Vehicle Description
As Chrysler rolled into the 1950s, they were buoyed by a booming
economy and strong sales, due in part to the arrival of Virgil
Exner, who joined the advanced styling department, signaling
Chrysler's intention to ditch its stodgy image once and for all. To
get Chrysler back at the leading edge of American style, Exner
first had to wrest control of the design process from the
engineering department. But once he did, he had free reign over the
new design language. Exner's appetite for European design led to a
fruitful relationship with Luigi "Gigi" Segre of Carrozzeria Ghia
in Italy. The two men worked closely together on a series of
spectacular show cars and the Chrysler Ghia Specials, finally
putting Chrysler's "styled by engineers" reputation to bed once and
for all. The international influence spilled over into Chrysler's
regular production cars, which were soon looking leaner, more
graceful, and more cohesive. Exner's first entirely new,
clean-sheet design was the flagship 1955 Imperial; the beginning of
the revolutionary "Forward Look" Chryslers, that would define
American automobile design for the remainder of the decade. The new
Imperial was a part of an ambitious plan to better align the
flagship model with its chief rival and industry leader, Cadillac.
To shake the image of being fluffed-up Chryslers, Imperial
transitioned into a standalone division at the pinnacle of the
company's line, with unique styling and equipment. Vital to
Imperial's image-boost was the inclusion of a factory-built
limousine. Here, Chrysler's connection with Ghia was put to good
use. As a low-volume model, Chrysler could not justify the cost of
retooling every year, but Ghia offered a skilled labor force and
small-volume production capabilities. To produce the Imperial Crown
Limousines, Chrysler shipped partially assembled Imperial hardtop
coupes on a reinforced 129-inch chassis, complete Hemi drivetrains,
and pre-wired dashboards. Additional parts shipped alongside
included a lengthened driveshaft, four sedan doors, heavy-duty
springs and torsion bars, upholstery materials, and air
conditioning units. Ghia modified the chassis and crafted the
beautiful sweeping body by hand. Ghia's craftspeople took as many
as 17 hours per car just to ensure the doors fit perfectly, and
each Imperial was beautifully hand finished. Such attention to
detail came at a price, more than $15,000 in 1958 - with total
production over the nine-year run topping out at just 132 units.
This marvelous and stylish 1958 Imperial Crown Limousine is one of
just 31 such examples built by Ghia in 1958 and is one of only a
few known survivors. This car was delivered on April 21, 1958, via
Ontario Automobile Co. Limited in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
According to the original warranty card, the first owner was the T.
Eaton Co. Limited, one of Canada's oldest and largest department
store chains. The Eaton family were prominent socialites, sometimes
referred to as "Canada's Royal Family," and considering their
stature, the Imperial Crown was a natural choice of transport.
Queen Elizabeth II even stayed with the Eaton family during one of
her official visits to the Royal Fair, and it is believed that she
used this car during her stay. The Eatons owned the Imperial for
many years, and when their business faltered in the late 1970s, the
car went into storage at their summer home. The most recent owner,
a collector from Michigan, purchased the Imperial from the Eatons
in the late 1990s. After a light refurbishment, he occasionally
used the car for local shows, but it maintained a low profile in
his collection. It presents in remarkably well-preserved condition,
mainly unrestored excepting a respray in the original black and
some selective restoration work as needed. The body and paintwork
are excellent, and the large, heavy doors - painstakingly fettled
by Italian craftsmen - shut with a reassuringly solid feel. The
rear landau-style upholstered roof section is in excellent
condition, as are the bumpers and the extensive exterior
brightwork. Typical of limousines of the period, the driver's
compartment is upholstered in leather for durability, while the
rear compartment features luxurious wool broadcloth fabric. In
front, the leather-upholstered driver's seat is well-preserved in
original condition, with an appropriate level of creasing in the
upholstery and an attractive sheen to the leather. The elaborate
Jet Age style instruments and controls are excellent originals,
with some light patina on the chrome fittings that are consistent
with the car's highly original presentation. In the rear, blue-gray
fabric covers the rear bench seat, door panels, and two folding
opera seats. Like the driver's compartment, it is quite
well-preserved and reflective of the car's pampered existence.
Along with the jump seats, other equipment includes electric
windows, rear clock, powered glass partition, and rear-compartment
air conditioning. Powering the mighty Ghia-Imperial is Chrysler's
largest engine offering of the time - the 392 cubic-inch Hemi V8.
This car has a correct, Imperial-specification engine topped with a
single four-barrel carburetor, good for 345 horsepower in standard
form. It pairs with a robust torque-flite automatic transmission
with pushbutton controls for the driver and features power brakes,
power steering, and the factory air conditioning compressor.The
engine bay is tidy and well-presented, with good quality painted
accessories and primarily correct hardware and fittings. Thanks to
Virgil Exner's Forward Look and the partnership with Ghia, Chrysler
produced some of the most uniquely stylish and memorable
automobiles of the 1950s and 1960s. With its dashing fins,
gun-sight taillights, and sophisticated detailing, the 1958
Imperial Crown limousine is the ultimate expression of Exner's
visionary, transatlantic style. This Imperial is a superb example
of Chrysler's flamboyant and stylish flagship, ready for enjoyment
and sure to please its next caretaker. Offers welcome and trades
considered For additional details please view this listing directly
on our website
https://hymanltd.com/vehicles/6541-1958-imperial-crown-limousine-by-ghia/
