from the imperialclub.com
Question from Joe (1967 - 1968):
I have 2 '68 Imperials, one with an eagle and wreath for a hood emblem and the other has none as it is with a smooth hood strip. Which year has the eagle with the wreath? My parts book for '68 shows none. I do not have a '67 parts book to confirm this. What I found while cleaning my biggest building is another eagle and wreath hood emblem in very nice cond with a hole at the bottom so as to be mounted with a spring loaded connection. I want to advertise it in the for sale section, but not exactly sure if it is truly a '67.
Replies:
From Mike:
The '67 hood ornament is a one year only item, and it is probably the most sought after and prized item for Imperials of this year. It is a gorgeous piece, consiting of a round crome ring, with a glass insert. The glass insert has an Imperial Eagle inside of it. Truly magnificent. Unfortunately, they are not spring mounted, they break off easily when subjected to prods by hood-lums (pun intended) and the glass tends to craze. For about $400, there's a company that will refurbish your old one...forget the name, its on the Vendors list at the website.
'68's should have no hood ornament. They simply have an Imperial Eagle at the center of the grille. The Eagle encircled with a wreath, as you have, is a 1970's vintage hood ornament. They are very common- I have one myself in a box. They bring about $10 to $20 for an average one. As such, they are often used to replace missing $$$ 67 ornaments, or to add an ornament to a '68.
From Chris:
I wholeheartedly agree with Mike on the beauty of the '67 stand-up ornament... Actually, it's lucite (clear acrylic plastic), not glass.
An eagle in a wreath (is it a wreath or just a circle?) is from a most likely from a late'70s or 80s LeBaron (non-Imperial), since the Imperial did not have a standup ornament from 1968 until 1974. The '90-93 Imperial used a
clear Pentastar on the hood, but a wreath around the eagle (in a new, more detailed design) on the trunklid.