1959 Imperial Crown Convertible
In 1957 the Imperial series was heavily revised, and featured prominent tailfins. In 1958 these fins had grown some more which contributed to the Imperial’s newfound acclaim as “America’s most distinctive fine car”. To hold on to this title in 1959 Chrysler revised the front end styling of the Imperial and in the process, gave the car a much more aggressive looking presence.
The 1959 Chrysler Imperial Crown Convertible presented here, not to be confused with the Crown Imperial, which was a custom built car by Ghia in Italy, was originally sold by Earle C. Anthony of San Francisco. A rare California survivor, it has undergone a five-year complete and total frame-off restoration by Timo Tanskanene Restorations of Riverside, California using as many NOS parts as possible. Once completed it displayed an uncompromising level of perfection.
In Detail
type | Series Production Car |
coachbuilder | Ghia |
engine | V8 w/Wedge Cylinder Head |
position | Front, Longitudinal |
aspiration | Natural |
block material | Cast Iron |
fuel feed | 4-Barrel Carter Carberetor |
displacement | 6776 cc / 413.5 in³ |
power | 261.0 kw / 350 bhp |
specific output | 51.65 bhp per litre |
body / frame | Unitary Steel Monocoque |
driven wheels | RWD |
front brakes | Drums |
rear brakes | Drums |
f suspension | Paralel Torsion Bars |
r suspension | Live Axle w/Leaf Springs |
wheelbase | 3276.6 mm / 129 in |
transmission | Torqueflight 3-Speed Automatic |