I bought a '59 Imperial (custom, sedan) back in 1974 when I was 17. "Nocturne Blue" with white roof. Lost it two years later. I miss that car to this day. Only paid $250 for it and it was in very good condition. What a car!
What you have there is actually a magnificent example of a base trim level 1957 Imperial, sometimes referred to as a Custom. The Custom nomenclature occasionally appeared in advertising copy, but never on the car itself. Southampton is Imperial speak for a hardtop, two door and four door. Crown was the upscale trim level of the 57 Imperial. It encluded up graded upholstery and carpet and gold crowns above each headlight unit and adjacent to the Imperial nameplates on the fenders, trunk lid and dashboard. The word "Crown" did not appear anywhere on the car. Le Baron was the top trim level, available only as a four door, sedan or Southampton hardtop.
This is a gorgeous car. One of the details I like from this vintage is the wild script logo. There are details such as the shape of the roofline and rear windows that can be seen in Mopar C bodies through the 60s and 70s. It’s disappointing that the Imperial marque wasn’t able to last, and more so that Chrysler might not have much longer either.
Actually it was base, Crown, LeBaron. Southamptom merely meant 4 door hartop, and this is a base model (there would be a little crown over the second 'i' in the script if it were the step up model + interior upgrades). Still Beautiful! 1957 was Imperial's high water mark; never sold more in a model year. 56 & 57 were also the high water mark of combined Lincoln/Imperial penetration against Cadillac untl decades later - Lincoln beat Cadillac in 1998, before sinking into near irrelevance. Funny how today the neutral start would almost be an anti-theft feature - would be thief gets in turns the key and ... nothing :) Feels like a very good price to me.
I agree in that I would take this over any 1957 Cadillac. But the problem was Americans at that time were pretty much sold that Cadillac was "it." My grandfather and father owned Cadillacs. Everyone admired that car!
If I may, the Southampton name denoted a hardtop as opposed to a pillared car. The trims were from bottom to top: Imperial, Imperial Crown, Imperial LeBaron, and the Crown Imperial being the limousine.
The Southhamptpn was Chrysler speak for a hardtop 2 or 4 door. The Imperial models were from the bottom The Imperial (changed to Custom in 1959) The Imperial Crown ( not to be confused with the $18,000.00 Crown Imperial Limo by Ghia) and finally The Imperial LeBaron.
I know that those Imperials are underrated. But for less than 25000?! If I would not own 7 classics already and would have the means I would jump on it!
21 วันที่ผ่านมา +1
your right , i never understood why imperial could never compete with cadillac
I hate to keep correcting you. From what you said it sounded as if you confused the first generation hemi with the first year hemi. Yes, this is the final displacement of the first gen. hemi. However, the hemi made it's first appearance in 1951 at 331 CI and 180 HP.
I am a GM guy, but those forward look cars were sensational. Thinking what Beauties were built between 1957 and 1960 reminds me how ugly and boring cars of today are. Actually I love the 57 Caddie as well. If I would be rich I would own both brands from the aera. A friend has a 59 Imperial and I love it. The Lincolns of 57 were ugly as Hell though. My absolute favourites of those years were the Chrysler 300 models, the 59 Dodge, the 1960 Cadillac that tops even the 59. And I love 58 and 59 Buicks as well.
looks aren't everything. chrysler had a lot of mechanical and body problems with these cars, brakes and rust. chrysler tried to do too much too fast with forward look which actually started in 1955.
I bought a '59 Imperial (custom, sedan) back in 1974 when I was 17. "Nocturne Blue" with white roof. Lost it two years later. I miss that car to this day. Only paid $250 for it and it was in very good condition. What a car!
The three series were Imperial, Crown, and LeBaron. Southampton refers to the hardtop models regardless of series. Absolutely beautiful cars!
Beautiful. And understated as far as the Imperials went on to be. And a bargain price. .
What you have there is actually a magnificent example of a base trim level 1957 Imperial, sometimes referred to as a Custom. The Custom nomenclature occasionally appeared in advertising copy, but never on the car itself. Southampton is Imperial speak for a hardtop, two door and four door. Crown was the upscale trim level of the 57 Imperial. It encluded up graded upholstery and carpet and gold crowns above each headlight unit and adjacent to the Imperial nameplates on the fenders, trunk lid and dashboard. The word "Crown" did not appear anywhere on the car. Le Baron was the top trim level, available only as a four door, sedan or Southampton hardtop.
The most gorgeous luxury automobile of 1957 !
The perfect color for this car. Just stunning.
This is a gorgeous car. One of the details I like from this vintage is the wild script logo. There are details such as the shape of the roofline and rear windows that can be seen in Mopar C bodies through the 60s and 70s. It’s disappointing that the Imperial marque wasn’t able to last, and more so that Chrysler might not have much longer either.
Beautiful machine! I remember these running around when I was a little boy. Almost sixty now and this would be a wonderful car to cruise!
Nice, my Grandparents had a 1958 black Imperial 😀
Actually it was base, Crown, LeBaron. Southamptom merely meant 4 door hartop, and this is a base model (there would be a little crown over the second 'i' in the script if it were the step up model + interior upgrades). Still Beautiful! 1957 was Imperial's high water mark; never sold more in a model year. 56 & 57 were also the high water mark of combined Lincoln/Imperial penetration against Cadillac untl decades later - Lincoln beat Cadillac in 1998, before sinking into near irrelevance. Funny how today the neutral start would almost be an anti-theft feature - would be thief gets in turns the key and ... nothing :) Feels like a very good price to me.
Base was called Custom. This is an Imperial Custom 4 door SouthHampton.
Beautiful automobile! 👍😎
Remember Nash offered the first Cheap AC/heater system in 1954!!!!
I agree in that I would take this over any 1957 Cadillac. But the problem was Americans at that time were pretty much sold that Cadillac was "it." My grandfather and father owned Cadillacs. Everyone admired that car!
Imperial. The name says it all.
If I may, the Southampton name denoted a hardtop as opposed to a pillared car.
The trims were from bottom to top: Imperial, Imperial Crown, Imperial LeBaron, and the Crown Imperial being the limousine.
Great car. I had a friend in Stoneham named Rudy who has since long passed that had the same car and color, allegedly it was a Howard Hughes car
Perfect description... Stunning! and at just $25K quite the bargain too IMHO
Stunning! IMHO, the price is reasonable.
The Southhamptpn was Chrysler speak for a hardtop 2 or 4 door. The Imperial models were from the bottom The Imperial (changed to Custom in 1959) The Imperial Crown ( not to be confused with the $18,000.00 Crown Imperial Limo by Ghia) and finally The Imperial LeBaron.
The rear tire embossment was referred to as a Flight Sweep decklid.
I know that those Imperials are underrated. But for less than 25000?! If I would not own 7 classics already and would have the means I would jump on it!
your right , i never understood why imperial could never compete with cadillac
What a stunning car! ... I believe Chrysler called this color "Saturn Blue".
Looks closer to Seafoam Aqua to me.
A car of this stature should have a front seat armrest. I believe the LeBaron does.
The trunk wheel was called the bird bath Bowl but its a beautiful car
Complete creampuff! I was like: Fifty G's . . wow. . .
Absolutely Stunning!!!!!
I hate to keep correcting you. From what you said it sounded as if you confused the first generation hemi with the first year hemi. Yes, this is the final displacement of the first gen. hemi. However, the hemi made it's first appearance in 1951 at 331 CI and 180 HP.
You know I like to guess the price partway through the video. My guess was $30k. That is a fantastic price at $24k.
Lovely!
The color pops
In Godfather II, you see Michael, at the Lake Tahoe compound, being driven in a 1958 Black Imperial Limo.
Great car. Nice chat. The camerawork made me dizzy.😅
Agreed! I hated it in rerun. I was rushing and it showed. Noted. Thank you.
I am a GM guy, but those forward look cars were sensational. Thinking what Beauties were built between 1957 and 1960 reminds me how ugly and boring cars of today are.
Actually I love the 57 Caddie as well. If I would be rich I would own both brands from the aera. A friend has a 59 Imperial and I love it. The Lincolns of 57 were ugly as Hell though.
My absolute favourites of those years were the Chrysler 300 models, the 59 Dodge, the 1960 Cadillac that tops even the 59.
And I love 58 and 59 Buicks as well.
Why did it have 4 headlights in 1957?
looks aren't everything. chrysler had a lot of mechanical and body problems with these cars, brakes and rust. chrysler tried to do too much too fast with forward look which actually started in 1955.
All that talk and no price - wasting my time.
Huh? The price is clearly stated towards the end. $24,900.
Apologies
@@YTChiefCritic , No worries! You had me wondering 🤣