first fully automatic transmission,atwo-speed

called the PowerFlite, became available in June

1953 as an option over the previous Fluid-

Torque transmission. It would become standard

equipment for 1954 cars.

The first year that Imperials hadaone-p iece

windscreen was 1953, and disc brakes were a

$400 option, although standard on the Crown

model. Developed for the 1949 Chryslers, the

system used twin discs which rubbed against the

inner face ofacast- iron brake drum as the discs

spread apart to create friction. Air conditioning

was another novel optional extra.

Less remarkable was the body,which dated

back to 1948. The 1951 and ’52 cars had been

virtually identical, for 1954 the Imperial Custom

had anew grille with integrated circular signal

lights–described by Chrysler as “broad, massive

front end beauty”. The rear wing stone guard

was larger than in 1953, but much of the styling

remained the same, although the reversing lights

were now directly below the tail-lights and the

rear window was one-piece.

For 1955 everything changed. Imperial was

now registered asaseparat eluxurymaketo

compete directly with the Cadillac and Lincoln

marques. Even today still incorrectly referred to

as ‘Chrysler Imperials’, these cars were purely

Imperials, had no Chrysler badging (other

than between 1971-1973) and wereaseparate

marque. In 1955 the Virgil Exner-designed

‘100-million-dollar look’ was ushered in as every

division gotabrand newsleeker body and lower

rrooooflfliinnee.BBuutttthhaatt’ssaannootthheerrssttoorryy...

More power to you

Peter’sSeafoamGreenoverMintGreenCustom

Imperialhaselectricwindows,powerbrakes,

powersteeringandpowerseat,“butjustback

andforward–theseatdoesn’tgoupand

down,”powerradioaerial,Solextintedglass

andthree-positionadjustabledoormirrors.

“Theradioisaself-seekingmodelthatfinds

thestrongestsignal,”explainsPeter,“it’sstill

235bhp 331cu in Hemi V8.

Inside thebootis

asimmaculate as

therest of thecar.

TheImperial’s

o-tonecolour

over Mint Green.

❯❯