Note: I know I promised a 76 Seville this week, but I realized I wrote up a Seville not too long ago so decided to do this amazing '60s luxocruiser instead.
My dad sold Chrysler products on Long Island back in the seventies. It’s no wonder we were poor. Cars came and went in our driveway but one of the most memorable was my mom’s turquoise ‘62 Imperial. I think that car is the reason why I love seeing a turquoise car even today.
I remember us driving to the mall listening to Cousin Brucie and Dan Ingram on WABC. Stopping for burgers at Weston’s on the way home. Trying to sit on the corner of the front bumper next to the headlights. My dad was big on the horn and one day he was driving us somewhere and hit the horn so hard he ripped the chrome handle from the wheel. We laughed.
One of my fave, rave cars is the Ghia Imperial Limousine. Nelson Rockefeller's favorite, I believe. I can only imagine how much that "frolic and detour" ultimately cost Chrysler.
Tom, how about an ACF article about the Italian Hand-Made version?
That's a wonderfully gaudy thing. As an engineering student I co-oped at a steel plant in the early 70's. The site manager VP assigned me to take his '72 New Yorker for service in a local town. The car moved along smartly with little feedback from steering or throttle inputs. Being afraid of bending the car I was being very cautious when a light up ahead changed. I touched the brakes and ended up stopping 100ft short of the intersection in a cloud of four wheel lock smoke. It was my first experience with power brakes and very different from my Beetle. Didn't see many jumbo-sized Chryslers in my neighborhood, very special.
growing up in jersey, every year i had to go high holiday services at our synagogue. everyone was dressed in their finest and their cars were washed and waxed. there was always a black '62 imperial parked in a prime spot. i remember as a kid in the 70s just staring at it. i knew it was special but had no idea what planet it had come from. there was a big problem with kids stealing hood ornaments but no one dared touch this masterpiece.
those headlights
those taillights
my god what a design
fun fact: in france they called this an imperial the baron
I thought it was a Royale with Cheese...
actually they call it an شطيرة كافرة
My dad sold Chrysler products on Long Island back in the seventies. It’s no wonder we were poor. Cars came and went in our driveway but one of the most memorable was my mom’s turquoise ‘62 Imperial. I think that car is the reason why I love seeing a turquoise car even today.
I remember us driving to the mall listening to Cousin Brucie and Dan Ingram on WABC. Stopping for burgers at Weston’s on the way home. Trying to sit on the corner of the front bumper next to the headlights. My dad was big on the horn and one day he was driving us somewhere and hit the horn so hard he ripped the chrome handle from the wheel. We laughed.
cousin brucie is still rocking from 6p - 10p on sunday nights on wabc. go bless him. he's a national treasure.
The Exner designs are great.
One of my fave, rave cars is the Ghia Imperial Limousine. Nelson Rockefeller's favorite, I believe. I can only imagine how much that "frolic and detour" ultimately cost Chrysler.
Tom, how about an ACF article about the Italian Hand-Made version?
TIA,
s-j
Did this one a few years back: https://www.hagerty.com/media/opinion/klockau-classics/1960-crown-imperial-limousine-by-ghia-top-of-the-heap/
Very Googie
Well spotted and quite so!
That's a wonderfully gaudy thing. As an engineering student I co-oped at a steel plant in the early 70's. The site manager VP assigned me to take his '72 New Yorker for service in a local town. The car moved along smartly with little feedback from steering or throttle inputs. Being afraid of bending the car I was being very cautious when a light up ahead changed. I touched the brakes and ended up stopping 100ft short of the intersection in a cloud of four wheel lock smoke. It was my first experience with power brakes and very different from my Beetle. Didn't see many jumbo-sized Chryslers in my neighborhood, very special.
These were a rare sight when I was a kid. Always loved the freestanding headlights! Thanks for the post Tom!
I still have that record of Little Anthony and the Imperials
But someone stole my record player--now, how do you like that?
Me like-ee!
https://youtu.be/wbUpGoOjFWw?si=MHgXmdre40grNN0y
growing up in jersey, every year i had to go high holiday services at our synagogue. everyone was dressed in their finest and their cars were washed and waxed. there was always a black '62 imperial parked in a prime spot. i remember as a kid in the 70s just staring at it. i knew it was special but had no idea what planet it had come from. there was a big problem with kids stealing hood ornaments but no one dared touch this masterpiece.
Executive SWEET!!!
JSYK, as you might enjoy it, YouTuber Simon Fordman has a revival vid of a 65 Caddy Coupe De Ville. http://youtu.be/StLT67EAjvQ