Chrysler Imperial

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Chrysler Imperial
Manufacturer	Chrysler Corporation
Production	1926-1954 1990-1993
Successor	Chrysler LHS (For 1994)
Class	Full-size luxury car
Similar	Cadillac Fleetwood Lincoln Continental

For Imperial models sold under its own marque (1955-1975, 1981-83) see Imperial (automobile)

The Chrysler Imperial, introduced in 1926, was the company's top of the range vehicle for much of its history. Models were produced with the Chrysler name until 1954, and again from 1990 to 1993.

Contents 1 1926-1930 2 1931-1933 3 1934-1936 4 1937-1942 5 1946-1948 6 1949-1954 7 1955-1975 / 1981-1983 8 1990-1993 9 2006 10 See also 11 External links

[edit] 1926-1930

First Generation
Production	1926–1930
Body style	2-door roadster 2-door coupe 4-door sedan Limousine
Layout	FR layout
Engine	3.3L I6
Wheelbase	120 in

In 1926, Walter P. Chrysler decided to compete with Cadillac and Lincoln in the luxury car field. Chrysler offered a variety of body styles: a four-passenger roadster, a four-seat coupé on a 120 in wheelbase, five-passenger sedan, and a seven-passenger top-of-the-line limousine. The Imperial's new engine was slightly larger than the company's standard straight 6. It was a 3.3 L I6 with seven bearing blocks and pressure lubrication. The car set a transcontinental speed record in the year it was introduced, driving more than 6,500 miles in the week. The car was chosen as the pace car for the 1926 Indianapolis 500.

[edit] 1931-1933

Second Generation
Production	1931–1933
Body style	2-door roadster 2-door coupe 4-door sedan 4-door limousine
Layout	FR layout
Engine	6.3L I8

The Chrysler Imperial was redesigned in 1931. The car received a new engine, a 6.3 L I8. Marketing materials for this generation of Imperial referred to the car as the "Imperial 8", in reference to the new engine. The engine would be found in many other Chrysler vehicles. The redesign also saw the introduction of new wire wheels that became the standard wheel treatment until the 1940s. Stock car driver Harry Hartz set numerous speed records with an Imperial sedan at Daytona Beach, Florida.

[edit] 1934-1936

Third Generation
Production	1934–1936
Body style	4-door station wagon
Layout	FR layout

The 1934 to 1936 Chrysler Imperial ushered in the 'Airflow' design. The car was marketed with the slogan "The car of tomorrow is here today." It featured eight passenger seating and again an eight-cylinder engine. This was the first car to be designed in a wind tunnel. Initial tests indicated that the standard car of the 1920s worked best in the wind-tunnel when pointed backwards with the curved rear deck facing forward. This led to a rethinking of the fundamental deign of Chrysler's line of cars.

Unfortunately, the public did not buy the car in large numbers. The relative failure of the Airflow cars led Chrysler to be overly conservative in their styling for the next 20 years. The "standard" styling on the lower-end Chrysler Corporation products outsold the Airflow.

[edit] 1937-1942

Fourth Generation
Production	1937–1942
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout

Innovations for 1937 included built-in defroster vents, safety type interior hardware and seat back padding, and fully insulated engine mounts. There were three Imperial models in this generation. The C-14 was the standard eight and looked much like the Chrysler Royal with a longer hood and cowl. The C-15 was the Imperial Custom and the Town Sedan Limousine, with blind rear quarter panels. This model was available by special order. The third model, C-17, was the designation for the Airflow model. They had a concealed crank for raising the windshield and the hood was hinged at the cowl and opened from the front; side hood panels were released by catches on the inside. A Custom Imperial convertible sedan was used as an official car at the Indy 500.

[edit] 1946-1948

Fifth Generation
Production	1946–1948
Body style	4-door sedan 4-door limousine
Layout	FR layout

In 1946 the Imperial line was simplified. Two models were produced, an eight passenger four door sedan and an eight passenger four door limousine. The two vehicles had a US$100 price difference and a 10 lb weight difference.

[edit] 1949-1954

Sixth Generation
Production	1948–1954
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FR layout

Three Imperial models were produced in 1949. The Imperial C46-2 was a four door, six passenger sedan. The Imperial Crown models, both with the C47 designation, were an eight paseach, respectively, were built in their first year.

[edit] 1955-1975 / 1981-1983

In 1955 Chrysler spun off the Imperial as its own separate marque in an attempt to compete directly with the Cadillac and Lincoln luxury marques offered by both Ford and General Motors. See the separate page Imperial (automobile) for information about Imperial model years 1955-1975 and 1981-1983. Although there were no Imperials produced between 1976 and 1978, the cars previously sold as an Imperial were sold as the Chrysler New Yorker Brougham during this time.

[edit] 1990-1993

Seventh Generation
Production	1990–1993
Assembly	Belvidere, Illinois
Body style	4-door sedan
Layout	FF layout
Platform	Y-body
Engine	3.8L 150 hp V6
Transmission	4-speed automatic
Wheelbase	109.6 in
Length	203 in
Width	68.9 in
Height	55.3 in
Fuel capacity	16 US gal.

The early 1990s saw the last generation of the Chrysler Imperial. Based on the Y platform, the car was an upscale version of the Chrysler New Yorker Fifth Avenue. The car featured six passenger seating and was powered by either a 3.3 L or 3.8 L V6 engine. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard. This generation Imperial featured the same hidden headlamps behind retractable metal covers as the Chrysler LeBaron and Chrysler New Yorker/Fifth Avenue. The Chrysler LHS replaced the Imperial in 1994.

[edit] 2006

A Chrysler Imperial concept car was presented at the 2006 North American International Auto Show. This concept uses the Chrysler LX platform. It features a 123 in wheelbase. Riding on 22 inch wheels, the car presents "a six-figure image but at a much lower price" according to Tom Tremont, Vice President of advanced vehicle design for Chrysler. The design incorporates a long hood and front end dominated by an upright radiator and strong horizontal grille. Brushed and polished aluminum pods evoke the free-standing headlamps of past models. Circular LED taillights with floating outer rings harken to the "gun sight" taillight look of early 1960s Imperials. The roof line is pulled rearward to enlarge the cabin and to create a strong profile.

---

4/01/2007

According to auto blogger/ moderator Robert Fernez: As of March 2007, this new Chrysler Imperial is now a "GO" for production by model-year 2009 or 2010. According to Fernez: "Chrysler Group has had great success with its LX-Series cars world-wide with the Dodge Charger and Dodge Magnum, and especially with the Chrysler 300 & 300-C. Chrysler has made RWD acceptable, even fashionable again with American drivers. A limited production stretched version of the 300 has also met with positive results. "This is the next logical step for the company and the Chrysler brand." "They're betting that there are customers wanting something larger, with even more opulence, who will pay $50K for a automobile that is something along the lines of an American Rolls-Royce at a much lower price"

--> It will be manufactured at Chrysler's Brampton, Ont. plant which manufactures the auto makers' Rear-Wheel-Drive passenger cars

--> Standard engine will reportedly be the Chrysler 5.7 Liter 'HEMI' V-8. which is currently rated at 340-350 h.p. and 390 ft./lbs. of torque, perhaps with more power or enlarged. --> optional engine(s) will include a version of Chrysler's' hi-performance 6.1 Liter HEMI rated at 425 h.p. ,or a possible larger replacement version- reportedly displacing around 6.4 Liters and perhaps 510 h.p. --> A Mercedes-Benz Diesel engine may also be fitted.

--> Transmission will be either a new Chrysler 6-speed unit based on the Daimler-Chrysler 5-speeds used in current LX-sedans,or The New M.B. 7-Speed may be used.

--> Rear wheel Drive, with All Wheel Drive a likely option.

--> Available features will include: Sirius satellite TV and DVD for Rear passengers; fold-down tray tables,foot-rests,reading lamps,and laptop & cellphone outlets for the tray-tables in the rear; diffused LED 'theater lighting'; Chrysler 'My-Gig hard drive based navigation-entertainment system for storing MP3's and photos, i-pod integration,voice activated navigation and live traffic updates; blue-tooth and 'U-connect' hands-free cell phone connectivity;rear view cameras;radar guided parking assisted & auto cruise-control; rain sensing wipers; three-zone climate control; panoramic moon-roof/ skylight system; automatic emergency braking and lane departure prevention

[edit] See also

• Imperial (automobile)

also installed with a v8 hemi engine.

[edit] External links

• Allpar - 1924-1930 Chrysler Imperials
• Allpar - 1990-1993 Chrysler Imperials
• Online Imperial Club
• TeamChicago.com - Imperial, By Chrysler
• TeamChicago.com - Informative Imperial FAQ

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