
After the "Hundred-Million-Dollar
Look" of 1955, a pause in styling was understandable. The Imperial, like other
Chrysler cars, strove to keep the best of the 55 models and remedy their few
deficiencies. As such the 1956 models can be claimed as true classics, while the 1961
Imperial was to be the most extravagant of the line. For 1956 Exner did little to change
the general body styling, but lengthened it somewhat (3 in. longer wheelbase, 6.7 in.
overall, outdoing Cadillac and Lincoln), and raised the profile of the rear fenders - the beginning of the tailfin era, which was to draw Detroit into
its worst excesses. Except for hooded headlights, the front of the car remained unchanged.
The sides are accented with a strip running all the way back to a bumper integrated with
the fenders. Under the hood, the FirePower grows to 354 cu. in., and gains 30 hp in doing
so. There is a new gearshift control - four or five pushbuttons
and a cable take the place of the peculiar 1955 shift lever. This device lasted until
1963. I write "4 or 5" not to designate an option but because in spring 1956
a new automatic transmission was introduced, the three-speed Torqueflite, which supplanted
the Powerflite on all high-end Chrysler cars. Torqueflite is regarded as the best
transmission available into the 1970s. It was simple and reliable, with exceptional
performance; it and the Firepower engine made up a well-matched and formidable package.
Ever-increasing demands on the cars electrical system brought a transition to 12
volts in 1956. |
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The rather narrow range of body styles in 1955 was widened with
the offering of a sedan without door posts (5 years later than GM) called the Southampton.
The coupé without doorposts, generally called a hardtop, dropped its Newport name and
became another Southampton. That name continued in succeeding years to designate an
Imperial without doorposts.
The eight-passenger bodies, sedan and limousine, retained their C-70 or
Crown Imperial designation and preserved their 1955 styling, except for the front-to-back
strip along the flanks, now expressed by five small vertical bands on the back fenders.
C70 production remained quite low (< 230) and price unchanged. After 1956 Chrysler
stopped building these cars in its own factory and subcontracted the 57 models to
Ghia.
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We cant pass over in silence the new "Highway
Hi-Fi" option built for Chrysler by Columbia - a 16 2/3 rpm turntable playing, through the car radio, special
ultra-microgroove discs. Each 7-in. disc carried 40 minutes of music, the sound quality
being at least debatable. From the "To Know More" link
below you can find a list of the records that Columbia pressed for these Highway
Hi-Fis in 1955. A few French performers, such as M. Legrand, were on the roster.
Today a surviving Highway Hi-Fi will cost you about $1000, discs not included! |
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Engine
V8 Hemi "Firepower" 354 CI (5802 cc)
Bore x stroke: 3.94 x 3.63 inches.
Horsepower: 280 hp at 4600 rpm
Torque: 370 ft/lbs at 2800 rpm
Compression ratio: 9.0 / 1.
Carburator: 4 BBL Carter WCFB 2314 S
Electrical: 12 V. As in 55, the power steering pump is at rear of the generator.
0 to 60 mph: 12,8 s. Max. speed: 104 mph |
Transmission
Automatic transmission "Powerflite" 2 speeds.or
"Torqueflite" 3 speeds
Converter ratio: 2,6 /1 (2,7/1 with Torqueflite).
gear selection: 4 or 5 pushbuttons (left-hand side of inst. panel): N, D, L, R or N, D, 1,
2, R.
Ratios: "Powerflite": Low 1,72 ; Drive 1 : Reverse 2,39 /
"Torqueflite": 1° : 2,45 ; 2° : 1,45 ; Drive: 1 ; Reverse : 2,2.
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: 133 in. (3,38 m) on C73 / 149,5 in. (3,79 m) on C70.
Length x width : 223 x 79.1 in. (C73).
Weight: 4575 lbs (C69 4dr sed), 5200 lbs (C70).
Height: 61.2 in loaded
Tires 8.20 x 15 (C69) / 8.90 x 15 (C70) |
Production, prices
C73 sedan 4dr: 6821. at $4832
C73 Southampton 2 dr H/T: 2094 at $5094
C73 Southampton 4 dr H/T sedan: 1543 at $5225
C70 sedan 8 pass. : 51 at $7603
C70 limo 8 pass. : 175 at $7737
TOTAL IMPERIAL 1956:
10684 cars |
Options
(some of them..)
A/C "Air temp"
(in the trunk, air
intakes on top of rear fenders)
Power windows
Highway HiFi phonograph
Power front seat "4 ways", standard
Leather front seat, standard on C70
Motor-Wheel 52 spokes wire wheels (not Kelsey Hayes..) |
Serial number
(on
right front door post):
C56 1001 to C56 11715
Engine number (on the block in a flat space behind the water pump):
CE 56 1001 to CE 56 11750
Serial and engine numbers are not the same.
1956 Imperials were introduced 21 October 1955 |
1956 IMPERIAL photo
gallery
Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the pictures. |
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