1955 Chrysler Imperial Newport Hard Top

1955 Chrysler Imperial Newport Hard Top

Originally an up-market Chrysler, Imperial had been established as a separate make in 1954, and with the emergence of the dramatically restyled 1955 models the brand began to establish a personality of its own. The '55 Imperials were nothing less than sensational: styled by the great Virgil Exner along the lines of his Parade Phaeton show-cars, they featured full-length waistline trim, a startling 'egg-crate' front grille (divided to accommodate the Imperial eagle crest) and audacious 'gun sight' taillights that were unique to the make. Based on the Chrysler New Yorker, the Imperial featured Chrysler's classic 331 cubic-inch Fire Power V8, featuring performance-oriented hemispherical cylinder heads. Power-assisted steering and power-operated brakes were all standard equipment on all Imperials.

Descriptions and pictures by bonhams