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1955
is a symbolic date for Chrysler Corporation. To the four familiar brands - Chrysler, DeSoto, Dodge, Plymouth - was
added a fifth: IMPERIAL. This would not be a sub-luxury car from shared body dies, but a
rival to Cadillac and Lincoln. That was the thinking of Chrysler executives, at any rate:
the company needed a prestige brand, not just a dressed-up New Yorker. The public
didnt see it that way and went on calling the new car the Chrysler Imperial.
One piece of good news doesnt travel alone. Chrysler unveiled its first cars
conceived by Virgil Exner. He had worked in the companys design studio since 1950,
and was named "Chief of Styling" in 52. There was plenty of work for him
to do, for the 1950-54 models had quite conservative lines that drove away younger
customers. Not even the new Hemi engine could atone for the stolid appearance of the New
Yorker and other (Chrysler Imperial) Crowns. |
Exners ideas, already glimpsed in the Ghia show cars, burst on the
scene in 1955, taking GM and Ford by surprise. The Forward Look was born and would leave
its mark on competitors, especially after its second development in 1957.
To return to the Imperial: The heavy bodies of 1954 are swept aside in favor of a superb
car derived from the three much-admired "parade phaetons" that were Exners
first product for Chrysler. One sees the characteristic arched wheel openings, the
sculpted flanks, and little touches from the show cars, for example tail lights perched on
the fenders (these were seen on the K310 and the dElegance), a mark that would stay
with Chrysler for 10 years. |
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There was no problem on the engineering side. The "Hemi" engine of 331 cu.in.
(same displacement that Cadillac used), driving a two-speed Powerflite automatic
transmission, propelled the two-ton car with ease. The price was set at $141 more than a
Cadillac 60 Special, to emphasize that this was not just a luxurious Chrysler
In this first year of the new Imperial, only two C69 models rode a 130-inch wheelbase: A
four-door sedan and a two-door hardtop called the Newport. Still, a prestigious name needed to offer a limousine, so
one was drawn from the "Crown Imperial" lineage of earlier years. Two C70 models
were presented on a 149.5 in. wheelbase: A Crown Imperial 8-passenger sedan and an
8-passenger limousine, the latter having a glass divider behind the chauffeur. The styling
of these Crown Imperials was like that of the C69 except for a smaller rear window to
shield distinguished occupants from envious inspection by people in cars that followed. On
the other hand, the 1952 Crown Imperials disc brakes were not retained, a
regrettable omission. A cabriolet prototype was built but
it never went into production. |
Engine
V8 Hemi "Firepower" 331,1 CI (5424 cc)
Bore x stroke: 3.81 x 3.63 inches.
Horsepower: 250 hp at 4600 rpm
Torque: 340 ft/lbs at 2800 rpm
Compression ratio: 8,5 / 1.
Carburetor: 4bbl Carter WCFB 2126 S
Electrical: 6 V |
Transmission
Automatic transmission "Powerflite" 2 speeds
Converter ratio: 2,6 /1.
Lever location on front instrument panel: 4 positions: Neutral, Low, Drive, Reverse.
Ratios: Low 1,72 ; Drive 1 : Reverse 2,39
Rear axle: 3,54 / 1 |
Suspension, brakes
Front, type independent, with coil springs, power steering
"full time Coaxial".
Rear, type semi elliptic leaves
Brakes: power, 4 drums ( 12 in.)
Parking brake (drum) at rear of transmission |
Dimensions
Wheelbase. 130 in. (3,30 m) on C69 / 149,5 in. (3,79 m) on C70.
Length x width : 223 x 79.1 in. (C69).
Weight: 4565 lbs (C69), 5200 lbs (C70).
Height: 61.2 in loaded
Tires 8.20 x 15 (C69) / 8.90 x 15 (C70) |
Production, prices
C69 sedan 4dr: 7840 at $4483
C69 Newport 2 dr H/T: 3418 at $4720
C70 sedan 8 pass. : 45 at $7603
C70 limo 8 pass. : 127 at $7737
+ 1 convertible (special body) + 1 chassis
TOTAL 1955 IMPERIAL :
11432 cars |
Options
(some of them..)
A/C "Air temp"
(in the trunk, air
intakes on top of rear fenders)
Power windows
Power front seat "4 ways", standard on C70
Leather front seat, standard on C70
Motor-Wheel 52 spokes wire wheels (not Kelsey Hayes..) |
Serial number
(on
right front door post):
C55 1001 à C55 12464
Engine number (on the block in a flat space behind the
water pump): CE 1055 to CE ....
Serial and engine numbers are not the same.
Presentation to the public: November 17, 1954 |
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1955 IMPERIAL photo
gallery
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures. |
parade Phaéton |
Powerflite |
sedan 55 |
Newport 55 |
Newport 55 |
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Firepower |
sedan 55 |
Newport 55 in L.A |
Newport 55 |
"crown" |
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