Chrysler Imperial: История роскоши и престижа

the luxury car built by Chrysler up to 1954 and after 1990

The Chrysler Imperial, introduced in 1926, was Chrysler's top of the line vehicle for much of its history. Models were produced with the Chrysler name until 1954, after which it became a standalone brand; and again from 1990 to 1993. The company positioned the cars as a prestige marque to rival Cadillac, Continental, Lincoln, Duesenberg, Pierce Arrow, Cord, and Packard. According to Antique Automobile, "The adjective 'imperial' according to Webster's Dictionary means sovereign, supreme, superior or of unusual size or excellence. The word imperial thus justly befits Chrysler's highest priced model." For several decades and multiple generations, the Imperial was the exclusive Chrysler and the favorite choice of luxurious transportation for senior executive leadership, government officials, royalty and various celebrities in comparison to the more affordable Chrysler New Yorker. Over the years the appearance, technological advancements and luxurious accommodations updated with the latest trends and fashionable appearances. Limousines, town cars and convertibles were the usual appearances, while special coachwork choices were provided by the industry's best providers, to include Derham, Fleetwood, LeBaron, and others. The Chrysler Imperial rose was cultivated in 1952 and used to promote the brand.

In 1940 the Imperial Crown Series C 27 was the only vehicle to wear the "Imperial" nameplate and was offered in four body styles labeled as six passenger Sedan, an eight passenger Sedan, the eight passenger Limousine, and the six passenger Derham Parade Phaeton. and two speed electric windshield wipers were standard.1953–54 4 door: Imperial Crown : 1954 2 door:
| transmission = 4 speed Presto Matic semiautomatic and it was standard on the Imperial Crown. 1952 Imperials were practically identical to the 1951 models, and the most effective way to tell the difference between them is through reference to serial numbers. The convertible bodystyle was dropped in 1952. Unlike the case with Chryslers, the Imperial's taillights were not changed. Power steering was standard. The "new" Imperial Crown was also unchanged for 1952. Only 338 of these cars were made in the 1951–1952 model run, and serial numbers indicate that 205 were registered as 1952 automobiles. A minor change was a one inch reduction in the front tread measurement. being installed in a limited number of cars for testing and evaluation. Power steering was standard on Imperial Crowns. A padded dash was standard. Walter P. Chrysler had seen to the invention of Airtemp air conditioning back in the 1930s for the Chrysler Building, and had ostensibly offered it on cars in 1941–42, and again in 1951–52,

Chrysler Corporation advised state licensing bureaus that beginning in 1955, the Imperial was to be registered as a separate make. It was an attempt to compete directly with GM's Cadillac and Ford's Lincoln luxury focused marques. Frequently and erroneously referred to as the "Chrysler Imperial", this period of Imperial production was a separate marque, and had no "Chrysler" badging anywhere on its cars until 1971; starting with the 1974 models, the "Chrysler" badging was again removed from car bodies, with only the "Imperial" nameplate appearing. In April 1955 Chrysler and Philco announced the development and production of the world's first all transistor car radio. The radio, Mopar model 914HR, was a $150.00 "option", or equal to $150.0 in 1958 is equivalent to about <calculated amount> in recent years today on 1956 Imperial automobile models. Philco began manufacturing the all transistor car radio for Chrysler in the fall of 1955 at its Sandusky, Ohio plant. With the new "Imperial" make, Chrysler Corporation's intention was to create an individual line of luxury cars, above and distinct from Chrysler branded vehicles. This marketing strategy suffered because the cars were rarely (if ever) sold in stand alone Imperial showrooms. Cadillac and Lincoln did a much better job of separating their luxury marques from the lower priced cars that they sold. Imperial was instead offered at the Chrysler dealer network alongside Chrysler's offerings, and the marque was almost universally known as "Chrysler Imperial" in the public's mind for this reason, despite the fact that all existing dealerships did indeed carry separate "Imperial" dealership signs distinct from Chrysler. The Imperial automobiles continued to be retailed through Chrysler dealerships. A distinct marketing channel was not established; thus, the Imperial nameplate failed to separate itself from the other Chrysler models and become a stand alone marque. Beginning in 1967, the Imperial Division, offering three ranges (Custom, Crown, and LeBaron), retreated from their separate body on frame construction and their unique body on a 129.5 inch wheelbase. From that time, Imperials used the Chrysler body. It was fitted with unique styling, and through 1973, very long hoods which accounted for the three inch longer (127 vs. 124") wheelbase as compared to Chrysler sedans. They continued to use their unique front suspension with torsion bars longer than all other Chrysler products and a rubber isolated subframe crossmember containing the torsion bar anchors, as well as full instrumentation backed up by warning lights. In 1974 and 1975, separate brochures were published and separate Imperial signs still stood above the dealerships, and the Imperial continued to feature unique features (such as hidden headlights as featured since 1969, optional antilock brakes as offered since 1971, and standard four wheel disc brakes in both 1974 and 1975), the wheelbase was reduced to the same 124" as other big Chryslers. Although there were no Imperials produced between 1976 and 1978, the styling that was previously used for Imperial was rebranded as the Chrysler New Yorker Brougham during this time. The rear disc brakes and optional antilock feature disappeared, but the exceptionally nice interiors, including rear reading lights with precision ground lenses which did not shine on the windshield, and four cigarette lighters, continued mostly unchanged.

The Imperial marque was again resurrected for the model years 1981 through 1983 with a malaise era two door coupe based on the second generation Chrysler Cordoba platform with the designation Series YS. All examples of the 1981–1983 Imperial used Chrysler's 318 cubic inch V8 engine. All 1981 Imperials came standard with fuel injection, generating power of and 0 60 mph in 13.4 seconds, with a top speed of .

1990 saw a revival of the Imperial as a high end sedan in Chrysler's lineup to replace the dated Fifth Avenue. Although horsepower only increased to , with the new larger 3.8 L V6 torque increased to at 2750 rpm. A four speed automatic transmission was standard with both engines. This generation Imperial was a 6 passenger sedan offered either in "Kimberly Velvet" velour or optional "Mark Cross Leather". Power equipment came standard, as did automatic climate controlled air conditioning, anti lock brakes, cruise control, driver's side airbag, and its distinct landau vinyl roof. The Imperial featured hidden headlamps behind retractable covers similar to those found on the LeBaron coupe/convertible and New Yorker/Fifth Avenue. The Imperial was available with a choice of several Infinity sound systems, all with a cassette player. Other major options included a fully electronic digital instrument cluster with an information centre, an electronically controlled air suspension system, and remote keyless entry with a security alarm. Dealer installed integrated Chrysler cellular phones and six disc CD changers were also available. All seventh generation Imperials were covered by Chrysler's market leading "Crystal Key Owner Care Program" which included a 5 year/50,000 mile limited warranty and a 7 year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty. A 24 hour toll free customer service hotline was also provided. As originally planned, this generation Chrysler Imperial was discontinued after the 1993 model year along with the Y body and C body New Yorkers. They were replaced by the new LH platform sedans. While the New Yorker name continued on for three more years, 1993 would be the last year for Imperial. The critically acclaimed cab forward styled Chrysler LHS replaced the Imperial as Chrysler's flagship model for 1994.

A Chrysler Imperial concept car was presented at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. This concept used the Chrysler LY platform, an extended LX. It featured a wheelbase. Riding on wheels, the car presented "a six figure image but at a much lower price" according to Tom Tremont, Vice President of advanced vehicle design for Chrysler. The design incorporated a long hood and front end dominated by an upright radiator and a horizontal themed grille. Brushed and polished aluminum pods evoked the free standing headlamps (a classical throwback favored by 1960s Chrysler chief designers Virgil Exner and Elwood Engel, used commonly in 1930s Chrysler vehicles). Circular LED taillights with floating outer rings harkened to the "gun sight" taillight look of early 1960s Imperials. The roof line was pulled rearward to enlarge the cabin and to create a longer profile. On 17 July 2007, Chrysler officially announced it would drop the production plans for the Imperial. Citing increasing fuel costs and more stringent fuel economy standards expected from Capitol Hill, Chrysler said that the Imperial project was off, as a viable business case could no longer be made for the car. The Imperial had been rumored to be based on the future Mercedes R Class or the next generation LX platform (LY, or a combination of components) and it is suggested that all of the work done on the Imperial program will be rolled into the forthcoming LY platform cars. These cars will include the next generation Chrysler 300/300C, the long wheelbase 300/300C (perhaps renamed "New Yorker")

similar in size, but not necessarily in style, to the Imperial Concept car of 2006.