Space Age Styling: 1962 Imperial by Chrysler
The Imperial was Chrysler’s premium product for nearly 60 years. From 1955 to 1975, it was positioned as a separate make (the theory was to better compete with Cadillac and Lincoln). This 1962 edition is a 2-door hardtop and one of just 1,000 built (per the seller). It still wears some of the “Forward Look” styling cues of the 1950s and is said to be a solid project waiting to be restored. Located in Sun Valley, Nevada, this aging luxury land yacht is available here on craigslist for $5,500. Our thanks to Barn Finder T.J. for keeping the flames fanned with tips!
Second-generation Imperials (without Chrysler badging) were produced from 1957 to 1963. Unlike other Chrysler products of the era, the Imperial stuck with body-on-frame construction in 1960 when other products went the unibody route. With “Torsion-Aire” suspension, Chrysler boasted that the Imperial was quieter and rode better than its main competitors. The 1960s versions of the big cars continued with a “space age” look with its interior, especially the dashboard and odd-shaped steering wheel. For 1962 models, the tailfins were dialed back a bit with free-standing taillights, and the headlights were in a world all their own.
From what we’re told, this Imperial has been sitting for several years, so its massive 413 cubic inch V8 isn’t yet operable. And the same would be true for the push-button (remember those days?) automatic transmission. At 120,000 miles, they’re both probably used up as cars didn’t travel the quarter-million miles that seem more common today. Most Imperials had four doors, so how many 2-door hardtops like this one could be left?
We’re told there is some rust which was common to Chryslers of that era. But it’s said to be minimal and in “common areas” like the front fenders. The floors and trunk are solid. We assume the entire car needs restoration which would include the interior. The photos are rather specific to certain areas, so it’s hard to tell how well the passenger compartment has fared. But if you’re a fan of these “space age” Mopars, would you undertake this project?
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Comments
That is a good price ! ..I would drive it just the way it is.
Have fun with it. ..If I lived closer this would be in my
driveway right now. .. 😁
This car marks the end of the Exner styling era at Chrysler. He was a fan of stand-alone head-and-tail lights, as he was inspired by the Stutz Bearcat. Exner had his walking papers by the time these came out. These aren’t bad looking, but I personally think the best looking Imperials were the short-cab 2-door hardtop of the fuselage-styled eartly 70s cars.
62 marked the peak, and the last of Chrysler’s eccentric styling, the 62 Chrysler itself, was clean, the rest were funky. But I’m knocking them, I like most of the ole funky Chrysler products, I’ve owned 1 or 2. Good price on this Imperial, and well worth saving. I keep hearing the younger set isn’t interested in cars from the 30s to the 50s, most probably aren’t interested in cars from the 60s either, especially luxury yachts. Hopefully this Imperial finds a new home, and gets the proper treatment
Long live the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT! As for the young and Restless, can’t understand them and their interests at all. This OLD Dog 🐕, doesn’t like NEW tricks. 😉. Like you, I hope someone restores this Imperial to, as ads stated, The Incomparable Imperial.
I owned a 2 door one of these until early last year, bought it in 2007 and shipped it to Australia, after fixing all of the little fiddly bits and pieces over about 3 months it hit the road and attracted attention wherever it went, won a couple of trophies at car shows, etc. As far as I can find out it was the only 2 door in my state of South Australia. I was lucky to get it with the ’61 ‘toilet seat’ trunk lid which really made it stand out from the crowd. I agree with Virgil Exner, why build a car that looks like everything else on the road, be different, that’s why they are treasured today. No one is going to open a barn door in 62 years time and say ‘hey look it’s an old Kia’!
Amen and Hallelujah to that! There was a reason Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler were called the FORWARD Look. They took the industry by storm, changing everything. My ultimate favorites are 61 LEBARON and final 61 DeSoto. Ultimately fins had reached as far as they could go. Exners next designs were not well received, leading to Engel bringing a Lincolnesque influence to Chrysler. Fortunately Chrysler and Imperial maintained a definned traditional look in the 62 and 63 vehicles. By the way, 🎵 How DO 🎶 you solve aPROBLEM 🎵 like a kIA?🎵 🤮 🤮 🤮
My all time favorite dream cars are 61 Imperial LEBARON ( with Limo looking roof) and final 6 DESOTO. GRAND FINALE for Exners fabulous finned OTT chromed fantasies for Chrysler. This 62 still has some of the 61 features. Fortunately proposed 62 Corporate wide Chicken Wing styling was only applied to downsized Dodge and Plymouth, while Chrysler and Imperial were spared. Dodge quickly added Custom 880 while Plymouth was stuck with one of the ugliest cars ever built.
What a neat find! I’d fix what was needed to be drivable, and enjoy it for what it is. Nicely optioned with factory A/C and electric windows, this must’ve been gorgeous when it was new. It might even be worth getting the minor rot filled and get the car painted it’s beautiful blue, the chrome and stainless trim looks pretty good and will polish up decently. I think it’s reasonably priced, I wish I could buy it.
Agreed Zen. But what can be done with the pitted interior trim and hardware? Looks like every piece of it needs serious attention.
You’d be surprised how nicely interior chrome polishes up.
It’s got a face only a mother could love.
Interesting, just from design I would rather have the Ford Edsel than this thing I think the Ford looks better
Not bad for a old gas guzzler
I remember replacing a door on one of these coupes. Was like removing a bank vault door. That was fun LOL
Looking at the front end, interesting how small the hood is relative to those big fenders. Would make it hard to reach over and work in the engine compartment.
I guess though, if you could afford one of these, you weren’t supposed to work on it yourself….just take it to the dealer with checkbook in hand.
Beautiful looking car. 1962 is my favourite year for the Imperial until the 1967 model year. Assuming everything on this car is solid with nothing to risk the safety of those driving and riding in the car, this looks like it would make an awesome resto project. I’d be willing to pay around the $5500 asking price. If only more pics were posted on Craigslist.
If there was ever a car worthy of a Hellcat engine swap with pro-touring upgrades, this car is it.
A Crown coupe with Dual Air-Temp air conditioning!
This 62 has to be one of only a few Imperial coupes of any year ever made to have this expensive option. Dual Air-Temp in a LeBaron or a Chysler wagon in seldom seen and unusual, but in a coupe it is truly rare.
Space age styling? More like spaced out. Sherman, set the Way Back machine…
Chrysler removed over 300 audible and feelable noises and vibrations as well as subliminal ones. I remember driving the first new 64 that came in with all those noises and vibrations gone as it felt strange but was great. The rust thing was from late 56 through 58 as GM figured out a way to secretly sell steel to Chrysler that had been through the atomic blast of Hiroshima with all the carbon burned out. That wasn’t enough for GM in an effort to put Chrysler out of business, they talked the union to strike Chrysler in 58 even though we were in a recession.
It rusted immediately. Our mopars always ran well over 200k. The first hemi’s near 500k.
Just noticed the fender mount, two stem side mirrors. What style!! Also the huge interior dome light.
Amen and Hallelujah to that! There was a reason Exners fabulous finned fantasies for Chrysler were called the FORWARD Look. They took the industry by storm, changing everything. My ultimate favorites are 61 LEBARON and final 61 DeSoto. Ultimately fins had reached as far as they could go. Exners next designs were not well received, leading to Engel bringing a Lincolnesque influence to Chrysler. Fortunately Chrysler and Imperial maintained a definned traditional look in the 62 and 63 vehicles. By the way, 🎵 How DO 🎶 you solve aPROBLEM 🎵 like a kIA?🎵 🤮 🤮 🤮
I remember when the new cars came out each year, what an anticipated event! Cars like this explain why. Nowadays I can’t tell a five year old SUV from a new one. So very sad, glad I grew up in a time when cars were more than appliances.
I had a couple of these and honestly was not very impressed. The headlights standing out there big and bold, I guess my preference is for them to be incorporated into the body. And the “gunsight” taillights perched high on fenders? My thought was they designed the car without tail lights, then just before release realized, “Hey, we forgot something!” Rummaged around in their spare parts bins and came up what you see. Now my 1960 Imperial? THAT was elegance!
If this was in my area I’d be making an offer. I love all the different designs of Exner’s work. This epitomizes it IMO. I don’t understand why so many people who advertise on CL don’t include pictures of the engine. Maybe they can’t figure out how to open the hood. If this was mine I’d start by getting it roadworthy and then just enjoy it. I’d also get after the rust too. This is a worthy project and I hope it gets a good home.
IMHO, it’s the best looking Imperial since the 1956 model year.
Beautiful! Mechanical restoration and maybe refresh the seats and drive it.
I’ll bet that 413 won’t need a thing except some fresh gas and a battery. The 413s routinely go 200,000 miles without anything major done to them. My ’63 New Yorker has one and it is whisper quiet after 61 years. I love these Imperials. If it were closer, it would be in my garage by now.
That’s a great price for an Imperial 2 door hardtop, in this condition. Factory AC is even better. For this price the buyer could do a good restoration or rebuild and preservation, without breaking the bank.
Being a Cadillac only guy, I must ask, what’s with the rectangle steering wheel? My grandfather had a 61 Plymouth Belvedere with an oval wheel. As I understand it, both were optional and touted as safety features. How did they justify this?
Answers are appreciated.
I don’t recall those steering wheels as safety features. But Chrysler was very experimental in those days, trying for unique features, as obvious with overall styling
and instrument panel. I believe they supposedly gave drivers more room entering the vehicle! 🤔
These were bizarre, makes me wonder what was in the water supply around the design studios. Several of the late 50s, early 60s Chrysler designs were “unusual”, some really hip others way out there.
Fun Fact. I was rewatching the Beverly Hillbillies the other night. Mr. Drysdale was driving this exact car! It looked beautiful. Those Beverly Hills’ bankers had class. Can’t wait to see how far into the series he continues to drive this Imperial.
Actually Drysdale had a LEBARON 4 door. Top of the line with Limo style roof. See next comment for more.
Milburn Drysdales 62 LEBARON was later replaced with a 64 LEBARON. In one episode stock footage shows the 62 arriving at the bank, but when Drysdale gets out of the car in close up, it’s the 64. Mrs Drysdale referred to it as a limousine, justifiably so. Dash Rimrock drove a 64 Crown convert. Miss Jane drove Dodges. All close ups had windshields removed to avoid glare from studio lights. Chrysler, like others furnished vehicles as a way of advertising.