Harry's Thoughts
THE ESSENTIALS
This is a gorgeous 1955 Imperial that is ready for show or touring. The car has spent it’s life in the mild climate of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and has a known history. The car was a nice original that has benefited from a nice re-paint and new (but beautiful but incorrect fabric) interior upholstery. The chrome has been replated as necessary and is in good to very good condition. And there is alot of chrome and stainless on these beauties!!
The beautiful 1955 models, based extensively on Virgil Exner’s period Parade Phaeton show cars, are still regarded as the most-desirable Imperials of all. With 7,840 Imperial four doors produced it is rare to find one rust free, with a known histroy and in very nice condition.
Elegantly trimmed inside and out, this big 130-inch-wheelbase sedan wore a distinctive split grille, unique “gunsight” taillights, modestly wrapped windshield, and circular rear-wheel openings, making them among the best-looking of Chrysler Corporation’s all-new ’55 fleet. Chrome was abundant but tastefully applied; two-toning was limited to the roof.
The ’55s inherited the brilliant 331-cubic-inch Chrysler hemi-head V-8 with 250 brake horsepower and mated with the new 2 speed powerflite automatic transmission.
The history of this gorgeous Imperial is pretty well known. This Imperial was bought new in Portland Oregon by a doctor in 1955. He traded in his beloved Ford. In 1957, the original 331 Hemi engine was defective and the dealer, under warranty, replaced the engine with the new 392 Hemi (6,424 cc) with 325HP! Today, the 392 Hemi has been recently professionally rebuilt (about four years ago and about 1,000 miles) to deliver as-new performance and reliability.
The present owner added this to his collection and accumulated three sets of wheels: The gorgeous wire wheels with a complete set of wide white wall radials, steel wheels with gorgeous wheel covers and a set of contemporary, low profile “street rod” custom styled wheels and radials. In less than an hour you could drastically change the looks of this Imperial from elegant luxury motorcar to a bad-ass looking cruiser.
Also included with this Imperial is a set of spare parts. Of course the three sets of wheels will be included as well. It is rare to find a rust free and gorgeous 1955 Imperial. It is rarer still to find one that has benefited from a dealer installed 392 Hemi. This is a rare and interesting find.
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