Stored 40 Years: 1963 Imperial LeBaron
The Imperial became Chrysler’s top-of-the-line automobile in 1926. For most of its life, it was in third place in luxury car sales behind Cadillac and Lincoln. To help balance the playing field, Chrysler spun the Imperial off as its own make in 1955, but production arrangements didn’t change. As a separate car line, the second generation of the Imperial (sans Chrysler badging) was built from 1957 to 1963, including the seller’s car. It was in storage for 40 years but looks good now and is in operating condition after some work.
These were already luxurious autos, but the LeBaron edition was the cream of the crop, except for the limousine. Available only as a 4-door hardtop, some 1,537 copies were built in 1963 (the seller indicates that number was 1,245 and they were handmade). It was a California Chrysler dealer’s wife’s car for some time but spent the past four decades within inside storage. The body appears to be in excellent condition though the white paint was redone at some point.
Under the hood resides a 413 cubic inch V8, though no photos are offered. It’s said to have been rated at 370 hp. The car runs great, thanks to a lot of recent repairs and maintenance. That completed list includes the brakes, gas tank, and tires. The seller says the rear bumper needs replacing and the ad reads like the seller is going to take care of that.
This “Chrysler” is loaded with goodies, including an optional heavy-duty braking system but we don’t know what that entails. The leather interior seems okay and there are no cracks in the dash. This Imperial has the cool oblong steering wheel that was popular with Chrysler in those days. Located near Rochester, New York, this beastly (in a wonderful way) Imperial is available here on craigslist for $15,000. The odometer reads just 42,000 miles. Barn Finder Mitchell G. scores again!
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Comments
Odd car, but I bet it drives and rides like a dream! No mention of AC though..
I’m pretty sure Air Conditioning was standard on LeBaron models, but optional on other Imperials. Now does it work? 🤔
Hello, Rick W !
I stopped getting these in my primary box but always had the Barn Finds “selling your classic?” in promotions. I thought it was an ad but the other day I opened it up & discovered the cars I used to get in primary. So that’s where I’ve been.
Welcome Back, Jon! There have been several problems here in the BARN, acknowledged and hopefully soon to be fixed. Angel Cadillac DIVA, Frog, myself, and several others have created The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY 😉. I’ve been busy clearing out my LAST storage unit (once had 7) 😲. Now the garage and the trash and treasures on a hoarding packrat. Remember my mantra has always been Too Much is NEVER enough. Change has never been Mt Forte but all things must…….😔
The Incomparable Imperial at its finest 👌. My all time dream car would be a 61 black LeBaron with fake spare tire mounted on rear deck. I once could have bought that LAND YACHT ( in mid 70s) for $3500. But at the time my Champagne tastes were on a beer budget. 😔. The vinyl roof on this 63 looks different from 61. I believe Milburn Drysdale ( Beverly Hillbillies) had a 62 and later 64 LeBaron, which his wife referred to as a Limousine. Actually the 60s LeBarons were built for upscale buyers who wanted the panache of a Limousine while driving themselves. As a Founding Member of the GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY, I hereby declare this to be an Incomparable Bon Marche! Too late for me, but someone will have a driving experience that is truly INCOMPARABLE!
I’m pretty sure Air Conditioning was standard on LeBaron models, but optional on other Imperials. Now does it work? 🤔
A/C wasn’t standard on LeBarons but few were ordered without it. The brochure says 90 percent of LeBarons had that option. Judging from the vents, especially the one under the dashboard on the driver’s side, this car is one of the 90 percent with it.
My favorite year of 1960+ Imperial. They toned down the rear of the vehicle with a more elegant, simple tail light and also got rid of that hideous spare tire outline on the deck lid. Still has the fantastic freestanding headlights and the high style ordinate dashboard. ‘63 was the only year to encompass all these features. The fact that it is a LeBaron makes it pretty special indeed.
Unfortunately, (Or fortunately, depending on how you look at it) These imperials don’t bring money and likely this car will not see a taker at 15 K. Sure wish this one was in my Neck of the woods as I would certainly have a look and maybe try to do a little negotiating. Hope she gets a good home……..
What a dream car, and I like the white paint, easier to be seen in low light or the dark. This car near Rochester NY is only about 400+ miles from me too and has “cruise control” or what they called it, so I think about it coming home. But I have no place for it, a two car garage filled with STUFF!
Had a ’58 LeBaron 4-door hardtop as a young man and loved it. Guess I was missing my ’66 Cadillac Calais when I bought it from a local International truck dealer for $300 in
late ’73. The car looked great but the
guy I got it from said the engine was
locked up. Well, not quite. Had to soak the cylinders in Marvel Mystery
Oil for a bit before we could actually get the engine to turn over smoothly
with a breaker bar. We coaxed it to
life while I was home for Thanksgiving that year. Then Dad,
Uncle Dean, Nelson Mott, his brother
Cecil, and I rebuilt the 392 after we
burned all Mystery Oil out of the cylinders. While we had the engine apart, we put some beefier innards
into the hemi and played with the timing to get 400 horsepower out of it
before putting it back in the car. Mom
and Dad drove it awhile after the rebuild and told me it ran and rode great. Also had the tranny serviced
at Twin City Hydramatic downtown.
while the engine was out of the car just for good measure. Other than the engine/tranny rebuild, the rest of the car was in great shape for its age.
There was little rust in the quarters
The paint and stainless steel roof section buffed out really well too. It
was one sharp car except for the rusty floor pans. But a day at Wherry
Welding solved all that. The only time
I got to ride in it was New Year’s Eve
of ’73 when we had a dance to play
over in Mattoon about an hour from home. And like my Caddy, we hitched a trailer to it, loaded it up, and made
$1,200 that might. Wound up selling it to the widow of an old family friend
who owned it when he passed away
a few years before. The lady was
heartbroken when her husband died
anf never set foot in the car after that.
But she changed her mind and wanted it back. So I took a loss on it
to make her happy. She motored off
into the sunset and I never saw the car again. Never could say “No” to the
ladies.
The more I see of those free standing headlights the less I like them.
“Never could say no to the ladies.” That’s nice to know, Kenneth. 😄 I’m just kidding with you. Hello Mrs. Kenneth!
Steve Weiman….
I’ve always hated those free standing headlights of the early 60s Imperials. And the rear may look refined but to me it’s boring compared to the ’57, ’58 & ’59.
The one thing I do like about this car and Imperials in general from this Era is the futuristic dashboard and steering wheel.
This particular seems to be pretty loaded with options. It’s got power vent windows and power door locks as well as all the other amenities of a top of the line luxury automobile.
But I’d pass this one up. My favs for Imperial are ’57, ’58, ’59, ’65, ’66, ’67, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’71 (<— had one) '72, '73, '79, & '80
After '73 they were just gussied up New Yorkers.
Angel,
My uncle had a ’68 Imperial. Can’t recall if it was a Crown or not, but Emerald Green with a black vinyl roof & green interior.
As a cherub of 14, I used to sit in it and admire that dash with all the features.
A few weeks ago I saw a ’68 Crown Cpe. at a show. Burnished brown and a windows sticker of $7,700. Memories.
Lost track of this site and missed it.
No one seems to have noticed that this Imperial has the front end of a 1962, but the tail of a 1963. In fact everything else is 1963, but the front. Wonder what the story is? I like the 63 front better with its amber parking lights and single piece grille.
Good catch! 👍. The front end isn’t completely visible. But you are right! Also, as previously mentioned the vinyl top doesn’t seem right.
@Billyray
I’m not very well versed in the Imperial line and didn’t notice myself that the front was replaced with a 1962 front clip. Guess it was in a pretty bad accident to replace the whole thing
And @Rick W
Does this have a vinyl top? As I’ve stated before, I do not have a computer or tablet and everything is done on my small screen phone.
Hi Jon Rukavina!
Nice to see you back.
Yes, the back seats on all luxury cars, Imperials, Lincolns & Cadillac are huge and comfortable. The “68 Imperial dash unfortunately isn’t as space age as the 50s and early 60s but Imperials always had impressive interiors and dashs’. Always with untraditional door pulls and steering wheels.
My 1971 Imperial had an interesting dash. Instead of back lighting the instruments, the lights were tucked under the top of the dash upper lip. Put a soft glow on the dash. One of the things I liked about the ’71. Plus it had a huge red “check guages” light. Came in handy when it blew a freeze out plug near Baltimore driving up from Miami Florida.
Well thank you, Angel!
I’m Back! Yes Angel this one does have a vinyl roof. But not with the brushed aluminum inserts over the doors like the 61 LEBARON. That’s what confused me. This seems to be authentic. Did you catch my comment about clearing out my LAST storage unit? Next up, the garage! 😕 😞! Oh the trash and treasures of a hoarding packrat! If you can, a tablet is much better for viewing. And Jon R. You need to join us in The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY!
Trying once again to post a reply to Angel, more later IF this goes through
I’m Back! Yes Angel this one does have a vinyl roof. But not with the brushed aluminum inserts over the doors like the 61 LEBARON. That’s what confused me. This seems to be authentic. Did you catch my comment about clearing out my LAST storage unit? Next up, the garage! 😕 😞! Oh the trash and treasures of a hoarding packrat! If you can, a tablet is much better for viewing. And Jon R. You need to join us in The GREAT AMERICAN LAND YACHT SOCIETY!
Yes, Rick, I always see your posts.
How I’d love to go through your 7 storage units.
We didn’t need storage units on the farm. We had 11 outbuildings to store things in and my father filled them all.
I hope you’re not as dumb as he was and throw everything out or give it away. He had thousands of dollars worth of stuff. Antiques, hard to find car parts machines, tools. You name it he had it.
Back in the mid 70s, he had a 1938 Pontiac sitting in the barn for years. When I was 12 I got to drive it from the barn to the garage but he never really got it going or fixed up to drivable. I’ll tell you the story of this car one day. Anyway, I knew what cars like that were going for at the time. He wouldn’t listen to me. He finally sold it, but for pennies on the dollar. He was never meant to be rich.
And please don’t go all soft on me “oh he had a heart of gold” or “he just didn’t want to cheat anyone”. Nope. NOT the case. He was just plain stubborn and stupid. Would never listen to me.
Well, you DIVA licious QUEEN of the LAND YACHTS, times (as you know have changed). Like the song from GYPSY 🎵 Some People Got it 🎶 and make it pay! 🎵 Some people can’t even give it away 🎶 😔. I had a 70s Magnavox Astrosonic console stereo, book shelf, and curio cabinet in storage that I couldn’t keep. I posted a large note at a local store FREE! listing them. NO INTEREST. A local cat shelter is having a sale (Aunt Kitty’s Trash and Treasures). Volunteers came with a truck and trailer taking most. And I AM a childless Cat 🐈 MAN! 😉. Years ago, I had a shop at an Antique Mall but after several years sales weren’t even making the rent. Now resale shops are picky about donations. Such is life in the 🤔 Golden Years ✨! As Cole Porter predicted 🎵 The world has gone mad today 🎶 ANYTHING goes! 🎵 LOL as always 💐🌹 💋
Hey Rick W that’s funny about the some people can’t give it away. Reminds me of a couple things that I find funny.
1. This man put his old working freezer at the curb with a sign reading FREE. No takers so he put a sign $50 and they stole it.
Oh, P.S. everyone. They had a nice ’63 Imperial in the movie “The Green Book” along with its stars (2) identical 1962 Cadillac Sedan de Villes and Viggo Mortensen & Mahershala Ali
My P.S. FYI, on TV 60s GREEN HORNET, the BLACK BEAUTY was a customized 64 🤔 IMPERIAL.
I’ve had a couple of 63’s, but none compare to my ’60 that oozes pure elegance!
@Rick W
Rick, sometimes you make me so mad! I love not only antiques but vintage from the 50s & 60s.
I get a lot of my stuff from “Offer Up”, an app where you can buy second anything from locals or nationally. Plus they have a free section where I get most of my stuff.
In Baltimore I got a beautiful console stereo, am/fm, turntable, 8 track in working condition for $40. I loved it but when I moved to Vegas there was no room for it on the 26′ truck so it was curbed. Someone picked it up. I had 7 large curio cabinets for my 1/18 scale car collation that I had to sell before moving. Most I paid $200 for. Had to let them go for $75 each.
Mostly what I have now are crystal chandeliers and crystal candelabras from the Victorian Era. Much less expensive than the stuff I had from the Art Deco Era. In the 90s I saw Art Deco ashtrays going for $800. Needless to say I never got them but I sure wanted them. And clocks. I love windup pendulum clocks and grandfather clocks.
I’m trying to simplify because I’ve made the decision to move back to Baltimore but once I’m back there I plan on replacing the console stereo and curio cabinets. My car models have stayed in boxes for the last 10 years. I want to enjoy them.
I sold many of them to a guy out here who had a fire and was trying to replace them. Since I had literally hundreds and no room I sold him most of my Chevrolet and Ford. Now I mostly just have Cadillac, Lincoln, Imperial, Chrysler, and some discontinued stuff like Packard, Studebaker, AMC Rambler & Pontiac, Olds, Plymouth, Mercury & Saturn.
Angel, I don’t have a console stereo, but do have a table top AM-FM 8-track phone combo that my Mom had if you’re interested. I also have a Panasonic 8-track player in working order that is currently connected to my downstairs stereo along with 56 8-track tapes.
Well ANGEL, great minds… I have five Crystal Chandeliers still to be installed (after 20 years) in my home. Six hanging including one in master bath room and one in guest bath. Dining room has a Maria Teresa. Living room has empire style Swarovski. When I moved, health issues began leaving my new home still not done like the previous one with flocked velvet wallpaper, Austrian shades, velvet swags, etc. I don’t believe I’ll ever completely finish before my time comes! Still RESTLESS but Not YOUNG! Like our tastes in cars, we seem to be soul mates! As always, LOL!
@Rick W
❤
Thanks! You really are an ANGEL 😇 as well as a DIVA. Really needed that today. I wish we could find a way to chat outside the BARN, but I don’t know how.
Just know that I am very grateful for you, my DIVA licious friend! 🙏 💖 🌹
@Jon
I would be interested in both. When I graduated in 1972 my grandmother bought me an am/fm 8 track w/phono. Had that up to about 10 years ago. Would the 56 tapes come with?
We would have to discuss this. Only you would have to wait until I move back to Baltimore which I hope to do within the next 6 months.
Hi Angel,
I just saw your reply to my offer. Yes, I can include the tapes.
I would also have to see if the table top combo unit is in working order.
Then, of course, is the matter of contacting one another in private, although you already know my name.
@Jon Rukavina
Hey Jon,
I’ve posted my email and even my phone number multiple time for contacts.
But for some reason people seem to have problems with that. I mean problems actually contacting me. I wonder if this sight has something to do with that.
@Angel – Trust me, you don’t want your personal information published online. We remove all phone numbers and email address to protect people from spam.
@Jesse
I kinda thought it was something like that, that the info was being removed, and for the reasons that you do that are valid and appreciated.
But, how are we supposed to contact each other outside of the Barn?
Someone has to give contact info first.
What do you suggest?
Jesse, understand and appreciate you discretion. But if someone posts a chat line number in order to make contact, will that be removed? Thanks 😀
@Jon Rukavina
Jon, I could have sworn I answered you. But then again, the Barn has been having IT problems.
Yes, we will be in touch. I just need to move back to Baltimore first. After that, I will replace my console stereo and all my curio cabinets.
Hello Angel,
OK, & I saw Jesse’s post, too . We’ll figure it out
@Jon
Yeah I’m trying to figure out a way. Google chat or Hangouts but would still need the contact info to do that