Imperial vs. Cadillac and Lincoln

audiman08 · 01-13-2011, 10:07 AM

The old man on Pawn Stars has a thing for Imperials, but did they ever really compete successfully with Cadillac or Lincoln...or were they mostly imitation luxury cars? I've read about how the vinyl tops on some 70s Imperials would fade until the flower-print of the underlying material would show through. Chrysler has long been cash-strapped and I can't imagine a true Chrysler luxury car...sorry Mopar fans

nonetheless, the '69-'73 models are pretty cool:

kaisen · 01-13-2011, 10:09 AM

Funny, I see that Imperial every year at the Car Craft nationals

speeder · 01-13-2011, 10:16 AM

You have to go further back than that car to see amazing Imperials. The late '50s and early/mid '60s cars were truly amazing from a styling perspective. Almost like concept cars from the auto show that were actually manufactured and sold, albeit in small numbers compared to Cadillac and Lincoln.

gtc · gtc's Garage

+1... the older imperials made even the nicest caddys look like, well, chevys.

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtc

+1... the older imperials made even the nicest caddys look like, well, chevys.

Agreed, especially the limos with the gun site tail lights.

mossguy · 01-13-2011, 11:37 AM

1955 Imperial

tabs · 01-13-2011, 11:44 AM

They also had Hemi's in em...

audiman08 · 01-13-2011, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs

They also had Hemi's in em...

true, but would a Chrysler 440 hold up as well as the Lincoln 460 with C6 transmission? I doubt it

kaisen · 01-13-2011, 12:06 PM

440 is not a hemi, but a 440 is stronger than a Ford 460

audiman08 · 01-13-2011, 12:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

440 is not a hemi, but a 440 is stronger than a Ford 460

How so?

mossguy · 01-13-2011, 12:56 PM

In keeping to the original question by the OP, I believe Imperial began to lose its lustre in the late '50's early 60's, as did Cadillac and Lincoln in the 70's. My opinion, no basis in fact.

Here are some '57's

Tobra · Tobra's Garage

300 C, an awesome beast, 392 hemi, enough torque to alter the rotation of the earth. I think the Imperial posted above is later, '59 maybe. Continental Mark II is a pretty groovy car too, mid '50s

kaisen · 01-13-2011, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiman08

How so?

How is a 440 not a hemi? Or how is a 440 stronger than a Ford 460?

Laneco · 01:20 PM

460 isn't the greatest ford engine in stock form. It always gave away a little stock horsepower to some smaller displacement engines. Usually a 440 was 20 or 30 horsepower more than the 460. A 460 is a great placed to start, especially if you are driving a tow truck - lots of potential/tons of torque. But stock? Meh.

The Ford 427, 428, 429 etc - now some of those engines were just factory badas$.

Early small block hemi's mopar engines aren't common, but they just flat ooze cool. Used to find them in the smaller cars and Desotos. Very durable, too. Lot of them disappeared when the bigger engines became more common. I find one somewhere, I'll probably just drag it home for the heck of it.

angela

rcm · 01-13-2011, 01:36 PM

How can you not love the Imperial ?

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Don't forget the Buick Electra 225!

mossguy · 01-13-2011, 01:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tobra

300 C, an awesome beast, 392 hemi, enough torque to alter the rotation of the earth. I think the Imperial posted above is later, '59 maybe. Continental Mark II is a pretty groovy car too, mid '50s

The Imperial I posted above is a '57.

The 300C is not an Imperial.

Best,
Tom

Rednine11 · 01-13-2011, 01:46 PM

a well tuned 440 is alot of fun !!!
Hemi's are just an animal...I've driven dual quad 392's and dual quad 426's

Mopar actually offered a floral print option for the interior and vinyl roof. the floral roof print was called the Mod Top.
try a google image search for it. I've seen them in person and it wasnt pretty. They are quite rare today
All that said ..I like Imperials.....

jcommin · jcommin's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by mossguy

1955 Imperial

Yes, this is it. The limo in black is awesome.

exc911ence · exc911ence's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaisen

How is a 440 not a hemi? Or how is a 440 stronger than a Ford 460?

A 440 is a wedge-head engine, just like most other Chrysler small and big blocks of the day. The famous HEMI is the 425hp 426 cubic inch engine from the musclecar era. Often referred to as the Elephant Motor.

The early HEMIs (392, etc) were not small blocks as mentioned above, and had nothing in common with the later engines. These are called Whale Motors by their fans.