Vehicle Description
1952 Chrysler Crown Imperial Chassis no. 7815265 331ci OHV
'FirePower' Hemi V8 Single Carter WCD Carburetor 180hp at 4,000rpm
4-speed Prest-o-Matic clutchless manual transmission Front coil
spring and rear leaf suspension 4-wheel power-assisted disk brakes
*Extremely rare example of one of the most expensive American cars
of its day. *Complete and original condition *Early example of the
famous Chrysler Hemi V8 *Owned by the Pew family Originally an
up-market Chrysler, Imperial was registered as a marque in its own
right in 1954, a move which enabled the corporation to develop a
separate identity for the cars. In the immediate post-war years
though, the conservatively styled Imperials looked little different
from mainstream Chryslers. The latter were virtually identical to
those of 1942, and not until 1949 did a new look appear. Based on
the Chrysler New Yorker, the new-for-'49 Imperial featured a
canvas-covered roof and superior leather and broadcloth upholstery.
Its engine was the 5.3-liter sidevalve straight eight, while 'Fluid
Drive' and 'Prest-o-omatic' (clutch-less) transmission were
standard equipment. A Cadillac-style radiator grille was new for
1950, the last year of the straight eight engine. The latter was
dropped at the year's end and replaced by Chrysler's classic
331.1cu in (5.4-liter) 'Hemi' V8. A direct competitor to Cadillac,
the Crown Imperial was Chrysler's top-of-the-range and most
exclusive model, being manufactured in relatively limited numbers.
The 1952 Imperial Crown was a low production year and the limousine
was the rarest of the bunch. These exclusive long wheelbase
machines have the distinction of being the longest production
American car of the time. The Imperial boasted a number of
innovative firsts, including power steering and four-wheel disc
brakes. The few limousines produced were made for heads of states
or highly wealthy individuals who preferred a chauffeur-drive
automobile. It is thought only about eighty of these Crown
limousines were made in 1952
