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.
Chrysler Imperial 1937
Chrysler Imperial 1957
Imperial 1960-63
Imperial 1964-65
Imperial 1969-73
Imperial 1974-75
aa Chrysler Imperial 80 1926 Roadster badge
Chrysler Imperial E80 1926 Roadster - badge on grille. The first Imperials did not carry an 'Imperial' badge in the way that Cadillac and Lincoln did
aa Chrysler Imperial LeBaron 1975 440 badgei
Chrysler Imperial LeBaron 1975 440 - badge on headlamp. This was the final year for the 'Imperial' brand.
aa Chrysler Imperial LeBaron 1975 440 badgel
Chrysler Imperial LeBaron 1975 440 - badge on c-pillar. For most Imperial models there were two levels of trim, 'Crown' and the more expensive 'LeBaron', but at the end the 'Crown' option was dropped.
aa Imperial 1963 Crown 2-door badge
Imperial Crown 1963 2-door Hardtop - badge on front wing
aa Imperial 1973 LeBaron badge
Imperial 1973 LeBaron hardtop sedan - badge on rear wing
aa Imperial 1973 LeBaron badgee
Imperial 1973 LeBaron hardtop sedan - Imperial Eagle emblem long used on Imperial cars
ac Chrysler Imperial 80 1926 Roadster head
Chrysler Imperial E80 1926 Roadster, Powered by larger (4.7-litre) version of the Chrysler Six. The 'E-80' name referred to the top speed of 80mph
Chrysler Imperial 80 1926 Roadster front
Chrysler Imperial E80 1926 Roadster with Dickey Seat. The Imperial was intended to be the 'Cadillac' of the Chrysler group, and the E-80 sat on a grand 127-inch wheelbase, almost 15-inches longer that the regular Chrysler Model 70 of 1926.
