Magnificent Imperial from the Past

saforwardlook

Old Man with a Hat
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I felt this 1955 Imperial was stunning enough to warrant some attention from some folks on this site..........

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1955 Chrysler Imperial Newport Coupe | eBay

Item specifics
Condition: Used Year: 1955
VIN (Vehicle Identification Number): C5512278 Mileage: 98066
Number of Cylinders: 8 Make: Chrysler
Transmission: Automatic Model:
Imperial
Body Type: Coupe Trim: Newport Coupe
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty Engine: Hemi V8
Vehicle Title: Clear Drive Type: RWD
Options: Leather Seats Power Options: Air Conditioning, Power Windows, Power Seats
Exterior Color: Yellow/White Fuel Type: Gasoline
Interior Color: Yellow/White For Sale By: Private Seller

The only remaining “Springtime Edition” 1955 Imperial Newport Coupe

In the Spring and Summer of 1955, Imperial offered a special “Springtime” color combination of a Sunburst Yellow body with a Platinum top. Very few of these were built and, according to the records of the Walter P. Chrysler Club and the Imperial Club, this is the only one remaining.

This Imperial was built on July 19, 1955 and is one of only 3,418 Imperial Newport Coupes built. It’s equipped with power windows, power seats, Town & Country radio with rear speaker, and rare factory air conditioning. The fresh air scoops for the A/C are mounted on top of the rear fenders and the A/C evaporator and blower are located in the trunk.

The 1955 Imperial, advertised as the “Flagship of the Forward Look” and as “The Finest Car America Has yet Produced”, was the first Imperial completely designed by Virgil Exner, Styling Director of Chrysler Corporation. It was also the first Imperial built on its own dedicated production facility within the new Imperial Division of the Chrysler Corporation.

Chrysler Historical Services provided us with the Production Record (see picture) certifying that this Imperial was delivered with the stated options and was one of the originalSunburst Yellow body with a Platinum top “Springtime” cars.

This 1955 Imperial Newport Coupe was originally purchased at Town & Country Motors in Indianapolis, IN. Finished in its original colors of Platinum over Sunburst Yellow with a re-upholstered gold Eagle cloth and white leather interior. This coupe and has been driven on multiple Chrysler Club tours and was awarded a best in class trophy by Keith Martin and Donald Osborne at the Forest Grove Concours d’ Elegance (see picture). It received a new interior and was painted before being acquired by the seller 6 years ago. Power comes from its original 331 cubic inch, 250 HP, 340 lb/ft torque Hemi paired with a 2-speed Powerflite automatic transmission. This Imperial is offered with its Chrysler Production Record, a copy of its data card, the original sales brochure and owner’s manual, and a clean Oregon title in the seller’s name.

This Imperial has its original engine, transmission and rear axle and, as far as I know, has never been taken apart. Much of the brightwork has been rechromed although there is some pitting on the original side brightwork and a few other pieces. All of the interior, trunk, and exterior lights work and the four power windows and power seats work as they should plus the A/C blows cold. All gauges work correctly. The radio and clock are not working. On the underside everything looks as it should with a general thin coat of factory applied undercoat. Mounts, rocker bottoms and floors are solid & original. New brakes, brake lines, and Coker tires were installed 6 years ago. The odometer reads 98,066 which I believe is actual mileage but I can’t guarantee that. The car drives beautifully with no issues I’m aware of.

Please contact me if you'd like to see additional pictures.
 
What a beautiful Imp!

I think the 55 Imp was the best looking Imp ever produced.

Those giant Imperial eagle badges front and rear are over the top and to me are true art in the purest form!
 
You have to see one in person. Early-mid 50's Imps have an amazing presence, and these 55 "Newport" coupes are striking.
 
I have seen them at Carlisle and one at a local show that the owner bought from the auto museum near Hershey. That auto museum rotates their display cars from time to time.
 
I think the 55 Imp was the best looking Imp ever produced
I'm sorry to disagree Bob, as beautiful as they are I think the 1960 is far better looking. To me the styling on these was a bit too much like the rest of the most lineup. You could easily confuse the with the Desoto or Chrysler lineup. In fact the first 300 used the same grille. By 1957 they truly had there own identity. IMHO, the 1960 model was the most beautiful... aside from my '67 lol which is gorgeous also.
 
You have to see one in person. Early-mid 50's Imps have an amazing presence, and these 55 "Newport" coupes are striking.

When viewing these cars in print or on screen, your brain assumes that they have similar dimensions to other cars of the era, but when you see one in person, you realize how much larger they are compared to say a '55 Chevy or Pontiac.

Yellow and white is one of the best color combinations for a 50's car, though at the time it wasn't all that popular, and it seems especially so on Imperials, since they sold so few of these.

The advertising of the time was great. Sadly, even with all the "man" talk, my understanding is that Imperial gained a reputation as a car for wealthy old women, and that was one of the reasons that they sold so few compared to Cadillac and Lincoln.

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Jeff
 
Beautiful 55 Imperial. Not to criticize but I saw this interesting observation on another forum; note the difference on the top of the front wheel arches. I think the RF fender with less arch and a flatter top edge is from a 56 Imperial, and the rounded top arch on the LF fender is a 55 Imperial fender. Maybe the RF fender was replaced from a collision repair years or decades back. I've never been a fan of yellow on any car but this looks good. Neat car!
 
Your right... the fenders are different. Beautiful car nonetheless. But it does make a difference to the purest or someone who could afford it.
 
What a Nice Looking Imperial !
 
Wonder if this "spring edition" came out along with the Tri-Tone New Yorker St. Regis...…..
 
“The fresh air scoops for the A/C are mounted on top of the rear fenders and the A/C evaporator and blower are located in the trunk.”
 
The 56 is a tad nicer looking IMHO, but I'd take this one as well.
 
The 2-door / open wheel well (no fender skirt) look seems to work better on the '55; but I wouldn't mind having either...……
 
I love the 55's styling, but I still could never warm up to those tail lights. Just looks like an add-on/afterthought.
 
The taillight Treatment is one of the outstanding Styling cues and the most controversial, they Held on to them for quite a while, the more integrated look of the 57-61 was best IMHO, at some Point they had plans to add another circle around those tail lights for following model years IIRC.
When they went back to the tacked on type in 62 I always thought how great the rear view would have looked if they already had the possibilities of putting a narrow light band along the rear character line replacing that U-shaped Chrome Strip instead, erasing the regular taillights.

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