay takes us on a ride in his Imperial Convertible that was the biggest and widest luxury car you could buy in America in 1958.
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1958 Imperial Convertible - Jay Leno's Garage
• 1958 Imperial Converti...
Jay Leno's Garage
/ jaylenosgarage
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My dad had one of these, it was a hardtop, same colors, I was born in 61 and I have pictures of me behind the wheel when I was 3,4 and 5, transmission blew 1967, and dad bought a 65 Pontiac Catalina, from my older brother, dad gave the Imperial to the guy at the Sunoco station by our house. Soon after, dad passed away suddenly at age 48 of a heart attack, myself being 2 months shy of turning 6, I was devastated and the Imperial was still at the corner gas station, my mom asked the guy to try and put it elsewhere so I wouldn't see it everyday when I went to school, I loved that car, and I loved my dad, still miss him, 49 years later, thanks jay, felt like a kid again going for a ride in your Imperial
What happened to the car?Did you ever saw it again?
Sorry you lost your Dad with you so young. Lost mine at age 30 ,40 years ago and I still miss him. My Dad fared worse than us both.. His Dad was killed before he was born.
What a STORY! HUZZAH!
I'm not crying you're crying!!! Someone find this man his dads car!!!
Pontiac guy... Am sure your dad has internet access in heaven so he saw your tribute.
Jay Leno is such a awesome down to earth guy.... the history of cars he shares with us is beautiful
Finally! Back to the good old Jay showing us a car from his own collection. I love these big American boats.
I prefer to see his own cars, too. Normally I wouldn't, but Jay can pull this off without looking like a rich dork who is just showing off.
It's because, to Jay, it's all about the car, not him.
awsome
+NWBackcountry Agreed. Jay loves automotive history and derives a lot of joy from the nostalgia and really is a guardian of things that simply need to be preserved.
B You tube
Jay, What a beauty. Did you know that your Imperial was made by hand? My dad was a Chrysler plant manager and he told me that the Imperials of this era were not made on an assembly line. They had a special build room near the assembly line.
special room to make a special car for special people!!
Of course Jay knows that
David - Thanks for sharing that.
@Art Vandelay Vipers were indeed hand built, just by Cletus Hogg, powered by diabetus rather than whatever factory workers survived ww2
I HEARD IT WAS A ROOM AND A KITCHENETTE
Never gets old. Jay is a master collector, and mechanic. His choice for the early Hemi is spot-on. These Imperials roared!
When I watch this vídeo, I remember Ethel Mermann shouting " We are riding an Imperial and we are running last ! " on 'Its a Mad, Mad, Mad world' , one of the best comedy picture ever; Thanks for sharing, Jay ; oscar, from brazil;
Love and agree on "It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World"!
@@charliepeterson4301 The scene at the GG bridge toll station remains an all time classic, the Imperial got change for a dollar when the toll was 25 cents, at about 70MPH!!! The first three cars all left a quarter each. George Carlin was the toll taker...
Jay I bought a 1960 Imperial from an old retired farmer when I got out of the Navy. I couldn't resist. Nobody had ever stopped to ask him how much he was asking for the car even though it had a for sale sign on it for almost a year. When I asked him how much he was asking I almost fainted. I bought the car that had less than 30K on it at the time for $200 bucks. It wouldn't start and it had a powersteering pump leak plus one of his kids broke a motor mount. I paid the man and went to town and put a new DieHard battery on it from Sears and it fired up immediately. Although the power steering wasn't working and it was a slight challenge until it got rolling I managed to get it home without putting the fan into the radiator from the engine hop because of the broken motor mount. I tool off the powersteering pump and replaced the seal on it which was about $6. Then I managed to jack up the 413 engine and changed the broken mount. Everything on the car was now repaired and everything worked just like it was suppose to. All the electric windows etc. It was the exact same color as yours and it had one two inch scratch on the left rear panel. All the brightwork was in excellent shape. After I washed and cleaned the car and polished it up it looked like a new car and ran like one. I can't believe that I ended up selling the car but then I was just 25 years old and a 325hp Corvette started interesting me and that was the end of my Imperial. I learned that it had been resold later and ended up wrapped around a big Oak tree from an idiot that thought he could outrun a State Troopers radio. I also learned however that another farmer pulled the 413 engine and put it as a power source for a water well in a rice field and it is still running today. This all happened in about 1976.
My dad had a ‘55 Ford the government had used for his transportation in his job at the FCC. He bought it at government auction. It was a two door with an in-line six cylinder and three on the tree. I took my date to the prom in it. I was nostalgic about it and googled ‘55 Fords for sale. 😲. $20,000 for one in decent condition. I’m too poor and too old to enjoy another one. It makes me feel 😢. But that’s life!
I took my driving exam in a 1958 Imperial 4 door hardtop and parked it, too. On the highway, it got 18 mpg. It was huge.
18 mpg wow thats actually quite good for a car lke that
I have a 392 engine in my car and it gets at least 18 mpg. Higher compression , cam , 2 4 barrell , it;s at least 18 mpg.
Oh yeh I took my driver's licence exam at 16 in June 1973 in my old man's 1973 imperial lebaron 4dr the 73 was be the longest American car made due to the bumper guards it also had that small formal rear window backing that beomath around a corner was a chore parallel parking same I passed it by enough needless to say I learned early how to handle and drive a real full size car in all weather and situations city freeway suburban IAM now 66 and my health no longer permits me to drive I absolutely love imperials especially the lebarons I have been fortunately lucky enough to own and drive a 62 a 65 and a 68 all were the best long distance hiway stars you could imagine if I only had a garage I could have kept all 3 at once time goes on so fast and eventually the barons found good homes keep your euro and foriegn luxury cars imperials from 1957 to the end in 1975 were in my experience the best hiway cruisers going like the little feat song goes roll right through the night
6:34 - "Do not drink contents of battery". I actually laughed out loud.
Jay Leno for Secretary of Transportation! Man that speaks for the common man that just loves cars!
My father is a very very prouf owner of a 1957 Chrysler Imperial. He bought it in 1979 (his first car, back then for 1 CHF per Kilogramm). It is an imported cat which was modified for the swiss market (skylight, electrical windows and seats etx.). He worked 6 years and get it on to the road the first time in 1986, we restored it the last time 20 years ago and last month I drove the first time legaly with my driving licence with it.
so much better when jay shows his own cars
"handles like a sports car" - More like handles like a sports stadium.
5:44 Original Fuel Injected 392" Hemi '58 Chrysler 300D in the background...
@@BuzzLOLOL Yea, I saw that!!
@@ThomasJones-sz3sx - Have you seen his video about it?
My Corolla handles much nicer after I upgraded from 13 to 14 inch rims, but that's mainly due to adding almost an inch of tread in the process. Those factory pizza cutters had no grip. Merely going up a rim size does little unless you need more room for brakes
Like driving a patio down a California mudslide but , you look so cool doing it !
Jay...you left out the coolest aspect of this car. The dash lights are purple!! I owned the hardtop version of this also from 1958 with the Hemi. What a great engine.
The best part of all these Jay Leno's Garage is the love he has for all the cars that he owns and restores.
He's a product of the early American automobile love affair after WWII.
He baby's all his cars and treats them with the respect that most people don't give anyone.
Thank you Jay, you, sir, are a great American.
Jay is smart because he actually DRIVES his antique cars, thus never losing his feel for them. Most people driving
these plastic toys of today around don't even remember what it feels like to drive a REAL car.
Do more like this. Rare vintage cars and keep us educated.
dear jay - thanks for making everyone feel like your friend - a friend of mine lived and was driving around n hollywood with his old mother when you both stopped at a stop light - you looked over and waved - a simple gesture for you - but you made the ol ladies day and ours who retell the story - love your garage - thanks for being you
I bought ($150.00) a 1959 Imperial Crown Southampton (413) in 1971 when I was in college in Oklahoma . I completely rebuilt the brakes - the trick to keeping them working properly was to drive it in reverse at about 15 mph and slam on the brakes about once a week. Do not ever denigrate the performance or handling of these cars I outran , on two occasions , the Oklahoma City cops with no problem. The strength and build quality was phenomenal - after I dropped my girlfriend off at her house one night @ 2:00 am a guy in a 1954 Ford Custom ran a stop sign and broadsided me in the drivers side door - the door caved in over 18 inches but never allowed an intrusion into the passenger compartment - he knocked me 70 feet I had a slightly bruised rib - his engine was in the front seat.
Yup, even "small" cars were tough then. Got hit on right side rear wheel well and quarter in my 56 Chevy. Pulled the sheet metal away from the tire and drove it home. Fixed it, with help of friends, later with quarter panel from junk yard (about 50 bucks) in my driveway!
sry to hear about the Imp! but yeah, side impact door beams weren't needed on those cars, lol!
@@gzuzsavz Right, only 15 years earlier some American car companies were building Sherman tanks. I guess that mind set carried on in certain automobiles!! :D
Yes, I've heard that the 1950s self-adjusting brakes only adjust themselves when the car is braked hard in reverse.
@@gregorymalchuk272 Chrysler drums were like that in to the 90s or whenever they quit making them. Uses a cable operated lever to rotate a star nut on the adjuster. Cable is hooked around rear brake shoe web so only gets enough travel to pull up slack when in reverse and the shoes rotate slightly.
Now, that's the way to cruise down the highway. What a beauty.
From an English perspective this car kind of sums up the comparative exotic glamour and romance of American life and society in the 1950s - very much an American decade.
You survived, that was great. Morris also survived, that was probably not so great.
Well,...since you mentioned the American decade ( it was an American decade dude) this car was part of two of the most important, iconic really American cultural landmarks; this car was first, the goal item in the movie Loving you with Elvis! But of even (far) more importance, the 57 imperial was the central vehicle in the all time towering American iconic cinema High School Confidentia
and was involved with the film's hot rod race which set the mindset of every kid of that era....the Imperial, even if you just saw it driving by, it changed everyone's refere.nce points and totally changed the national experience.
@@cindylawrence1515 Nobody in high school ever owned one of these, it was a rich mans car. The transmission was literally fueled by whale oil.
@@cindylawrence1515 ...and yes it was an American decade. The alternative would have been far worse. The US did not do what the British did, pretty much everything we took over we gave back, we had no "empire", merely influence. After WW2 we had both the conventional and strategic weapons to do what Germany failed to do. We did not, we made fish shaped cars and went to the moon instead (using V2)
The reference w as s to a movie "High School Confidential" by American International films. But yes, there WERE kids in High School in my area who'd parents had Cadillacs, Lincolns and Imperials. And allowed their kids to learn to drive on a 58 lincoln Continental no less, what could I tell you? Its America in the 50's folks....Varoooom!
These are my favorite episodes - the vintage luxury cars. I'd love to see more, especially the older Buicks and Caddys in the garage. I know some have already been featured but those episodes seem to be missing now. Perhaps a re-shoot or re-release? This was really a good one! Thanks!
I'm glad Jay owns all these cool cars and not some typical 'celebrity' jerk who can't shut up about politics or whatever. He's a great custodian of these vehicles and deserves to be.
Well Jay' it was very difficult for me to watch this video. i owned and drove a 1963 Crown Imperial for 16 years. then in 1997 i had such difficulty finding parts, Bushings etc. i could no longer afford to own and drive it. Selling it was the biggest mistake i ever made. Now when i see one which is rare. Tears come to my eyes. i miss it every bit as much today. i fear i will never own one again. i was known for my 1963 Imperial. even my dog could tell the sound of my car. it was much like driving around in my comfortable Living Room. God how i miss it. Mine had a 413
Sorry to hear that. There is only one Imperial. Though, I'd look for a New Yorker or well optioned Newport..even a Fury or Monaco, etc. Much more standard parts than some of the rare as heck Imperial stuff. I owned and drove several C bods and dearly loved them all. Currently my bro and i are fixing up a '70 Fury Gran Coupe with a '77 440 out of a New Yorker. Engine has 150 psi per cylinder at 150k on the clock, as was shown on the donor car. #furyvanwinkle on instagram.
What an amazing car. My recollection of the Chrysler group starts with the K-car era. I had no idea Chrysler was ever considered the engineer's car company, nor that they produced so many amazing cars through the 1960s. This Imperial and the Ford Galaxie are my two favorite American cars in Jay's collection. Fantastic channel!
My Dad had a 1962 Ford Galaxie 500 XL convertible, black with red interior. OMG was it a looker. Everyone stared when we drove by. The space age seats were amazing.
Thank you, Jay. Great video. Your brake discussion is on point. Many years ago we all piled into my grandmother's '65 Imperial and headed for a lunch in Millbrae. I was 20ish or so and handed the keys. My uncle was VERY CLEAR: allow plenty of stopping room! He was right. The initial brake application was o.k., but if you had to apply the brakes again, look out. The discs on your '58 are terrific.
I love her. Over the last 10 years I've fallen in love with Mopar's from the 30's, 40's and 50's. They really are under represented. i can tell, though that I'm not alone since the prices are just now starting to creep up.
They really built nice solid cars. Next time you go looking for the typical Ford or Chevy, give a classic Mopar a look. You may just buy one!
Even 70's mopars. Picked up a '75 Dodge Royal Monaco 4 door hard top. 48,000 original miles. Cream white with a black interior. Big ole' boat.
or you can just like what you like and ket everyone like what they like that's the beauty of democracy
Actually, no. Democracy means you have to take what the majority wants.
+Land O Calrissian Sorry, but that's the beauty of liberty, which is absolutely NOT synonymous with democracy. In a democracy, everyone gets to vote on the issue - oops, I guess we have to forget the Mopars!
alan, exactly
I loved Tom McCahills' reviews in Popular Mechanics. His face on the cover and what he was reviewing that month is what sold thousands of those magazines. He once described the '58 Pontiacs' handling as feeling like "An old matron settling into a warm bath" Hysterical ! And the "Model Garage" feature column each month taught me a lot about how to troubleshoot a mechanical issue with a mindset open to any possible cause that might be the culprit. Every single one was a teaching moment.
My mom had a hard top one in the 60's in a baby blue. Those rear axles had a tapered end. You really needed a puller to break the taper fit that held the drum/hub on to do any kind of brake work. More or less every garage had the puller back then though. The brake shoes were floating (self energizing) with an adjuster at the bottom if I remember right. I don't remember any problems with them holding adjustment. Not sure how any engine builder could get the cam a tooth off, it had timing marks just like pretty much everything else at the time.
Jay, I used to drool over cars like this in the 1950's UK. They seemed so exotic and a million miles away from our little basic saloons and convertibles. To me they summed up America. Mind you they couldn't go around corners except on the door handles. Great to see you appreciate them as part of your motoring history. Regards Geoff Crisp UK.
You don't put it on a lift, you put it in dry dock.
Move over Queen Mary!
the land yacht!
😆🤣
My Uncle bought a '59 Crown Imperial Hardtop when I was a kid. I thought it was the most beautiful car I'd ever seen. It was the first car I ever drove.
I loved that the "toilet Seat" found its way to the '60 Valiant.
My uncle had a '60 Chrysler Winsor that had a toilet seat. I loved that car.
Windsor! :)
Does water pool in that toilet? lol
My father had the Valiant with the toilet seat, was very rare in 60's England.
Mosquitos are known to breed in them .
Hi Jay, from Toronto Ontario, love your show. This brings back memories of when I was a kid of around 6 years old. My Italian grandfather, ( I call him that because my other grandfather was born here) had a dark blue 58 Imperial with the 392 hemi in it. I sure wish I had it today. And maybe you could relate to this. He actually had thick plastic seat covers installed in it, just the same as the plastic covers they had on the living room furniture. His last car was 74 Chrysler New Yorker, with a 440 in it. It was a light yellow color, and we nick named it the banana boat. Great memories.
Oh wow! Love this car. A family friend had a hardtop this year. MASSIVE even then.
Nobody gives you a real, what I consider, "car guy" tour like Jay Leno does. He didn't just buy some car. He knows the history, he knows everything about it. He's a real enthusiast. I love watching these videos.
The steering wheel is a work of art,,,
Yes, but why is it green? in an otherwise blue interior?
Probably faded from sun exposure over the years
+Cancun Tom 60 years of hands and California sun.
Dad had a used 1959 4 door hardtop (I think it was a hard top). Stainless steel top, 412 C.I., weighed 5250 with a quarter full gas tank. 19 mpg all the time. Nice memories.
Good GOD what a fantastic car and a fantastic video!! For me, this car ranks a VERY close 2nd to the video I just watched prior to this one.. the '66 Lincoln convertible! Both cars are simply the best of American greatness!!
Loving seeing these old land yachts. No one else does it on UA-cam really. Thanks
Just looking at that car makes me want to drive it to Vegas.
Viva, Las Vegas!!
White Top, with Blue exterior, and heart of Gold interior.
............and then there's the car. Jay Leno's life style is beyond full-on car guy. Thanks Jay, for everything you do, on-line, and in person. You and Mavis do SO much that goes unnoticed. Know this, Mr. and Mrs. Leno........you are loved.
The gun sight tail lights were my favorite.
I was born in '58. Glad me and that car are still going! Love it!
The horn sounds like an ocean liner.
It sounds fantastic! Could it be a three-tone-horn? Would like to have one installed in m car...
Attila Vass
it's just delightful.
It does sound relaxing, that's for sure. Funny though, people today might not realize it's a car horn.
+Austin Lucas one day my grandmother came over and was helping mom in the kitchen. I roll in from work in my 95 Roadmaster and blew the horn (which sounds a lot like this one) and Mema asks Mom 'why am I hearing a train? You're five miles away from the track!'
Darn. I'm wondering what people might say to the sound of a 1941 Dodge horn; it's like the sound of the road runner that Wile E. Coyote chased and maybe is the same sound. I'm not sure if they used the sound of a car horn from the time they made it or not.
Jay is so right regarding radial tires.. In 1973 I bought a 65 Sunbeam Tiger. Driving it home I was all over the road. I was heartsick,just blew mine and my new brides income tax return on something that was unsafe.
Someone had put bias tires on it. I replaced them with radials and replaced the shocks.. It was like the difference between day and night. I let the previous owner drive it and it was his turn to be heartsick !
I wish American cars were more AMERICAN, like this one. If you're listening, Detroit, this is how to do it;
1- Every model available as a 2 door, a 4 door, and a convertible.
2- Every model needs a name; not an inscrutable number or letters, like CT6, MKZ....How about "Adventurer".
3- Pillarless Hardtop Coupes.
4- Colors for the interior...Not just black, beige or gray. Look at the silver blue of this Imperial!
5- Make a luxury version, and a sport version. Not every car has to be an Autobahn burner.
Any other suggestions, guys?
List of every option available, and every size.
And that they be made of thick, American steel!
bring back manual transmissions...ban timing belts.
Moses Berkowitz The 2018 Cadillac removed B-pillars, which is great for an '18 car, but the design sucks
The body design I mean
When I was a kid my Grandfather had a 61 Desoto Adventurer, Red & White with Red interior and that backseat was huge. Love those 50s and early 60s Chryslers.
Jay, I SMILED the whole time I watched this. You remarked on camera after you test drove your newly-completed Olds Toronado, "If you experience an erection lasting more than 4 hours, consult a physician immediately." ...I believe the same could be said for this car as well. Thanks for posting this... watching this was like an old friend coming over for a visit with his "new" car to go for a ride.I DID NOT REALIZE HOW HUGE THAT SPEEDO WAS until you put your hand next to it... my GOD!!!
ILMAO. I remember that comment. Its still funny.
@@mikepayne377 Yup, Jay is a "Classic Comic". You know,..... when they were actually funny!!
Man that is a long car. I thought my 2008 Taurus awd was long at 201.6 inches, the Imperial is 229.6 inches. Over 2 more feet longer and will do 0 to 60 in 8.9 secs, amazing. Thanks Jay.
American cars from1945 to 1960 very good looking. Great Cars. My grandfather had one of them-Dodge Kingsway-57.
Ford & Mopar guy here - this is beautiful, thanks to Jay for appreciating and maintaining it.
Only slightly smaller than an Imperial Star Destroyer :-)
Yes, the Star Destroyer Escort!! :D
Thanks again, Jay for giving us a step back in time with this big beautiful 58 Imperial. Whenever I saw one of these pass by I use to say; "Only the rich can drive one of these dream cars."
I bought my 65 Falcon Futura Convertible with the 289 in 1969. I never experienced any of the drum brake problems described by Jay. Last month the master brake cylinder failed as I was backing into the garage and scared the crap out of me! The pedal went all the way to the floor. I turned off the ignition with my right hand and pulled the emergency brake with my left hand. The car stopped just short of the back wall. I took the car to my mechanic and replaced the old single master brake cylinder with a dual and since it was time for a brake job, I had 4 wheel disc brakes installed. Wow, what a difference in stopping! I refuse to do work on my brakes because of liability. If the car won't start or dies, it's an inconvenience. If it won't stop, it could be a disaster. If a licensed mechanic is the last person to have touched the brakes, some ambulance chaser cannot blame me for brake failure.
Scaredy cat. I do ALL my own work. I'm not looking for someone else to blame. I'm more confident KNOWING how the work was done and what EXACTLY was done. I don't want to be cussing at anybody but myself.
Except unless you have proof the mechanic, say, left a part out and that caused an accident, how can you prove they did anything wrong? Mechanical parts wear and fail over time no matter who does the work. Like CorollaNut, I'd rather do my own work so I know it was done right and no one but myself to blame if something goes wrong especially when modifying stuff like you did with the new master and 4 wheel discs.
+LionFreedom Gaming no there isn't.
Jay leno thank you for being such a lover of fine cars and giving the world a chance to see cars from a gone by era thank you
My mother had a used '68 Imperial that I got up to 110 mph, man I never did that again!
The history of these old cars and the times in which they were built are what makes them so wonderful....
I really miss wing windows.
ditto
I also miss vehicles that when you roll the windows down, the air doesn't feel like it's trying to beat you to death. On older cars with the windows down it just created a nice breeze through the car. Roll down the windows on a modern vehicle and you can't even hear yourself scream.
That's due to "cavitation". It can mess with your ears because of the pressure changes. The newer cars are sealed better so they are quieter with all the windows up and that's what creates the problem. When you open just one window the air wanting to come in has to "take turns" with the air wanting to go out. You have to open all windows at least a little bit.
was showing my granddaughter how we could "tune" the cab of my truck, by opening different windows varying amounts.. like blowing across a coke bottle. hurts my ears!! she says :)
What in the hell is a "Wing window"?
Man, I love it when Jay is driving with his right arm along the back of the seat and his left bent out of the window, steering with his thumb. God, that takes me back! 5600 lbs of "Murica" iron. Bless you Mr. Leno for saving history.
Alright, we are now exporting gasoline for the first time in decades, so how about some lower prices on fuel and some bigger cars with
some good old-time comfort options? These plastic toys they are selling now are JUNK.
@@paularnold2108 If they (most of today's cars) were only Junk, with no style or soul, that would be bad enough, but they are also criminally unsafe to drive!! Big trucks are safe though, from any era!!
What is so great about the USA are all the enthusiastic specialists who know their business, enjoy the challenge to do something right. Jay's dry sense of humour comes through on this show. He must have been one hell of a salesman in his day. I defy anyone not wanting to buy some of his less desirable vehicles after watching each of these programmes. Fun stuff.
Our family had a '57 Imperial (Crown Southhampton) 4-door hardtop that was almost identical to Jay's '58 convertible. It was a monumental gas guzzler, but who cared when gas was 18¢/gallon? In high school I could run off and hide from even the Bonneville Tri-Powers - and the ladies loved it. Win-win. Once we ran into a yearling steer on the road. Steer was killed instantly and the right headlight pushed in a bit. Fixed that with a sledgehammer and new lamp. Good as new. Massive front bumper took the worst of the hit, and wasn't even bent. Did I say this thing was a tank? Sadly when things eventually go wrong, it's a house of cards. Everything quits at once. The electro-hydraulic power seat was the last straw, bleeding hydraulic oil all over the carpet. With Dad out of the country on business, he gave me permission to trade it. We ended up with a '59 Olds that was an excellent car, but just never had the panache of the Imperial. I still miss the old girl.
18 cents in 1957 is the same as $1.60 today. I bought regular gas for $2.25 in Brooklyn yesterday, so not that different. Of course the Hemi no doubt requires premium!
They did not have hydraulic power seats. They were simply electric. The oil pressure guage is mechanical and runs inside the car, maybe that is what happened?
The '57/'58 Imperial had the mode door in the HVAC system actuated by engine oil pressure. There was a line that ran from the driver's side rear of the engine into the cabin and to an oil piston solenoid. I own 3 '57 Imperials and it's the only car I've ever seen to use this system.
@@1967davethewave In the early fifties power windows on Cadillacs and maybe others were hydraulic! And obviously with a connection that had to turn to open and close the doors. I wonder how often those broke and spurted oil? In 1961 (probably up to 1965) and probably earlier years the windshield wipers on Lincolns were hydraulic. I had a (40 year old) 1962 and once when parallel parking a hydraulic hose to the wiper motor blew. Kind of a mess.
What a gorgeous automobile. While it was in the garage the paint looked pretty ordinary. But once it got out on the road the color really popped. I know Jay said he was going to paint it white but I like the cream color. Thanks again Jay for a small glimpse of an American classic.
One could probably do a coast to coast roadtrip and arrive feeling like a million bucks
That's just as well, because it'd cost you a million bucks for the fuel‼️
I agree! I miss my old Cadillac for that very reason. I could drive anywhere in it and not be fatigued like I am in other vehicles. I really miss that "Boulevard" ride. So what if I can corner well in a new vehicle? You feel almost every bump in the road with the stiff suspensions. Give me a ride that glides any day.
+MrKeyboardCommando but in '58 gas was , what, $.30?
That's what it would cost you in gas.
ZEZERBING I've got news for you, it's 2016, and gas isn't 30 cents a gallon‼️😟😟😟
I would love to spend a day in your garage. I can't get to car shows anymore. I'm glad I discovered your channel. It brings a smile to my face. Thank so much for sharing your automobiles with the world.
Hi Jay! Gotta tell ya, this is TRULY the best video you've ever done!! the car is BEYOND magnificent and the lesson on putting in modern brakes is one every 50's and early 60s car lover should know and do from now on! Just a superior video in every way! Thank you for posting it!
Fortunately for many cars it isn't as difficult as this. And most people go with rear drums. You do have to add a proportioning valve to the system with to make it work right.
I agree with kerryincolumbus - this video is just fantastic and I also agree about the brakes.. everyone that owns a massive luxury car of this era should consider upgrading to modern disc brakes, if for nothing else than ease of mind during stopping!
The WILWOOD guy is first class. Beautiful installation. Just impressive in every aspect.
Beautiful! Some of Virgil Exner's best work. I agree completely with the brake upgrade. These beasts were hard to stop with just four drums. I don't think that self-adjusting brakes were available until 1962, so this solved that problem too.
It was the '63 model year for which all Mopars went to Bendix-type brakes.
Hey Jay, thanks for the review of your 1958 Imperial. What a beautiful car. I was just 3 years old in '58, but I had an aunt that had one she bought new and kept it way into the late 60s. It too was a white convertible with the light blue interior. I remember going places in that car and loved every minute of it. I later fell in love with the 1966 Imperial when my uncle bought one. It was a silver Crown with silver cloth seats trimmed with black leather. Although Chrysler did away with push button drive in 1965, it still was every bit a Chrysler. It had true Exner styling and '66 was the first year for the 440 engine. A great car all the way around. I really love the 1964 through 1966 Imperials, great Chrysler cats I still love today.
That's a gorgeous machine! American Road Yachts!
The biggest and best of the land yachts.
5,600 lbs!!! What a TANK. Love it--beautiful. Thanks for sharing Jay!
Chrysler was ahead of it's time with that body style in '58. Very cool. 😉✌🏻🇺🇸
My uncle was a Mopar guy, had one of these rolling aircraft carriers....he loved to drive it at about 110 mph, and scare the crap out of his passengers....I loved it though. `Murrican cars had lots of personality back then. Thanks, Jay, great review !
Lmfao
The interior is simple and beautiful. I wish modern cars came with colorful interiors.
+Random Person MINI, and some of the more expensive cars (Porsche, Jaguar) have been putting more color into their interiors lately. The new MINI Clubman looks really nice with the blue leather seats. (disclaimer, I drive MINIs)
+Random Person Wow, you must be close to 7 feet tall.
Minis, being sort of retro mobiles, have different colors from the mainstream available inside and out. Fiat 500's also. But no one makes them with the pearl blue leather color that the Imperial has, as did my 1962 Lincoln. But for some reason I was able to easily get leather to redo the seats in exactly that color.
.... the old cars had much better-quality fabrics, too!
@@34Packardphaeton Right, some had genuine "Corinthian Leather". :D
Unbelievable Jay....its so huge and classy, 560 pieces only, you are the proud owner and keep it as it is, let us see all over the world.....hope to visit your garage one day. I saw it from Google map, your huge garage, in Burbank , California. Keep living Jay...
Art on wheels.
Nice video! I was born in 1960 so I got to see a lot of these cars first hand. As a young kid I used to walk around parking lots just to see the cars from the 50's. A bygone era.....a time when cars were truly CARS!!
A beautiful time capsule from a much better time in this country.
I'm so glad Jay doesn't have a real job any more and he can enjoy his cars and share them with us vicarious car lovers. Thanks Jay. Love that Jay isn't hung up on supercars only or classic sports cars etc. He likes most everything and that includes what I like the most: these big beautiful american cars.
18:14 the interior color is a perfect blend of jay's grays & denim.
Love it , Chrysler were the engineering leaders in the 50&60's and it shows right there .
Love that Imperial... great work on the brakes!!!! Wonderful show
This brings back memories. Each fall when the new cars came out dad, being a Mopar guy, would take me down to the local Chrysler dealership to look at the new cars and the Imperial was the one car I always had to check out. Back then it was a big deal as each model year was different from the previous so there was always something new to look forward to. Thanks for the trip down memory lane.
Tried to do a burnout....pushed the road backwards.
Correction: Pushed the Planet backwards
You are welcome!
Would that be an un-burnout?
@@houseofno no, it's called a burn-in. I remember doing my first burn-in after supercharging my unicycle.
It turned the pavement too bubbling tar.
acronus ha ha that’s funny😂
This is art. So beautiful
The behemoths of the 1950's were something to behold, but I'm always struck by how even an entry level car from today will have more features than the luxury liner automobiles of that era. Great idea with the brakes and tires, I remember my '63 Impala would for sure go like a bat out of hell, but when it came to stopping OMG it was bad. Great episode Jay.....thanks!
I would like to propose car show judging eliminate Brake system upgrades (safety), transmission upgrades (modern drivability), tires (drivability) and gel batteries. Get out and drive these old beauties, and keep that old flat head in it but put some gears behind it. No deducts for these classes!
I'd imagine that most of us driving old cars that have benefitted from those improvements - myself included - don't care that we're excluded from winning trophies; I'm out driving the thing... not waiting around to hear what some snooty judge thinks.
I have a light yellow 48 DeSoto converible that has been in the family forever. I've updated the brakes and suspension, engine, etc. rest of the car is all original. It is truly a land yacht and very comfortable to travel in. What a class way to travel.
Leno, is that your 300C/D in the background? Love to see a feature show on that one.
I appreciate Jay and his knowledge when it comes to these timeless classics- Thanks Jay
An engine connected to a living room.
A cathedral on wheels.
Complete with 2 sofas.
No problem for a 392 Chrysler.
I like Jays vocabulary and his clever use of magical descriptions, that is to describe a feeling. For example :- To make a turn, you'd think you's need a tug boat ! just brilliant use of words. He's no dummy
..." I got me a Chrysler, it seats about twenty..." LOL, sorry, just had to. GREAT car!
The stereo is a Rockola Jukebox....
"Totally cool, totally different, nothing like any of us had ever seen" he forgot? to mention totally EXPENSIVE!!! Thanks Jay!!!
Now, THAT'S a car.
It's huge! Seeing you behind the wheel, that car is YOU!
When did auto makers go from bench to bucket seats ? I'm the same age as Jay and I can remember my girlfriend sitting next to me in the front seat and my arm around her while driving. You can't do that today.
Well, at the risk of being an unromantic modernist, probably because that's _really, really unsafe._
I love bench seats. my 69 torino has a bench seat. its great
@@ZGryphon Lot's of things were unsafe then. Lot's of things are unsafe today. Like uh, trying to skateboard down a banister and busting your nuts, or MOST Olympic sports.
I think far less of us would even exist if it weren't for those "romantic enticements". I mean, look at the birth rate today. Far below what is necessary to maintain a static population. That's why they have to keep everybody alive to maintain the economy. Doctors aren't employed delivering babies so much anymore so they work with pharmaceutical companies trying to keep old worn out chronics alive, or aborting the unborn.
@@claytonroot806 None of that is even slightly true, but hey, you do you, chief.
Only bench is a pickup truck, and even then most have buckets
Being a MOPAR guy, I love to see the mopars in your collection. What I'd really LOVE to see is the full line of your mopars from oldest to newest and a run down on what you have done on them. Special stories behind them and any future plans for them... Come on Jay. You KNOW you are a MOPAR MAN before all others!!!!! ;)
The tire hump is THE design feature that makes Chrysler group cars of this period so desirable (for me anyway).
... Exner's Forward Look comprised innovative themes that were very new looking coming out of 1957 Detroit. Virgil Exner's styling touches were readily seen on the rooftops and on the rear decks of many ChryCorp. car makes from 1957 thru 1961. Exner was introducing and doing signature styling touches on these ordinarily left plain/unstyled flat surfaces along with the fins.The rear deck of this 1958 Imperial looks smoothly integrated and is distinctively styled/detailed. It is easy to repeat the " looks like a toilet seat " jests / jokes but would be better to describe with historical/factual accuracy what Exner was styling and doing. I like these Imperials with the rear deck styled like this 1958 has and would not encourage the often repeated " toilet seat " jokes as they detract from the Exner styling history these late 1950's Imperials were/are pure and enduring examples of...;-)
when I think of the Imperial convertible I think of Milburn Drysdale pulling up in front of the Clampett's house in Beverly Hills, this one Jay Leno is driving is a beauty!
Thanks Jay, only in America, that's classic.
Between the Imperial and the 300G, it's nice to see you progressing to the Forward Look. I enjoyed your video and wanted to add a side note about the front suspension. The Aire in Torsion-Aire is a reference to 14" super-soft cushion tires, which as you stated, provides a lower, leaner look. Also the bellow brake booster, other than being different, has the benefit of allowing the brakes to function as a manual brake system should the engine stall causing a loss of vacuum. An interesting point about Mopar's of the Forwardlook era is that the marketing guys loved to name each of the features of the cars. Names such as Twin-Set headlights, Sweep-View windshield, Total Contact brakes, Flight-Swept styling, Constant-Control power steering, Gyro-Ride rear suspension, and of course, Jiffy Jet windshield washer. Ah, such fun!