Vehicle Description
Handsome survivor of an unusual luxury car brand. Smooth 440 cubic
inch V8, long options list, very clean and solid throughout.
Original paint, top, and interior. Nicely maintained so it drives
right. The most car-per-dollar you can get!In the 1960s, Chrysler
tried to turn Imperial into a separate brand to compete with
Lincoln and Cadillac. It had been tried before (Lincoln tried
turning Continental into a separate brand in the 1950s) but the net
result is always the same: people still called it a Chrysler
Imperial. However, to set the record straight, this car is an
Imperial LeBaron, not a Chrysler, and that's an important
distinction to make. Even the title calls this car an Imperial, so
please make sure you get it right if this is a machine you plan to
put into your garage. Also make sure there's room, because this
awesome land yacht casts a shadow nearly 18 feet long and six feet
wide, making it one of the biggest (literally and figuratively)
bargains in our showroom today. It's a mostly original car still
wearing its factory-applied Honeydew paint (which is kind of a
yellow with hints of green) that's still in decent shape. It isn't
perfect after more than 50 years, but there's a nice shine and only
a few minor signs of use and age, so you can enjoy it without fear
and nobody will wonder when you're going to fix it up. Original
paint also means no surprises hiding underneath and panel alignment
is factory-correct, so the doors all close beautifully. The padded
roof shows no signs of trouble underneath, more evidence that this
car has not been subjected to a lot of harsh winters, and the
chrome shines up beautifully. And yes, the headlights work
correctly. The more we look at it, the more we like this big luxury
sedan.The fuselage styling was great for interior space, and this
sucker is downright cavernous inside. There's easily room for six
thanks to front and rear bench seats, and that gold brocade
upholstery is just too cool. Being a 4-door hardtop means there's
no B-pillar to obstruct the view, so it feels open and airy inside
with good sightlines in all directions (important in something so
large). The list of standard equipment was extensive, including
A/C, power windows, locks, and seats, a tilt steering column, and a
fairly comprehensive instrument panel. On this car, the factory
temperature and oil pressure gauges have been supplanted by
aftermarket dials underneath, but it shouldn't be too difficult to
get the originals back online. The A/C is inop, but the car does
come with a rather rare and valuable Air Temp diagnostic tool
that's probably invaluable for the Chrysler enthusiast. The
upholstery is in good shape, with only a missing button on the
driver's lower cushion marring an otherwise first-rate
presentation. Original door panels and carpets are likewise well
preserved and the factory headliner overhead remains taut-and just
check out those side pillows on the C-pillars! There's also a truly
massive trunk that includes a full-sized spare and the original
jack stowed behind a quarter panel bulkhead.Chrysler's biggest V8
was the only engine option, a 440 cubic inch powerplant that makes
the giant Imperial feel effortless on the road. There's torque all
over the map thanks to a 4-barrel carburetor, and these engines are
legendary for their durability. It starts easily, idles nicely, and
pulls all 5000 or so pounds of Imperial down the road with genuine
authority. Some of that comes from the quick-shifting TorqueFlite
3-speed automatic, and some is due to an aftermarket dual exhaust
system that gives the car a bit of muscle car swagger. Chrysler's
legendary torsion bar front suspension gives the car that
incomparable luxury car ride and the power brakes and power
steering make it easy to wheel around even tight spaces. You'll
note the floors are solid (important for a unit-body car) and there
are air shocks out back to help it keep an even keel no matter the
load. 3.23 gears in the 8.75-inch rear end make it a comfortable
highway cruiser, and there's still nothing like aiming a big
American luxury car down the highway and letting the miles unwind.
235/75/15 whitewall radials have plenty of life left in them and
the original Imperial hubcaps are unique to these cars.Extras
include the original owner's manual and purchase paperwork, a shop
manual, and the aforementioned Temp II A/C system tester.Nobody
will ever build a luxury car like this again, and there's still
something special about wheeling this much sheetmetal down the
road. The big V8 makes great sounds, the interior is plush, and the
styling has aged rather well, giving this car a unique look that
stands out anywhere it goes. If you've got the room for it, this is
a lot of fun for not a lot of cash! Call today!Harwood Motors
always recommends and welcomes personal or professional inspections
of any vehicle in our inventory prior to purchase. f
