DON’T Call It a Chrysler!

FIVE INCHES LONGER than a Cadillac, the 1961 Imperial was America’s longest luxury car. It was also the final Imperial with tail fins. Steve examines the many details that set the Imperial apart from lesser Chrysler Corporation offerings.

[@josephdipalma5989]

I was introduced to the Imperial by Milburn Drysdale on the Beverly Hillbillies. He was a rich banker who exclusively drive Imperials. I was so intrigued as a young boy because that was one car that I hadn't yet seen on the street. I still watch old TV shows just to see the cars when they were new!

[@richardthomas1743]

When I was a kid my parents had a 1959 Imperial. I remember the push buttons for the transmission and if I remember correctly the rear view mirror was mounted on the dash.. I was with my mother one time in the winter when we hit several guard rails , all is did was leave some minor scratched in the bumper! The good old days!

[@77yogurt]

Back when cars were made out of.....CAR.

[@oldhick9047]

My aunt and uncle had a 59', I loved that car and they went and traded it in on a 1969 Thunderbird 4 door. Ugh !

[@volktales7005]

When I was a kid growing up in the '70's, I got into model cars. My Dad had some old part built kits in the basement, and one of them was a '61 Imperial convertible. Kit was complete, except for the wheels that Dad had stuck on a highly modified '60 Ford truck. Anyway I built that Imperial, painted it with one of Dad's ancient spray bombs, and stuck every single decal onto the model afterword's. Still have the remains of the model today, and still like '61 Imperials, even though I have never seen one in real life...

[@richardmorris7063]

I enjoyed model building too, it gave me some knowledge of these obscure cars.Someone in our church had a pale yellow 61,,it wasn't a cheap car probably the equivalent of 80k $$ today.

[@danieljohnson8020]

I like how the dash resembles the tail fins. I think the whole dash layout is absolutely stunning especially how the steering wheel is shaped.

[@ernestfinch1578]

Nice to see someone notice that.

[@codger8]

When I was a kid in the 70s my nieghbor had a Old Imperial in the back yard. It had a big metal factory emblem on the dash that said "This car was exclusively manufactured for John Fussy." It was truly a unique car I still think about 50 years later. I hope someone saved it.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello Codger, I had a memory when you mentioned the "built for John Fussy" badge in that Imperial. A few years back when Richard Rawlings (of Gas Monkey TV fame) bought a new Dodge Viper from the factory. He was a Dodge spokesperson and wanted a ride to reflect that fact. At the time, you could get a "built for" badge in your new Viper too. Rawlings - being the jokester he is - had them actually engrave his ""Elmer F**kstick" (but without my asterisks!!!). I couldn't believe it but it is true. I don't know what that all means but I'm thinking maybe, just maybe your "John Fussy" was a bit of fun? Like a super-fussy customer who wanted to have some fun? Just a guess. I do wonder what some future car collector will think when he see's Rawlings obscene emblem in that Viper....Anyhoo, THANKS for writing, Steve Magnante

[@todddenio3200]

@@SteveMagnante I'm sorry but in my opinion the tag put in Rawlings Viper seems befitting of him. I feel that he is not just a cheapskate when he buys a vehicle with what his offers to the sellers are, but I have also read about too many of the cars his employees have built having poor quality work done and failing on future owners who if the reports are true paid way too much to own a car from a TV show, and from watching the show I believe those reports. This is just an opinion so please view it as such. Thank you for doing these videos. I look forward to seeing each one as they are posted.

[@hackfabrication139]

Back during summer 1976, I hauled new Chrysler autos/trucks for M&G Convoy, out of Detroit, MI. I remember to this day the Imperial I delivered: Triple Black. Customer ordered, two door, 440 engine. It was an aircraft carrier sized vehicle. I also delivered a bunch of New Yorkers, one was a triple brown four door. Very well equipped. MSRP was a bit over $13k. I'm a sucker for these old land yachts!

[@sporty196071]

I had a triple black Imperial with less than 2000mi.in 81 I think I paid about $400. I think over 100 people wanted it for a derby car. I sold it to a collector who still has it he drove it to the Woodward dream cruise this year. Still drives like a new car.

[@unclemarksdiyauto]

So nice looking back that your car was not demo derbied or crushed.

[@therealpatriarchy]

Built in an era when grandpa would just push the old model to the back bush for the grand kids to put millions of more miles on.

[@seansullivan4709]

I lived next door to a fire station and because we were elevated, we could look down into the garage where the fire engines were kept. The Chief owned a '62 Imperial 4 door in black and he kept it behind Engine 3 on occasion. It was a used car by then but still gorgeous. His regular ride was a yellow Galaxie 4 door hardtop which was in great condition too but I loved those flashlight like tail lights perched above the rear fenders on the Imperial. Being a kid in the '70s, I got to see so many beautiful cars that you only see at shows these days or on social media. Personally, I'd be satisfied if I could get my hands on a '63 Dart like my grandmother had.

[@seansullivan4709]

Is this for real???

[@rogergoodman8665]

@@seansullivan4709 NO !!!! It's a scammer using bot accounts to flood all the popular channels. NO ONE SHOULD EVER RESPOND TO THESE.

[@vincentbasso4903]

My father had a bunch of Imperials. My favorite was the 63 Southampton Le Baron A tank that went like a rocket ship

[@googleusergp]

Actually, I believe Imperial was technically a separate brand from 1955 to 1975 and then again from 1981 to 1983, although for the last rear wheel generation, it was just badged Imperial. It came back in 1990-1993 as a K-car variant. It depends on how you split it, because many Chrysler dealers were also Imperial dealers and some were also Plymouth dealers. However, there were a few I believe that sold all of the divisions of Chrysler at some time (although they are rare). No VIN, can't win, but I got it figured out, no doubt: 9 for Imperial, then possibly 1 for Imperial Custom or 2 for Imperial Crown or 3 for Imperial LeBaron (it's probably a Custom), then 1 for 1961 model year, then 4 for Warren Ave, Detroit, MI assembly, or 3 for Jefferson Avenue, Detroit, MI assembly (production moved to Warren around June 1961), and the rest is the production sequence. The Warren Plant was located at 8505 West Warren Ave in Detroit, and Jefferson Avenue still exists today under Stellantis with the plant that built this vehicle being closed around 1990 and the "New Jefferson Ave" opening around 1991 near the site of the old plant. Chrysler touted the Imperial as being made in "exclusive plants" much like Wixom, MI was for Ford. Yes, 413 CID V8 with about 350 gross HP and a 10:1 compression ratio. The original carburetor would have been a Carter AFB 3108S. AC was a $590.20 option back then, quite pricey in 1961 dollars even on a car as luxurious as one of these would have been back in the day. No tag, can't brag but possible code "D" Capri Blue Metallic. I have those same set of Fiskars lopping shears bought at Home Depot and they do a good job of tree and shrub care at my workshop property.

[@todddenio3200]

I did some research into when the Imperial reverted back to being a Chrysler Imperial instead of being a stand alone brand and Steve is right. 71 it became registered as a Chrysler again. I forgot to check when it became it's own brand but I am sure Steve researches these things before doing a video so I would say his starting date is correct as well.

[@googleusergp]

@@todddenio3200 1955 to 1975 and again from 1981 to 1983 as a separate brand, although most didn't see it that way as they were sold at Chrysler-Plymouth dealerships most times.

[@ImForwardlook]

The 61 coupes were some of the most gorgeous cars ever! I have 57 and 59 coupes and had three 57 coupes stolen from me but always wanted a 61 too.

[@todddenio3200]

We're all 3 of the 57's stolen at once or over an extended time? Either way that is terrible. The 48 Chevy pickup hotrod project my deceased brother was building when he was killed in a car accident was stolen years later from where I was storing it at a friend's place by a friend of that friend when he filed state to escape an arrest warrant. The truck was never recovered, so I know what the feeling of having a special vehicle stolen is.

[@cwie2968]

Always loved Imperials specially the '66. Bad ass rides. Thanks again for the history lesson Steve.

[@richardmorris7063]

I think 66 was the Green Hornet car ,I think a George Barris car creation.

[@christopherbero3388]

Cutting down the branches was a nice touch! 🏁📹🎬

[@jamielacourse7578]

My favorite memory of the Imperial was the ragtop Milton Berle drove in 'It's a Mad MadMad Mad World........and the yachting cap was icing on the cake.....and Ethel Merman? Great film.....

[@oldskool1979]

Man I was so happy Steve cut those bushes !

[@mikestan5771]

Thanks again Steve! Great videos and I know it is hard work to crank out great content every day. Thank you for doing it!

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@JHC4949]

FYI Steve, those wheels also fit in an INTERNATIONAL Scout, all that had to be done was make the center hole a little bigger. I know bc my boss, Mr Meier had me spend a half a day on 4 wheels to go over the Warn hubs so we could have Street tires for the summer and the old Split Rims with the Mud & Snow tires for mainly plowing snow BC of the abuse plowing snow put on the entire vehicle!

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

When Engel came and was tasked with redoing the Imp he was stuck using the old cowl/firewall/ windshield of the old ones giving them quite a look.

[@alanblanes2876]

What a wealth of historical information on the American car, Steve.

[@dalebaker8266]

Be a ton of work but just might be worth saving shame to see it rotting away

[@zzzoo2]

Thanks Steve! These cars were really something special. The words “strange magnificence” keep popping into my head when they’re studied and described.

[@haroldbirge6881]

🏆Great job Steve 🏆

[@Sedan57Chevy]

These are seriously cool cars! Imperial were definitely the best looking early 60s Chrysler products.

[@kevincruz4045]

My absolute favorite Luxury Mopar, the 61 Imprerial two door!! Those fins are righteous!!!

[@SteveMagnante]

Same here!

[@SteveMagnante]

Hey Kevin Cruz, are you THE Kevin Cruz I knew back in my California days? If so you'll remember the name "Gregg Hansen". Does this ring a bell? -Steve Magnante

[@kevincruz4045]

@@SteveMagnante yes!

[@hughmarloweverest1684]

I used to take a 1965 Imperial Crown Coupe on dates. Belonged to my folks. Had the 413 engine with 340 horses. It was not a hot rod, but it would cruise all day long with a rock solid ride on the freeway at 85 mph, successfully isolating the passengers from the environment of wind noise and tire on the pavement noise that surrounds any vehicle, then or now. Surrounded by black leather.

[@Loonytunes1961]

i cant believe how fast Steve lopped those bushes down!! WOW!!

[@kmath50]

These late 1950's and early 1960's Chrysler cars were works of art. My favorites.

[@chriselliott5480]

That tail fin could be used as an anvil

[@CR7659]

Always loved the headlights on these. I've even bought a couple sets when I ran across them. Revell, the model car company, dabbled in model trains several times over the years. In the late 1950s they had a line of HO trains, and to supplement the line they produced some HO automobiles - all 1961 Chrysler products, including an Imperial coupe like this. The other cars were a Lancer sedan, Valiant wagon, Newport convertible, Plymouth 2-door wagon, a Polara and a Dart. The Dart apparently replaced what would have been a DeSoto, cancelled because so was the real DeSoto. That tooling had nine lives and eventually went to a company called Con-Cor, who ran them off until it was pretty well shot. Under their ownership they came as the "convert-a-car" set with all seven and some sprues of various detail parts to customize them as all sorts of things, one option even had you cut half the roof off the Plymouth wagon and make it a tow truck. I can only imagine how badly that would have ended on a real one. I would guess the tool still exists, but the sprue with the grilles and bumpers would need major repair or replacement to produce more cars. There were lots of signs of crack repairs in them. The body tooling held up well, as did the windows and they had pretty basic underframes. The tool with the detail parts also did not hold up, I've opened sets to find it mostly unusable.

[@gulfy09]

Gotta Love these short clips Steve is the best. Steve can easily do 2 videos a day

[@SteveMagnante]

More to come!

[@jamespetersen3933]

A Mopar? A beauty. Keep on crawling!

[@cureforsale]

Nice Job Steve! You do an excellent job with these videos. I hope you are doing well. Nick

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you like them!

[@geoffkeller5337]

Thank you for sharing this car Steve. Wish it could be saved. Would love to see videos on that group of cars around the Imperial please.

[@DanEBoyd]

Those headlights... And what about that first or second year Vista Cruiser sitting off to the side? Vista Cruisers and Buick Sport Wagons both rode on a longer wheelbase than the rest of the A body wagons.

[@guitarhole]

Could you do a video on Rochester secondaries not opening ?

[@robertclark9]

Love the Vista Cruiser in the background. Not many of those left in decent condition.

[@georges.7683]

I missed the brush-whacking intro from the earlier videos!

[@tommi1864]

Dad had a '60 white Imperial Le Baron 4 door. I was driving turning into a shopping center going about 5-10 mph when a new '65 Dodge hit us from behind doing 45 mph. Totaled the dodge. Barely disturbed the dust on the Imperial bumper and put a thin crease horizontally across the trunk lid without cracking the paint.

[@caspaabriel4794]

Hey Steve big fan of your vids and appreciate the effort to clamber around these cars. I've also got you recorded for the T.V series, modelling. Keep up the great work. Kind Regards

[@tonyfriend7413]

The Flintstones were still yet a Brand New Cartoon yet then.

[@tocsa120ls]

Now that had to be a great cruiser just look at it... lovely design.

[@SteveMagnante]

It really is!

[@spamanator666]

Rare enough and not yet too far gone to save, but it is getting close.

[@ColumusCrew]

Love anything mopar thanks Steve

[@jamesshead3707]

To see this beast live again would be epic

[@thejackofalltravels8267]

I love those headlights saw a restored one on Bitchin Rides during Goodwood the stainless door caps and interior were amazing

[@formula112967]

I need some bushes removed in my front yard Steve......what do you charge for your fantastic bush trimming work? Great video of a great car! Thank you again.

[@bozodog428]

Love the Imps and the 1960 is my fave.

[@t.s.racing]

The Imp was a character on Game of Thrones, played by Peter Dinklage. Ha, have a blessed day 🙏

[@anibalbabilonia1867]

Man what a rare beauty that car must have been when new! What a sad sight to see rotting away!

[@waynetaylor8082]

Land yachts such as this one, are soo COOL 😎. THEY ARE OF ANOTHER TIME, SADLY NEVER TO BE REPEATED!!!! Thank you Steve for another AWESOME VIDEO!!

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@gilbertnowak5770]

We had a 61 four-door and a 59 LaBaron 4-door which was rusted so we Put the Entire Driveline into a 56 Ford F-100, FASTEST Vehicle in Green bay Wisconsin for Several years. By the way there is something which can run the Imperial Wheels , the Ford F-100 wheels bolted right on to the Truck.......NO MODS!! Had to use a DeSoto Shifter to make it work!

[@denniscarroll7696]

Hey Steve, let's take a look at that rare 1963 Dodge Custom 880 2-door coupe back there.

[@t.s.racing]

That's a real find, good job Steve, 👏

[@windowcreek1798]

This beautiful car should be restored. What a beautiful old girl.

[@xfactorautomotive1496]

I love the early beetle axle shaft hood prop! Lol

[@jimt353]

Steve your knowledge is absolutely amazing !

[@jasonformulaboater357]

Good stuff. Thank you. Please keep them coming.

[@ernestfinch1578]

I had to personally EDIT that mag. And the IMPERIAL should have been on the cover in my opinion. And I do not see a F N toilet seat! I see a flight sweep deck lid.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello ernest finch...GLAD to meet another "scribe" from the car magazine world. Collectible Automobile is one of my faves. Thanks for your input there and THANKS for watching. -Steve Magnante

[@UberLummox]

2 drs. were all rare. They made only 1,440 copies of my '71 Coupe. Love the fins that year!

[@moparcasey3135]

< I’ve got a 1960 imperial 2 door, only made about 1600

[@todddenio3200]

The first Imperial I remember was a 57 2 Dr that belonged to a friends step father. 2nd was a 72 Imperial LeBaron that the father of a friend of my oldest brother. He parked it over a bad starter and after I was an adult I tried to buy it on several occasions but he wouldn't sell it. Then suddenly about 4 years before he died, it suddenly disappeared and I found it in a local junkyard who wouldn't sell it even though he had the title and hadn't reported it being junked to the state. When he suddenly died, his wife had all cars in the junkyard crushed within a few days. Next I tried to buy a rough but restorable 61 at an estate auction and had the high bid, but lost our when the auctioneer a few minutes after I had won it announced that he had to make a correction and that the 61 Imperial could not to be sold per the families request from when they had first contacted the auction service. I did get a spare set of the headlights though which could be sold as they weren't needed for that car. And last was a 72 that I found online for sale in central Iowa, (I live in Minnesota way up at the Canadian border). I drove all the way there only to find the car for sale wasn't the one pictured but was the same color (the one he pictured was parked in a fenced in lot I drove past that was about 5 miles away). The one for sale was BAD. It had severe body rust, frame was rusted away, interior was totally shredded, engine smoked bad and had at least 2 dead cylinders, wiring was spliced -- twisted and taped back together, had Chevy truck wheels on it, no exhaust from under the front doors back, and a bent driveshaft. The only reason I even bothered looking it over was to see just how many things were wrong with it at that point. The seller even got irate and threatened me when I told him I wasn't going to buy it and that it was not the car pictured which the license plate on it confirmed the other car was the one pictured and not that junker he had sitting there. I had rented a trailer to haul it back home on, spent a lot on gas getting there, wasted time going there as well. That thing wasn't even a good parts car.

[@StressLessCamping]

I love these videos but the Arbor Day action at the beginning was the Imperial to the rest of the Chrysler line.

[@TrashcanGarage]

I really like the 61. Had a "clipped wing" 62 but couldn't get into the styling enough to invest the time or effort to bring it back. Kept the Carter AFB and the "Jiffy Jet" bag setup though.

[@pmafterdark]

Those were such beautiful cars.

[@tony66au]

Imperial by Chrysler :-) Man that's a beauty, The naming nomenclature was used in Australia with Chrysler by Chrysler in the early to mid 1970's (CH/CJ CxC) with a Satellite type one piece Chrome front end treatment and all the fruit from the Chrysler US parts bin although adorning a VH/VJ Chrysler Valiant body with an Aussie "Hemi" 6 in 265 cube or the venerable 318 or 360. Chrysler Corp in the US though did it way better and I love the styling on the 60's Land Yachts with the Imperial being gorgeous. More fuel for thought on my next import :-)

[@mackaman1964]

Thanks for showing us some fascinating car’s Steve, being from Australia you don’t always see or hear the stories about these cars, and some of the great information about them thanks again

[@tonyfriend7413]

We share a Birthday and our Last Golden, at that. We were Both Born and Made in 1961.

[@jeffclark2725]

Those fins 👌 👏 😍

[@nastybastardatlive]

The body looks restorable. I wonder if it would bolt onto a similar year Plymouth/Dodge/Desoto chassis? There can't be many of those left.

[@danielbazin1645]

the short answer is: No.

[@kenttalsma7906]

@@danielbazin1645 my goodness that is a short answer

[@ricksaint2000]

Thank you Steve Get well soon

[@vettekid3326]

Friend of mine had a 1957 Lincoln Continental Mark III with the uni body. It was fairly quiet until the differential mount broke off and had to be welded back on. Something that we found out was common with them because of metal fatigue and the car really didn't have that many miles on it, only about 55 K at that point.

[@Fljeff7]

Years ago I worked on a 62 Imperial neat car

[@66skate]

I'm surprised that Flytesweep trunk lid is still there. That's a highly sought after accessory that fits 60-63 Imperials. The lock bezel itself is very difficult to find.

[@ernestfinch1578]

I think the head and tail lights resemble JET engines hanging from wings. To bad the squarish steering wheel was missing among other things. Poor car deserved better. I think new it would have looked just like the BLUE one in the mag he shows. SPECTACULAR!

[@jerryezzell2492]

My Aunt’s brother had one of these stand alone headlights beauties. Color was white and was a very impressive car. Sorry, I can’t remember if was a coupe or 4 door.

[@bryanschmidt7336]

I so want to drive this car

[@corey6393]

Some early type 1 VW gave up a rear axle shaft to become this car's junkyard hood prop.

[@bluehillcemetery2887]

Cogit ergo zoom! My wife's Aurora stands alone too 🎉

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I think historically Chrysler was so close to Cadillac that Imperial just didn't have a chance. Besides their biggest problem - it always seemed as if their styling was less 'flagship' and more 'dressed up Chrysler' - and that didn't seem the case with Lincoln or Cadillac.

[@ClaremontClassicGarage]

Checker cabs and squarebird T birds would give Imperials all they could handle.

[@billybobholcomb8768]

I lost out on box of those Christmas ornament tail lights. The bidding was strong and cash was low. I still wonder where they went. Must have been 3 or 4 pairs

[@hughjass1044]

Really surprised that engine is still there.

[@ddcraun]

I might be wrong, but if you come across a tin of car wax, I believe the brand was "Vista", You can find a bit of advertising of the Imperial....maybe call it product placement. I think my dad has a can of this to this day. I can remember using it on an 69 AMC Ambassador SST I daily drove in the late 90s. Nerd stuff....like we indulge in here....

[@bobbyz1964]

When I win the lottery (or marry a rich woman) I'm getting an early 60s Imperial. Preferably a convertible 413 with the long cross ram.

[@AmitSingh-gd3fj]

Hi Steve. Thank you for the video as usual, very informative. However, my stepfather and I noticed you were breathing pretty heavily after cutting. We just want to know if you're ok. Nothing related to COVID we hope. Concerned, but hope everything is ok. Take care and thanks again.

[@66skate]

The alternator showed up in late 60 on the Imperial.

[@DumPhuc]

Hey Steve do they have any 59 dodges back there?.im trying to build a custom royal and I'm missing some stuff

[@mikeyb.3004]

Thanks Steve!

[@SuperOperator4]

Such a thing of beauty!

[@markusa5521]

Great video as always thank you

[@SteveMagnante]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@seed_drill7135]

Imperial was still marketed as a standalone make through ‘75. The two door 81-83’s were also just badged “Imperial”. It wasn’t until the ridiculous looking stretched K-car variant that it was again “ Chrysler Imperial”.

[@googleusergp]

Correct, 1990-1993 on the "last" Imperials. The 1981 to 1983 models were based on the Chrysler Cordoba and Mirada of the time and were troublesome, even with Frank Sinatra being the "spokesperson" for them. He and Mr. Iacocca were friends and that's one reason that came together the way it did.

[@rogercamp6071]

Those wheels were same bolt circle as Ford and later International half ton pickups,I knew a guy many years ago that had a '52 Ford F-1 that he had a set of the Imperial wheels on.

[@coffeefish]

I hope to see you out there when there's a liitle snow on the ground.

[@davehotz7810]

Cool old car don't think she'll ever see the road again make some cool yard art

[@BillRussell51]

Tell us the story of that ‘63 Dodge 880 2 door behind the left rear side of the Imperial.

[@mathewm7136]

Great vids and thanks for the work Steve! Question - Have you ever caught poison ivy during your junkyard endeavors?

[@SteveMagnante]

Hello Matthew M, GREAT QUESTION! I'm 58 now (I color the sh*t out of my hair) and somehow no longer get poison ivy / oak / sumac. I doubt it has to do with the Clairol hair dye but for some reason I can rummage through these wooded areas and not break out in itchy-scratchy arms, fingers, legs, neck and face like I used to. That's right from age 1 to about 45 I was always getting poison ivy when i went into the woods. but again, somehow it no longer affects me. Maybe its my constant junk food diet. I'm chemically preserved! Anyhoo, THANKS for writing, Steve Magnante

[@fullarmorpreparedness5606]

Something sad about top luxury cars in this state. It was a long fall from the showroom to the junkyard a good metaphor for our time spent here and how life changes with time.

[@justincooper5189]

I'm hoping someone can save this car. The rarity alone makes me wish I had the funds to save it. The starter would be a hard to find part though. Not sure what could stand in its place.

[@TairnKA]

At 8:57; What's the notes for, reminders for this car or the next episode (I'm guessing former)? ;-D My mom had a Crown Imperial (4 door)... ah, Imperial Crown. ;-)

[@TairnKA]

"Telegram" doesn't work and I'm Leary of trying it.

[@ernestfinch1578]

There is my car, But in a much more sad state. Don,t you just love Weird, I mean EXNER. Mine is a SOUTHAMPTON . I love the 62 Plymouth and dodge also , Have you seen the Alfa bat cars? I think they inspired the FORWARD LOOK. To some degree. Also the CORD 810.