Re: [FWDLK] 1956 Imperial Parade Limos

[Bill Watson <wwatson5@xxxxxxxxx>]

One Imperial convertible was built in 1955, but none in 1956.

The three Imperial parade phaetons appear to be 1956 models, but they were
built in 1952.  In 1955 they were updated with new front and rear ends using
the 1956 designs.

The front doors on the 1955 Imperial Custom sedan were unique to that model
and were not shared by the Crown Imperial .   The 1955 Custom front door
shell part numbers were 1620 526 (R) and 1620 527 (L),.  The Crown Imperial
front doors were 1645 802 (R) and 1645 803 (L).

The rear doors of the 1955-56 Crown Imperial were not shared by any other
Mopar vehicle due to their extra length.   The Crown Imperial also had a
wider B pillar between the front and rear doors and the cars had a quarter
wndow behind the rear doors.  Sitting in the back of a Crown Imperial sedan
or limousine was similar to sitting in the back seat of a 2-door sedan,
without the front seat being so close.   The Crown Imperial also had a
smaller, formal reare window and not the wide wraparound unit used on the
Custom.

The 1956 Crown Imperial gained the new engine and front headlamp doors - the
front clip on the Crown was shared with the Custom - and some other bits and
pieces.  But as the rear end was unique to the Crown, just as the 1949-53
LWB models were, Chrysler could not justify spending a couple of million
dollars on new finny quarter panels for a model that was selling about 200
units a year.  Thus the 1956 Crown carried on with the 1955 rear bumper,
trim and quarter panels with fins added along the top edge..  And the 1956
Crown dropped the Ausco-Lambert disc brakes adn brought back the Lockheed
drum brakes.

By the way, the 1956 Imperial Custom adopted 12-volt negative ground
electrics, but the 1956 Crown adopted just the negative ground as the C.I.
switched to 12-volt (positive gournd) electrics in 1953.
.
Bill
Vancoucer, BC



----- Original Message ----- 
From: johnl
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Tuesday, September 26, 2006 7:37 AM
Subject: Re: [FWDLK] 1956 Imperial Parade Limos


Bill and all,

As I understand it there were no 1955 or 1956 Imperial Converts built with
exception of the 1955 K.T. Keller car now owned by Chip Loree.  Also there
were I believe three 1956 Imperial Converts built.  All of the cars I've
mentioned were actually built from New Yorker Converts and were shorter
wheel bases.

The factory "Crown Imperial Limo & the 8 passenger sedans were all built in
1955 and when 1956 arrived there were minor cosmetic changes, door handles,
bolt on fins, 12 volt negative ground as opposed to 12 volt positive for
1955 and the 354 vs. 331 engine.

To my limited knowledge of these long wheel base factory cars (149.5" wheel
base) the front doors were the 1955 Imperial sedan doors which were unique
to that car alone.  In 1955 the Imperial sedan extra wheelbase was picked up
in the roof and front doors, but in 1956 Imperial sedans they returned to
the standard 4 door sedan shorter door.  Extra wheelbase in the '56 sedans
was added behind the rear window.  The rear door I believe to be unique to
the limos and 8 passengers only.

Possibly I have some info incorrect here so please advise me if so.  I
always enjoy learning more about these cars.  I've wanted to ad one to our
collection, but with no storage or funds I still just dream.

Last for good info on these cars go to:
http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/index.htm

John Lazenby

1955 Chrysler New Yorker Deluxe Town & Country
1955 Imperial Newport
1955 Chrysler C300 Tango Red
1956 Chrysler 300B Cloud White
1957 Chrysler 300C Coupe Raven Black
1960 Chrysler 300F Coupe Alaskan White
1963 Volkswagen Beetle Black
2001 BMW ///M5 (A Modern Super Car)
http://www.bmwmregistry.com/models.php?id=10

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bill K." <pontiac@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Monday, September 25, 2006 9:15 PM
Subject: [FWDLK] 1956 Imperial Parade Limos


>A friend of mine has picked up a couple of '56 Imperial limos, done by the
> factory supposedly.   They've both been parked a while but at least one
ran
> as recently as 10 years ago.
>
> Apparently these aren't convertibles, just a stretched sedan - he says
they
> have normal doors and just have a filler added between them so they can
> carry like 9 or 10 passengers.
>
> I was wondering where I might dig up some more info on them for him, or if
> anyone was looking for a car like this?  He'd like to find someone that
> doesn't just want to pull the Hemi and junk the car -
>
> They're located somewhere near Penn Yan NY (think Watkins Glen, that's
> pretty close).
>
>
>
> Bill K.
>
>
>
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