lily
(lily)
#1
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.
❯❯