Thanks for a trip down memory lane. My parents had a brown '72 Imperial LeBaron when I was a kid. We all loved that car. It took 4 kids, a giant dog, my parents, and all our gear on a trip cross country in about 1980. I was the smallest, so lied down on the rear parcel shelf, while my dad drove at ~85mph at night, looking at the stars. Different times.... Oh - those rear seat side pillows were too damned high for kids to use. Boo!
We had a 1972 Town & Country 3-seat wagon with the same 440 V8. The dashboard was very similar to the Imperial’s, with the indirect lighting that I thought was out of this world. One day my mom was sitting at a stoplight and was rear-ended by a kid in a 1970 Chevelle going about 50mph. Although the frame was bent, my dad was able to drive the wagon home. Not much was left of the Chevelle. The body shop he took it to had jigs and fixtures that claimed to straighten the frame on a unibody car, and apparently it did, as it tracked perfectly, all body panels lined up as new, and there was no wheel alignment problem afterward. My mom wasn’t so lucky - she had soft tissue damage that plagued her for the rest of her life.
You really do a great job of coming up with items of interest to point out, mentioning the history of things, giving examples of the sound of things, contrasting features from one year to the next, and even (in this case) pointing out the night features and appearance. Your videos are so helpful in giving the viewer details to better understand the fullness of these magnificent cars.
Well said, Ross. Also, I'm guessing that some of the (seemingly) little things Adam points out are the sort of things that swayed a lot customers to buy these cars new back in the 1970's. How good the engine and transmission are would obviously be important, but car guys are more into that. It's probably safe to say that a lot of the new buyers for vehicles like this weren't car guys. Good video.
I had a 71. When I had to have a little body work done, it was so big that it would not fit in the shops paint booth, so they had to clear out a space and paint it on the shop floor.
I owned 1969 Chrysler Imperial and 1975 Imperial and I 1990. Today 2018 Cadillac XTS. my car has a center Back up light on it. When I purchased it was the flagship for Cadillac. I still love it. Thank you.
hi from Sydney , Australia. My dad was American, he was the chief of a US government department here in Australia In 1971 the official office car was a 1966 Imperial in nonmetallic dark blue paint & matching dark blue leather interior with large painted gilt government crests on the front doors and wore the unusual looking period New South Wales diplomatic registration plates. He commenced this role in 1969 and for personal use used his own private car, in late 1970 his role was increased and in 1971 he received for his own personal use Australia's version of an Imperial , a 1971 CH 2 door coupe "Chrysler by Chrysler" (this is how it was badged) these were lavishly equipped and had USA 5.9litre 360cube V8 engines tuned for full power to run on 102 octane leaded petrol -Total Performance-, it had one of those wonderful sounding lazy starters my bedroom was on the driveway side of our house and I would hear it most mornings attempting to start. Frequently failed to start and needed a mega jolt jump start from my mums new 1971 mk10 or 420G Jaguar as the last versions were known (these last of the monster Jags of the '60's also had a unique sounding starter as it pre-engages when you turn the car off AND when you turn the ignition key off it KILLS near all the electric system in the car, when you go to start it , it has the fastest most vicious sounding starter which ends in a "pring" sound almost like you have hit the flywheel). If starting attempts killed the battery he would charge it up at work & leave it overnight & bring the older 1966 model Imp' home. In early 1972 a female drunk driver "killed" the parked 2 door Chrysler by Chrysler they sold super badly and were made for less than a year , so it was replaced by another black one this time a 4 door , at the same time the office received a new 1972 Imperial again in dark blue with dark blue leather interior same as yours Adam. However considering the size difference the Aussie long wheelbase Cby C's had WAY , WAY more interior rear legroom as a 6 foot 3inch schoolboy the smaller car was the more comfortable car in every way. God knows what the front and rear seats came from but they were super tall backed , had long bolsters front and rear to rest your thighs on too. But all the cabin lights electric seat switches were all the identical ones used in the '72 Imperial . Sadly , considering their sheltered lives in a warm dry climate booth the Aussie Chrysler & the USA Imperial commenced rusting badly from day one and when both were updated the rust could be easily seen here & there over the cars. My mum's Jaguar was kept for decades and gave faithful service until retired in the 1990's. I own a 1967 Jaguar the same as my mums1971 car, and 2 1970's Cadillac Fleetwood's , a white 72 Brougham and a Black '74 Talisman, in 9 days time I will have owned the black'74 model for 40 years. To finish I really liked the 2 x "aussie Imperial's" they were lavishly equipped interiors, with massive sound deadening excellent air conditioning systems on the hottest of days and whether the shorter Chrysler Valiant versions , sedan, wagon, ute, or panel van or the long wheelbase range topping Chrysler by Chryslers , these were the ONLY truly unique Australian Chrysler products with that family of body structures running 1971 to 1981 until the collapse of Chrysler in Australia. As every other Chrysler product was merely a RHD built USA Chrysler product dating right back pre WW2. Plus the very plush 1971 to 1974 Chrysler by Chrysler's were the most American-esque of any Australian designed cars, with the range topping GM Holden Statesman's in either deVille, or dearer Caprice versions , or the Aussie Ford Falcon based Ford LTD's of the period had some European design elements here and there both in their interiors and dashboards, on their exteriors and with their handling and drivability with the giant Holdens being the most European, not so with the big Chryslers they were PURE Americana in every waywith the super rare 1971 2 door coupes now bringing $100,000 aust for an excellent one and half that for a restoration project , with the 4door versions not far behind.
I must admit that when I was a kid, the sound of that Chrysler reduction gear starter was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. My father was a solid GM guy for many years so I was used to the comparably eager sound of the GM starters vs. Mopar. The latter sounded lazy and grating. Then I bought a '73 Dodge Polara as a teenager. Great car...and I managed to get used to that starter sound. Now? Pure nostalgia when I hear it.
Ahh the old electronic ignition. My father bought a 74 dart custom with the 318. I wanted him to buy the se with the 360. These were the last two cars on the lot for the model year, just post 1st gas lines. Both had vinyl tops. I do miss vinyl tops In the 79 gas crunch, I saw a low mileage 72 2 door Imperial selling for 150 bucks at a Salvation Army back lot. One of my regrets not buying that car. No one wanted the old big engine 8 cyl due to the cost of gas and many were donated.
Wow. Kind of weird how my sense of SMELL was triggered; the start, the running engine, even the floodlit dashboard made me remember how these cars smelled.
I love that you share videos of this very special car. The exhaust sounds beautiful... and, knowing who once looked at these instruments to operate it makes seeing them even more interesting. Syd Mead talks about a ride in an Imperial as a kid regarding an early commission in his book... I think about a 1955, and, it evidently had a lasting impact.
My dream car - fuselage Imperial LeBaron 4 door hardtop! So glad you are a champion for these under-appreciated cars…and a great caretaker for one! Thanks for the video, Adam
Makes me think of the starter in my old man's 1975 Dodge "Adventurer" Camper Special pickup. The sound of that gear-reduction starter resonated throughout my childhood. I can still hear it in my mind today. Never leaves you...
I pulled the 440 that’s currently in my ‘70 Charger out of one of them. $100 running back in ‘88. They had forged cranks right thru ‘73, and the same heads across the line including the 383 and 400.
Had a 72 Dodge Polara, liked the means of illuminating the instrument panel, bonus was "if" the bulb ever needed replacing it didn't require attacking problem from under the dash.
In 1979 the 1st. vehicle I ever owned was a 2 door Newport Custom w/383. The starter sound was sooooo neat! Adam, your presentations and collection is outstanding!
Cold start-up sounds exactly like the 1973 Chrysler Town & Country wagon my wife was driving when we first married. A more-than ideal harpmobile for her to transport her concert grand instrument. My car was a 1965 Cadillac Sedan de Ville. We made quite a pair, but it sure was a pain in the a$$ when it came to finding large-enough parking spaces within three blocks of our apartment in downtown LA in 1978.
Chrysler starters spin just as fast as other starters, but it sounds to me like the "bowl vent" needs to be adjusted on the carburetor, and/or the choke needs to be adjusted. When you shut off the car and the idle stop solenoid powers off, it's supposed to close the bowl vent to keep the gasoline from evaporating. When you pump the gas to set the choke for the next cold start, the accelerator pump is dry/nearly dry and it takes a bit longer to re-fill the fuel bowl.
Yeah, absolutely beautiful styling both inside and out. I''ve always loved the way the instrument panel was lit. Love everything about these '72s and '73s.
I spent many cold Ohio mornings doing that in my 1968 Dodge Monaco with 383. My 1975 Cordoba (360 2bbl) was about the same but in NC by that time. It had a cold start/acceleration stumble that I never could resolve. Ran good when warm though.
I bought a used 1969 Dodge Polara with the 383 (4 barrel) which burned premium fuel. Terrible gas mileage, but the price of gas was so cheap back then. It was a massive car ...and I loved it!
Those step down starters are music to my ears. Brings back memory of small town Iowa and hearing them crank practically a whole block away and instantly know it’s someone else in a Chrysler, Dodge or Plymouth. Folks had 71 New Yorker much like your Imperial. What thundering torque that 440 had. Lasted and lasted. My 68 Plymouth top of Fury line VIP was like a New Yorker knock off, gussied up Plymouth. Hot 383 four barrel with a quicker 3:23 rear end and double snorkel air cleaner. That sled moved considerably quicker than New Yorker with I think 2:76 gears. But the 383 was hard starting, high compression for one, and for two, the carb would boil gas into flooded mode and hard start hot. Then when parked overnight, there would be a lack of gas in the carb bowl, the gas evaporated from the excessive heat, so also hard start cold, it had to crank entire motor quite awhile just to get fuel back in carb so the accelerator pump would work. Which may be what you’re dealing with?? I eventually remedied that with an electric fuel pump, a tiny drain on battery cold compared to cranking entire motor. Then decades later I bought another VIP from AZ, which was delightfully pretty much zero rust. By then I found out about an insulated laminated some sort of material thin plate that bolts in under the carb, keeping the excessive heat of motor away from the carb and gas. Took very little time to install and what a wonderful difference it made !! Length of choke rod needed lengthened a little. That second VIP of 1967 model, same hot 383 four bbl, I swapped to pointless ignition and that was also a nice improvement, a hotter spark. Another engine sound I miss, a 2003 VW Jetta wagon in diesel flavor. Loved that diesel rattle especially in winter. It started easier than my 383 Plymouths and used 1/5th the fuel, no neck snapping power, but how sweet if was to only fill the fuel tank once a month.
Wow, so in short, a faulty carburetor was responsible for the Chrysler's hard starting problems? I mean, I hear lots of issues, ballast resistor, spark plugs, faulty carburetors, etc. I thought maybe there were bugs in the relatively new electric ignition or gear reduction technology. You said carburetor?
@@broadstreet21 the ones I dealt with were late 60’s four barrel. Standard old style points. If memory correct Carter AVS?? I don’t know if it was the actual carb design or just a lot of heat rising up from the block, but the insulator under the carb worked great for a collector summer only car. Cold winter, it would take a lot longer to warm up, not sure how satisfactory that would be. It was vexing tho, boil over, flood hot, park overnight and then no raw gas in the bowl. Crank crank crank. Was same deal both cars with 383 four barrels I had. For a time, I even used adapter and put on a GM Quadrajet from an Olds 455. That wasn’t bad.
@@broadstreet21 Greetings. I don’t know how the carbs were different, just listening to how quickly or how slowly the Big 3 brands started up. GM seemed the quickest, barely hit the key and they usually went, Ford in the middle and Chrysler Dodge Plymouth needing more cranks. I admit when electronic fuel injection first became popular, I thought “added complexity, what can possibly go wrong after 100,000 miles?”, envisioning expensive repairs. But am happy to report fuel injection has been so much less fuss and monkey work compared to carbs. Just keep the gas clean, sometimes I run some Seafoam through the gas tank to clean injectors, etc. My 4.3L fuel injected bomber 25 YO Chev S10 with 270,000 miles has been so very good to me for 8 years now, paid $1000 for it, cannot complain. AC is even ice cold yet. One time it developed a very nasty valve lifter noise, I wondered if a bolt came loose inside, my mechanic reminded me of Seafoam and said “add to gas and some in the oil” per instructions on the can. It worked !! For some years now, have not heard that awful sound again. Instructions also said to change oil soon after adding Seafoam to the oil. Carburetors, a pain, messing with auto-choke in the spring and fall, too rich, too lean, backfire, flood, boil over. My beloved 68 Plymouth 383 4 bbl I ended up putting a manual choke on it, problems solved with automatic choke. Get what you what, how you want, when you want. Adios.
It's the little details about different cars that most people gloss over that always interest me and why these videos are so fascinating. The sound of the starter, the thunk of the doors closing, the instrumentation lighting, the sound of the horn, intake noise when accelerating, etc.
I’ve always been a sucker for cool lighting on cars. From the flood lighting of the IP to the majestic front parking lights to the unique reverse light placement, this car is one of the best…
But a gear reduction starter I'd often associated with fuel injected starters. I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander, upon starting it sounds similar to the Chrysler HPH, just a bit faster spinning (being newer).
Thank you for the night view. These cars become so mystical and take an aura very different in the dark with the different shapes of their lights compared to boring modern cars.
AHHHHHH the bad old days of "Points and Condensers" ignition!! One year later in 1973 Chrysler went to Transistorized Ignition, greatly aiding starting from then on!!!
Puts me back to my teens when these cars were new. I would go to the local Chrysler Dodge dealership and pick up all the new brochures. Good times! Thanks again for the interesting information. The night shots are always classy.
When I was around 7-10 years old my mom had a 1966 Chrysler New Yorker that wasn't much different from your Imperial. I remember the sound of that starter and how my mom would flood the car so many times. Lol! I always liked watching the turn signal light flash that was mounted on top of the front fenders as well.
My Dad had a 1973 Imperial LeBaron. He was a Superintendent at Chrysler Jefferson Assembly and the Imperial was the employee lease car of the plant manager.
I found a 71 fury III with 42k miles on it. I open the door and barely turn the key and it's running. Ready to go for a ride. Almost like it's excited somebody is driving it.
My father had a '73 2door LeBaron. Many interesting features such as the passenger seat would move forward for rear seat access. Whom ever ordered the car new didn't check the boxes for cruise control or tilt telescoping wheel. It also had factory 8 track with AM/FM. As memory serves me it may have had 4 wheel disc brakes. What a highway cruiser! The 440 at highway speed wasn't working hard at all.
Had a ‘73 back in ‘76. My brother owned a muffler shop and we made it sound sweet with Walker exhaust and (I think) 3 1/2 tubing w/balance tube. The little old lady had it but just too much car, only had about 3-4k on it. Her husband had bought it and then got ill/died or ????. I think it was called the Executive Model because it had tape deck on the hump with a lanyard and mic so executive’s could dictate. Someone may know better but my Mr. Mopar older brother semi-guessed that was it or had heard it. Been many years ago.
Adam, The Imperial's starter screech is so much classier than the ones in our 73 Duster, 75 Fury and 1980 Diplomat. Even the key buzzer sounds better 😉
Cool. If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known the center bulb on the reversing light had burnt out. It looks fine with just the left and right bulbs.
Very nice Imperial! I've always loved the cornering lights on Chryslers, I made sure all my newer Chryslers had them, New Yorker, Dynasty, Mirada, Cordoba's. Also, I love the green "dot" for the "Stereo" indicator. Thanks for the demo! One thing though, an Imperial with no cruise control?? Weird.
I have an electric pump on my '69. It completely eliminates all that cranking you're doing, even after it sits for a year. I turn the key on, wait for the sound of the pump to indicate it's laboring against fuel pressure, pump the gas once and it starts right up.
Adam, I am happy that you think this is a cool car, as I have always felt the same. I was 15 when the 1972 models came out, and I considered myself lucky to get a brochure from a Chrysler dealership. I studied the pictures and read the information in it, frequently.
Boy, this one brought back memories. Friend had a late 70's Dodge, and it was fussy to start with a 318, but I can remember hearing that gear reduction starter whining, and whining, too funny. I would climb into my 78 Chevy PU, step on the accelerator twice, and it would barely turn over and fire right up. Funny thinking about it now, years later I had a 79 Chevy PU big block 454, and it ran as well, started perfect regardless of ambient temperature.
My dad had a ‘73 Satellite Custom with a 318. It was maddening to get it started. My first foray with cars was messing with the ‘butterfly’ in the carb to get it started. I think it had a city horn and a country horn.
wow ! awesome... possibly the only video showing the lights of these cars ,front, side, rear and interior moreover !... these items are never shown as 99.95% of cars pics are 3/4 front view in daytime. I can't imagine how great might the taillights/indicators from your mercury's be ! thanks
Don't know why cornering lights aren't on modern cars. It seems to help when turning into your driveway late at night, especially since modern headlamps seem to have an abrupt cut off to their illumination.
I would rather hear the old-fashioned Mopar starter anyways. They are classic, I grew up around a very cranky, dodge charger. Lol! It was like pulling teeth some mornings to get going, but once you get it started, it ran beautifully.
Adam thanks for this video, while my family were all GM I now know why the one neighbors Chrysler sounded so different in the morning. 😉 I will add the Imperial dash gauge lightning is so much brighter than What I remember on comparable GM cars Not gonna lie I kinda panicked when you shifted into reverse at 4:54 from outside the car, that's alot of faith you have in your parking brake. 🙏👀
this starting procedure is factory approved... I grew up with a 71 fury and a 72 satellite. They all sound like that. Never mind the extra complications of a damp day... If you know, you know... edit 4:35 That key buzzer brings me back...
In 1990 while attending the General Motors institute in Flint Michigan I carpooled to Pittsburgh for the weekend with another student in his 1971 Imperial, he let me drive since I drove fast....set sail down US 23 and across the Ohio turnpike with the AC cranked and my foot firmly inserted in the thermoquad.... burned a shit ton of super unleaded but make the trip in 4.5 hours unscathed by Ohio's instant on happy troopers.
Thanks for a trip down memory lane. My parents had a brown '72 Imperial LeBaron when I was a kid. We all loved that car. It took 4 kids, a giant dog, my parents, and all our gear on a trip cross country in about 1980. I was the smallest, so lied down on the rear parcel shelf, while my dad drove at ~85mph at night, looking at the stars. Different times.... Oh - those rear seat side pillows were too damned high for kids to use. Boo!
My dad bought a 1964 Valiant brand new. Yep, I’ll always remember that Mopar starter cranking sound. Love it.
@AyeCarumbs221 I have always loved that sound too!
We had a 1972 Town & Country 3-seat wagon with the same 440 V8. The dashboard was very similar to the Imperial’s, with the indirect lighting that I thought was out of this world.
One day my mom was sitting at a stoplight and was rear-ended by a kid in a 1970 Chevelle going about 50mph. Although the frame was bent, my dad was able to drive the wagon home. Not much was left of the Chevelle. The body shop he took it to had jigs and fixtures that claimed to straighten the frame on a unibody car, and apparently it did, as it tracked perfectly, all body panels lined up as new, and there was no wheel alignment problem afterward. My mom wasn’t so lucky - she had soft tissue damage that plagued her for the rest of her life.
You really do a great job of coming up with items of interest to point out, mentioning the history of things, giving examples of the sound of things, contrasting features from one year to the next, and even (in this case) pointing out the night features and appearance. Your videos are so helpful in giving the viewer details to better understand the fullness of these magnificent cars.
Well said, Ross. Also, I'm guessing that some of the (seemingly) little things Adam points out are the sort of things that swayed a lot customers to buy these cars new back in the 1970's. How good the engine and transmission are would obviously be important, but car guys are more into that. It's probably safe to say that a lot of the new buyers for vehicles like this weren't car guys. Good video.
Beautiful dash, looks like a vintage receiver from the same era. Love the sound of a big block, day or night!
When I seen the thumbnail for this video, I thought the same thing.
I thought I was looking at a vintage stereo receiver. Lol.
The "440" was ALWAYS AWESOME! A GREAT MOTOR!
I love the sound of a Chrysler starter in the morning!!! Thanks Adam for another fun video!!! 👍👍🙂
@Christopher Kraft I agree with you completely! There is no other sound like it!
Sound of the big block at night and the MOPAR gear reduction starter in the morning... Man, music to the ears. 🎶👂🎶🙄
I love the sound of that gear reduction starter!
The Chrysler "starter" was AWESOME! LOVED THE "scream"!
Nothing like awakening to the song of the Highland Park hummingbird in the morning.
I had a 71. When I had to have a little body work done, it was so big that it would not fit in the shops paint booth, so they had to clear out a space and paint it on the shop floor.
Gotta love Chrysler's inverted speedometers to go with their inverted keys!
I owned 1969 Chrysler Imperial and 1975 Imperial and I 1990.
Today 2018 Cadillac XTS. my car has a center Back up light on it. When I purchased it was the flagship for Cadillac. I still love it. Thank you.
hi from Sydney , Australia. My dad was American, he was the chief of a US government department here in Australia In 1971 the official office car was a 1966 Imperial in nonmetallic dark blue paint & matching dark blue leather interior with large painted gilt government crests on the front doors and wore the unusual looking period New South Wales diplomatic registration plates. He commenced this role in 1969 and for personal use used his own private car, in late 1970 his role was increased and in 1971 he received for his own personal use Australia's version of an Imperial , a 1971 CH 2 door coupe "Chrysler by Chrysler" (this is how it was badged) these were lavishly equipped and had USA 5.9litre 360cube V8 engines tuned for full power to run on 102 octane leaded petrol -Total Performance-, it had one of those wonderful sounding lazy starters my bedroom was on the driveway side of our house and I would hear it most mornings attempting to start. Frequently failed to start and needed a mega jolt jump start from my mums new 1971 mk10 or 420G Jaguar as the last versions were known (these last of the monster Jags of the '60's also had a unique sounding starter as it pre-engages when you turn the car off AND when you turn the ignition key off it KILLS near all the electric system in the car, when you go to start it , it has the fastest most vicious sounding starter which ends in a "pring" sound almost like you have hit the flywheel). If starting attempts killed the battery he would charge it up at work & leave it overnight & bring the older 1966 model Imp' home. In early 1972 a female drunk driver "killed" the parked 2 door Chrysler by Chrysler they sold super badly and were made for less than a year , so it was replaced by another black one this time a 4 door , at the same time the office received a new 1972 Imperial again in dark blue with dark blue leather interior same as yours Adam. However considering the size difference the Aussie long wheelbase Cby C's had WAY , WAY more interior rear legroom as a 6 foot 3inch schoolboy the smaller car was the more comfortable car in every way. God knows what the front and rear seats came from but they were super tall backed , had long bolsters front and rear to rest your thighs on too. But all the cabin lights electric seat switches were all the identical ones used in the '72 Imperial . Sadly , considering their sheltered lives in a warm dry climate booth the Aussie Chrysler & the USA Imperial commenced rusting badly from day one and when both were updated the rust could be easily seen here & there over the cars. My mum's Jaguar was kept for decades and gave faithful service until retired in the 1990's. I own a 1967 Jaguar the same as my mums1971 car, and 2 1970's Cadillac Fleetwood's , a white 72 Brougham and a Black '74 Talisman, in 9 days time I will have owned the black'74 model for 40 years.
To finish I really liked the 2 x "aussie Imperial's" they were lavishly equipped interiors, with massive sound deadening excellent air conditioning systems on the hottest of days and whether the shorter Chrysler Valiant versions , sedan, wagon, ute, or panel van or the long wheelbase range topping Chrysler by Chryslers , these were the ONLY truly unique Australian Chrysler products with that family of body structures running 1971 to 1981 until the collapse of Chrysler in Australia. As every other Chrysler product was merely a RHD built USA Chrysler product dating right back pre WW2. Plus the very plush 1971 to 1974 Chrysler by Chrysler's were the most American-esque of any Australian designed cars, with the range topping GM Holden Statesman's in either deVille, or dearer Caprice versions , or the Aussie Ford Falcon based Ford LTD's of the period had some European design elements here and there both in their interiors and dashboards, on their exteriors and with their handling and drivability with the giant Holdens being the most European, not so with the big Chryslers they were PURE Americana in every waywith the super rare 1971 2 door coupes now bringing $100,000 aust for an excellent one and half that for a restoration project , with the 4door versions not far behind.
I must admit that when I was a kid, the sound of that Chrysler reduction gear starter was like fingernails on a chalkboard to me. My father was a solid GM guy for many years so I was used to the comparably eager sound of the GM starters vs. Mopar. The latter sounded lazy and grating. Then I bought a '73 Dodge Polara as a teenager. Great car...and I managed to get used to that starter sound. Now? Pure nostalgia when I hear it.
An interesting fun fact. The 1971 to 1973 Imperial's were available with a 4 wheel anti-skid braking system made by Bendix.
It's always a treat to see this car in any setting -- it's so unique and wonderful.
The '66 Imperial was BETTER, but these were GREAT RIDES!
Ahh the old electronic ignition. My father bought a 74 dart custom with the 318. I wanted him to buy the se with the 360. These were the last two cars on the lot for the model year, just post 1st gas lines. Both had vinyl tops.
I do miss vinyl tops
In the 79 gas crunch, I saw a low mileage 72 2 door Imperial selling for 150 bucks at a Salvation Army back lot. One of my regrets not buying that car. No one wanted the old big engine 8 cyl due to the cost of gas and many were donated.
Wow. Kind of weird how my sense of SMELL was triggered; the start, the running engine, even the floodlit dashboard made me remember how these cars smelled.
My 71 Newport had the same back lit dash. Light package was great with the ignition switch light and fender mounted turn signals.
We need more Newports on this channel. I am guessing yours had the 383.
One of my white noise go-to-sleep sound loops is an EMD 567 idling.
I need the Chrysler starter
I love the sound if the Chrysler starter when it is cranking over!
The unmistakable harmonics of that starter motor. Good old reliable Chrysler!
@isfeldt34 Just a great, great sound!
I love that you share videos of this very special car. The exhaust sounds beautiful... and, knowing who once looked at these instruments to operate it makes seeing them even more interesting. Syd Mead talks about a ride in an Imperial as a kid regarding an early commission in his book... I think about a 1955, and, it evidently had a lasting impact.
My dream car - fuselage Imperial LeBaron 4 door hardtop! So glad you are a champion for these under-appreciated cars…and a great caretaker for one! Thanks for the video, Adam
👏👏
Makes me think of the starter in my old man's 1975 Dodge "Adventurer" Camper Special pickup. The sound of that gear-reduction starter resonated throughout my childhood. I can still hear it in my mind today. Never leaves you...
I agree, that sound never dies leave you. It was amazing!
I pulled the 440 that’s currently in my ‘70 Charger out of one of them. $100 running back in ‘88. They had forged cranks right thru ‘73, and the same heads across the line including the 383 and 400.
A better place but still a bit sad. Lots of motorhomes out there for donor 440s still.
Had a 72 Dodge Polara, liked the means of illuminating the instrument panel, bonus was "if" the bulb ever needed replacing it didn't require attacking problem from under the dash.
Boy that starter sound brought back some memories. My dad was a partner in a Dodge dealership in the 60s.
Great cars presented with intellect and kindness. You are the best!
In 1979 the 1st. vehicle I ever owned was a 2 door Newport Custom w/383. The starter sound was sooooo neat! Adam, your presentations and collection is outstanding!
I was just calling for more Newports on this channel!
I love that starter sound!
Cold start-up sounds exactly like the 1973 Chrysler Town & Country wagon my wife was driving when we first married. A more-than ideal harpmobile for her to transport her concert grand instrument. My car was a 1965 Cadillac Sedan de Ville. We made quite a pair, but it sure was a pain in the a$$ when it came to finding large-enough parking spaces within three blocks of our apartment in downtown LA in 1978.
Night lighting footage of such a classic, with crickets on the background is something really magic haha! What a great sound that engine have too!
Chrysler starters spin just as fast as other starters, but it sounds to me like the "bowl vent" needs to be adjusted on the carburetor, and/or the choke needs to be adjusted. When you shut off the car and the idle stop solenoid powers off, it's supposed to close the bowl vent to keep the gasoline from evaporating. When you pump the gas to set the choke for the next cold start, the accelerator pump is dry/nearly dry and it takes a bit longer to re-fill the fuel bowl.
Not sure why, but I got chills when you showed the car in the dark. There's something warm and reassuring with old automotive lighting.
The Highland Park Hummingbird, the sound of civilization!
And what a great sound it was!
@@lovetocrank Yes Sir! And in a few Chosen Places it still is!
I’d give a lot to be wherever that was! LOL. Greatest sound in the world!
@@lovetocrank Fly to Finland, we have a lot of great Mopars. Lol.
I wish I could!
Sure brings back memories for me of the early '70's Chrysler products I remember from back then. Simpler times.
Yeah, absolutely beautiful styling both inside and out. I''ve always loved the way the instrument panel was lit. Love everything about these '72s and '73s.
My parents had a 1972 Dodge Coronet Custom....same exact buzzer for the door and same exact ignition key hole light. Great video!!
I spent many cold Ohio mornings doing that in my 1968 Dodge Monaco with 383. My 1975 Cordoba (360 2bbl) was about the same but in NC by that time. It had a cold start/acceleration stumble that I never could resolve. Ran good when warm though.
I bought a used 1969 Dodge Polara with the 383 (4 barrel) which burned premium fuel. Terrible gas mileage, but the price of gas was so cheap back then. It was a massive car ...and I loved it!
I would have loved that!
Those step down starters are music to my ears. Brings back memory of small town Iowa and hearing them crank practically a whole block away and instantly know it’s someone else in a Chrysler, Dodge or Plymouth. Folks had 71 New Yorker much like your Imperial. What thundering torque that 440 had. Lasted and lasted. My 68 Plymouth top of Fury line VIP was like a New Yorker knock off, gussied up Plymouth. Hot 383 four barrel with a quicker 3:23 rear end and double snorkel air cleaner. That sled moved considerably quicker than New Yorker with I think 2:76 gears. But the 383 was hard starting, high compression for one, and for two, the carb would boil gas into flooded mode and hard start hot. Then when parked overnight, there would be a lack of gas in the carb bowl, the gas evaporated from the excessive heat, so also hard start cold, it had to crank entire motor quite awhile just to get fuel back in carb so the accelerator pump would work. Which may be what you’re dealing with?? I eventually remedied that with an electric fuel pump, a tiny drain on battery cold compared to cranking entire motor. Then decades later I bought another VIP from AZ, which was delightfully pretty much zero rust. By then I found out about an insulated laminated some sort of material thin plate that bolts in under the carb, keeping the excessive heat of motor away from the carb and gas. Took very little time to install and what a wonderful difference it made !! Length of choke rod needed lengthened a little. That second VIP of 1967 model, same hot 383 four bbl, I swapped to pointless ignition and that was also a nice improvement, a hotter spark. Another engine sound I miss, a 2003 VW Jetta wagon in diesel flavor. Loved that diesel rattle especially in winter. It started easier than my 383 Plymouths and used 1/5th the fuel, no neck snapping power, but how sweet if was to only fill the fuel tank once a month.
Great memories! I loved that sound, loved listening to them try to start!
Wow, so in short, a faulty carburetor was responsible for the Chrysler's hard starting problems?
I mean, I hear lots of issues, ballast resistor, spark plugs, faulty carburetors, etc. I thought maybe there were bugs in the relatively new electric ignition or gear reduction technology. You said carburetor?
@@broadstreet21 the ones I dealt with were late 60’s four barrel. Standard old style points. If memory correct Carter AVS?? I don’t know if it was the actual carb design or just a lot of heat rising up from the block, but the insulator under the carb worked great for a collector summer only car. Cold winter, it would take a lot longer to warm up, not sure how satisfactory that would be. It was vexing tho, boil over, flood hot, park overnight and then no raw gas in the bowl. Crank crank crank. Was same deal both cars with 383 four barrels I had. For a time, I even used adapter and put on a GM Quadrajet from an Olds 455. That wasn’t bad.
@@Skunked68 How were carburetors different in GMs or Fords from that era, if you know? Were they any easier to start?
@@broadstreet21 Greetings. I don’t know how the carbs were different, just listening to how quickly or how slowly the Big 3 brands started up. GM seemed the quickest, barely hit the key and they usually went, Ford in the middle and Chrysler Dodge Plymouth needing more cranks. I admit when electronic fuel injection first became popular, I thought “added complexity, what can possibly go wrong after 100,000 miles?”, envisioning expensive repairs. But am happy to report fuel injection has been so much less fuss and monkey work compared to carbs. Just keep the gas clean, sometimes I run some Seafoam through the gas tank to clean injectors, etc. My 4.3L fuel injected bomber 25 YO Chev S10 with 270,000 miles has been so very good to me for 8 years now, paid $1000 for it, cannot complain. AC is even ice cold yet. One time it developed a very nasty valve lifter noise, I wondered if a bolt came loose inside, my mechanic reminded me of Seafoam and said “add to gas and some in the oil” per instructions on the can. It worked !! For some years now, have not heard that awful sound again. Instructions also said to change oil soon after adding Seafoam to the oil. Carburetors, a pain, messing with auto-choke in the spring and fall, too rich, too lean, backfire, flood, boil over. My beloved 68 Plymouth 383 4 bbl I ended up putting a manual choke on it, problems solved with automatic choke. Get what you what, how you want, when you want. Adios.
I'm surprised you let it get that low on fuel. I do miss the hood blinker indicator Chrysler use to use. Felt fancy.
It's the little details about different cars that most people gloss over that always interest me and why these videos are so fascinating. The sound of the starter, the thunk of the doors closing, the instrumentation lighting, the sound of the horn, intake noise when accelerating, etc.
Oh man, I love the sound of that starter!
I’ve always been a sucker for cool lighting on cars. From the flood lighting of the IP to the majestic front parking lights to the unique reverse light placement, this car is one of the best…
This is so awesome. We need a few more carbureted cold starts in our life.
I agree!!
But a gear reduction starter I'd often associated with fuel injected starters. I have a 2006 Toyota Highlander, upon starting it sounds similar to the Chrysler HPH, just a bit faster spinning (being newer).
Thank you for the night view. These cars become so mystical and take an aura very different in the dark with the different shapes of their lights compared to boring modern cars.
one of my favorite sounds from childhood! my dad worked for a chrysler supplier. we always had plymouths and graduated to a Newport Royal in 1972
I loved the sound of those Mopar starters!
How in the world are so many of these 50…60 year old cars still on R12 Freon! Blows me away.
Those had a great sound when they were cranking! Remember that very fondly!
My grandfather had a 69 Imperial when I was a kid. I remember the back seat being so huge.
I do remember that starter sound too…
I love your TH-cam channel.
You are one of the few who video the dashboard at night with the lights on!
All these vintage cars had so much character.
AHHHHHH the bad old days of "Points and Condensers" ignition!! One year later in 1973 Chrysler went to Transistorized Ignition, greatly aiding starting from then on!!!
I had a friend who did a spot-on imitation of a Slant-6 starting.. sounds just like this!
Puts me back to my teens when these cars were new. I would go to the local Chrysler Dodge dealership and pick up all the new brochures. Good times! Thanks again for the interesting information. The night shots are always classy.
Somehow you morphed into my grandmother and her 1971 Newport. 🥰🥰
The sound of that engine is so sweet.
When I was around 7-10 years old my mom had a 1966 Chrysler New Yorker that wasn't much different from your Imperial. I remember the sound of that starter and how my mom would flood the car so many times. Lol! I always liked watching the turn signal light flash that was mounted on top of the front fenders as well.
I loved the sound of those starters!
Thanks for showing the cornering light illuminated. I have a cornering light fetish!
Amazing how a sound can bring back memories from so long ago... Thank man!
Great starting sound!
The Highland Park Whine😍
That's a beautiful Imperial. I love the late 60's to early 70's Imperials. I own a 57 Imperial. But that was a totally different era.
That sounds great starting too!
When I was a kid (1970's), I thought the fuselage Mopars of this era were hideous. Now, I think this 1972 Imperial is AWESOME!!!
My Dad had a 1973 Imperial LeBaron. He was a Superintendent at Chrysler Jefferson Assembly and the Imperial was the employee lease car of the plant manager.
I found a 71 fury III with 42k miles on it. I open the door and barely turn the key and it's running. Ready to go for a ride. Almost like it's excited somebody is driving it.
My father had a '73 2door LeBaron.
Many interesting features such as the passenger seat would move forward for rear seat access. Whom ever ordered the car new didn't check the boxes for cruise control or tilt telescoping wheel. It also had factory 8 track with AM/FM. As memory serves me it may have had 4 wheel disc brakes. What a highway cruiser! The 440 at highway speed wasn't working hard at all.
My 67 Crown Coupe seat does that when you push the seat back forward
Had a ‘73 back in ‘76. My brother owned a muffler shop and we made it sound sweet with Walker exhaust and (I think) 3 1/2 tubing w/balance tube. The little old lady had it but just too much car, only had about 3-4k on it. Her husband had bought it and then got ill/died or ????. I think it was called the Executive Model because it had tape deck on the hump with a lanyard and mic so executive’s could dictate. Someone may know better but my Mr. Mopar older brother semi-guessed that was it or had heard it. Been many years ago.
Adam, The Imperial's starter screech is so much classier than the ones in our 73 Duster, 75 Fury and 1980 Diplomat. Even the key buzzer sounds better 😉
Ha ha, no, all sound the same!
I agree and they are all great!
I love the starter sound but hate the fight the engine had to try and start cold. One reason I love fuel injection.
Beautiful Imperial.
Cool. If you hadn't mentioned it, I wouldn't have known the center bulb on the reversing light had burnt out. It looks fine with just the left and right bulbs.
Very nice Imperial! I've always loved the cornering lights on Chryslers, I made sure all my newer Chryslers had them, New Yorker, Dynasty, Mirada, Cordoba's. Also, I love the green "dot" for the "Stereo" indicator. Thanks for the demo! One thing though, an Imperial with no cruise control?? Weird.
Beautiful car. Congratulations
I have an electric pump on my '69. It completely eliminates all that cranking you're doing, even after it sits for a year. I turn the key on, wait for the sound of the pump to indicate it's laboring against fuel pressure, pump the gas once and it starts right up.
Sunday mornings real early, go out to breakfast then visit all the junk yards for treasures in my big yellow Chrysler 😊🎉
Great looking car. I have a 71 model and love it.
Always loved the fuselage design. 👍
Love it! Had a 71. Whata cruiser.
Simply beautiful.
I love startup mopar
Love that sound. Show the pumps -- how much were you pumping it ? 🥰
Adam, I am happy that you think this is a cool car, as I have always felt the same. I was 15 when the 1972 models came out, and I considered myself lucky to get a brochure from a Chrysler dealership. I studied the pictures and read the information in it, frequently.
Looks beautiful!
Boy, this one brought back memories. Friend had a late 70's Dodge, and it was fussy to start with a 318, but I can remember hearing that gear reduction starter whining, and whining, too funny. I would climb into my 78 Chevy PU, step on the accelerator twice, and it would barely turn over and fire right up. Funny thinking about it now, years later I had a 79 Chevy PU big block 454, and it ran as well, started perfect regardless of ambient temperature.
I would love to see the hidden headlights open.
Majestic!
Not bad couple of good cranks after sending for a whole month
The lighted ignition switch was part of the light package for other Dodge, Chrysler Plymouth vehicles. I had this on my 1968 Dodge Dart V8.
My dad had a ‘73 Satellite Custom with a 318. It was maddening to get it started. My first foray with cars was messing with the ‘butterfly’ in the carb to get it started. I think it had a city horn and a country horn.
Great cranking sound!
wow ! awesome... possibly the only video showing the lights of these cars ,front, side, rear and interior moreover !... these items are never shown as 99.95% of cars pics are 3/4 front view in daytime. I can't imagine how great might the taillights/indicators from your mercury's be ! thanks
Might be a safe bet that this is the only night video of a 1972 Imperial on TH-cam.
Don't know why cornering lights aren't on modern cars. It seems to help when turning into your driveway late at night, especially since modern headlamps seem to have an abrupt cut off to their illumination.
It's an elegant car. Even the somewhat plain dashboard has an uncluttered elegance.
I always liked these "fuselage era" Chryslers. No mistaking that starter noise for sure.
Oh man, I have always loved that starter sound while it was cranking away!
Just so cool, but you forgot to open the headlight doors at night! lol. Thanks Adam!
I would rather hear the old-fashioned Mopar starter anyways. They are classic, I grew up around a very cranky, dodge charger. Lol! It was like pulling teeth some mornings to get going, but once you get it started, it ran beautifully.
Adam thanks for this video, while my family were all GM I now know why the one neighbors Chrysler sounded so different in the morning. 😉
I will add the Imperial dash gauge lightning is so much brighter than What I remember on comparable GM cars
Not gonna lie I kinda panicked when you shifted into reverse at 4:54 from outside the car, that's alot of faith you have in your parking brake. 🙏👀
this starting procedure is factory approved...
I grew up with a 71 fury and a 72 satellite. They all sound like that. Never mind the extra complications of a damp day... If you know, you know...
edit 4:35 That key buzzer brings me back...
Oh yeah! At night too! 👍🏼😎👍🏼
Don't you know what the night can do..
Put in in N after you start it up. It will built up oilpressure in the transmission and will warm up and shift easier...👍👍
I have a special love for all Imperials 👍🇺🇸♥️
I love how they sound when they are cranking!
In 1990 while attending the General Motors institute in Flint Michigan I carpooled to Pittsburgh for the weekend with another student in his 1971 Imperial, he let me drive since I drove fast....set sail down US 23 and across the Ohio turnpike with the AC cranked and my foot firmly inserted in the thermoquad.... burned a shit ton of super unleaded but make the trip in 4.5 hours unscathed by Ohio's instant on happy troopers.
I would always out a few drops of gas in the carb, if my 82 Diplomat Police Interceptor sat for some time.
Love your Imperial!
I’m a lucky boy , my dad drove nothing but Chrysler’s in the 60’s and 70’s and I bought a 3 yr old 65 Monaco out of high school
Would love another imperial cold start….❤
I agree!!
OMG that brings me back to my childhood
Didn’t you love the sound if that Mopar bstsrter when it was cranking?