The Rockefeller Limo:1960 Imperial Ghia Limousine
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- Опубліковано 9 лют 2025
- Nelson Rockefeller's 1960 Imperial Ghia Limousine is part of The Collection at Hershey. The limousine was presented as part of the America's Transportation Experience/AACA Museum, Inc. Professional Cars exhibit. Museum BOD president Hank Hallowell provides an informative overview of the vehicle, its unique features, and its unique place in history.
I've never heard a door close like that rear door. Just a click. Everything fits together so well. Amazing.
Exactly! Beautiful sound 🙂
Both doors did that. So silent!
The doors of my '78 Silver Shadow II don't close like that.
So there was a minimum door gap that Ghia required when the door was closed- I think it is 1/32 of an inch - I can’t find in my notes - I have it somewhere…..the door alignments are unbelievable! “Click” the vault is closed!
Now that is what a limousine should look like. Absolutely stunning.
So majestic--love it. Great video
That is a very impressive automobile. Hats off to whoever has been taking care of it, Wow❤🇺🇲
Most underrated car. Imperial. My opinion
A beautiful car. I wish we could’ve had a better view of the interior though.
was thinking the exact same thing.
The narration was great, but why stand there blocking our view and describing something that you could just show us while you narrate. What's the big secret that we can't see inside?
@@jbj27406 He wants you to buy a ticket to see it. This is a "teaser."
@@jbj27406 Obviously he had a camera running set on a tripod. There was no cameraman, and it never occurred to him to get some footage of additional details.
@@MarinCipollina Sorry, but there's too much panning detail of many other features to support your premise. They decided, either intentionally or not, to dismiss the interior views from the presentation. Considering the high level of production values here, I wouldn't have expected such an oversight.
As a European i am always amazed at how beautiful American cars are from the past
'50s & '60s US cars are truly something special. Had/have many.
But many Euro cars were beautiful beyond words. Hard to beat the design houses like Zagato, Bertone, Pininfarina, Ghia, etc., etc.
Then you have Jaguar who didn't even generally use coach builders. No such thing as an ugly or boring Jaguar, and most were 4drs.!
Nice tour & back story.
Oh yes! Peek automotive excellence is definitely the US post war period.
@@UberLummox Yes, but the thing is the American cars actually worked. :D Euro exotics look nice, but it was more style than substance. Also these were built in numbers.
@@Commentator541 My '67 Jaguar 420/S compact works GREAT!
I remember seeing this car numerous times parked in front of 22 West 55th Street, which was the townhouse where NAR lived and worked with his gubernatorial staff. One of his chauffeurs was an older jockey-sized man. My father, who was on NAR's staff, was privileged to have the services of an amiable ex-trooper named Warren, who was his chauffeur, who drove a Buick Electra 225.
Interesting. I Imagine You Were Introduced To NAR; What Was Your Impression Of Him?
Way cool!
You would almost HAVE to be a jockey-sized man to chauffer that car given the little room there is in the front. I know that I, at 6'1" wouldn't be too comfy driving that thing!
@@retroguy9494Like Banacek's chauffeur Jay Drury.
@@jeffrobodine8579 Excellent comparison! Ralph Manza was a pretty short guy!
The pnnacle of design and engineering. A true automotive masterpiece.
I had a 59 sedan I bought from a farm in Silvis Illinois for a $100.00. in 1970. The six way power seat was perfect for drive-ins. I still can't believe it. First time I turned the add-on AC on, chicken feathers flew out.. Don't remember if there was a model, but it had the same engine. A 413 V-wedge. Most powerful car I have ever driven to date. Sold it for $150.00. It ran perfectly.!
Hell yeah! Great story. It was likely a Crown model, but I don't thing there was any badging.
@@UberLummox It was black with some of the nicest black paint ever
@@Magnetron33 As it should be!
As an interesting side note, Rockefeller's other Imperial limousine he spoke of here, the 1959, is on display at the Rockefeller family estate 'Kykuit' in Sleepy Hollow New York. You can visit both the house and the garages. It's there with many of the other Rockefeller family cars going all the way back to old John D. Sr.
Wonderful! yet unfortunately forgotten cars. at first glance I could’ve sworn it was a Cadillac. I very much enjoyed it. Thank you and looking forward for a new video.
This has been my dream car for over 20 years!!!
If I were to buy you one, can you afford to hire a chauffer?
thank you great video Fantastic
Wow, what a beautiful automobile.
👍✨
Very well presented Hank .😊
Hello, a very impressive showing. An incredible car. Cheers 🥂
This car is a work of art.
The 1960 Imperial in my opinion the best of the Imperial line and the LeBaron was that years best model , my dad had one . Fantastic car
I would have liked to have seen more of the details like inside the door edges and more time spent showing interior details . Neat car
My ultimate dream car was the 61 LeBaron! Not able to actually own one, I created a collage from 61 sales brochure. The Black LeBaron is the largest and central image. Every time I look at it hanging on my wall, it reminds me of an era unfortunately never to be seen again. I did the same with 61 DeSoto.
Ghia did a wonderful job with the front leaving me wonder how they worked the rear wings treatment. Also overlooked was the fabric and details of the back seating for Mr. Rockefeller's area.
Today I learned that this museum exists, and I can’t wait to visit! #subscribed
What a beautiful machine. So perfectly built.
Built for driving from gas station to the next gas station. That's perfect. 😅
An automotive work of art!
it would have been nice to see more of the car. You might watch other car presentation videos for idas how to do that.
Thank you for posting that! Interesting car and it's history.
Beautiful automobile.
Beautiful car. I have a 1960 Crown sedan. One interesting thing I noticed is that this car does not use the chrome side trim or eyebrow trim like the standard Crowns.
Interesting. And are the centers of the hubcaps different?
I have a set & they're plainer.
@@UberLummox The LeBarons got a fancier hubcap like you see on this one, the regular Imperial and the Crown got the plainer style.
@@cambo1200 Ok, was thinking that as well. Thanks!
never knew ghia hand built american cars, wonderful!
Move the camera around more let’s see more of the car
I think this was just a tidbit to excite you into visiting the museum. For an entry fee of course! 😂
@@retroguy9494 Nothing wrong with that.
@@Commentator541 True. I'm a car guy who LOVES classic/antique luxury cars. I'd pay to see it!
Wonderful, will visit one day.
It was in a James Bond movie in 1967. You only live twice was the movie. The car was in a shot with CCCP car and British car and the cars was black in color. They was at a Cold War place were at was snowing.🎥
Great video - thanks!🙏🏽
Excellent Presentation. I had 2 door model from 1973 2 door coupe oh man she was a beauty I bought it in 1985. If I ever get up that way I would love to visit the Museum.
Thank you, Hank☺️
Car was driven by my late 2nd cousin, David Harding, a state trooper, who was tall, and didn't fit easily into the driver compartment.
majestic !!!! what a dream car !!
Growing up in the 60's we had a family that had an Imperial, it was black, and and all decked out with every option, it was beautiful. But....just around the corner from him was another neighbor that had two Lincoln Continentals, a Town car and a Mark 2 or 3 I don't remember which one...and having two Lincolns in the same household was unheard of at the time. This guy would go out of his way to drive by the Imperial just to gawk at it, he was very jealous.
Great video. Thanks
Nice , that car meets my standards !
What a beauty!
I know this car very well a very good friend of mine who own this Ghia sadly as pass several years ago, i have several photos of the previous owner whom my friend Jay Stream purchase this Ghia from, would love to see it again.
Rockefeller was smarter than I thought ! Chucked the caddies for a real car !!!!
My dad sold them brand new! 😊 he used to bring one home on Friday for the weekend. Sometimes, a New Yorker, or a 300 letter car.
This car was in the Rockefeller parking garage until Christie's renovation. The parking guys would get stuck on the ramps between levels. Sitting with heavy dust when I first looked at it.
Which parking garage? He owned 3 residences in Manhattan. His widow continued to live at the main residence, 812 Fifth Avenue (and in Tarrytown) until she died in 2015.
Also, how long ago was it you saw it? I would think that if it wasn't being used, Happy Rockefeller would have sold it or moved it to the Rockefeller Kykuit estate where the family cars going all the way back to old J.D. himself can be toured.
@@retroguy9494 as stated the Rockefeller parking garage at 47 th st. and avenue of the America's in the old parking lot at Rockefeller center. Would walk past until Christie's renovation. Stated work in 1994 . Talked with former parking attendants on job for 20 + years and worked with them. Is that more to your point?
@@retroguy9494 oh David still had office on the 7th floor
@@raymondutter2616 Yes it is; thank you very much! It was in Rockefeller Center! What a shame. I live in the New York metro area and have been to the city numerous times. If I would have known the car was there, I would have gone to look at it
As both a car guy and an amateur historian, I've always been intrigued by the cars of the famous. I know that for the Rockefeller estate, which, a I said could be toured, several of the Rockefeller family cars which had been sold were bought back by the family to be put on display there. Of course, many others were held onto by the family since new. I know the 1959 Imperial he spoke of in this video is there. I want to go there one day!
Thanks again for the info! It was fascinating!
@@retroguy9494 as a point of fact only 1 person was allowed to move the car because of it's length. Other people would get stuck on the ramp. Walked by many times before it was moved because I worked off hours. Was a thrill of history before tishman take over. Restoring floors finding ol news papers and the alike. Pleasure to chat with you 😀
My fami9ly lived just across the Bronx River from Rockefeller's home. Yeah he liked Chrysler's BUT the car I remember and the one he waved to all us kids from was a fire-engine red 1956 Lincoln Mark II WHICH (unlike his limousines) he drove himself.
If I recall correctly, that Lincoln is now at the family estate Kykuit in Sleepy Hollow and you can tour the garages and see all the family cars.
@@retroguy9494 In my memory that car sparkles. I don't want to lose that. BUT I am glad it is well preserved.
The Rockefeller estate is in Pocantico Hills, not Sleepy Hollow (which used to be North Tarrytown)
@@jewishman2687 I'm pretty sure it's that car. I've seen pictures of it on display at the estate.
The issue of Pocantico Hills, Sleepy Hollow and Tarrytown has always confused me. I've seen documentaries on the Rockefellers and I've heard the family property referred to as all three. I even saw an interview with David Rockefeller where he referred to it as 'Tarrytown.'
However, I was going off the website for the estate and the National Trust does in fact say it's in Sleepy Hollow but gives the address as both 381 N Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY and 639 Bedford Road, Pocantico Hills, NY.
Beautiful
A truly INCOMPARABLE Imperial! Recall that Chrysler advertising used INCOMPARABLE Imperial. This one is beyond INCOMPARABLE if that is possible. All Imperials were also said to be America's Most Carefully Built Cars. The 60s and 61s took Exners fabulous finned fantasies to a grand finale!
Rocky had deep, deep pockets.
Just a magnificent car…but why weren’t we shown the rear seat area? Still, those doors closing - wow!
I have obviously been spoiled' by Queen jolene's camera work !! I now expect to see the details that he's talking about !!
When I visited DC for the first time, my parents and I stayed with great friends of mine in Arlington. Pete M, a fellow MIT Phd and also US Navy Commander, had a silver Imperial that was owned by his grandma (and who left it to him later, in her will), and our first "Washington by night" tour was in the back seat of that Imperial, which was wide enough for my (average sized) mother, my rather overweight father and myself (6'1"), while Pete (and his wife in the passenger seat) drove us and showed us the sights, monuments etc. THIS One looks much better than that silver one.
Maybe this could feature on Jay Leno’s garage
Oh if they only made 'em like that now. The heighth of elegance
1
Thank u
Thank u sir
You pointed out the way that some things were done, but didn't bother showing them.
I would have liked to see where the outer door skins were leaded in smooth.
Sadly they don't make them like this anymore.
Would have been nice to see the interior.
The Pate museum in Texas had one of these with a prominent owner but I don't remember who it was
Here’s a couple of tips: practice your lines before you make the video; And have the camera aimed the same feature you’re talking about. You mention the roof while the camera is showing the grill. You mention the seats while the camera is staring at you. You are not the reason ANYONE is watching this video.
Oh, and don’t be boring af 🤷♂️ never bad advice
Stop being so picky. Editing issue I give you that.
Well now, thank you Cecil B DeMille!
thank you from manhattan ©2024
Imperial Ghia limousines and regular cars were far more beautiful and luxurious than anything Cadillac or Packard ever could put out, imo.
Lo mejor de lo mejor.
Causalidad.
Chauffeurs said imperial shifted smoother than cadillac.
I wonder if it was hand built
take us for a ride in it !
What about seeing the interior?? Without interior viewing ? This feels incomplete
Video would have benefitted from more varied shots of the car and close-ups too
Would be a nice fit for President Trump as well.
I think I might load up the Packard and drive down the mountain to have tea with the Vanderbilts!
Somethin' to do!
ONE TWO SEVEN THREE
ROCKEFELLER LIMOUSINE
Jackie Kennedy had a near identical limo. Her favorite White House car.
Why did you pass quickly on the interior ? anyway it is an awesome car
Fenders and headlights are very similar to the 1960 Cadillac.
You mean the '59-60 Cadillac had fenders similar to the '57 (thru '60) Imperial.
Those wings made that a car I would not want. I hate those wings on cars
This car is similar to the 1960 Imperial Crown limousine driven by Jim Carrey as the eveil Count Olaf in Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events
sweetness.
Too bad CHRYSLER decided that quality was no longer important. Perhaps the IMPERIAL division would still exist if they had cared enough.
To think that Chrysler's quality control fell so far by the late 1970s...
And how did you calculate or get the info that there is 500 lbs of lead in the car? If you have a breakdown by materials (Steel, Glass, Chrome, Plastics, Lead etc) please provide a link or reply with it here.
Interesting it built in Italy- the body
Oooh my looks sexy as hell! Thank you for showing this car ! Will this car be for sale? I love to see real car! 😇💪🙂🖖
Good heavens!! Gross weight?? Thanks.
Chrysler needs to bring back the Imperial and give cadillac a run for there money. to bad Lincoln stopped building a sadans😢
were is jackie Kennedy car today ?
I WANT ONE!!!!!
that's REAL true car its a LAND YAUHT 20ft plus long BEAUTIFUL big FINS GEORGOUS
Please tell me it gets driven on occasion and not just sitting there
Now they pretty much stretch a CADILLAC XT5 for funeral or airport limousines. Hey if it works fine since it’s just transportation.
Those old buggys had to plow through all kinds of New York weather with just rear wheel propulsion and drum brakes, Not for the faint of heart driver.
An interesting and knowledgeable video, unfortunately let down by a gentleman who is rather awkward in his speaking abilities, and not nearly enough footage of the details he attempts to speak about.
Certainly not Italian designed by the looks of it. Too much going on design-wise for most tastes.
It must be nice to have that kind of money
People would ask me why you buy that Chrysler. They depreciate. I said that's why I bought that Chrysler it depreciated. Bought it late.
Should of had a camera guy
I never heard of a car having any lead in it, much less having... 500 lbs of lead, if I heard you right? Where was all this huge amount of lead distributed in the car?
Most cars then had lead filling body seams along roof, quarter panels, etc.
@@loumontcalm3500 Right. Pretty much ALL cars had leaded body seems before plastics were more widely used by the late '60s or so.
(Body man here) 500 lbs. does seem a bit much, but doubt this guy would bullsh!t us.
Should have showed more of the car, disappointing.
👍🏻🏴🇬🇧
If you own one of these it's useful to also own an oil company 😅