6000 Pounds of Chrysler

[@bigjoe330]

Beautiful Imperial. Not a Chrysler lmperial. Virgil Exner didn't just "stick headlights and taillights on". He purposely designed these Imperials to be unique and elegant. The headlights are a homage to free standing headlights of the '20's and 30's. The gun sight taillights became an Imperial trademark starting in the 50's and running through 1962. Thank you for posting. 👍🇺🇸❣️

[@thomasculkin349]

In 1966 I delivered prescriptions in a 1962 car just like this; it belonged to the owner of the pharmacy, a very elderly man. The NJ town had a lot if small roads and it was quite an experience navigating them, especially since I had only been driving for a couple of years and had no car of my own, so I was inexperienced to say the least. The job lasted only a few months, thankfully, but Iĺl never forget that humongous car.

[@lateefcarrere1649]

This beauty will take you back to a time when cars were designed with imagination and style, not computer programming and a stylus. 👍

[@nealbradleigh5069]

These vehicles straddled generations of styling directions. The conical vertical light displays were a tip of the hat to those earliest luxury design marques that reigned over the motorways. Virgil Exner carried that theme over to his opus STUTZ design rebirth (a pity Elvis had to get the first one). Gee, the Saudi Royal family didn't bat an eyelash when they were quoted a price for the bespoke (still not used to that word) ROYALE parade limousine (it featured a throne seat on a pneumatic piston, allowing the ruling party to rise through the opened sunroof to wave to the masses). Maybe they could have outbidded Elvis on that fir.... nah, Elvis was a marketing exec's dream!

[@glenngoetz3054]

When I was a kid my buddies and I would ride our bikes to White Bear Dodge and play in these early 60's Imperials. They were parked in the back row behind the dealer and since W.B. Dodge was a performance dealer, they didn't even try to sell these big boys!! We'd play in them and pretend we were flying spaceships!!! The good old days!

[@waynetaylor8082]

Cars like these remind me of better days!!! Such as watching the Beverly Hillbillies, and the cars of Millburn Drysdale...

[@ldioticnuzhen99]

Its a syte car

[@richardmorris7063]

Ikr, I always think of that too.The cars from this period would b featured in the old tv shows.FBI for instance was featuring & sponsored by Ford motor company.Sgt Carter from Homer Pyle always had a new former or fancy plymouth.Andy Griffith had fords,Bill Bixby had that 62 Thunderbird as a rich guy from the city.Andy dated Tatum One old mother in the show,I think she had one & the banker had a Lincoln.Hawaii 5-0 featured Fords too.

[@todiathink8864]

Bewitched featured Chevys, My Three Sons featured Pontiacs

[@tomchrisfield7348]

Overbuilt in every way.

[@robgrear1142]

Never saw an Imperial with crank windows. Learned so much from this owner. Beautiful car in which the owner should be congratulated.

[@GaryGrube1]

Mr. Drysdale always had beautiful Imperials, including a 1962. But his were black 4 door cars. Of course, he always had a chauffer too. I don't remember him actually driving his own cars.

[@FloridaClay]

I've always loved those headlights--a reference back to the free-standing headlights of the 20s/30s. This is just one gorgeous land yacht.

[@jimpatterson3286]

I loved when cars had chrome and style.

[@terryeustice5399]

This an old beauty. This was a car you did not to run out of gas in. And have to push it off the road. Thank you for sharing!

[@zoltore23]

Always a pleasure to start my day with MyClassicTV. Thank you for brightening my day, Dennis. Beautiful, simple car there!

[@deanomarshall2926]

Back when owning a luxury car meant something! 🥰

[@travelingfool9096]

Just gotta love those front headlights.

[@tracy4good]

Beautiful car. Yours is the first Chrysler Imperial I've ever seen with crank windows and pull handle seats

[@edwardormsby4963]

Custom,was the entry level for imperial in1962. Power windows,seat,air,etc,optional .

[@tomcox2565]

Beautiful and rare . Love the full size Chryslers.

[@michaelwallbrown3726]

a work of art not like today's cars

[@HotRod-wv4vm]

Absolutely beautiful 😻 I remember them growing up.

[@jwelchon2416]

So many of these were lost to demolition derbies. It's a treat to see one this nice. Especially a tudor!!

[@5455jm]

"That was their design" and I am so glad that it was their design; sensational. So much beauty.

[@Ctrl-XYZ]

According to the factory data book, shipping weight of the 1962 Imperial Southampton coupe was 4650 pounds, and curb weight was 4830 pounds. Air conditioning might add 150 pounds or so. And the car is an Imperial, not a "Chrysler Imperial."

[@MrSpartanPaul]

I think a lot of people read the GVWR label on door jambs and think it’s the weight of the vehicle.

[@louly3212]

Yea 6000 is alot, too cumbersome.

[@Ctrl-XYZ]

@@MrSpartanPaul Agree, but there were no GVWR stickers when this car was built!

[@lloydclaussen3925]

Didn't think it weighed quite that much. Bet 55s were heavier, De Sotos also

[@kevinbarry7475]

This car was nowhere near 6,000 pounds

[@oscargeorge1]

What a gorgeous car ... love the "raisin" paint...

[@danam0228]

You know, one of the things they could do to todays cars is add very subtle fins like on this car, with LED lights running top to bottom. It would barely upset the aerodynamics and would dress up the cars nicely.

[@nealbradleigh5069]

Notice the over the tip styling cues on Cadillac's CELESTIQ

[@HeavyChevy]

Beautiful car, love the color.

[@bondisteve3617]

Thanks Mr. Dennis...Jetson's Car!

[@Friedbrain11]

I had a '63 Imperial LeBaron that had the taillights in the fins and across the bottom of the trunk lid area. Rectangular steering wheel, Wunderbar radio. It had the pushbutton auto with the 413 that had dual inline 4bbls and had about all the options including rear ac and weighed 6300 lbs with half tank of gas. It was a gold brocade interior with Gold color outside, I wish I had it back. Mine was a 4 door. It looked so good though and handled better than you think it could :) My gas fill neck was behind the license plate. Had the split driveshaft too as it was longer than the 2 door models. Rode great even at 130mph heheheh. Long as you drove nice it got 15mpg in the city. It also had the weird lighting for the dash that used ac (not dc) from a converter to heat up wires that were coated to give off light when heated. Strange system and it was tubes not transistors on that system too. No such thing as repair, Same as that neat speedo it had.

[@joes3485]

Actually the power pack for the electro-luminescent instrument lighting was located at the left side of the dash out of sight. It was transistorized and can be repaired. The main problem has been luminescent panels failing (internal shorts) and the needles of the gauges loosing connection to the AC voltage and ground due to the meter movement flexing the fine wires that establish connections. Litz wire has to be used to re-connect the needles so that they light again. Experience with electronic wiring and soldering using rosin core solder (not plumbing solder & flux). The on-line Imperial Club has many details of these repairs and suggestions for repair shops. See: www.web.imperialclub.info/

[@louly3212]

6300? not gross weight..? Maybe if you set your expectations but man that's heavier than a truck, what would the weight do to the ride i wonder.

[@billyjoejimbob56]

@@louly3212 Agreed. I am sure Dennis makes it a point to NOT contradicti his guests. However, historical data lists curb weight (empty car, full fuel tank) for Imperials of the 1957 thru 1963 model years at less than 5000 lbs. Even a fully optioned LeBaron would not be much over that. The subject Custom coupe without AC or any power options would be the lightest model in the lineup for that year, with a curb weight closer to 4800 lbs. All of that aside... A beautiful example of a rare and destinctive car.

[@WilliamParmley]

ERMAGERD! Definitely a GALY -- Great American Land Yacht. Seriously, what a beauty! "She's real keen, my 413!"

[@R.J.1]

Glorious artwork.

[@charlesharnois3684]

And a beautiful car it is definitely from a better time. I'm a mopar guy and I love these cars! Thanks so much for this posting!

[@bknzty]

DATS DA DEFFINITION OF "BEAUTIFUL"💯

[@DougsterWolverineGarage]

The Gillmore car museum is AWSOME by itself and then have a brand specific show too? Even better!

[@garymckee448]

Beautiful Imperial

[@DymondzTrucking1962]

I just got done restoring a 58 Plymouth fury station wagon I love that car.

[@russianbot1420]

Americans are blessed with their automotive history.👍

[@JohnShinn1960]

Drives it every week...as it should be! Nice, I like! 👍👍👍

[@もふちゃん-x9h]

nice body color.unique design.

[@TheDavidPdx]

I've always loved the way Imperial was written, when I was younger I tried writing like that.

[@derekantill3721]

A really great car, with fantastic styling.

[@Kagaines]

I had a 4 door one of those. Had push button gears and a square steering wheel. Cool old car

[@hanky0958]

Finally! I always wanted to see a video on the 1961-1963 Imperial. I hope I can see it again on this channel.

[@1940limited]

There was a Chrysler dealer in town I walked past quite often as a kid. One day I stopped in and picked up a brochure on the 62 Imperial, a car I always liked. The detached headlights always fascinated me. I still have that brochure, but never had a 62 Imperial. Now they're too expensive if you can even find one.

[@hanky0958]

@@1940limited Great story. Do you know if the brochure is similar to that of 1961 or 1963?

[@wildcolonialman]

Fabulous fabulous fabulous.

[@nycstarport8542]

IMO: the '60s and '70s had the best American car designs. That car is Beautiful.

[@hughjass1044]

Beautiful! Love the old Mopars.

[@jdgimpa]

Those were built like tanks. They were outlawed in demo derby's because they were unstoppable. One of my co workers at the Chrysler dealer had a 1960 Imperial convertible. This was in 1969. A guy ran a red light in a new Mercury and he drove the imperial almost half way through the Merc. The only damage to the Imperial was a cracked parking light lens!

[@larrynorsworthy8582]

Dammmmn

[@markpayne6803]

I love when the owner says you could fit a couple of dead bodies in the trunk it brings back memories from the old guys in the city would show off their Caddy or Elecra 225 and they would say you can put 4 to 6 bodies in that trunk It was a great time in my life to know about these cars and one day poppa buys a 65 Caddy 4 door Sedan Deville he's showing it to me and I say poppa how many bodies will fit in that trunk he tells me to shut up and get in the house ahhh the good old days

[@jeffreynolds3848]

Mark - I think he said three...!

[@philippetays4263]

neighbour had one , remember driving it in a parade for him

[@richardmorris7063]

These were very interesting cars & in some ways more advanced than a Lincoln or Cadillac.The suicide door Lincolns were cult classics though.Ya sure don't see as many of these on the road as you do the Lincoln or Caddy though.

[@frankgiaquinto1571]

Part of the reason why you don't see that many of them is that they only made about 12 - 15,000 of them each year, versus at least 140,000 Cadillacs (or more) in 1961,for example...

[@michaelares4240]

Cadillac had suicide doors in 1958

[@leegoddard2618]

A frame off resto. Huh, odd dedication, but thank you. It's BEAUTIFUL. 👍😉

[@dougholtz]

I've been to Gilmore. Plan to spend about 6 hours there. Great place.

[@ivanjones1804]

Hello 👋 Nick, Ivan I J here. What can I say about Ron’s Imperial Custom designed,built,created,made and manufactured Chrysler and Virgil Exner? What Artistry,Craftsmanship and a Masterpiece. It takes people like 👍🏾 Ron to come across Rides like that to find, locate and restore it back to the original way it was built,created, designed,made and manufactured by Virgil Exner and Chrysler the way it supposed to be. Ron you and your crew take a bow or two my hats🎩🧢 off and to thumbs 👍🏾👍🏾 up to you and your crew for the amazing🤩😻🥲 and awesome👏🏾😎🤩 restoration work done ✔️ ☑️✅ to that Imperial. I said it before and I will say it again, i’ll take the Antique,Classic and Vintage Rides over any of these new rides or whatever they are called today, that’s my opinion. Nick always a joy🤩🥲🥹 and pleasure to view and watch the videos that people like 👍🏾 you and Lou C produce and others like you my hats 🎩🧢 off and two thumbs 👍🏾👍🏾 up ⬆️🆙 to you all keep up⬆️ 🆙 the good 👍🏾😊😌 work and those videos coming. Sincerely Yours Truly Ivan I J 🤵🏾‍♂️🕺🏾👨🏾‍💻👍🏾

[@8avexp]

My father ordered front seat belts for our '62 Rambler Classic station wagon.

[@bigsarge2085]

Awesome! My wife & I had a '62 Imperial Crown 4-door hardtop as our weekend fun car, red with a maroon-ish interior, same hub caps as in this video, but ours had electric windows and the headlight auto-dimmIng sensor on the dash.

[@joes3485]

Not sure what earlier years, but Imperial 61-63 and above were all equipped with electric windows and electric seat. Options included electric operated vent windows, auto-pilot (cruise control), and rear package shelf AC in addition to the front dash AC. Most came with a transistorized radio with power antenna. There was the option of an automatic headlight dimmer control and electric door locks. A style option was the trunk-lid mounted simulated spare tire cover.

[@bobcrawford5083]

what we used to call mafia gunships

[@joes3485]

The front sheet metal was stamped out of one piece of metal. If there is a seam between the fender and the metal at the top front of the grille, it was repaired after a wreck. The die that stamped the fenders and grille backing metal must have been a real monster. Couple that design with the space between the back side of the grille and the front of the radiator and you can sit down on the grille area and lean over and work on the fan and other items on the front of the engine.

[@314299]

A great car with a great owner!

[@dave5833]

Fantastic Vehicle

[@stephenhayston4314]

Beautiful car never seen one before blown away

[@rick0e295]

1961 LEBARON was my all time favorite! Last of Exners magnificent OTT finned fantasies. This beauty is same color as a 62 Crown 4door owned locally in the 1970s. I tried to buy it from elderly owner, but went to a relative who drove it for a while. Then it disappeared ! Sad 😔 . Great automobiles. 👍. 🏆. 👑

[@frg9600]

Very unusual for a luxury car like this Imperial not to have power windows and power door locks!

[@johanvangelderen6715]

There were various trim lines . The Custom was generally the most basic version. One could look well off financially, yet still on a budget. We have gotten spoiled today. Even the most basic cars have many nice options. Cars would cost a lot less if they came with only a radio,heater. And rubber floor mats. All one really needs. Air conditioning adds to the cost. Most of us want that though.

[@live4life767]

This is a work of art dude

[@bc5441]

One of my favorite features of this generation of Imperials-notwithstanding the very cool almost-freestanding headlights-is the logo treatment on the fenders. The front and rear have a very dignified IMPERIAL in serif caps, and there was something else inside on the dash, but the script on the side is gorgeous. It’s almost as if this one doesn’t have a model name: it’s not a Crown, it’s certainly not a LeBaron, but it’s just a “Custom,” which sounds more like a trim level. At first glance I was surprised at how narrow the hood was, but that’s actually a testament to how wide the car is!

[@ms.sonshine8878]

Stylish, classy and a beauty.

[@jeanleonard6566]

Thank you for this video. Great car!

[@maxxcherry6955]

Dennis you have a great gig !

[@keeponlivin81]

What an automobile. My god.

[@tonytrotta9322]

The 1962 Imperial seam at front is covered by the hood ornimate chrome. Also, on the sides of the front fenders are under the chrome. Under the hood you can see the seam at the hood emble. The push button transmission does not have a park selector position. In Neutral you press the Parking brake which locks the drive shaft which is a 2 piece drive shaft. The brakes were not self adjusting so you jack up the wheel and adjust each brake. manually under each wheel. The hub caps were designed to push hot brake air away from drums. I have a 1962 Imperial Crown with 74,000 orig. miles and original 413 motor. Take care! She is an Imperial not a Chrysler Imperial. 4765 lbs estimated curb weight: 2240 kg / 4940 lbs Also, this Imperial has the 1963 Imperial turn signal amber lens above the head light pods for the 1962 Imperial are Clear lens. Very nice car.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

Wheel covers, not hub caps.

[@tonytrotta9322]

@@stephendavidbailey2743 Yes, you are correct. They consist of a nose cone that comes off, an inner metal ring which is for mounting to the rim and the stainless steel outer metal cover. I have a few extra for my Imperial that I bought at Carlisle, P.A.

[@stephendavidbailey2743]

@@tonytrotta9322 A Car Life [remember them?] sang the praises of these covers, because instead of being merely decorative, they were functional. The 1961 is my favorite.

[@tonytrotta9322]

@@stephendavidbailey2743 Wow! You have a great memory and thank you for sharing! I like 61 Imperial also, it has that distintive shark fin. Take care!

[@r8140]

Does your 62 have a white bulb or amber bulb behind the clear lenses - i have a 62 convertible and want the bulbs to be correct color. Thx in advance.

[@lotwizzard1748]

beautiful 2door land yacht

[@charlesstenton4267]

I owned a 62 Custom Coupe for five years in the mid eighties. Love the uniqueness of these Imperials, this was my second 62 Imperial. My first in the seventies was a Crown convertible, gorgeous. White/ Oxblood interior. My Custom coupe was Rosewood Poly/ with the same interior scheme, had P/W, P/seat, A/C along with signal seeking AM radio with a button next to the dimmer switch on the floor to tune radio stations. Mine didn't have the wheel lip / rocker panel trim, an option. If I remember correctly 842 of this model were made. I reluctantly sold the car out of need because of a cross country move. I still regret that decision. I would love another...

[@charlesstenton4267]

I still have the owners manual and the shop manual, along with photos.

[@johnmaki3046]

Over LOTS of years of being "lower middle class", I ended up owning (at various times) seven Cadillacs (ONLY the '58 models were "okay", one LIncoln (NEVER AGAIN!), and two '66 Imperials! The Imperials (and other 1960's MoPars, Plymouth Valiants on!) WERE BY FAR THE ONES BUILT WITH QUALITY! No, folks, Japan didn't "invent quality vehicles, THEY WER BUILT BY CHRYSLER from the 1940s-1960s!

[@lincolncadillac]

Imperial NOT Chrysler Imperial was it´s own make..

[@MyClassicCarTV]

That is correct between 1955 and 1975. Before and after that it was a Chrysler model.

[@GaryGrube1]

@@MyClassicCarTV Yes, and this is a 1962, so it is an Imperial, not Chrysler Imperial.

[@clarebutterfield6927]

Pure class!

[@dadgarage7966]

Dennis is ground zero for everything Dad. Awesome, dude.

[@moparcasey3135]

I’ve got a 1960 imperial crown 2 door, wish I looked as good as this one!

[@winstonelston5743]

Built by Chrysler, but the Imperial became a stand-alone marque in 1954 for the 1955 model year and retained that status into the seventies.

[@javieropomares8267]

Beauty chrysler. Very nice car

[@Trefoile]

Gorgeous!

[@chrisjeffries2322]

I would say that there are not a lot of them around for the simple fact, that they did not sell well.

[@skynnbonez]

My car's in the 40s barn at that museum! Would've been cool to see ya out there!

[@stephendeluca4479]

You sound a little derisive about the design, but those early '60s Imperials look fantastic and they have aged very well. Incredibly daring look. This design approach didn't work as well on the other Chrysler cars from that era, but because the Imperial was so large and so rich the car can pull it off. If I had my own Jay Leno-style collection, I would lead it off with a '66 Toronado and an early '60s Imperial.

[@vassa1972]

Nice car

[@take5th]

Love the squarish steering wheel. When I was a teenager I knew a guy who had one and remember thing the head and taillights looked like something I could buy to stick on my bicycle.

[@onemoremisfit]

Nearly 3 tons of 2-door, and a sizeable mass of mustache between the gents as well. By comparison my 2002 Chevy Avalanche weighs 6000 lbs empty, and it's a 4-door cab with a 5-foot cargo bed and a 1/2 ton payload. I did a frame off restoration on it, and the bare frame weighs about 600 lbs. I know this because I purchased a new replacement part frame from GM. The chassis and body of that Imperial must be impressively thick.

[@sauluribe7082]

Every car make and models had their own character then. A modern Bentley weighs the same as this one.

[@emjayay]

Narrow (but not really narrow) white walls started appearing on new cars in 1962. All Imperials in the brochures have them. Wide white walls may have been an option, as they were for Lincolns. But the wide whitewalls would not be as wide as those on this Imperial. They are very wrong for a car from the 1960's. An outside rear view mirror on the passenger side could be added and still be authentic - they were an option.

[@r8140]

agree on the whitewalls.

[@berylgreen1973]

You two should have a battle of the mustaches lol!

[@randybock82]

Sweet rig! I have some of these in 1/64th scale😀

[@peterpeterson3266]

Needs a new muffler if that noise in beginning was from this car?

[@zurcherzurich213]

She's a real beauty!

[@danteardenz2670]

" Americas Most Carefully Built Car " , was the Imperials slogan ( Not Chrysler- Separate Division). Virgil Exner wanted free standing headlights , to emulate the 1930s grand cars .

[@the_lost_navigator]

A fine automobile... the kind Mr. Drisdale would prefer ;)

[@timschutte6924]

The old man on the TV series, Pawn Stars. Had the nicest Chrysler Impearial I've ever seen. It was triple Black. Kounting Cars. DANNY KOKKER did the restoration on it down to the last nut and bolt.

[@myleftthumb2294]

5960 lbs!! Wow! That's only 218 lbs (i.e., me sitting in it) shy of TWO of my current car.

[@peterrobinson7803]

My '74 Lincoln Mk IV weighed 6,350 lbs, based on the GVW data plate on the door jamb. 460 4bbl, power everything, four wheel discs, vacuum operated anti-lock brakes (nightmare to repair) and a better ride than my sofa at home. But 9 mpg average, not very usable.

[@a89proof]

GVW =/= curb weight - gross rating is maximum rated weight of vehicle, passengers, cargo, fuel inclusive. Curb weight was ~1,000 lbs less

[@oscargeorge1]

I have a Grand Wagoneer suv that's weighs 6800 pounds and it holds 7 people... this car is awesome for just being what it is!!

[@strongereveryday2302]

It is not a Chrysler Imperial. It is Imperial by Chrysler. It was a separate brand. i HATE when people say this incorrectly.

[@MyClassicCarTV]

That’s true from 1955 to 1975. Before and after that tho it was a Chrysler model.

[@matthewmodrall]

This is pure art and engineering excellence. So glad our government decided they should determine what our cars should be like instead .

[@bradhampton6457]

6,000 lbs of Mopar styling at its best….

[@muffs55mercury61]

And it runs and drives. That's a lot better than a museum piece. The body shell started in 1957 and simply underwent facelifts and was in use thru 1963. 6000 pounds of American iron and probably gets all of 10 miles per gallon. Chrysler is the only make that held on to the push button transmission that started in 1956 for any length of time. Ford tried it in 1958 but abandoned it within two years.

[@earllsimmins9373]

Somebody in the neighborhood had one when I was a kid I always remember staring at those headlights and tail lights that thing was more boat than car

[@botdavid323]

This title sounds like a new special name for Bert.

[@wizzard5442]

5960 lbs...and thats without air-con, power windows, power seats, seat belts....

[@MrSpartanPaul]

I think the owner read the door tag where the GVWR is listed. Actual weight is 4600 or so.

[@nathanielcruz6675]

Man, this beauty almost weighs 3 tons.