1957-1961 Chrysler Imperial Crown convertibles, to be offered as a single lot. Photos courtesy Mike Flynn Jr., Hollywood Wheels.
If cars were playing cards, plenty of collectors could boast of various hands - three of a kind, full house - but the assemblage of five Virgil Exner-designed Imperial Crown convertibles from 1957-1961 that will cross the auction block next month - a veritable straight flush - should come out on top at any poker run.
The late 1950s were often seen as the benchmark of automotive design for Chrysler, and no Chrysler product emphasized style quite as much as the range-topping Imperial line. Though Exner contributed to the styling of the 1962 and 1963 Imperials, these later cars lack much of the dramatic flair of his earlier tailfin-embracing design, making the pre-1962 cars (arguably) more desirable. The set of five cars to be sold in Florida comes from a single collection, and most are equipped with factory air conditioning, an option that added more than 10 percent to the sticker price of an Imperial Crown convertible in 1957. All have been restored, although the age of the restorations (and hence, the overall condition of the individual cars) varies.
The 1957 Imperial Crown convertible is said to sport a new restoration, and in addition to factory air conditioning comes equipped with the optional power windows, power seat, Electro-Touch radio with power antenna and Solex glass. The 1958 model, which is just finishing a restoration, is equipped with a similar option list, and is said to be one of just 18 cars (and 15 survivors) built with factory air conditioning. Of the remaining three cars, it appears as if only the 1960 Imperial Crown convertible was constructed without air conditioning, and the 1961 example (finished in Dubonnet Maroon) is said to be a multiple show winner, capturing AACA senior and junior awards along with a best in class award at the Orlando, Florida, Festival of Speed.
Through 1958, the Imperial Crowns came equipped with a 392.7-cu.in. Hemi V-8, rated at 325 horsepower in 1957 and 345 horsepower in 1958. For the 1959 Imperial models, displacement grew to 413.2-cu.in. with the introduction of the Wedge V-8, and output was now rated at 350 horsepower, numbers that would remain fixed through the 1961 model year. Befitting a luxury model line, Chrysler's three-speed TorqueFlite automatic transmission, which debuted on the 1956 Imperial line, was the only transmission offered.
In 1962, Exner's design for the Imperial Crown convertible did away with tailfins, but his pronounced-headlamp styling remained. The same was true for the 1963 model year, the final year that Exner would be associated with the Imperial, and in 1964, designer Elwood Engel's interpretation of the Imperial series debuted. Still elegant, the cars nevertheless sported a more conservative styling that seemed to lack some of the same presence shown during Exner's time at the design helm.
Though each of these cars is marketable enough on its own, a five-car bundle is guaranteed to catch the attention of collectors. While Hollywood Wheels typically doesn't give pre-auction estimates, spokesman Mike Flynn Jr. conceded that the expected selling price for the five-car lot ranges from $850,000 to $1,000,000.
The Hollywood Wheels Amelia Island Select Auction will run from March 7-8 at the Omni Amelia Island Plantation. For additional information, visit HollywoodCarAuctions.com.
UPDATE (27.March): The lot of five Imperial Crown convertibles failed to reach its reserve price and did not sell at auction.
1958 Pontiac Bonneville Sport Coupe
While GM made general announcements and events around its 50th anniversary for 1958, only Pontiac incorporated the occasion into its advertising. It mattered little that the first Pontiac rolled off the assembly line in 1926 as sub-brand of Oakland. Laid out in large letters in its brochure, Pontiac’s advertising theme for 1958 carried the tagline “The boldest advance in fifty years,” also declaring “A new kind of cars is born!” Previously introduced as a well-optioned convertible version of the Star Chief in 1957, the standalone Bonneville arrived for 1958.
Promising “the first true union of sport car action with town car luxury,” the Bonneville was only produced as a pillarless hardtop Sport Coupe or a drop-top Sport Convertible for 1958. As “a modern ultimate for the man who loves cars…this steel-muscled road machine,” the Bonneville featured a 370-cu.in. V8 engine with a four-barrel carburetor and 10:1 compression as standard equipment. An optional Tri-Power setup with triple two-barrel carburetors was given the “Tempest 395” moniker for its 395 lb-ft torque rating.
As the late 1950s was peak Jet Age, aeronautical and rocket themes pervade the details of the Bonneville. The leading edge of the scalloped rear quarter panels featured a very rocket-like piece of chrome trim that extended to a point at the front of the car. On top of each front fender, just before the headlamps, sat additional chrome-plated pieces that resembled delta-wing jets with appendages that lead into creases atop the fenders like contrails from jet engines.
Finished in Burma Green with Calypso Green accents, this 1958 Bonneville Sport Coupe, one of 9,144 produced, appears to have been restored some years ago, with a fit and finish that looks to be holding up. It is equipped with the Tri-Power 370 and a four-speed Super Hydra-Matic transmission. It is additionally fitted with power windows and power brakes, along with the rare Trans-Portable radio unit that can be removed and used as a portable radio with its built-in speaker and ability to run off batteries. The seller notes no problems with the drivetrain and asserts that the transmission shifts well.
1958 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe
Chevrolet didn’t revel in the golden jubilee news that Pontiac touted, but its advertising in 1958 suggested that its redesigned models were “Almost too new to be true!” The ad copy also promised that “You’ll like being looked at in your beautiful ’58 Chevrolet.” Longer, lower and wider than the famous “Tri-Five” models that preceded it, the Chevrolet models somewhat mirrored what was going on at Pontiac, but with a rear-end treatment that seemed to show the previous year’s tall tailfins flopped over somewhat. In magazines ads, the words accompanying the first-year Impala Sport Coupe suggested “This sleek styles-setter promises action, gaiety, glamor—and it keeps its promises beautifully.”
Like the Bonneville nameplate, the first Chevrolet to wear the Impala badge arrived in 1958. Chevy also introduced its first big-block V8, the so-called “W” engine. For 1958, Chevrolet dubbed this 348-cu.in. engine the Turbo-Thrust V8 when equipped with a four-barrel carburetor and Super Turbo-Thrust when fitted with Tri-Power triple carburetion. Though it lacked the aviation/space themes of the Bonneville’s styling, the similarly proportioned Impala was also festooned with plenty of brightwork, from the wide grille to side spears that ran nearly from the taillights to the headlamps. Pound-for-pound, the massive wraparound bumpers probably contained the highest amount of chrome on the car.
Finished in Onyx Black with a bold Rio Red-dominated interior, this 1958 Chevrolet Impala Sport Coupe now on Hemmings Auctions features a long-term restoration that spanned the 1990s. Completed in 2001, it appears to be holding up well. The photos of the very clean undercarriage that accompany the listing tell a story that the car has been taken care since that redo. This example is fitted with the four-barrel 348 that was rated at 250 horsepower when new. Power reaches the rear axle via a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission.
GM made some distinct design changes for 1958. With plenty of models across five passenger-car divisions, we are fortunate to have options in the collector car hobby when it comes to these chrome-laden machines. Which of these ’58 hardtop coupes would you like to cruise in?
Head on over to Hemmings Auctions to take a look and let us know.
The season’s next cruise night is scheduled for Thursday, June 20, 2024. Main Street parking for cruisers begins at 5:00 p.m. and the street re-opens to traffic at 8:00p.m. For directions and other information, visit https://www.hemmings.com/event/cruise-ins.
Photo: Terry McGean
When we first spotted the '70 Cutlass SX owned by Alan and Isabelle Hadley, we didn't realize how unusual it was. The SX was an upgrade package intended to add luxury to the Cutlass, and came with a 455 engine, but usually with a two-barrel carb. However, this one—according to the build sheet Alan showed us—was optioned further with the W32 performance version of the 455 along with FE2 Rally Suspension, 3.08 Positraction rear axle, console with Hurst Dual-Gate shifter, extra-cost Rally Red paint, and Super Stock II wheels. The result was essentially a thinly veiled 4-4-2. -Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Mark J. McCourt
Photo: Terry McGean
Victor St. Peter of Shaftsbury, Vermont (right) talks bikes with Hemmings' Junior Nevison while the two look over the 1974 Honda 750 Four Victor recently acquired from its original owner. The Honda has 9,400 original miles and runs great according to Victor, who says he'll be rolling the odometer up a bit further this summer. -Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Mark J. McCourt
Photo: Terry McGean
This '55 Chrysler 300 looked great, but concealed a surprise in that it was mounted over a 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat--not just the drivetrain, but then entire chassis. It belongs to Paul White, who also owns the '49 Chevy behind it. Paul (far right) builds hot rods at his shop, Back Bay Customs in Portland, Maine, with help from friends Stanley Stevens (center) and Bill Richards. The Chrysler made the trip to Vermont under its own power—all 707 hp— for our kick-off Cruise Night, and later received Hemmings' Harlan Kip Best in Show award for the night. -Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Terry McGean
Mark and Lisa Shea of Bennington are regular Cruise Night attendees, each often bringing a vehicle to display. On this night, Mark brought out his '65 GTO, looking sharp with its Tri-Power air cleaners gleaming in the setting sunlight, along with period upgrades like Hurst mags and white-letter Wide Oval tires. -Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Mark J. McCourt
Photo: Terry McGean
Photo: Dave Conwill
Photo: Terry McGean
Ken Townsend has been working on his '49 Ford F1 pickup for the past four years, rebuilding it into an updated cruiser ready to go wherever. To that end, he mounted a Mustang II front suspension, a Ford 9-inch rear axle, and used a GM 4.8-liter Gen III V-8 engine along with its 4L60E four-speed automatic. "I was able to buy the engine for $400—it runs like a top!" Ken said when asked what made him choose the littlest LS. That color is Light Tundra Metallic, from an '03 Lincoln. Ken told us he and his friends finished the Ford project just hours before leaving for our Cruise Night, and on its first outing, the Ford garnered our Editor's Choice: Favorite Truck award for the evening. -Terry McGean
Photo: Mark J. McCourt
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