How to tell apart the IM1-1, Crown and LeBaron

This page applies to 1957 models, the ones I know best, and possibly to the 1958s, which are closely related to models of the year before. If you examine a ’57, the pointers below will let you identify it precisely, even if its owner assures you it is a Southampton (all models without doorposts may be called Southamptons on paper, which is the only place where this name occurs!).

There is no difference from one model to another with respect to engine, transmission, drive train and body dies.

Remember that with a glance at the data plate on the radiator brace under the hood you can tell if the car is a "base" or Crown Imperial. .

	"base" (IM1-1)	Crown (IM1-2)	LeBaron (IM1-4)
Script on side of front fender	"Imperial"	"Imperial" with a crown over the second "i"	"LeBaron" medallion
Roof gutters	plain, painted	covered with stainless-steel molding	like Crown
Molding over headlights	chromed-steel "T"	like "base," but the "T" is surmounted by a gold crown	like Crown
Wheel covers	Go to "57 wheelcover"	Go to "57 wheelcover"	Go to "57 wheelcover"
Front seat trim	Lower part in painted plastic, no trim (see pics below)	stainless steel above & below + return strip. Chromed pot-metal "arrow" on 2-door models, "handle" on 4-doors	like Crown
Front-door armrests	plain, no storage box (see pics below)	Hinged top disclosing storage box. (see pic below) Lid fastener added in ’58	like Crown
Upper door panels	plain vinyl (see pics below)	vinyl heat-stamped with vertical ribs (see pic below)	like Crown
Main door panels	The "trapezoid" area (surrounded with the molding) is covered with fabric or vinyl	The "trapezoid" area (surrounded with the molding) is covered with diamond shape aluminium (or diamond shape plastic as back of instruments on my convertible).	like Crown
Lower door panels	plain (vinyl), see pic above	2 stainless-steel moldings surround a panel of ribbed aluminum	like Crown
Upholstery	- fabric (solid or patterned) - fabric + vinyl leatherette	- fabric w/metallic thread + leather - all leather	broadcloth in solid colors: gray, blue, green or brown.
Pictures from "Prestige" catalogue showing door panels and upholstery	IM1-1sedan interior in medium green Snowflake Brocade and dark green fabric.	Crown interior in medium gray ripple Boucle and light gray metallic leather. Compare seat and door decoration.
Back-seat smokers’ equipment	One ashtray in back of front seat, no lighter (Two ashtrays, two lighters in side die-cast armrests on 2 dr HT, pics below)	Two ashtrays, two lighters in side armrests	like Crown
Front power seat	option	standard	standard
Power windows	option This IM1-1 2dr HT has manual windows but power seat ...	standard	standard
Day/night interior rear-view mirror	option	standard	standard
Whitewall tires	option	option	standard
Courtesy mirror	option	standard	standard
Rear window defroster	option	standard (except convertible)	standard
Frame license plate	option	standard	standard
Dual headlights	option	option (no charge)	option (no charge)
Items not mentioned are either standard (power steering and brakes, clock, back-up lights),or an option on any series (radio, air conditioning, tinted windows etc...)