• Recent Imperial prices
• Technical publications
• Chrysler promotional material from the Imperial years ’55-’61
• Current bibliography
• Imperials in France
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RECENT IMPERIAL PRICES

In a relatively small market one can hardly cite a reliable, firm price. Sellers typically overvalue their cars, while buyers offer too little. In the tables below I have used American dollar prices as a base, taking into account prices actually paid in France in the rare cases where an Imperial changes hands.

There are only small differences in prices of "standard" Imperials and those of Crown and LeBaron models. Here I have used an average price, from which 5% should be subtracted for a standard model, and 5% added for a LeBaron. As for the limousines (Ghia-made from 1957 on)

Grade 1 means in show condition, at least 95 points out of 100. It amounts to a new car as it came off the production line. Cars in this category are seldom taken on the road.

Grade 3 corresponds to a running car with some imperfections (chrome, upholstery, paint etc.)

Grade 5 means a restorable parts car, drivable or not, with parts missing. It’s on the verge of being consigned to parts scavenging. Only Grade 5 models of exceptional rarity are usually considered for restoration.

TECHNICAL PUBLICATIONS

Technical Chrysler publications (as distinguished from the promotional):.
FACTORY SHOP MANUAL (FSM)
This is the indispensable book for dismantling, adjustment and modification. It’s a thick volume running from 500 to 800 pages. It explores in detail all the mechanical, electrical, bodywork and accessory aspects of the cars. The Shop Manual isn’t devoted exclusively at the 300s. You buy the one for the model year you want (not hard to find, in the original or a copy), then obtain the 300 Supplement for that year (harder to find). The Supplement is of 20 to 40 pages, devoted to 300-specific operations, differences from other models, etc. Addresses from where it can be ordered are given in the "Where to find parts" section.
PARTS MANUAL
Still more technical, this volume lists all the parts of the car, from the smallest windshield bolt to pistons, transmission etc. Each part has its reference number, which you must have when you place an order or need to look something up. There are many illustrations and highlighted details. The Parts Manual may be found year by year, or in editions that group several model-years, e.g., 1955-’58.
OWNER MANUAL
This is the familiar "glove compartment booklet" presented at the time of purchase with other documents. It explains how to drive the car, raise and lower the windows, check the tires and so on – more a decorative thing than a reference book.
COLOR SAMPLER
This simple chart shows factory paint colors. All Chrysler-built cars had them and they’re not hard to find. The colors shown on them haven’t always aged well, so don’t expect 100% exactness. A Ditzler (PPG) reference number or code is given with each sample, and that generally leads you to the right restoration color.
MISCELLANY
Various paper documents may be collected, often with difficulty: the "First Day" envelope of purchase papers that the new owner received to back up the warranty, and the window sticker applied by the dealer with information about the car, including price. Such things are of little use except to someone engaged in a 100% U.S.-style restoration.

Separate attention should be given to a copy of the factory microfiche which identifies a certain car exactly, its options, dates and serial numbers shown by perforations . A copy of the microfiche is available free to members of the Chrysler 300 Club International. Others may get a copy by sending $35 to Chrysler Historical Foundation, CIMS 410-11-21, 12501 Chrysler Freeway, Detroit MI 48288-0001.

CONTEMPORARY PROMOTIONAL MATERIAL (catalogs and folders)

To obtain them, see the "Where to Find Parts" section
 

LATER PUBLICATIONS

Many books, all in English, have the Imperial for their subject. They’re available at Motorbooks International or Dragich. Addresses are given in the Where to Find Parts section.

- CHRYSLER & IMPERIAL ’46-’75, The Postwar Years, by R.M Langworth. 216 pages in b&w. Many factory photos, history of the Ghias, etc.

- IMPERIAL ’55-’63. Photo collection by P.A. Letourneau, all splendid b&w professional photos of the period

- IMPERIAL ’55-’70. R. M. Clarke. Contemporary road tests and trials, 92 b&w pages.

- STANDARD CATALOG OF CHRYSLER 1924-1990. 480 pages. Specifications, production figures, prices etc. of all Chrysler-builts.

- ILLUSTRATED CHRYSLER BUYER'S GUIDE by R.M Langworth. 128 pages.

- AMERICA AUTOMOBILE PAINT CODE Manual by P.C.Sessler. 160 pages. All the paint codes 1945-’95, with PPG numbers.

American periodicals to be followed are Collectible Automobile, S.I.A. and Mopar Collector's Guide, the latter specialized in muscle cars. Collectible Automobile Vol. 16, No. 2 (August 1999) devotes 16 pages with superb photos to the ‘’57-‘’59 models.

LIST OF FRENCH IMPERIALS 1955-’61

This census, necessarily incomplete, lists the cars in France that I knew as of October 2002, either by personal inspection, or from interviewing the owner, or on the word of a trusted friend. Cars listed in italics are those known to have resided in France, but whose continued presence I have not been able to confirm.(I welcome news of them from readers.) Names and addresses of the owners are withheld out of respect for their privacy. If the reader knows of an Imperial not listed here, I will appreciate his supplying details. Condition # 1 in France = 1 1/2 US (driven cars..)

The number in the Location column is that of the French département (administrative district) in which the car resides. If a number is given after the model in the first column, click on it to see a photo.

A.V. = for sale, see page "For sale..."

Model	Color	Year	Condition	Location
Imperial C64 ( 1 )	silver blue	1954	very good (# 1)	41
Imperial	?	1955	?	75
Imperial 2 dr Newport ( 1 - 2 - 3  4 )	gold / platinum	1955	very good (# 1)	75
Crown Imperial  (  1 )	black	1955	need restoration	60
Imperial 4 dr  ( 1 - 2 )	Black	1956	good (# 3)	64
Imperial 2 dr IM1-1 Southampton ( 1 - 2 )	Black	1957	very good (# 2)	54
Imperial 4 dr IM1-1 Southampton ( 1 - 2 )	Blue/white	1957	good (# 3)	32
Imperial 4 dr IM1-1 Southampton ( 1 )  (A.V)	Black	1957	good (# 3)	60
Imperial 4 dr H/T Crown ( 1 )	Blue/white	1957	very good (# 2)	93
Imperial 4 dr H/T Crown	Black	1957	very good (# 2)	72
Imperial 4dr H/T Crown (1 )	White	1957	Parts car	64
Imperial 4dr sedan LeBaron	Green/gray	1957	Being restored	91
Imperial Crown convert	?	1957	Parts car (modified)	07
Impérial Crown convert. ( 1 )	White	1957	Mine !	64
Imperial 4 dr H/T Crown ( 1   2 )	White	1957	good (# 3)	89
Imperial 4dr sedan LeBaron  ( 1  2 3  4 )	Black	1957	good (# 3 )	38
Impérial 2dr H/T Crown ( 1 )	Blue/blue	1958	good (# 3)	65
Imperial 4dr H/T Crown  ( 1 )	Brown	1958	being restored	14
Imperial 4 dr H/T Crown ( 1 )	Blue/gray	1958	good (# 3)	77
Imperial 4 dr H/T Crown ( 1 )	White	1958	good (# 3)	Paris area
Imperial 4dr LY1 sedan ( 1 2   3  4 )	Black	1958	good (# 3)	38
Imperial Crown convert.	?	1958	Parts car	07
Imperial 2 dr Crown (2 modèles)	Pink	1959	Being restored	93
Imperial 2 dr Crown ( 1 - 2 1990 pics - 3 - 4   2003 pics)	Light blue / black	1959	good , being restored	Swiss
Imperial 2 dr Custom (1 - 2  )	Cream / Brown	1959	very good (# 2)	16
Imperial 4 dr sedan Crown (for sale 8/99)	Blue	1959	?	?
Imperial 4 dr sedan Crown (for sale 03/01) same above ?  Pics 20 years ago ! : 1 2	blue /white	1959	Fair	63 (but 74 license)
Imperial 4dr LeBaron ( 1 )	Gray	1959	good (# 3)	31
Imperial Crown convert. ( 1 )	White	1959	good (#3)	31
Imperial 4dr H/T LeBaron ( 1 - 2 )	Black	1960	Excellent ( # 1)	76
Imperial 4dr LeBaron	?	1960	?	77
Imperial 4dr H/T LeBaron  ( 1 ; 2 )	Black	1960	Parts car	63
Imperial 4 dr H/T Crown ( ten years ago 1) (and now !! 2 , 3 )	Black	1960	Need restoration ..	63
Imperial 4 dr H/T	Black	1961	very good (# 2)	78 ?
Imperial 4dr H/T LeBaron ( 1 )	Gray	1961	Excellent (# 1)	78
Imperial Crown 2dr ( 1 - 2 3 )	Gray	1961	fair	63
Imperial Crown 4dr  ( 1  - 2 )	White	1961	good	57
Imperial Crown convert. ( 1 - 2 )	White	1961	Excellent (# 1)	78

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