The Incomparable Imperial

Поділитися
Вставка

КОМЕНТАРІ •

  • @johndunbar7504
    @johndunbar7504 2 роки тому +37

    I own a 1953 Imperial and , even after 5 decades of owning real classic cars, can't believe how well designed and constructed it is. I never restored the engine yet it runs so smooth and quiet it's like an electric car. The body is still as tight as a drum with no rattles or squeeks whatsoever. Fabulous automobile.

    • @oscarprendergast7295
      @oscarprendergast7295 Рік тому +3

      John Dunbar- congratulations on that beautiful 2/
      1/2 TON magic carpet -
      I believe your ride is so good and tight is because they were largely built by hand - and
      Designed by Turin of 🇮🇹

    • @oscarprendergast7295
      @oscarprendergast7295 Рік тому +3

      Just look at that grille

    • @autobug2
      @autobug2 Рік тому +3

      That was the Chrysler engineering they were known for. By `57 when those were rushed to market, Chrysler paid dearly in terms of quality and fit/finish. It took a long time before buyers trusted Chrysler again.

  • @KCCardCo
    @KCCardCo 9 місяців тому +2

    A former co-worker worked at a car wash in the 60s and a 64-65 Imperial pinned him up against a wall. He said an "Old Drunk" came in thought he was hitting the brake and tapped the accelerator pinning the guy against the wall. He got a six or seven thousand dollar settlement in 1967. He said he remembered the big eagle hood ornament.

  • @jamesfox2579
    @jamesfox2579 Рік тому +10

    I would proudly own AND drive this Car over ANY Car built today!💕

  • @TalesoftheLevant
    @TalesoftheLevant Рік тому +4

    I’ve got a 55 2-door Imperial Newport that will be going up for grabs in the near future. Only 27,000 miles on the clock. These cars are absolutely gorgeous, but I’m about to have my first child so she’s gotta go!

  • @kirbywaite1586
    @kirbywaite1586 3 роки тому +33

    The 1955- 56 models were simply majestic. The proportions are perfect and there isn't a detail on them I would change.

  • @michaelwhite2823
    @michaelwhite2823 Рік тому +6

    Very well done. Thank you. I was shocked to see the 64 Imperial was longer than Lincoln and Cadillac, as you said.

  • @chrisarthur3577
    @chrisarthur3577 3 роки тому +19

    Always loved the big Imperials. Especially the Le Barons of the early to mid sixties. Pure Class.

  • @sprezzatura8755
    @sprezzatura8755 2 роки тому +4

    Dad bought a 1956 coupe. Salmon pink with a cream top. Basically mom's car to take us to school in. What a car!

  • @tombrown1898
    @tombrown1898 Рік тому +1

    A friend's parents had a 1966 Crown Coupe when we were in highschool. Just an amazing car, which I got to drive once. It was a locomotive. Magnificent.

  • @jerrycallender9352
    @jerrycallender9352 8 місяців тому +2

    I truly enjoyed my 1966 Crown Imperial.
    Triple gold and steel, leather or wood on every surface one might see.

  • @hughmarloweverest1684
    @hughmarloweverest1684 4 місяці тому

    My first date, Dad loaned me his 1965 Imperial Crown Coupe, black vinyl top over a light tan paint job. Mom and I drove it to Yosemite for a week, a little while after that. Fabulous ride.

  • @dearbrad1996
    @dearbrad1996 Рік тому +5

    You know, all the big three were making superb cars but my mind keeps leaning towards the imperial, and I just learnt the reason.

  • @drwho534
    @drwho534 3 роки тому +18

    One of the best looking American luxury autos of the 50's, not as outlandish as the Caddies or Lincolns of the same era. A much more prestigious looking auto.

  • @oscarprendergast7295
    @oscarprendergast7295 Рік тому +3

    I’m a
    Lincoln man -
    BUT I just noticed the front (‘facia) of this beast- mind blowingly😍 gorgeous - my god- I think I just had my mind changed

  • @kevinvoyer5053
    @kevinvoyer5053 2 роки тому +6

    My wonderful Dad owned a few big MOPARS, before going over to Lincoln’s in 1971, since the 64 he bought new that ended up being a lemon he traded for the most beautiful car he ever owned! A 1964 Imperial Crown Coupe, in metallic turquoise with black roof and matching leather interior, that was so soft! I remember getting up to 80 mph in not time, but in near total silence! Also note these cars were so well made they were later banned in demo derby’s!

  • @robertkochou5412
    @robertkochou5412 Рік тому +2

    Great story for a magnificent brand of American cars❤

  • @partylee007
    @partylee007 2 роки тому +2

    I had a 1966 Imperial Crown Coupe. Awesome land yacht.

  • @garysandiego
    @garysandiego 3 роки тому +15

    Fantastic video. Thank you. By the way, another tidbit on the ‘64-‘66 Imperials: the sound insulation. 235 pounds of insulation in ‘64 and 245 pounds in ‘65-‘66. They were determined to outclass Rolls Royce in NVH.

  • @jimburig7064
    @jimburig7064 2 роки тому +7

    The 1955-56 Chrysler line up are some of my favorite cars with my preference for the 1956 models for their Torqueflite transmissions and the increased displacement engines.

  • @stevegallagher687
    @stevegallagher687 2 роки тому +6

    If luxury is your wish an Imperial is your car

  • @michaelguerin56
    @michaelguerin56 2 роки тому +3

    Thank you Hank. Excellent and informative video. These are truly special cars.

  • @1966-Charger
    @1966-Charger 10 днів тому

    This is a great Imperial history video. I own a '65 Crown Coupe that is black on black with leather bucket seats and a Claro walnut dash and trim. After 1966 the Imperial shared the same frame with the New Yorker. I believe Jay Leno owns a '67 Imperial.

  • @johnellis2347
    @johnellis2347 Рік тому +4

    Thanks for such a wonderfully informative coverage. Have had 2 55's and 2 56's. Bid on Ikes 56 imperial 2 Dr.

  • @francisniestemski7382
    @francisniestemski7382 2 роки тому +3

    I love that 55.. I think it’s a great looking car. I saw several through my life at car shows but in need major restoration. Good presentation. I believe that the 64’s color is very appealing. I am now planning to see the
    AACA museum. I have a 84 Chrysler Le Baron Town & Country convertible.

  • @caribman10
    @caribman10 2 роки тому +2

    I remember the commercials "..with the gun-sight taillights!"

  • @KCCardCo
    @KCCardCo 9 місяців тому +1

    I liked them 1973 and prior. The 60s era Coupe was beautiful as a convertible. Sales started slumping when it shared its body with the New Yorker in 1969. Buyers who could afford one would take a New Yorker instead because it cost less and it was still the same quality, just the trim was different.

  • @johntechwriter
    @johntechwriter 4 місяці тому

    Thank you for taking time to explain this marque in the context of its era. Most of the time when the opportunity arises on UA-cam to savor a classic Imperial, we find ourselves with a narrator who has not bothered to acquire ANY knowledge about the car. Instead, the narrator shepherds the car’s geriatric owner into uttering a few cliches about owning one of these, and we are left none the wiser.
    I still cannot fathom this car’s lack of success in winning over Cadillac and Lincoln drivers from that time. Perhaps I am expecting too much of the owner of such a car. The great majority, of course, knew nothing about cars. And so I’m guessing they played it safe. A leap of faith was required to own an Imperial, and American. Luxury car buyers lacked the confidence in their instincts to venture beyond the safe haven of Cadillac and Lincoln. More’s the pity for those of us who followed.

  • @andrer.boucher1137
    @andrer.boucher1137 3 роки тому +14

    🍁💕🍺Very well presented with history that was unknown to me for years. My favourite Imperial is the 1955 model year. The 1964 is a gem of a car and my second favourite. Your knowledge is outstanding about the history and would love to visit your museum some day. This is truly the “WOW factor of quality cars. Much ✊ respect.

  • @LlyleHunter
    @LlyleHunter Рік тому +2

    I’ll bet the man with the ‘68?Imperial had the underbody of his car steam cleaned the day after the wedding.
    Thank you for sharing your collection with us.

  • @bigjoe330
    @bigjoe330 2 роки тому +3

    Wonderful and informative video. The Imperial will always be incomparable!

  • @bobgauthier1569
    @bobgauthier1569 Рік тому

    I just loved my 67 imperial crown phantom.

  • @johnlawfourtyfyve
    @johnlawfourtyfyve 5 місяців тому

    Growing up, I lived near the general manager of a Chrysler assembly plant. He had 2 identical 1965 Imperials in his garage. He drove the one, his wife drove the other.

  • @mikehasuga4959
    @mikehasuga4959 3 роки тому +7

    Good job

  • @alanstrong55
    @alanstrong55 Рік тому +1

    John D. Rockefeller would have loved a car like that. So would FDR. It was a legendary car. So nicely made.

  • @gordonvincent731
    @gordonvincent731 2 роки тому +12

    I've always felt that the '64 thru '68 Imperials were the best looking ever. A real Imperial person will tell you it is an Imperial by Chrysler, not a Chrysler Imperial. They had their own separate VIN. I also thought that that was African walnut inlays, not bronze, the only American to have that, not fake appliqués.

  • @JohnSample-h6n
    @JohnSample-h6n 4 місяці тому

    Amazing car! My father was looking for a second car back in the mid-50s and saw a beautiful black late 30s Packard in a Philadelphia junk yard. It was a sort of limousine and had. V12 with porcelain exhaust manifolds. A gold plaque on the dash said made for William DuPont. The only reason my father didn’t buy it was because he said he would difficult getting parts for.

  • @lamarrharding4776
    @lamarrharding4776 2 місяці тому

    My 1956 had air conditioning, record player, last year of disc brakes, gas heater, push button gear selector, and a 4 door hardtop. It didn't get great gas mileage with two 4 barrel carbs.

  • @soyounoat
    @soyounoat 6 місяців тому +1

    Imperial leather was even better than "Fine Corinthian Leather" .

  • @mxr572
    @mxr572 2 роки тому +6

    DeSotos were also some of the best designs of those years.

  • @geralddrury4829
    @geralddrury4829 4 місяці тому

    These Automobiles are Fabulously Gorgeous! The letter series lead the Best!

  • @VanessaDillon-x3s
    @VanessaDillon-x3s 6 місяців тому

    The 1955 was the epitome of elegance!!

  • @raylocke282
    @raylocke282 2 роки тому +6

    love imperials

  • @oscarprendergast7295
    @oscarprendergast7295 Рік тому +1

    Sorry fellows I meant the house of GHIA OF TURIN- these fine fellows were the descendants of the CARROZIERI- the designers of fine luxuriously outfitted carriages

  • @rpsmith2990
    @rpsmith2990 Рік тому

    I've never owned an Imperial, but had a chance to. I'd been offered the opportunity to buy a very rough '61 LeBaron to part out to make the money to buy the car I wanted to have, which was a '65 LeBaron, white with a blue leather interior. I had this proposition because of a girl I was hanging out with at the time. She spent a bit of her time helping take care of an older lady who lived on a house by the river, surrounded by enough land to have a regulation size football field on either side of the drive leading up to the house. The house itself was a relatively modest two story house, probably a farm house at one time. We'd also go horse riding from time to time, and there were quite a few trails through the local woods. One day, that lady confided in us a story about the time she and her husband decided to go skinny dipping in the river, only to have guests suddenly appear.
    For a variety of reasons, most of which boiled down to no support for the idea from my family (my dad was not known for an enthusiasm for cars), I was unable to go ahead with this. About a decade and a half later, I saw that '65 LeBaron again, in a rather degraded state. There was rust below the A pillars behind the doors, the wood on the dash had delaminated, the leather severely cracked. It also had the same license plates that I'd seen when in high school, and the same 1978 expiration sticker. It hadn't been owned by anyone else in all that time, and the damage was no doubt from it setting outside all that time. I looked at all this, wondering how I could fix it. I asked about the car, and the person there told me that they had wanted the car only for the engine in it. I hope that wasn't the end of the story, but otherwise seems unlikely.
    These days, that land has been divided up for lots for yet more McMansions, the girl has been someone else's wife for nearly 40 years. Some things are for you, and you alone, if you're ready to take them...

  • @johnfrei9057
    @johnfrei9057 2 роки тому

    Magnificent bucket-list cars!

  • @genegarbis8746
    @genegarbis8746 2 роки тому +2

    I owned a 55 4dr one of the best
    Looking and it was fast,,, I also owned a ( 53 Nuport Custom Imp very Rare only 823 built one of the most Beautiful Chryslers ever made lic # IEB 841 ) my father had a 57.

    • @genegarbis8746
      @genegarbis8746 Рік тому

      Me to ,,,," The Knob ' because of the shifter on the dash ,,,I also had a 53 Newport Custom Imperial only 823 ,, and a 57 ,,also a 57 Dodge D 500 ,,,,all Hemis very fast,,,,

  • @mikehasuga4959
    @mikehasuga4959 3 роки тому +3

    Well done my good friend.

  • @michaelhasuga3328
    @michaelhasuga3328 3 роки тому +1

    Good job my good friend..

  • @artheis1342
    @artheis1342 2 роки тому +2

    Beautiful cars. I wonder why he stands in front of the cars all the time. What or perhaps who is he showcasing?

  • @LyallAbbott58
    @LyallAbbott58 Рік тому

    I could kick myself often when I think about how I could’ve had a 1960 imperial for $300 but I chose a I think it was a 1960 or 64. It was something night early 1960 Windsor, same brand of car saying it was Chrysler brat, I should’ve stuck with the imperial because the Windsor one day just would not start and that’s where it’s at and how it got towed away because unfortunately I didn’t have the money to get it running again, but I often think about that imperial with the oval, steering wheel and pushbutton, trans automatic transmission I would like to have had gotten out and hopefully we’ll still be running today

  • @jamesgossweiler1349
    @jamesgossweiler1349 Рік тому

    I have a 1960 Imperial... the lead sled.

  • @pauliuspaulius2281
    @pauliuspaulius2281 8 місяців тому +2

    How do you not realise that nobody is interested in looking at you - you need to show more of the car itself - all the time, your voice in the frame would be enough.

  • @Thankingyou1
    @Thankingyou1 2 роки тому

    The Imperial has always been my favorite car. This is an excellent presentation and well thought out. Any Imperial limousines in your museum? The ones that were custom built by Ghia in italy?

  • @joecurmaci5880
    @joecurmaci5880 Рік тому

    My favorite was a 1972 Chrysler imperial or 1973 either or in my opinion it was the greatest car ever made

  • @markbehr88
    @markbehr88 2 роки тому +1

    I have 59, 60, 68, 71 and 81 models.

    • @jerryvandyke9216
      @jerryvandyke9216 2 роки тому

      To bad you missed the nice ones Mark

    • @markbehr88
      @markbehr88 2 роки тому +1

      @@jerryvandyke9216 that’s a matter of opinion.

  • @antonfarquar8799
    @antonfarquar8799 Рік тому

    Chrysler borrowed the money from Prudential Insurance Co. in order to buy the Briggs Body Company - Mr. Briggs having died with out the benefit of proper estate planning forcing his family to sell the company in order to pay the inheritance taxes.

  • @michaelslane6654
    @michaelslane6654 2 роки тому +1

    hair pierce?

  • @aleksinfroid4644
    @aleksinfroid4644 3 роки тому +1

    I always loved those blinged out Dodges!

    • @MDavidG1
      @MDavidG1 2 роки тому

      Come on...Dodges had nothing in common with Imperials, except both were manufactured by Chrysler Corporation.

  • @8avexp
    @8avexp 2 роки тому

    The Imperial is its own brand name in much the same manner as the Toyota Land Cruiser.

  • @kekoa555
    @kekoa555 2 роки тому +2

    Lots of good talk about wonderful cars, but not enough time showing us the beauty of the cars. Cum’on show us da money!!

  • @billmagorian490
    @billmagorian490 2 роки тому +3

    Chrysler continued with large fins too long. Exner lost his job because of increasingly weird bodies that did not sell. His first couple years of Imperial design were beautiful cars with clean lines. The 55 you featured is a perfect example. The 64 Imperial convertible is my favorite a by far the most attractive Imperial. The Imperial that was featured outside is the beginning of what I call plain Jane unattractive cars. Some of the front and rear appointments looked good but the view from the side was uninspiring.

  • @paulcilluffo
    @paulcilluffo 2 роки тому

    Is any of these cares for sale

  • @alanstrong55
    @alanstrong55 2 роки тому +1

    Chrysler Corporation could not have made a better car when it came to Imperial. Take that to the bank!

  • @patcurrie9888
    @patcurrie9888 2 роки тому

    1964 was the best Imperial, The Crown Coupe

  • @michaelwaldmeier1601
    @michaelwaldmeier1601 2 роки тому

    Why didn't Chrysler make air-conditioning standard?

  • @MsShtusha
    @MsShtusha 2 роки тому

    💎

  • @williamg2552
    @williamg2552 2 роки тому +1

    The Majestic I M P E R I A L should’ve NEVER been a Chrysler from the very beginning. Why ? Because Chrysler was an upper- medium price car…comparable to Buick and Mercury. But IMPERIAL was always a HIGH-PRICED CAR…comparable to Cadillac, Lincoln, and Packard. The two cars competed in TWO ENTIRELY DIFFERENT PRICE CLASSES…and should have never been part of the same marque. The “Chrysler” name though prestigious, cheapened the Imperial…giving it a medium class stigma…one that continued to plague the car from its beginning…all the way to its end. The IMPERIAL didn’t need the “Chrysler” nameplate to be a success. It’s features, innovations and premium-quality construction could have allowed the car to stand ON ITS OWN…if they had only let it…from the BEGINNING. By 1955, when it was FINALLY SEPARATED from Chrysler, it was TOO LATE…and, despite that long-overdue separation, uninformed people continue to call the car the “Chrysler” Imperial till THIS VERY DAY.
    I honestly believe that, had The Chrysler Corporation introduced the IMPERIAL as its OWN STAND ALONE MAKE/BRAND back in 1926, the Incomparable IMPERIAL would still be with us TODAY…instead of being consigned to the ash heap of Great Automobiles of the PAST.

  • @randyvance9048
    @randyvance9048 2 роки тому

    A Chrysler product is engineered. Appreciate them if you can.

  • @lawrence2nd1
    @lawrence2nd1 Рік тому

    I love cars, but to much talking. Show each car explain, each year and then at the end tell your story, give viewers the option

  • @tommywatterson5276
    @tommywatterson5276 Місяць тому

    Looks like DeSoto

  • @nephi5059
    @nephi5059 Рік тому

    My favorite Imperial of later years were the gorgeous 1964-66. I remember that dreadful early 2000s brown faux RR, prototype. But to bad Chrysler can't bring back a stately elegant romantic Imperial. Not their progressive European thinking. Unfortunately Stellatlantic/Chrysler is outta its mind WONK. ALL EV. Even muscle car Challenger. SUVs only. Cadillac truck as luxury car. Build it they will buy. CrAzZy.

  • @williamg2552
    @williamg2552 2 роки тому +2

    He acknowledges the fact that IMPERIAL became a SEPARATE MAKE …having been SPUN OFF from Chrysler Division into its OWN DIVISION in 1955…yet he CONTINUES to refer to the car as a “Chrysler” Imperial. As a result, the LIE is perpetuated.

  • @jaygatz4335
    @jaygatz4335 2 роки тому

    These are truly great cars. Then the '69 came along and lowered the standard. Pity.

  • @FFvids-u5u
    @FFvids-u5u Рік тому

    The cars are what we're here for ---- not a talking head blocking the view...

  • @dave1956
    @dave1956 2 роки тому +2

    Chrysler’s slogan in the ‘60’s was “Extra care in engineering”. Unfortunately most of the ones I saw were very poorly assembled and rusted out prematurely. Too bad. They blew it just like GM today.

    • @jkoysza1
      @jkoysza1 Рік тому

      That reputation for cheaply built rust buckets began in the early 70s. Add to that the disgust over low mileage smoky engines. To people of my age, that pall of poor quality still resonates.

    • @dave1956
      @dave1956 Рік тому +1

      @@jkoysza1
      You must be of the same generation as me. Chrysler, Ford, GM & AMC all built garbage in the 70’s and 80’s. They literally handed the car market to the Japanese. I have been driving Asian vehicles since 1987.

  • @pjimmbojimmbo1990
    @pjimmbojimmbo1990 Рік тому

    They sure built Ugly Cars in the 50s and early 60s

  • @pete7182
    @pete7182 2 роки тому +1

    Never stand in front of the thing you’re talking about. Sorry.

  • @jamesmcinnis208
    @jamesmcinnis208 2 роки тому

    I wanted to hear about the Imperial but that fucking music.

  • @stevenhoman2253
    @stevenhoman2253 2 роки тому +1

    Chrysler really were the superior engineering firm till 30 or so years ago, what happened? They mostly produce junk now.

  • @Jasona1976
    @Jasona1976 2 роки тому +1

    Please....MORE of the car.....LESS of you.

  • @robertverrege8202
    @robertverrege8202 9 місяців тому

    This is a boring video, more should be showing the car.

  • @stainless0521
    @stainless0521 2 роки тому

    can't deal with the stuttering...

  • @bobgrauer
    @bobgrauer 2 роки тому

    Torque Flite didn't come out until 1957.

    • @davidharris7932
      @davidharris7932 2 роки тому

      Nope. Became optional on Imperials in mid '56.

  • @slackthompson6984
    @slackthompson6984 2 роки тому

    1953-1964 Chrysler built the worlds best cars and trucks