- IMPERIAL for the quality of the making of cars

- 1961 for the Virgil Exner's beautiful designed convertible body work

- SHRINER's  for the colour scheme adopted in 1961.

In the USA as well as in Canada and in Mexico, the SHRINERS from the "American Shrine" charity has always taken care of disaded children ans, more recently, of seriously burnt cases. There, medical care is free for all children up to the age of 18. In the '50s a group of 23 Great Donators dealt with this association.

From 1957 to 68, each year, the 23 Presidents of the "American Shrine" flew to Detroit (Mi), to the head office of the CHRYSLER-IMPERIAL division, in order to take possession of the new IMPERIAL Convertible model produced. They wanted their 23 cars to be identical with the same scheme of colours and equiped with all the options & accessories available in the builder's catalog. Such an important yearly order was the object of the utmost care from the Chrysler group Managers who had these 23 cars especially manufactured for the Shrine Presidents. Known in the USA as "Imps of Omaha", those cars were, since that time, soon sought after and collected.t

Once they had taken delivery of their new convertible, the 23 Presidents went to Omaha (NE), where was the head quarter of the "American Shrine". Then, in order to find funds, they traveled through the country in a shiny lane of brand new cars, organiszing well-publicized events. In evey town they went through numerous enthousiactic crowds gathered to attend theirs parades, their huge barbecues parties, their coast to coast events and other concerts with famous singers. In 1968, IMPERIAL and the Chrysler group ceased making convertibles. The "American Shrine" Presidents then turned to Cadillac and Ford ..

In 1961, the colour scheme choosen by the 23 Presidents was an "Alaskan white" body with a white soft top with pink pipings and a metallic salmon-pink leather upholstery ("russet") with white pipings.
Just like the 22 others "Imps of Omaha", this convertible was ordered from Mr F.M. Briley, president of the Briley Motor Company in Omaha (NE). VIN is 921410 2299.

Its first owner was the "Shriner Potentat" from the Mineapolis region. The handing over of the keys of the 23 cars took place the same day, at the same time, on Monday October 3rd 1960 at the Chrysler-Imperial head quarter (Detroit, MI). Later, and for 19 years, this convertible was part of the Alvin Krenzien Collection (NE) who always possessed a great number of these "Imps of Omaha".
It then belonged to a business man in NY then it went down to Florida with his fourth owner.
In march 1998 I spoted it at the "Kruse Auction" in Auburn (In) where it was certified a Shriner's one. In May 1998, arriving in France, it was authentified as the gennuine "Imp of Omaha" but it was in poor condition. Its "frame off"é restoration began in february 1999 and completed in spring 2002. Presented in june 2002 at the "bagatelle Concours d'Elegance", its body style and restoration win the "Boldness Grand Prix".

Original equipment:
Radio "Golden Touch" with power antenna  - "Mirrormatic" rear view mirror - A/C - tinted "Solex" glasses - automatic headlamps dimmer - "auto pilot" cruise control - remote left outside mirror - right outside mirror - Flite-Sweep deck lid - WWW tires.