1967 Chrysler Imperial

Convertible

8 - Cyl.

Automatic

YM27K73115110

Gasoline

They truly don't make them like this anymore. This original 1967 Chrysler Imperial survivor is one of only 577 of these models produced for the year. How many can be left? And, for the fans of the television series Colombo, this is the actual car that was prominently featured in the very first (pilot) episode of that series. (It was owned by the murdering doctor and it still wears the same original black and yellow California plates that it had back then.) For proof of this fact, see http://www.imperialclub.com/Movies/Prescription/index.htm and you will notice in one of the several pictures of the car that the license plate is legible and matches the plate the car still wears today (see photo). I also believe, but cannot prove, that the car was the 1967 Rose Parade car in which the King of Thailand rode, but it was wearing a dealer plate at that time. See http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1967/Roses/index.htm After all, how many bone ivory with green interior Imperials were driving around SoCal back then? It is doubtless that car. It is ironic that after all those years, the car is being sold from within 5 miles of the original parade route. The car is really very sound mechanically. I would drive it to New York tomorrow without worry. The original 440 engine has never been opened and has about 130,000 miles on it. It does not smoke. The car has been mechanically maintained over the years I have owned it. It, for instance has brand new hydraulics for the convertible top (see photos) and a bunch of front end work was done when all the bushings got too old (see photos). The transmission shifts perfectly and the suspension/bushings assure that the car still floats exactly as it should. The body has never been crashed and there is virtually no rust. (The only rust that exists at all on the car is under the lid of the trunk -- not visible at all when looking at the car and very minor at that -- and there is the beginning of a blister in the area of the chrome molding that surrounds the convertible roof. I have provided pictures of both areas). The Imperial in its day was the most expensive car made in America. It had a sticker price of over $7,000. This one is equipped with automatic (sentinel) headlights that still turn on when it gets dark. You can also change the radio station with your foot by depressing a button just next to the high beam switch. You can also open the trunk from the glove box. Finally, this car has a rear passenger side door handle and the passenger side (fully adjustable electric) seat automatically moves forward when you tilt the back of the seat forward for a rear passenger to get out. Talk about ahead of its time, this car had all the bells and whistles. This particular car also was equipped with air conditioning (which was changed over to R-134 by the prior owner, Dick Benjamin, but needs to be recharged since I have never used it.) The clock still sometimes works and the rear speaker does also. So does the electric radio antenna and the car even has the rare little mirror in the glove box. In short, the car is complete. The odometer/speedometer stopped working two years ago and that is why the mileage is estimated. All other gages work. The convertible roof and original glass back window are in good condition. The original tonneau cover comes with the car and is in pretty good condition (again see photos.) So, the positives are that the car is a virtually rust free survivor that really does run and drive as it should and it has some interesting history/provenance. The negatives are that the car's interior and paint are cosmetically relatively poor. The dash has a crack from too much sun over the years, and the side door panels are old and, frankly, need to be replaced. The wood interior trim is also in need of replacing. I have included photos to show the condition. I have two door panels that will come with the car, but they are gold and need to be painted if you want to use them. They are in good shape. On the good side of the interior, both the electric seats work perfectly and the vinyl upholstery and carpet are in pretty good shape. The wood grain on the back of the seats is fading. Purists will also note that the upholstery is not done to the correct pattern. However, the green vinyl that is in the car does still look very nice and is in excellent condition. The very hard to find translucent green steering wheel is also in very good shape for the car's age with two small cracks. But even the best of these steering wheels do after all these years. Mine was in fact a replacement that I was lucky to find. One rear window does not open. I suspect it is the switch and not the motor, but I have not investigated the problem. The driver's side door works as it should, but the closing mechanism needs a bit of adjustment. This is a really minor issue. In terms of the paint, it is the original Bone Ivory. However, it is showing its over 40 years and is tired. As stated, the problem is not rust, just old paint that has been buffed so many times that it is thinning in places. What this car really needs is either someone to restore it to its past glory, for which it is an ideal candidate, or it would make the PERFECT low-rider. I know that the Chrysler fans will turn in their graves, but if you went for it on this car with a fabricated/customized interior a metallic paint, you would have a rally radical ride. The car is for sale locally and I reserve the right to sell the car prior to the auction ending. If you have any questions or want to see the car, please call me at (213) 700-5194 and ask for David. The car is located in San Marino, CA., which is just south of Pasadena.