Vehicle Description
FROM THE MISSOULA AUTO MUSEUM COLLECTION: Vehicle to be offered for Auction sale WITHOUT RESERVE and SOLD to the highest bidder January 19th - 22nd, 2017 at Russo and Steele's 17th Annual Scottsdale Arizona Auction at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Please contact us for more information.
With understated elegance and a well-deserved reputation for engineering excellence, the Imperial nameplate topped the Chrysler product line from 1926 through 1975. In order to further distinguish the Imperial line and compete better with Cadillac, Lincoln, Mercedes-Benz, and Rolls-Royce, Chrysler Corporation formally registered Imperial as a separate marque in 1954.
Styling of the all-new 1955 Imperials was based heavily on the fabulous new Chryslers that also appeared that year and benefited from the full influence of renowned designer Virgil Exner and his "Forward Look" design theme. Imperials were renowned for their excellent build quality and in 1955, production was moved to the Jefferson Avenue plant in Detroit. Imperials were available in two basic forms for 1955 - the C69 short-wheelbase Newport Coupe or Sedan and the long-wheelbase C70 Crown Imperial Sedan and Limousine. Both of the top-of-the-line C70 Imperials could accommodate up to eight passengers in serene comfort.
As the top Imperial model offered, the C70 Crown Imperial Limousine was based upon a 149.5-inch wheelbase and priced new from $7,737. All Imperials were equipped with power brakes and power steering as standard equipment and a four-way power front seat was standard - with leather upholstery up front - in both C70 body styles. Available extra-cost options included air conditioning, power windows, and a signal-seeking radio. Ample power was delivered by the famous 331 cubic-inch 'Hemi' V-8 engine, producing 250 horsepower with a single Carter carburetor, matched to Chrysler's smooth-shifting Power-Flite automatic transmission. Just 127 examples of the ultimate C70 Crown Imperial 8-Passenger Limousine were produced for 1955. Offered without reserve, this Crown Imperial Limousine is an incredibly rare find at auction and marks a true classic investment.
