Imperial - Revision history

Red marquis at 05:27, 1 January 2010

2010-01-01T05:27:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:27, 1 January 2010
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	Unlike all other modern Imperials, it did not use the Imperial eagle logo, as that had been moved to the [[Chrysler LeBaron]] model in 1977. Instead it bore the Chrysler '''Pentastar''', as did all the company's products of that era. The Imperial and the Mark Cross Edition of the LeBaron Convertible were the only vehicles, however, which wore it as a jewel-like, cut crystal, stand-up hood ornament. Rather astoundingly, several of the cars raced (despite the absence of any Chrysler factory support) on the [[NASCAR]] circuit from 1981 thru 1985 (driven by [[Buddy Arrington]], Rick Baldwin, [[Cecil Gordon]], Phil Goode, and Maurice Randall) and finished as high as sixth place in the summer 1982 race at Brooklyn, MI. NASCAR enthusiasts were probably surprised seeing a luxury car raced on the circuit. The reason for drivers racing an Imperial was that it was far more aerodynamic than the Dodge (Mirada) made at the time. Arrington's Imperial currently (as of fall 2008) resides in the Talledega (AL) NASCAR museum.		Unlike all other modern Imperials, it did not use the Imperial eagle logo, as that had been moved to the [[Chrysler LeBaron]] model in 1977. Instead it bore the Chrysler '''Pentastar''', as did all the company's products of that era. The Imperial and the Mark Cross Edition of the LeBaron Convertible were the only vehicles, however, which wore it as a jewel-like, cut crystal, stand-up hood ornament. Rather astoundingly, several of the cars raced (despite the absence of any Chrysler factory support) on the [[NASCAR]] circuit from 1981 thru 1985 (driven by [[Buddy Arrington]], Rick Baldwin, [[Cecil Gordon]], Phil Goode, and Maurice Randall) and finished as high as sixth place in the summer 1982 race at Brooklyn, MI. NASCAR enthusiasts were probably surprised seeing a luxury car raced on the circuit. The reason for drivers racing an Imperial was that it was far more aerodynamic than the Dodge (Mirada) made at the time. Arrington's Imperial currently (as of fall 2008) resides in the Talledega (AL) NASCAR museum.

	Competing models such as the [[Cadillac Eldorado]] and the [[Lincoln Continental Mark VI]] had been downsized by 1981, so the Imperial was about the right size for its intended market, and the market was certainly there, since the Eldorado was at that time rising to the peak of its success. Considerable marketing was put behind the new model as well, including commercials and magazine ads featuring singer [[Frank Sinatra]] (who convinced several of his Hollywood friends to buy them), a personal friend of Iacocca.		Competing models such as the [[Cadillac Eldorado]] and the [[Lincoln Continental Mark VI]] had been downsized by 1981, so the Imperial was about the right size for its intended market, and the market was certainly there, since the Eldorado was at that time rising to the peak of its success. Considerable marketing was put behind the new model as well, including commercials and magazine ads featuring singer Frank Sinatra (who convinced several of his Hollywood friends to buy them), a personal friend of Iacocca.

	Nevertheless, the car did not take off. Other than its troublesome fuel injection system, it offered no technological advances, and the company's reputation for quality was still suffering from the disasters of the 1970s. Dealers often replaced the fuel injection system with carburetors. The rear styling, which had an odd, bustle-backed look vaguely similar to Cadillac's controversial 1980 [[Cadillac Seville\|Seville]], was a styling hindrance. Competition from the much cheaper and mechanically similar (and more reliable) Cordoba, which was sold in the same showrooms, could have been a factor as well.		Nevertheless, the car did not take off. Other than its troublesome fuel injection system, it offered no technological advances, and the company's reputation for quality was still suffering from the disasters of the 1970s. Dealers often replaced the fuel injection system with carburetors. The rear styling, which had an odd, bustle-backed look vaguely similar to Cadillac's controversial 1980 [[Cadillac Seville\|Seville]], was a styling hindrance. Competition from the much cheaper and mechanically similar (and more reliable) Cordoba, which was sold in the same showrooms, could have been a factor as well.

Red marquis at 05:26, 1 January 2010

2010-01-01T05:26:20Z

Red marquis at 05:24, 1 January 2010

2010-01-01T05:24:14Z

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Red marquis at 05:22, 1 January 2010

2010-01-01T05:22:10Z

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Red marquis at 15:16, 11 November 2008

2008-11-11T15:16:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:16, 11 November 2008
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	==1955-56==		==1955-56==

	[[~~Image:1955~~ Imperial rear.~~jpg~~\|~~thumb\|left\|Rear view showing gunsight taillights~~]]		The '''1955''' models featured styling by [[Virgil Exner]], inspired by his 1952 [[Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton]] show cars. The bodyshell was shared with that year's big Chryslers, but the Imperial had a wide-spaced split eggcrate grille (later used on the [[Chrysler C-300]] "executive hot rod") and "gunsight" taillights mounted above the rear quarters. Models included a two-door Newport [[hardtop]] [[coupe]] (3,418 built) and a four-door [[sedan]] (7840 built). The engine was Chrysler's first-generation [[Chrysler Hemi engine\|Hemi]] [[V8]] with a displacement of 331 in³ (5.4 L) and developing 250 bhp (186 kW).

	The '''[[1955]]''' models featured styling by [[Virgil Exner]], inspired by his 1952 [[Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton]] show cars. The bodyshell was shared with that year's big Chryslers, but the Imperial had a wide-spaced split eggcrate grille (later used on the [[Chrysler C-300]] "executive hot rod") and "gunsight" taillights mounted above the rear quarters. Models included a two-door Newport [[hardtop]] [[coupe]] (3,418 built) and a four-door [[sedan]] (7840 built). The engine was Chrysler's first-generation [[Chrysler Hemi engine\|Hemi]] [[V8]] with a displacement of 331 in³ (5.4 L) and developing 250 bhp (186 kW).		The '''1956''' models were similar, but had small tailfins, a slightly longer wheelbase, a larger engine displacement of 354 in³ (5.8 L) and power output of 280 bhp (209 kW), and a four-door Southampton hardtop sedan was added to the range.

	~~The '''[[~~1956]]''' models were similar, but had small tailfins, a slightly longer wheelbase, a larger engine displacement of 354 in³ (5.8 L) and power output of 280 bhp (209 kW), and a four-door Southampton hardtop sedan was added to the range.

	<br clear="both">		<br clear="both">
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	== 1957–1959 ==		== 1957–1959 ==

	'''[[1957]]''' saw a redesigned and larger bodyshell available, based on Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" styling newly introduced for the full-size Chryslers of the period. It featured a complicated front end (very similar to [[Cadillac (automobile)\|Cadillacs]] of the period) with a bulleted grille and quad headlights, tall tailfins, and Imperial's trademark gunsight taillights. The Hemi engine was available for the first two years (enlarged to 392ci), but for [[1959]], the third and final year of this bodystyle, a 413 in³ Wedge-head engine replaced it. A convertible was available for the first time on an Imperial. Sales were brisk for the class, helped by Exner's "ahead of the competition" styling, with 1957 becoming the best-selling Imperial year.		'''1957''' saw a redesigned and larger bodyshell available, based on Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" styling newly introduced for the full-size Chryslers of the period. It featured a complicated front end (very similar to [[Cadillac (automobile)\|Cadillacs]] of the period) with a bulleted grille and quad headlights, tall tailfins, and Imperial's trademark gunsight taillights. The Hemi engine was available for the first two years (enlarged to 392ci), but for 1959, the third and final year of this bodystyle, a 413 in³ Wedge-head engine replaced it. A convertible was available for the first time on an Imperial. Sales were brisk for the class, helped by Exner's "ahead of the competition" styling, with 1957 becoming the best-selling Imperial year.

	Starting from 1957, Imperials were available in three levels of [[Trim package\|trim]]: standard Imperial, Imperial Crown, and Imperial LeBaron (the latter named after a coachbuilder, bought out by Chrysler, that did some of the best work on prewar Chrysler Imperial chassis).		Starting from 1957, Imperials were available in three levels of [[Trim package\|trim]]: standard Imperial, Imperial Crown, and Imperial LeBaron (the latter named after a coachbuilder, bought out by Chrysler, that did some of the best work on prewar Chrysler Imperial chassis).

	== 1960-1963 ==		== 1960-1963 ==

	~~[[Image:Imperial Crown.jpg\|thumb\|1963 Imperial Crown]]~~

	These were the last Virgil Exner-styled Imperials. Unlike the rest of the Chrysler range that went to [[unibody]] construction in 1960, the Imperial retained separate frames for rigidity. While most critics of automobile styling rate the 1955 through 1959 Imperials highly, the styling in this period was more questionable, which might have been a reflection of Exner's increasing struggles with the Chrysler president and board.		These were the last Virgil Exner-styled Imperials. Unlike the rest of the Chrysler range that went to [[unibody]] construction in 1960, the Imperial retained separate frames for rigidity. While most critics of automobile styling rate the 1955 through 1959 Imperials highly, the styling in this period was more questionable, which might have been a reflection of Exner's increasing struggles with the Chrysler president and board.

	~~[[Image:Imperial Crown rear.jpg\|thumb\|left\|1963 Imperial Crown from the rear]]~~		The '''1960''' look featured a very "1950s" front fascia with a swooping front bumper, gaping mesh grille, giant chrome eagle, and hooded quad headlights, and tall rear fins with a fake spare tire bulge on the trunklid. '''1961''' brought a wholly new front end with 'freestanding' headlights on short stalks in cut-away front fenders, and even taller "wings" at the rear. In '''1962''', the fins were replaced by straight-top rear fenders, and as in 1955, free-standing taillights atop them - but these were elongated, streamlined affairs. The front grille was once again split, and a large round Eagle hood ornament was fitted for the first time. The engineering team delivered as well, giving the 1962 models a new, slimmer [[TorqueFlite]] automatic transmission, which allowed for a smaller transmission tunnel "hump" in the floor. This provided greater comfort for the passenger in the center seat up front. 1962 also marked the closing of Imperial's dedicated assembly plant; all later Imperials were built in the same facilities as standard Chrysler-brand models. '''1963''' saw the split grille disappear again, replaced by a cluster of chromed rectangles, and the taillights were back inside the rear fenders in ordinary fashion. In addition, the designers redesigned the rooflines of the two-door hardtops, giving them a similar appearance to the four-door models.

	The '''[[1960]]''' look featured a very "[[1950s]]" front fascia with a swooping front bumper, gaping mesh grille, giant chrome eagle, and hooded quad headlights, and tall rear fins with a fake spare tire bulge on the trunklid. '''[[1961]]''' brought a wholly new front end with 'freestanding' headlights on short stalks in cut-away front fenders, and even taller "wings" at the rear. In '''[[1962]]''', the fins were replaced by straight-top rear fenders, and as in 1955, free-standing taillights atop them - but these were elongated, streamlined affairs. The front grille was once again split, and a large round Eagle hood ornament was fitted for the first time. The engineering team delivered as well, giving the 1962 models a new, slimmer [[TorqueFlite]] automatic transmission, which allowed for a smaller transmission tunnel "hump" in the floor. This provided greater comfort for the passenger in the center seat up front. 1962 also marked the closing of Imperial's dedicated assembly plant; all later Imperials were built in the same facilities as standard Chrysler-brand models. '''[[1963]]''' saw the split grille disappear again, replaced by a cluster of chromed rectangles, and the taillights were back inside the rear fenders in ordinary fashion. In addition, the designers redesigned the rooflines of the two-door hardtops, giving them a similar appearance to the four-door models.

	== 1964-1966 ==		== 1964-1966 ==

	~~[[Image:1966 Imperial.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|1966 Imperial convertible.]]~~		'''1964''''s Imperial was the first to be wholly styled by Chrysler's new head stylist, ex-[[Ford Motor Company\|Ford]] man [[Elwood Engel]]. Engel had been the designer of the 1961 [
	~~[[Image:Chryslerimperialeaglecirca60s.jpg\|left\|100px\|1960s Imperial Eagle]]~~

	'''[[1964]]''''s Imperial was the first to be wholly styled by Chrysler's new head stylist, ex-[[Ford Motor Company\|Ford]] man [[Elwood Engel]]. Engel had been the designer of the 1961 [

	[[Category:Discontinued Makes]]		[[Category:Discontinued Makes]]
	[[Category:Makes]]		[[Category:Makes]]

Red marquis at 01:24, 16 January 2007

2007-01-16T01:24:24Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:24, 16 January 2007
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	'''Imperial''' was the [[Chrysler Corporation]]'s prestige [[automobile]] brand between [[1955]] and [[1975]], with a brief reappearance in [[1981]] through [[1983]].		{{List of Imperial Models}}'''Imperial''' was the [[Chrysler Corporation]]'s prestige [[automobile]] brand between 1955 and 1975, with a brief reappearance in 1981 through 1983.

	"Chrysler Imperials" were models within the Chrysler brand before 1955 and after 1983. (See [[Chrysler Imperial]] for more information.) The [[Chrysler Imperial]] had been the company's most luxurious model, and when the company decided to spin off a separate luxury brand, ''Imperial'' was the natural choice.		"Chrysler Imperials" were models within the Chrysler brand before 1955 and after 1983. (See [[Chrysler Imperial]] for more information.) The [[Chrysler Imperial]] had been the company's most luxurious model, and when the company decided to spin off a separate luxury brand, ''Imperial'' was the natural choice.

Red marquis at 06:20, 3 January 2007

2007-01-03T06:20:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:20, 3 January 2007
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	[[Category:Discontinued Makes]]		[[Category:Discontinued Makes]]
			[[Category:Makes]]

Argen at 21:58, 9 December 2006

2006-12-09T21:58:03Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:58, 9 December 2006
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	'''[[1964]]''''s Imperial was the first to be wholly styled by Chrysler's new head stylist, ex-[[Ford Motor Company\|Ford]] man [[Elwood Engel]]. Engel had been the designer of the 1961 [		'''[[1964]]''''s Imperial was the first to be wholly styled by Chrysler's new head stylist, ex-[[Ford Motor Company\|Ford]] man [[Elwood Engel]]. Engel had been the designer of the 1961 [

			[[Category:Discontinued Makes]]

4.136.222.81 at 03:19, 26 November 2006

2006-11-26T03:19:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:19, 26 November 2006
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	'''~~Use~~ the ~~following MAKE TEMPLATE as the foundation for your Wikicars~~' [[~~List of Manufacturers\|Automobile Make~~]] ~~page:'''~~		'''Imperial''' was the [[Chrysler Corporation]]'s prestige [[automobile]] brand between [[1955]] and [[1975]], with a brief reappearance in [[1981]] through [[1983]].

	~~Start~~ off ~~with~~ a ~~brief~~ ''~~Introduction~~'' ~~to the company. This would be a good place to create a table of company statistics and share any other relevant tidbits of information and factoids about~~ the ~~company~~.		"Chrysler Imperials" were models within the Chrysler brand before 1955 and after 1983. (See [[Chrysler Imperial]] for more information.) The [[Chrysler Imperial]] had been the company's most luxurious model, and when the company decided to spin off a separate luxury brand, ''Imperial'' was the natural choice.

	==History==		==History==
	~~Then, comes the ''History'' section. Expand on any important events and company occurances in this section.~~		==1955-56==

	~~==Future Models==~~		[[Image:1955 Imperial rear.jpg\|thumb\|left\|Rear view showing gunsight taillights]]
	~~Next, comes the ''Future Models'' section. In this section, list any upcoming models or future plans for the company~~.

	~~==Current Models==~~		The '''[[1955]]''' models featured styling by [[Virgil Exner]], inspired by his 1952 [[Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton]] show cars. The bodyshell was shared with that year's big Chryslers, but the Imperial had a wide-spaced split eggcrate grille (later used on the [[Chrysler C-300]] "executive hot rod") and "gunsight" taillights mounted above the rear quarters. Models included a two-door Newport [[hardtop]] [[coupe]] (3,418 built) and a four-door [[sedan]] (7840 built). The engine was Chrysler's first-generation [[Chrysler Hemi engine\|Hemi]] [[V8]] with a displacement of 331 in³ (5.4 L) and developing 250 bhp (186 kW).
	~~This is where the~~ ''~~Current Model Line~~'' ~~for~~ the ~~MAKE is listed~~. ~~If there were changes made to the current make line~~-up, ~~mention them here~~.

	* Please be sure to list the CURRENT models for the given MAKE in the "'''~~Discussion~~'''~~" section~~ of ~~the page~~. ~~A site administrator will then add an ''Infobox''~~ to the ~~MAKE page with the list of current models~~.		The '''[[1956]]''' models were similar, but had small tailfins, a slightly longer wheelbase, a larger engine displacement of 354 in³ (5.8 L) and power output of 280 bhp (209 kW), and a four-door Southampton hardtop sedan was added to the range.

	=~~=Discontinued Models==~~		<br clear="both">
	~~Companies undergo new model line-ups and refresh models depending on market trends. Models that have been retired or are no longer in production should be listed here.~~

	==~~See Also~~==		== 1957–1959 ==
	~~This section should be used to link to other pages within Wikicars, that are related to this article.~~
	* For example, the [[Ford]] company page, will have links to [[Mercury]], [[Lincoln]], [[Mazda]] and [[Volvo]] in this section, because all four are manufatured by [[Ford]] ''and'' are related in content because they are [[List of Manufacturers\|Automobile Manufacturers]].

	~~==External Links==~~		'''[[1957]]''' saw a redesigned and larger bodyshell available, based on Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" styling newly introduced for the full-size Chryslers of the period. It featured a complicated front end (very similar to [[Cadillac (automobile)\|Cadillacs]] of the period) with a bulleted grille and quad headlights, tall tailfins, and Imperial's trademark gunsight taillights. The Hemi engine was available for the first two years (enlarged to 392ci), but for [[1959]], the third and final year of this bodystyle, a 413 in³ Wedge-head engine replaced it. A convertible was available for the first time on an Imperial. Sales were brisk for the class, helped by Exner's "ahead of the competition" styling, with 1957 becoming the best-selling Imperial year.
	~~Please include any external sites that~~ were ~~used in collaborating this data~~, ~~including manufacturer sites~~, ~~in this section~~.

	[[~~Category~~: ~~Makes~~]]		Starting from 1957, Imperials were available in three levels of [[Trim package\|trim]]: standard Imperial, Imperial Crown, and Imperial LeBaron (the latter named after a coachbuilder, bought out by Chrysler, that did some of the best work on prewar Chrysler Imperial chassis).

			== 1960-1963 ==

			[[Image:Imperial Crown.jpg\|thumb\|1963 Imperial Crown]]

			These were the last Virgil Exner-styled Imperials. Unlike the rest of the Chrysler range that went to [[unibody]] construction in 1960, the Imperial retained separate frames for rigidity. While most critics of automobile styling rate the 1955 through 1959 Imperials highly, the styling in this period was more questionable, which might have been a reflection of Exner's increasing struggles with the Chrysler president and board.

			[[Image:Imperial Crown rear.jpg\|thumb\|left\|1963 Imperial Crown from the rear]]

			The '''[[1960]]''' look featured a very "[[1950s]]" front fascia with a swooping front bumper, gaping mesh grille, giant chrome eagle, and hooded quad headlights, and tall rear fins with a fake spare tire bulge on the trunklid. '''[[1961]]''' brought a wholly new front end with 'freestanding' headlights on short stalks in cut-away front fenders, and even taller "wings" at the rear. In '''[[1962]]''', the fins were replaced by straight-top rear fenders, and as in 1955, free-standing taillights atop them - but these were elongated, streamlined affairs. The front grille was once again split, and a large round Eagle hood ornament was fitted for the first time. The engineering team delivered as well, giving the 1962 models a new, slimmer [[TorqueFlite]] automatic transmission, which allowed for a smaller transmission tunnel "hump" in the floor. This provided greater comfort for the passenger in the center seat up front. 1962 also marked the closing of Imperial's dedicated assembly plant; all later Imperials were built in the same facilities as standard Chrysler-brand models. '''[[1963]]''' saw the split grille disappear again, replaced by a cluster of chromed rectangles, and the taillights were back inside the rear fenders in ordinary fashion. In addition, the designers redesigned the rooflines of the two-door hardtops, giving them a similar appearance to the four-door models.

			== 1964-1966 ==

			[[Image:1966 Imperial.jpg\|thumb\|200px\|1966 Imperial convertible.]]
			[[Image:Chryslerimperialeaglecirca60s.jpg\|left\|100px\|1960s Imperial Eagle]]

			'''[[1964]]''''s Imperial was the first to be wholly styled by Chrysler's new head stylist, ex-[[Ford Motor Company\|Ford]] man [[Elwood Engel]]. Engel had been the designer of the 1961 [

PNiddy: inserting make template

2006-11-22T16:55:02Z

inserting make template

New page

'''Use the following MAKE TEMPLATE as the foundation for your Wikicars' [[List of Manufacturers|Automobile Make]] page:'''

Start off with a brief ''Introduction'' to the company. This would be a good place to create a table of company statistics and share any other relevant tidbits of information and factoids about the company.

==History==
Then, comes the ''History'' section. Expand on any important events and company occurances in this section.

==Future Models==
Next, comes the ''Future Models'' section. In this section, list any upcoming models or future plans for the company.

==Current Models==
This is where the ''Current Model Line'' for the MAKE is listed. If there were changes made to the current make line-up, mention them here.

* Please be sure to list the CURRENT models for the given MAKE in the "'''Discussion'''" section of the page. A site administrator will then add an ''Infobox'' to the MAKE page with the list of current models.

==Discontinued Models==
Companies undergo new model line-ups and refresh models depending on market trends. Models that have been retired or are no longer in production should be listed here.

==See Also==
This section should be used to link to other pages within Wikicars, that are related to this article.
* For example, the [[Ford]] company page, will have links to [[Mercury]], [[Lincoln]], [[Mazda]] and [[Volvo]] in this section, because all four are manufatured by [[Ford]] ''and'' are related in content because they are [[List of Manufacturers|Automobile Manufacturers]].

==External Links==
Please include any external sites that were used in collaborating this data, including manufacturer sites, in this section.

[[Category: Makes]]