Cbodies69-73
Member
Ok, some have asked to see more pics of this 69 Imperial Convertible project. Most of us know that Chrysler Corp didnt build a Imperial Convertible for 1969. Im guessing extremely low sales of previous convertibles and impending roll over scare requirements by the government helped make the final call, even though Chrysler Corp. tooled up for full size convertibles anyway. First we need to start off with knowing that 69 Is the first year that LOTS of Chrysler parts were shared in the body of an Imperial. The main difference is the 127'' wheelbase for Imperial and 124'' for a Chrysler. The extra three inches is from the fire wall forward in the Imperial only sub frame. So Doors, quarters, floor pans, fire walls, roofs, trunk floors, and trunk lids are all the same. So the longer front end means that you need Imperial specific fenders, hood, core support to make it look less Chrysler. The next panel that is different is the panel thats directly behind the rear bumper. Its spot welded to the outter edges of the quarters and trunk floor. That part is model specific, meaning Newport, 300, New Yorker, and Imperial all use its own part. Next major change is the swapping of Sub Frames. The rear most mount in in the floor boards right near the front seat. Next pair are at the firewall. Now this is where the Imperial starts to get different from the Chrysler. It has a trapezoid shaped mount spot welded onto the top of the regular C body mount. This has to be added to add more strength for the longer sub frame. So those are to two main things that make a body a Chrysler or Imperial.
So Ive always wanted a 69 Imperial convertible. Growing older and learning more about these cars , getting enough confidence , and finding a already stripped 69 300 shell for sale extremely cheap about 3 miles from my house all helped convince me the time had come.....
Ok, you could go the route of taking a 69 Imperial Coupe and chopping the roof off , cutting the rear wheel wells down and adding in all the convertible braces/brackets/windshield header etc.... To me that sounded like the wrong way to go about it because with a parts car and a welder you can start off with an already rigid/stronger convertible shell that we all know is stout because Ma Mopar wouldn't be letting people ride around in a weak convertible. So the panel behind the rear bumper on this 300 convertible was already rotted out so you would need to replace that panel anyways to keep it as a 300 if so desired. I knew of a 69 Imperial 2 door in a junk yard so I could get the rear panel, dash board, complete wiring, power window regulators , trim etc etc anything I could take that I think I would need. Since the Chrysler dash has the same layout but the Imperial dash has more too it, to be correct looking I need to swap out dashes, which sounds scary but its pretty simple and everything is mounted in the same exact holes. I also had found 1969 Imperial door panels, bucket seats, and some other coupe items. Since the rear seat is slightly smaller on a convertible Ill have to have a trim shop redo the convertible seat frames with the 69 Imperial pattern, but before I get into interior dilemmas. Im going to get the body set and painted then worry about interior. So I have a 69 Imperial Limo in the spare spot in my shop that I work on in my spare time or when work is slow.... Im being pressured by friends/people I know too push the limo aside and get the convertible in paint.... So we'll see I suppose. Whatever happens Ill take what pics I can.