The Chrysler Imperial was introduced into the market in 1926 by the U.S. company. Until 1954, when it became a separate brand with the purpose of competing with the other top-line cars available, like Cadillac and Lincoln.
It was a car designed for important people, characterized by its comfort, elegance, and presence. For many years, the Imperial led the list of luxury cars, even though, like most other brands, they had their ups and downs. Overall, the Chrysler Imperial was a very successful car.
The Imperial has changed markedly over the years, but some models can stand out over others. Maybe because of its technological advances, modern design, improvements, etc. But there is a small group of models that represent a before and after for the brand. In this case, we are going to take a look at the 1953 Chrysler Imperial.
Specifications And Features Of The 1953 Chrysler Imperial
The 1953 Imperial was a 4-door sedan with an enormous engine of 5.4 liters. The Imperial's engine has a power output of 182 hp, torque output of 312 lb.-ft., and a top speed of 99 mph. The engine is paired with a 4-speed automatic gearbox, a mechanism that only top cars offered at that time.
This car is massive! It was not made to be fast, but with a weight of 4,305 lbs., they needed a big engine to move all that weight. With a length of 219 inches, a width of 77 inches, and a wheelbase of 133 inches, this car is way bigger than a 2022 Mustang, and that’s a lot to say.
Electric brakes and windows are part of the innovations of that time, but something that made this car really important was that it was the first car with air conditioning.
This car has it all: all the luxury that an important person is used to. That was the idea of Chrysler when they first thought of the imperial. A car with the purpose of keeping the lives of the high class of the United States to the max and making them always feel important. For most people, having this type of car means nothing, but in 1953, it was a status symbol that many people desired.
History And Market For The 1953 Chrysler Imperial
The Imperial was always thought of as the top-line offer, but with so many brands making the same line of cars, Chrysler needed to put their top car in the view of everyone. And there’s where the 1953 model becomes important. After 1953, the Imperial was no longer part of Chrysler. They made a new brand, such as Ford with Lincoln or GM with Cadillac.
That made the imperial court of 1953 so important. It was part of the last models that were linked to Chrysler, ending almost 20 years of production. It represents a before and after in the brand and, in some eyes, a mistake that took nearly another 20 years to correct.
Furthermore, it had a cost of $4,500 and could go higher with some extras that the buyer could choose. Like better interiors, individual heating, electric windows, and some more. Converting that price to 2022, this car could cost around $5000. Not cheap at all, especially for that time.
There are some important aspects of this car, and maintenance is one of them. This car was not for everyone. Even if you had the money to buy it, the huge engine, all the electric parts, and some new equipment like the automatic gearbox or air conditioning made this car meant for rich people. Spare parts were neither cheap nor easy to get, making it hard to keep them impeccable.
The Significance Of The 1953 Chrysler Imperial
The definition of imperial has evolved over time. Model after model, they tried to make this car compete by offering new technology, new design, or new specs, until 2006, when they canceled the project because they saw no future in it. Even though when the 1953 model was part of 20 years of production, the brand continued building imperials for another 50 years, there is no doubt that in 1953, something changed.
This car is a complete classic, not easy to find, and appreciated by a few number of people. Maybe today’s trends are not the cars that everyone dreams of, but when you understand the context in which the car was available, it makes sense why it was such a success.
When talking about such an old car, the retail price today depends a lot on the condition of the car. If you are looking for a restoration project, you can find some options for around $7000, but it can be a difficult one. But if what you're looking for is a fully restored Imperial, they cost around $52,000. That high price shows how important this car is.
Source: Chrysler