Elegant Droptop: 1957 Imperial Crown Convertible
The Chrysler Imperial has a bit of a confusing history, as in its first nearly 3 decades of production the Imperial was actually a car model made by Chrysler. But then the company decided the Imperial might better compete with its luxury rivals if the car was its own separate make and division, which it became beginning in 1955. If you wanted even more extravagance for your Imperial, the Crown model was also available, such as this 1957 convertible example here on eBay. This one’s in Albion, Michigan, with a reserve not-yet-reached bid of $5,200.
Of the Crowns produced for ’57, convertibles are the rarest, with a total of only 1,167 made, This one’s a work-in-progress, which the seller has owned for about 3 years, and my first thought was I sure hope most of the parts are still there to put it back together. But the seller includes a video, and it looks like as he’s walking around the car that there’s a whole slew of pieces lying around different areas of his garage, with the rear bumper being the only item he knows of that’s missing. The car and panels are said to be solid, with the bodywork already completed.
The 392 Hemi is operational, and we do get to hear it running in the video from a gas can under the hood, but the seller doesn’t specify whether or not it’s the original engine that came in the car or what kind of work has been done to it in the past. No word at all on the current state of the transmission or rear end, but the brakes are stated as non-working.
We don’t get to see any photos from underneath, but the bottom side is said to be solid, although there is some surface rust mentioned down below. The floor is stated to be in great shape, which we do get to view, and while great may be overstating it a bit overall it does seem decent. I have always preferred to put cars back together that I’ve taken apart myself, but maybe if the next owner gets everything laid out in an orderly fashion they can figure out the puzzle without too many headaches. And once this body gets a nice paint job on it and the trim replaced, I’m envisioning a pretty nice ride here, what do you think?
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Comments
One would think that the car might be further along after 3 years. Just sayin’.
Yes, it’s crazy rare, but….30K in body and paint; 15K interior; 10K mechanicals etc etc. To say nothing of the unobtainium parts. Not to be a downer, but 60K could buy some other convertible all ready for cruising. Actually 30K would buy a nice convertible already done.
There could be one or more of a limitless list of reasons for the slow progress made on the car. As for prices, i havent even looked in recent years but a 57 Imperial Crown convertible in any condition above an extremely dented and rusted out parts car when I was still doing restorations would have been the most absolute mindblowing deal of the century at $30K in my area.
How do you describe the words ” money pit?” Look no further.
“the rear bumper being the only item he knows of that’s missing.”
And how do you lose a rear bumper???
I understand your amazement, but if you talk to folks that have had multiple cars restored (I am slowly learning my lesson), you will hear stories very similar. Wouldn’t be surprised if this thing was pulled out of a shop for any number of reasons including glacier like progress on the project, and various parts have disappeared into thin air.
I have seen far worse
I have seen far worse.
Great looking rare units but the brake systems on ALL Chrysler products of this Era……SUCK. I had a 63, unreliable, cranky, electrical demons. The windows were a pain to keep working at a time when wrecking yards were littered with these cars. The 100 percent plus is the lack of major rust, a great big, big, big giant plus. I would rate these cars like Ferraris neat but needy, patients required which I lacked when younger. The interchange is good from 57 to 63 the hemi can be a major money black hole but again if this is a good runner. This car is well worth the aggravation.
if you pick it up in person you can get a bowl of frosted flakes and grape nuts.
But there are less expensive ways to get divorced.
When I was married, I would have been willing to pay the cars seller his asking price just to get him to take my wife…. then after that I would have done some negotiating with him for the car..
Have the same car ! Bought 30 years ago 8-9000 $ , no brakes, upholstery and top ruined, bumpers and frame windows painted in grey, a lot of zamack heavily pitted, etc…But not in parts like this, i bought a complete car, only missing the Highway HiFi phonograph !!!
Took 7 years to restore (frame off) and 40-45 K. (i bought also for 2 K a wrecked 4dr HT which got me a lot of common parts in better condition). I worked myself on the disassembly, all the mechanics, the electricity, the reassembly. I don’t regret it but I haven’t driven for 7 years and I haven’t really made any money. But I learned a lot about the 1957 Imperials!
30 years ago, coming back from the big Carlisle Events antique car flea market, I stopped for fuel in a small Pennsylvania town called Littlestown [I told you it was small!]. I noticed a wooden shed next to the Hess gas station had an open garage door, and I could see a late 1950s Chrysler product inside, so I stopped to visit for a minute or 2.
Inside was a partially stripped 1957 Imperial convertible, with a flattened windshield frame and the front end had been removed. Other than dusty, everything looked very nice, but something just wasn’t right on the car.
The guy working on the car told me a story that left me stunned. Seems the local Chrysler-Plymouth dealer [long closed] had received a truckload of new cars in 1957. In the spot located directly above the truck cab, sat a brand new Imperial convertible [the very car I saw in the shed]. He said the truck driver got in the car, pushed the button on the transmission control to back it off, and it went forward, with the front of the car hitting the pavement before the car tipped forward, landing on it’s closed convertible top.
Somehow the dealership ended up owning the car, and they ordered all the parts required to repair the car, including a complete new body shell. He said the car and parts ended up covered under a tarp in the back of the body shop, and they never even started the repairs. All of it sat there gathering dust until the dealership closed, and the current owner bought the car and parts.
He walked over to the other side of the shed, and lifted up a corner of an old canvas tarp. There sat a complete 1957 Imperial body assembly in brown primer. [When I first saw the photo of this Barn Find listing, I thought it was the same car]. He continued to pull the tarp open, and sitting inside the body shell was a big stack of MoPaR boxes, said to be every piece required to fix the car.
The last time I saw the garage door open [about 2012], it looked like the new body was in place on the chassis and the body had been painted. I’ve been past the shed a few times since, but it’s always closed, and the windows are covered inside. If any Barn Finds members live in southern Adams County, or knows if the car is finished, please let me know!
Great story Bill!
leiniedude,
Had the guy restoring the car not shown me a photo of the new Imperial sitting upside down in front of the car hauler, I’m not sure I would have believed him! I’ve always wondered what happened to the truck driver, if he was OK, but the car’s owner didn’t know.
Did anyone check the trunk for the truck driver?
I’ve a page on my site about ’57 Imperial convertibles; but I haven’t updated it for a long time !
http://www.ch300imp.com/my57pics.htm
Just signed up, got up to use the restroom and came back to find my brand new untouched account has already been HIJACKED. My prankster of a neighbor who is over to visit took advantagge of my absence to post replies pn my account because I left it open and in view instead of taki g it with me. Please note, any replies listed as being from me are not from me. Payback on him for this shall be sudden and oh so very satisfying for ne while being harmless but fun.