One Of Only 1,500! 1960 Imperial Custom
The seller of this 1960 Imperial Custom two-door hardtop, or a “Southampton” as the hardtop was known, claims rarity with only 1,500 copies produced. My research reveals 1,498 so I’d say we’re good to go! Also claimed is a “RARE yellow and silver factory color combo.” I cannot verify that proclamation but this is a fabulous-looking car that’s in show-quality condition and is the perfect embodiment of the Virgil Exner styling era. Please read on to learn more.
Custom, Crown, and LeBaron are how Imperial’s trim levels rolled in ’60. Body styles included hardtops (Southamptons), sedans, and convertibles. Imperial placed fifteenth in the ’60 production race with 17K copies, one slot behind Lincoln. It was a typical output but pretty far behind Imperial’s 1957’s high water mark.
As expected for the early ’60s, chrome, stainless trim, and tailfins abound on Imperials not to mention mass with a 4,800 lb. curb weight. In the past, I’ve made mention (and fun) of the fake trunk-lid mounted spare tire bulge (toilet seat?) but I’ll let it go, no point in continuing to hammer on a styling cue. More importantly, this Imperial presents perfectly, I would be hard-pressed to issue a demerit for any reason. The seller suggests the mileage of 49K is genuine but offers no documentation. The listing states that the car’s use is limited to car shows where “It always draws a crowd“. I bet!
Power is courtesy of a 350 gross HP, 413 CI “RB” V8 engine providing the “Big Mo” via a TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The seller adds, “The engine is very smooth running and the transmission shifts as it should.” It all appears to be original having only experienced minor repair items such as a rebuilt carburetor, a new fuel pump, an original-looking battery, and some gasket replacements.
I’ll admit that a silver upholstered interior is not what immediately comes to mind when paired with a pale yellow exterior but it certainly works – at least in this case. The vinyl and cloth fabric show like new and the front split bench seat halves pivot sideways for easier ingress/egress. That dual binnacle instrument panel reflects the times by projecting a jet-age vibe. And of course, Mopar’s vertical push-button transmission activation arrangement is positioned just to the speedometer’s left.
So, who would be the likely buyer for this Mopar masterpiece? Maybe a collector, or someone who just wants to do what the current owner does and tour the local car show scene. A museum piece? Maybe. This beautiful sedan is too nice to drive with any regularity but then what’s the point of ownership if you can’t enjoy it by doing something more than just staring at it, right? Be sure to check out the listing here on eBay where it’s available for a current bid of $13,300 with the reserve not yet met. There’s also a BIN option for $45,000. Interested?
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Comments
That is a great looking/perfect Imperial! I like the “61 with pod headlights a little bit better. Years ago, the NATMUS museum in Auburn, IN had a “58 or “59 Southampton/Crown sedan with a factory leather top in stead of vinyl.
Leather top? Wowza
Cool car but not a 4500k car in my opinion. Low miles at this is irrelevant.
Seals dry out and leaks will be present at normal driving. Almost worse to let a car sit. Style is great and not seen anymore.
413 was a great engine not enough props given to it. Good luck to buyer and seller.
Beautiful. Have you ever seen a yellow Imperial of this vintage? Nope, me either.
The Incomparable Imperial! However the price seems nearly Unapproachable 🤔. For me, my ultimate dream cars are 61 Imperial LEBARON and 61 DeSoto. I get to see both every day in framed collages I created NOT quite the same, but much less expensive! 😃
In Junior high school, one of the teachers, a Dentist’s wife frequently arrived late, parking her 60 Imperial hastily blocking part of the street. Guess parking those fabulous fins was a challenge! In high school, another teacher drove a pink Imperial. Obviously neither was able to afford an Imperial on a teacher’s salary 🙄
IDK, I like that fake spare tire Continental kit on the trunk. Nothing exceeds like excess I always say. This car is a beast. But the by it now price is nuts.
Beautiful looking Imperial top to bottom. I did notice on the start up and rev the engine. The oil light was going on and off. Could be a faulty sending unit. Or engine troubles. Yes the BIN is high. High $30,000 will make a sale. I am a Chrysler guy and this is beautiful looking ride. But prices are coming down on the market of muscle cars and original rides. I wish the seller good luck. 🐻🇺🇸
Whenever I see certain cars of this time period, I wonder what it was like to have been a designer or stylist. Management must have just turned them loose to be as creative as possible, and to make the result as spectacular as could be. Cars like the 1960 Imperial are the result. And then, within a year or three, you got to do it again.
Cool car, with tons of eye appeal and presence.
If this car does nothing for you, might want to blow the dust off the BP monitor. To Bob^^, imagine the designs that didn’t make the cut? Rick W nailed it. These cars were for the rich bankers, or dentists/doctors wife, to flaunt their success. They parked where they wanted, parking tickets were handed over to the accountant. Living in middle class suburbia, we never saw them. We worked for people that had these cars. I realize I poke fun at cars like the Asian offerings, but really, once you’ve grown up with these, how could you possibly feel any different. This was an automobile, not just a car. The “toilet seat” trunk seals the deal.
I simply can’t resist, this, or that rusty Chevelle with no floors?
Certainly, Miss Hathaway ended up paying the parking tickets for Mr. D.
Absofricking beautiful!
Absolutelyfricking?
It’s absolutely FINtastic! Another example of Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler.
Beautiful car but no A/C!
No, the car has Four Sixty A/C. You roll down four windows and drive 60 miles per hour.
Beautiful land yacht!
Hey MARK! There is an unofficial GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY out here, founded by Angel Cadillac DIVA, Frog and yours truly! Always interviewing new members. Easy to join. Just love huge excessively chromed OTT luxury liners like this Incomparable Imperial! 😉
I’ve been having a crush on 60s Mopars here lately, and this Imperial beauty is no exception. It’s BIN price is painful, but where are you going to find another Imperial like it? I’d have to add Vintage Air, but I have seen several 60s Mopars here, that already have factory air.
please correct me, and im sure some will, but!!! my memory tells me the southhamtons were free standing headlights.only. which makes nothing wrong with this beautiful car. just an over sight i think in ad.
Nope – Click on the attached.
JO
Free standing headlight were standard on all serious of 61-62-63 Imperials. They were never offered on the 1960’s. “Southampton” designated “hardtop” body on all series.
“Jeeper’s Dad, can I borrow the car? I’m gonna go pick up Bobbie Jo and meet up with Woody and Eddie at the malt shop to check out some new records they loaded in the juke box, I promise I won’t race Jerry’s jalopy again!”
No Son! You drove me to drinkin in that HOT Rod Lincoln. But you and Bobbie Jo will look sweet on a bicycle built for two riding to the Shady Rest or Sam Druckers store in Hooterville. But watch out for Uncle Joe. He’s moving mighty slow at Petticoat Junction. If you ask real nice, Lisa Douglas might make you some of her infamous HOTTS CAKES at GREEN ACRES. Well, Doggies 🐕.
My Gramps bought one of these though it was used off the lot in our hometown. His was tan, not yellow.. He used to tease me and say that his was the car George Jetson traded in on his flying car. I could almost hear the noise the Jetson’s flying car made coming out of the hoops around the tail lights on Gramp’s. It was the coolest ride on a Sunday morning when we were all headed to Sunday School.
This is the base model, but the condition of the car lends credibility to the mileage claim. A two door is indeed uncommon. As is so often the case with Imperial owners, an exorbitant price will likely stimey the sale. I think mid-teens would make a sale.
Only one thing. The dual carb cross-ram!
Lotta comments on this automotive epitome of the Virgil Exner design genius. I think the BF community knows a spectacular car when they see one. As always it’s worth what ever the final high bidder offers. With a car like this the BIN Is just fishing. Who really knows what it’s really worth. There sure aren’t a lot of them currently for sale. Unlike tri five Chevies that are available for sale by the thousands and the sellers want similar money for the rarer ones in equivalent condition. GLWTS.
My father’s last three cars were all white Imperial Crowns; 60,63 & 66. Great memories.
Love the 60 Imperials. Please, if you own and drive one it’s okay to call it a “toilet seat”. That’s a no-no for non owners, rather the proper term is Flite Sweep Deck Lid. Miss Manners is very clear about this. The swivel seats are always a hit at car shows.
What an incredibly beautiful automobile! Once, as a 10 year old boy setting in the back seat my parent’s ‘54 Mercury Monterey, it was night and we were coming back from a day at the beach in Santa Cruze. The radio was on low and the car’s vibrations would have my brother and me nodding off and on again. I remember looking out the window and watched as the most amazing car I’d ever seen move beside us. The dash was like two brilliant blue-green eyes and it swept by showing huge wings out the back with two red eyes staring back at me. That dark night and the vision of that ‘60 Imperial is one of those sweet dreams that stick in your memory like it was yesterday.
I like the ’60 better than later years. That said these are polarizing for me. I can appreciate how special this Imperial is but, still, it takes dark glasses to look at it at night.