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Crown Imperial - To crown the beginning

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Created on September 18, 2024

Text:

Paul Krüger

Photos:

William Walker / Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

55

Chrysler / FCA Group / Werk

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Archiv

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William Walker / Courtesy of RM Sotheby's

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Chrysler / FCA Group / Werk

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Archiv

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A Crown Imperial 8-Passenger Sedan (1955) built only 45 times in the color "Rhapsody Blue Metallic", which appears greener here than it actually is

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Unlike the "short" Imperial, the Crown does not have a panoramic rear window, but only a small window

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The wheelbase alone (149.5" or 380 cm) is longer than many European cars of its time

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The front with the large air intakes looks surprisingly sporty and was the model for the Volvo 121

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Hunchback: The following year, the rear end became much more angular

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Although equal in terms of opulence and engine power, the Crown Imperial had no chance against the Cadillac Series 75

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Unlike the "short" Imperial, the Crown does not have a panoramic rear window, but only a small window

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Untypical for its time, the front of the luxury models appears almost simpler than that of the normal Chrysler

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The fog lights appear to have been clumsily retrofitted, but were available ex works. The crosshairs in the bumper house the indicators

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The fog lights appear to have been clumsily retrofitted, but were available ex works. The crosshairs in the bumper house the indicators

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Nothing is considered truly luxurious in America unless it is adorned with a punky fantasy emblem

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The Imperial crest and stylized eagle can also be found on the trunk lid

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Semi-recessed door handles that fold out at the touch of a button

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The exterior mirror was part of the "Custom Accessory Group" and therefore standard equipment at Imperial

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The attached rear lights are perhaps the most bizarre detail. Compared to the rest of the car, they are tiny

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Chrysler called the rear lights "Gun-Sight". The base of the right-hand one conceals the fuel filler cap

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The housing of the rear lights tapers into a tiny, forward-facing position light

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On a big foot: The long Imperial wheels roll on six-ply tires of dimension 8.90-15; disc wheels without, spoked wheels with inner tube

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Close to the people: even the "ordinary" Imperials wear the crown on the hubcap

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Steel disc wheels in body color and polished trim were standard. Wire wheels were also available as an option for an additional 215 dollars

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Un-American: Circular rear wheel cut-outs were otherwise only found at Buick

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Chrome decoration for the chrome: the bumpers are framed by further ornamentation

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The lower edge of the bodywork is decorated with chrome all round

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The windshield wipers can barely cover half of the heavily curved windshield and are pretty much the only undersized thing on the Crown Imperial

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Multifunctional bumper: indicators and reversing lights are located above the exhaust outlets

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Glitter attack: According to the Dupont mixing card, "Rhapsody Blue" consists of 18.7 % metal particles

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The maneuverability is sufficient for large forecourts. Medieval old towns are not really his thing

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The state coach for the self-driver: unlike the limousine, the Crown Imperial 8-Passenger Sedan has no partition to the chauffeur's compartment

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The upholstered dashboard was part of the "Safety Accessory Group"

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Two-spoke steering wheel with ribbed grip surface and horn ring. The steering wheel hub refers to the standard power steering

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Retrofitted: Push buttons instead of selector levers for the automatic transmission were not available until 1956

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Do not forget the handbrake: The automatic transmission does not have a P position

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Instrument cluster with the four typical displays: Fuel level, oil pressure, water temperature and charging current

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Instrument cluster with the four typical displays: Fuel level, oil pressure, water temperature and charging current

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Just as Rolls-Royce did not provide any information on engine performance, the US manufacturers did not specify a top speed. However, more than 100 miles per hour was certainly possible

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Rotary control for the air conditioning: the outer ring controls the temperature, the inner knob controls the fan

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More light: The middle button should actually say "Lighter" for the cigar lighter. The windshield wipers are currently upside down

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Good idea, but hardly visible to the driver: Compass above the glove compartment

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Heater control to the left of the steering column, blower for interior and windshield heating separate

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The clock sits on the headliner instead of the dashboard so that the rear seat passengers can also read it

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Compared to other panoramic windows of its time, the projection in the door cut-out is quite small

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The door handle is as solidly built as the entire car. Much more delicate: the lever for adjusting the exterior mirror

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Four electric windows were fitted as standard

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Only one window regulator for the front passenger. In the lower corner of the dashboard, one of the two fresh air vents ("Summer Ventilation Doors")

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The front bench seat can of course also be adjusted electrically

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Interior in fabric instead of leather. Unfortunately, the original "domino" pattern was lost during the restoration

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Sophisticated detail: two-part light with red warning light to the rear and white entrance lighting to the inside

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Rear seat bench like a sofa with folding armrest and ample grab straps. Air conditioning vents at the top, heating vents at the bottom

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If you pull the handles in the rear footwell, two more seats fold out

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The air conditioning and spare wheel severely restrict the trunk space. But there's still plenty of space

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The air conditioning in the trunk was one of the few optional extras and cost 535 dollars

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There is not much to see of the V8, although it is not exactly small. From a displacement of 5.4 liters, it produces 250 HP according to SAE measurement

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There is not much to see of the V8, although it is not exactly small. From a displacement of 5.4 liters, it produces 250 HP according to SAE measurement

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When engines still had names instead of codes: The "FirePower" bears it on the valve cover together with its builder

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Chrysler (1955) - Sectional drawing of the two-speed automatic transmission called "PowerFlite"

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Imperial 4-Door Sedan (1955) - Highlight of the Chrysler construction program - Geneva Motor Show 1955

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Imperial Four-Door Sedan (1956) - Five inches (12.5 cm) longer than the previous year thanks to the new rear section called "Flight-Swept"

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Imperial Four-Door Sedan (1956) - The 280 hp need to be used with care in the snow

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Imperial Four-Door Sedan (1956) - Example imported by AMAG at the Geneva Motor Show

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Imperial Four-Door Sedan (1956) - with a new rear end at the Geneva Motor Show

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Imperial Crown Four-Door Southampton (1957) - Hardtop-Sedan in the new "Arrested-Motion Styling" including "Landau Top" called roof finish

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Imperial Two-Door Southampton (1957) - unusually flat rear, with integrated pseudo spare wheel on request. Always there: high rear fins with "Gunsight" tail lights

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Imperial (1957) - Not yet legal in all states in the USA, the European model at the Geneva Motor Show has twin headlights

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Imperial (1957) - Detailed view of the rear with "Gunsight" tail light and fuel filler cap, dusted on the day of the Geneva Motor Show

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Imperial Crown Convertible Coupe (1957) - the tail fins on the convertible are particularly striking

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Imperial (1958) - new front end with twin headlights and radiator grille consisting of six rectangular segments

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Imperial LeBaron Four-Door Sedan (1958) - with traditional window line and six side windows

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Imperial Crown Four-Door Southampton (1958) - with the somewhat unconventional roof finish known as the "Landau Top"

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Imperial Two-Door Southampton (1959) - with brushed stainless steel roof on request

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Imperial Crown Convertible (1960) - with raised backrest on the driver's seat for better shoulder support

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Chrysler New Yorker St. Regis (1955) - the more expensive of Chrysler's two hardtop coupes

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Summary

For the 1955 model year, "Imperial" was changed from a model name to a brand name. The Chrysler Group hoped that this would give it a better standing against the luxury superiority of Cadillac and Lincoln. But all beginnings are difficult. And sometimes it remains so to the end. Our article tells the story of the brand's beginnings, accompanied by historical archive material and a 1955 Crown Imperial

This article contains the following chapters

Clear lines with an unclear name
Insignia of advancement
Second attempt
First movement, then standstill

Estimated reading time: 7min

Preview (beginning of the article)

Chrysler looked old. Not only in terms of style, but also in terms of sales. While the three large car companies from Detroit were able to increase their combined market share from 86 to 96 percent, the Chrysler Corporation's contribution to this had steadily declined. With 23 percent in 1951, it was still in second place ahead of Ford, but by 1954 it had slipped to a meagre 13 percent and third place - selling less than half as many cars as Ford. A lack of volume could not be compensated for by greater prestige, as Chrysler had nothing to offer its competitors in the luxury segment. With Cadillac and Lincoln, General Motors and Ford had pure luxury brands in their portfolios. At Chrysler, however, the brand that gave the entire group its name was already the end of the line. In terms of price and customer perception, however, it was only on a par with the second-best brands of the competition: Buick and Mercury.

Welcome to Zwischengas!

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