1957 Imperial Hardtop

Head stylist Virgil Exner's "Suddenly, it's 1960!" styling didn't stop with Chrysler's volume lines, it extended to the Imperial flagship, too. This is an amazing survivor that is now 67 years young!

Imperial was Chrysler's response to Ford's Lincoln and General Motors' Cadillac, or in other words, a top-of-the-line automobile that people should strive to own. This example was made in Chrysler's Jefferson Avenue assembly plant. If you want a project to finish, this car could be your next candidate.

Wearing red with a silver roof and a white section over the back seat and a unique spare tire cover on the trunk lid, this car's paint and trim are in overall good order with imperfections. The car's bodywork is straight and solid, the chrome bumpers fit tightly to the body and the engine bay is clean. There are dual horns.

This big two-door rolls on BFGoodrich Silvertown wide whitewall tires, size 9.50-14 at every corner. Each tire is mounted on a steel wheel topped with factory wheel covers. The tires and wheels are all in very good order.

Under the counterbalanced hood is a 392 CID Firepower Hemi V-8 engine breathing via dual exhausts. This motor is backed by a TorqueFlite pushbutton two-speed automatic transmission. Driver conveniences features include power steering and power brakes.

The car's tan interior is where the finishing needs to happen. The front seat is worn in mediocre shape. The black carpeting looks okay and the headliner is worn. A two-spoke steering wheel faces the driver. The dashboard is in decent order but the inner door panels will need some work. Fuel gauge and odo/speedo are inop/The pushbutton shifter is on the driver's left and there's a factory AM radio to complete the interior.

The 1957 model year was based to an even greater degree on Virgil Exner's "Forward Look" styling (also used on other full-size Chryslers of the period). It featured a "biplane" front bumper, a full-width egg-crate grille and quad headlights (where legal). Taller tailfins now encompassed the trademark gunsight taillights and framed a downward tapering decklid that met the rear bumper. Curved side glass was employed for the first time in a U.S. production car. The Hemi engine with a displacement enlarged to 392 CID was standard for 1957-58. Power seats and dual exhausts were made standard across the line.

Coupe competition to this Imperial in 1957 included Cadillac's Eldorado Seville, Chrysler's own New Yorker and Lincoln's Premiere.

If you are looking for a big, fancy project car that really needs some TLC, consider this Imperial. You could return it to showroom original or take things in a totally different direction. Swing by MotoeXotica Classic Cars for a peek today!

VIN: C5713084

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 71,539 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

Note: Please see full terms and conditions listed below that pertain to the purchase of any said vehicle, thank you.

• 392 CID Firepower Hemi V-8 engine and dual exhausts
• TorqueFlite pushbutton two-speed automatic transmission
• Power steering, power brakes and power seats
• Red exterior with tan interior