Imperial
hit the road on its own in 1955
January
11, 2004
BY DAN JEDLICKA AUTO REPORTER
www.suntimes.com
The Chrysler
Imperial long had been the automaker's top-line model, but a
very special version of the car was needed for 1955. That was
when the Imperial would become a separate, distinct make to
more directly compete with luxury leaders Cadillac and Lincoln.
Those two
rivals consistently outsold the Imperial. While handsome and
luxurious, the Imperial was viewed by many as just another top-line
Chrysler, and that image hurt its sales.
The new
Imperial had a four-inch-longer wheelbase than other 1955 Chryslers
and unique styling that really set it apart. Chrysler's brilliant
styling chief, Virgil Exner, made sure the 1955 Imperial was
as distinctive as a Cadillac or Lincoln, which were the only
luxury cars from a major American automaker. Foreign luxury
autos were virtually nonexistent.
Exner was
responsible for all of Chrysler Corp.'s radically redesigned
new models, but paid special attention to the Imperial. He styled
it along the lines of his daring 1951 Chrysler K-310 auto show
concept car and the three impressive 1954 Chrysler Parade Phaeton
models -- assigned for parade use in New York , Detroit and
Los Angeles .
The Imperial
had the same side styling and mildly raised rear fenders as
the Phaetons, and Exner took the car's prominent bird-shaped
hood ornament, divided "eggcrate'' grille and "gunsight''
taillights from the K-310.
The most
distinctive features of the 1955 Imperial were the split grille,
sculpted flowing body lines, circular rear wheel openings and
those free-standing taillights, which were perched atop the
rear fenders. Most Americans never had seen such taillights,
which looked as if from a custom car designer. One of the taillight
mounts concealed the fuel filler.
It was
the flamboyant 1950s, so the Imperial had a good amount of chrome.
But it was tastefully applied. Some cars had splashy tri-tone
paint treatments for the body and roof areas, but the new Imperial
was available only with subdued two-tone paint treatments, with
the second color only on the roof.
The 1955
Imperial came as a 130-inch-wheelbase sedan and Newport coupe.
There also were an especially large 149.5-inch-wheelbase Crown
Imperial eight-passenger sedan and limousine, but only a combined
total of 172 were sold because Cadillac dominated the eight-passenger
sedan and limo business.
A prototype
Imperial convertible was built, but never produced.
The most
popular new Imperial was the $4,483 sedan, which found 7,840
customers. The $4,720 coupe had 3,418 customers.
The Imperial
was so well equipped that the only significant option was $567
air conditioning, which wasn't common for cars in the mid-1950s.
You could
buy a 1955 Cadillac sedan for as low as $3,977, but higher-line
Cadillacs cost about the same as the Imperial. The most expensive
1955 Lincoln was priced at $4,072.
The new
Imperial had the same brilliant 331-cubic-inch "Hemi''
V-8 found in 1955 top-line Chryslers. But the new Imperial's
"Firepower'' V-8 had 15 more horsepower than the 1954 Imperial
V-8 for a 250-horsepower rating -- thanks to higher compression
and a redesigned four-barrel carburetor.
Despite
all that power and the Imperial's high weight, the car was surprisingly
economical, winning luxury-class laurels in the Mobilgas Economy
Runs.
Dual exhausts
with outlets in the rear bumper ends were standard, as was a
smooth two-speed "Powerflite'' automatic transmission controlled
by a dashboard-mounted lever.
The Imperial's
interior was roomy and luxurious. The trunk was enormous.
Sales of
the 1955 Imperial were nearly 11,500 cars -- or about double
the number sold in 1954. It was a good beginning. Both Cadillac
and Lincoln still outsold the Imperial, but it remained a separate
make for the next 20 years.
Production
numbers
Standard
Equipment
Engine
-
V-8 331 Cast iron block
Overhead valves
Displacement : 331.1 cubic inches
Bore and Stroke : 3.81 x 3.62 inches
Compression Ratio : 8.50:1
Brake Horsepower : 250 @ 4600 rpm
Main bearings : Five
Hydraulic Valve Lifters
Carburetor - Carter WCFB-2126S
Chassis
-
Wheelbase :
(Imperial) 130 inches
(Crown) 149.5 inches
Tires :
(Imperial) 8.2 x 15
(Crown) 8.9 x 15
Transmission
-
Powerflite automatic transmission was standard.
POWER STEERING
POWER BRAKES
FOUR-WAY POWER SEATS IN 8-PASSENGER MODELS
Options-
Air conditioning
Power windows
Chrome Wire Wheels "Kelsey Hayes"
White sidewall tires
Radio
Heater (Instant Heat Condition-Aire is optional on Crown Imperials.
Solex Glass
Fog lights
Spot lamps
Rear seat radio speaker
Windshield washer
Outside rear view mirror
Two-tone paint
Power seats
References:
www.imperialclub.com
www.suntimes.com
LINKS:
View list of all other Chrysler diecast
Toy
Wonders link to 1/24 scale vehicles
Toy Wonders link to 1/18 scale vehicles
Toy
Wonders diecast directory
