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1956 Imperial C73 Southampton news, pictures, and information | ||
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The free-standing 'gunsight' taillights first seen on the 1955 Imperial remained, as did its distinctive two-section grille. The contoured tail fins became slightly more modest for 1956, and the wheelbase was stretched to 133 inches. The Imperial received Chrysler's new pushbutton automatic transmission gear selector and power was from an overhead valve 'Firepower' V8 hemispherical engine delivering 280 horsepower.
The Imperial line was expanded for 1956 with the addition of a Southampton Sedan - a pillarless four-door hardtop.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2010
The 1963 Pontiac Bonneville was available as a 2-door hardtop, a convertible, four-door Safari and 4-door Vista hardtop. Pricing ranged from the low $3,000 through $3,625. A total of 110,316 examples were produced with 108,497 being equipped with the Hydra-Matic gearbox. The remaining 1,819 had synchromesh. Powering the Bonneville was a overhead-valve V-8 engine that displaced 389 cubic-inches and produced 235 horsepower.
The Bonneville was given all the features found on the Star Chief plus padded instrument panels and courtesy lamps. There were also foam cushions in the rear of the car.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2011
The Bonneville was given all the features found on the Star Chief plus padded instrument panels and courtesy lamps. There were also foam cushions in the rear of the car.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2011
From 1955 through 1975 the Imperial automobile was Chrysler's masterpiece. The Imperial was seen again in 1981 through 1983, but it was short-lived. The Imperial name had been used by Chrysler since the 1920s, serving as its luxurious model. By 1955, the Imperial was made its own division, meaning it became its own separate make within the Chrysler Group. The design of this new line of vehicles was created by Virgil Exner using his 'Forward Look' styling. In the early 1950s, Exner and Chrysler debuted their Parade Phaeton show cars, which are said to have been the design inspiration for the new Imperials. The body designs were shared with Chrysler's top-of-the-line vehicles, but there were differences that distinguished the two marques. The Imperials had split eggcrate grille's with uniquely styled taillights that resembled a sight on a gun. In the front was a wrapped windshield that gave the vehicle the illusion of being in motion, even while standing still. Chrome was used extensively, but tastefully. There was a two-door Newport model which was a hardtop coupe. The other model was a four-door sedan. Under the hood was a 331 cubic-inch Chrysler Hemi V8 engine that provided 250 horsepower. The gearbox was a two-speed PowerFlite automatic which sent the power to the rear wheels. Total production for the Imperials reached nearly 11,500 in its inaugural year.
In 1956, Chrysler added a four-door Southampton hardtop sedan. It had a factory price of $5,225 and accounted for 1,543 sales for Imperial. The most popular Imperial of this year was the four-door sedan which saw production reach 6,821 units. The Hemi was bored to 354 cubic-inches which increased the horsepower by 30. Another mechanical change was the PowerFlite was changed from a dashboard lever to pushbutton controls.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2011
In 1956, Chrysler added a four-door Southampton hardtop sedan. It had a factory price of $5,225 and accounted for 1,543 sales for Imperial. The most popular Imperial of this year was the four-door sedan which saw production reach 6,821 units. The Hemi was bored to 354 cubic-inches which increased the horsepower by 30. Another mechanical change was the PowerFlite was changed from a dashboard lever to pushbutton controls.
By Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2011
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| Similar Automakers | |
| Crosley | DeSoto |
| Edsel | Hudson |
| Kaiser | LaSalle |
| Nash | Oakland |
| Tucker | Willys |
| Similarly Sized Vehicles from 1956 |
| Chrysler New Yorker |
| Chrysler Norseman |
| Maserati 250F |
| Similarly Priced Vehicles from 1956 |
| Chrysler Imperial ($4,830-$5,223) |
| Porsche 356A ($3,210-$5,900) |
| Kurtis Kraft 500S ($4,985-$4,985) |
| Imperial: 1951-1960 |
| Similar Automakers |
| Other models by Imperial |
| Related Articles and Event Coverage |
| Greenwich Concours - American Cars |
| Walter P. Chrysler Museum |
| PVGP Car Show |
| 2006 17th Annual Concours d'Elegance of the Eastern United States |
| Imperial Crown LeBaron |
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