1957 Imperial Crown Coupe Project w/ 392 HEMI

Condition: Used
Make: Chrysler
Model: Imperial
Type: Coupe
Trim: Crown
Year: 1957
Mileage: 67,978
Color: Regimental Red
Transmission: TorqueFlite
Interior color: Gray
Vehicle Title: Clear
Item location: Arlington Heights, Illinois, United States
Extras
Power Windows, Power Seats

Listed by
Private seller
Enquire

Description of 1957 Chrysler Imperial

Up for sale is my 1957 Imperial Crown Coupe. One of 4199 built. This car is a project needing full restoration. It's Regimental Red (code R) with a Charcol Grey Roof (K). Dark and light grey leather interior (code #83) Very striking and unusual color combination. This exact color combo is shown in all the Imperial brochures on the base model coupe. (see last photo showing brochure). Equipped with power steering, ower brakes, ower windows, ower seat, adio w/ foot control, eater, lyte Sweep trunk lid.
This car spent all it's life in Southern California. Black plate car (plates have been on the car since 1963), ast registered and on the road in 1980. 99% complete, eeds air cleaner, ubcaps, he 4 gold fender crowns, nd 1 inside windshield eagle emblem (which is reproduced).
These cars were very rust prone and this one is quite solid. Majority of (remaining) paint on the car is original. Floors are perfect, ou couldn't ask for nicer. So is the undercarriage, ot heavily rusted or corroded (like you see out here in the Midwest). Way better than most. It needs a small patch on driver side rocker, see photo 5), ery easy fix. On the passenger side where it is dented there is rust out. An area about 30 in long and 2 to 2 1/2 wide. It's not bad, nbsp;an entire quality reproduction extended rocker (72 in) is $80, o this will be a straightforward fix. It appears to me water got trapped in this area and that is what caused the rust. Rest of rocker is solid. The dent will come out, o me it looks like it was just popped in. This car spent time in junkyard and I think something was bumped or backed into it there. The car has damage on the passenger side rear bumper area, t looks like this can be worked out also, ut if wanted I am including a section from another car to repair it, hould you want to just cut it out. . Also will include entire remains of that car if wanted And another rear bumper (see parts list below for more info). Driver's side door dented as you can see, his will pull out but I know where you can get a straight solid door (see below), ight be easier to bolt on another. The trim on this door will straighten out. Some old body work done on upper driver side quarter.
Yes this car has the 392 cu. in. HEMI which is complete, don't have the build sheet but see no reason not to think this is the original HEMI to the car. It appears to have a spun run bearing so it will need to be rebuilt. I can't get it to turn over. That's the most common issue with these when they won't turn. Pulled the heads off, ne cylinder wall has some light surface rust, est are pristine (I do have photos showing the motor with the heads off). I have reassembled the motor but figure on tear down and rebuild, ar deserves it anyway. Only thing I didn't try to was to see if trans was locking up motor. Motor is complete, arb is out being rebuilt so that is why it is off in certain photos. 66k is what's on the odometer, on't know if original, t could be based on looking at cylinder walls. I doubt this car has run since 1980.
The interior is of course dry rotted and will need to be completely redone. But everything is there, othing missing or broken. And no rust out! The front seat on the passenger side will need some work on the frame as it sits low. The driver's side armrest is there, ust wasn't installed in the photos. Car even has both very rare sill plates which are really nice. The plastic door panel inserts are perfect (those are $800 a pair reproduction). The passenger side door and quarter glass go up and down. Couldn't get driver door and quarter window to move. Seat motor runs but doesn't move. The headlight switch appears to be good, eadlights, arking light, nd tail lights work. Antenna and horns do not. Glove box and lower part of dash in good shape, ash pad needs to be redone, teering wheel pretty cracked, ill need to be recast. The access panel for the steering gear has surface rust (very common) but no rust out. There is a Southern California AAA sticker on the windshield and one for the "Quail Valley Country Club" There is scattering of papers and stuff I found when cleaning out the car, ncluding the last registered owner's name & address, appears to have been an elderly couple).
All glass on the car is in excellent to like new condition. Car even has it's original bumper jack and the wood block, ll in great shape. Most chrome needs replating but excellent cores, o junk. Stainless is nice, ast majority just needs polishing. This is California trim not the stuff you see back east....... Flyte Sweep trunk insert is in good shape, eeds replating but usually these are shot.
Will come with a clear California title. I am selling this car because there is a convertible I would like to purchase. As much as I want to keep and restore this one, have many cars, nd I am short on time, pace & money. I want to see this car go to good home, o someone who will do a full restoration on it to factory specs. I regret having to let it go, ill not see another one like this. One of the photos is of the paint behind the data plate (where there is no wear) so you can see what a stunning color this is. I will sell to overseas buyers and may be able to help you out finding a shipper. I have several contacts for continental US shipping.
Please feel free to call me to discuss. Garrett: 847-707-8312 Or e-mail me. Here's a link to a slideshow with more photos:
http://ivyhillhomes.com/1957_Imperial.html I will be adding more photos and updating this in the next day or two.
With the car I will include following additional or rebuilt parts:
nice hood emblem,very nice pair of headlight buckets, ezels, nd eyebrow trimpassenger hood hinge (passenger side is bad)nice inside windshield trim (trim on car not so hot)
passenger side quarter stainless,1 door stainless1 trunk stainless (piece that wraps around)driver's side interior door handledriver's side exhaust manifold (one on car has broken studs)1 good tail light assembly (will be installed in place of one on car)
extra interior roof chrome piecesnicer dome light assemblyextra exterior rear window stainlessremains of another 2dr coupe which has upper quarters both sides, he whole trunk lip area, etc. Whole car can be picked up (car is in Bakersfield, A) or cut off parts. FYI It will be a few months before this car can be picked up or parts cut off nice rear bumper
Rebuilt carburetornew fuel pumpnew belts & hosesnew voltage regulatornew thermostatnew coil & coil bracket
I have many other parts for these cars and can work out a deal for other things, I also have access to a straight rust free driver's side door than can be worked into the deal. I am planning on getting a driver's side door handle as this one has damage.
One photo shows motor when I got car, efore it was cleaned. Carb is off because it is out being rebuilt.
$2000 Deposit, ia PayPal or other agreed upon method; balance within 7 days. Cash, ashier's check, r wire transfer. Contact me for other payment terms. I would like this picked up sooner than later.