1963 Chrysler Imperial Convertible

1963 Chrysler Imperial Crown Convertible From 1960 through the 1963 models, they were called America's Most Carefully Built Car. Imperials were among the most lavishly appointed cars ever built in this country, with options such as 45rpm Chryco RCA Victor record player, which could be preloaded with up to 14 records, a remote power trunk lock, six way power seats, leather interior and a power swivel seat, which turned out and back for easy entry and exit. Other luxury equipment available included: air conditioning, auto pilot, automatic beam changer, power vent windows, stainless steel roof, power windows and power door locks. -Thx To Hemmings.com For consignment, a 1963 Chrysler Imperial Crown convertible showing 84,379 miles but true miles are unknown. Just 531 Crown convertibles were produced in 1963, the final year of Virgil Exner's forward look design, and it went out with a bang. Exterior Familial resemblance with the Chrysler is shared here, adorned in Formal Black with a black canvas top and as we'll learn, a white interior. Notable features that make the Imperials unique are the finned fenders in back, capped by linear taillights and flanking a spare tire bump out dressed up on the decklid. Up front, the body takes on a concave profile to house floating quad headlights in a daring and highly unique design. Along the side, a sweeping spear begins by wrapping around the eyebrows in front and descending along the rear fender where it flares but does not end as the polished piece continues to dress the rear panel. Some space age influence shapes the chrome bumper in back while forward set side mirrors and a rising circular hood ornament have the makings of a gunsight. Overall, the panels are straight and trim is intact. Imperfections include crazing and checking throughout, some pitting of metal accessories, scuffs, scratches, rough surface, scuffs in the chrome bumpers, under painted areas where open bubbles form, and door edge wear. Interior Chrysler was operating on a different plane in this period and it shows up most pronounced the interior where modern and edgy design is utilized whenever possible. Alabaster is the official interior color beginning with the button adorned door panels with an engraved detail on the electric window switch plate and the ornamental scroll design on the trim plate. There's some wear on the driver's door but both are in good condition. Alabaster leather covers the split bench seat, square and intersected by a fold down armrest. Like the front, the rear bench shares a center armrest and presents in very nice condition over clean black carpet. The black steering wheel is absolutely unique, more oval than round and showing some cracks in the plastic rim, while giving way to a beautifully sculpted dashboard with push button transmission in an oblong pod, matching the push button A/C pod on the opposite side. The speedometer and instrumentation are housed in chrome while the polished, concave mid panel that takes in the AM radio and oblong Imperial call-out in spectacular 60's font. We note some cracks in the dash pad, but the truck is finished and clean. Drivetrain Looking very clean is the 413ci V8 under the hood with a 4-barrel carburetor and 340 horsepower.  It's mated to an A727 3-speed automatic transmission with power going to the 8 ¾ rear axle. The car is equipped with power brakes and power steering.  Undercarriage All clean here with some typical surface rust and a bit of oil under the engine. The dual exhaust runs through what appear to be new stock style mufflers and out back. Power drum brakes are at all four wheels and suspension consists of torsion bars up front and leaf springs in back.  Drive-Ability All's well for this classy ride as we peer over the flat plain of the hood and point the winged ornament towards the test loop. The car starts, runs, and drives well with all functional items operating on demand. While Classic Auto Mall represents tha