Chrysler had used 'Imperial' as a model name since 1926 but in 1955 it was launched as a new Chrysler brand. The first cars used the Virgil Exner 'Forward Look' styling given to all Chrysler badges that year, although it is said that the Imperial was closely modelled on Exner's own 1952 show car. Imperials had a wheelbase 4-inches longer than other Chrysler models and were given the 5.4-litre Hemi V8 also given to the Chrysler C300. Bodies offered were a 4-door sedan, and a 2-door Newport hardtop as well as a 4-door Southampton hardtop. There was restyling for 1956, and an enlarged 5.8-litre engine, and a wheelbase grown by 3-inches. For 1957 Chrysler moved the Imperial away from other Chrysler cars, with a longer wider platform of its own, and of course the 1957 Chrysler winged styling. In 1957 Imperials were offered in 4 different trim levels, and a convertible was offered with Imperial Crown trim. Modest restyling was given in 1958, and in 1959 the Imperial continued with the Hemi V8 replaced by the cheaper 'Wedge Head' V8. There were annual styling changes in 1960, 1961, 1962 and 1963 until the 1964 Imperial designed by Lincoln's Elwood Engel.