1966 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL LE BARON FOUR-DOOR HARDTOP Chassis No. YH43J63182119 Black with pearl white leather interior Engine: V8 pushrod overhead valves, 440 cu. in., 350bhp at 4600rpm; Gearbox: three-speed automatic; Suspension: independent front by wishbones and torsion bars, rear live axle with half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four-wheel hydraulically operated drum. Left hand drive. The progression of Walter Percy Chrysler from workshop boy to railroad engineer and on to automobile industry 'trouble shooter', manager and eventually tycoon is one of the great success stories of the American motor industry; for he was the last individual to found his own automobile company and see it rise to take a permanent place in the US industry. The story of Chrysler is marked by fine cars, but above all by the great achievement of the Imperial. The magnificent straight-eight of the early 1930's, embellished with custom-built coachwork by the greatest coachbuilding houses, was one of the most sumptuous luxury automobiles of its time. In terms of sheer glamour, style and performance, the Imperial Le Baron of around thirty years later was a worthy successor. In the middle and late 1950's the style studios of Lincoln, Cadillac and Imperial - a separate make since 1955 - strove to out-do each other with ever more outrageous tailfins, sculpturings and chrome decorations. But with the 1960's there came change; American automobiles began to tone down, to rely more on line and proportion. Under the direction of Elwood Engel the 1964-66 Imperial was crisp; it attained a new elegance. This Imperial was sold new by Mr. Pettit's company and taken in trade in 1970. It is in quite superlative condition inside and out and when last used was in fine mechanical shape. WITHOUT RESERVE
1966 CHRYSLER IMPERIAL LE BARON FOUR-DOOR HARDTOP Chassis No. YH43J63182119 Black with pearl white leather interior Engine: V8 pushrod overhead valves, 440 cu. in., 350bhp at 4600rpm; Gearbox: three-speed automatic; Suspension: independent front by wishbones and torsion bars, rear live axle with half elliptic leaf springs; Brakes: four-wheel hydraulically operated drum. Left hand drive. The progression of Walter Percy Chrysler from workshop boy to railroad engineer and on to automobile industry 'trouble shooter', manager and eventually tycoon is one of the great success stories of the American motor industry; for he was the last individual to found his own automobile company and see it rise to take a permanent place in the US industry. The story of Chrysler is marked by fine cars, but above all by the great achievement of the Imperial. The magnificent straight-eight of the early 1930's, embellished with custom-built coachwork by the greatest coachbuilding houses, was one of the most sumptuous luxury automobiles of its time. In terms of sheer glamour, style and performance, the Imperial Le Baron of around thirty years later was a worthy successor. In the middle and late 1950's the style studios of Lincoln, Cadillac and Imperial - a separate make since 1955 - strove to out-do each other with ever more outrageous tailfins, sculpturings and chrome decorations. But with the 1960's there came change; American automobiles began to tone down, to rely more on line and proportion. Under the direction of Elwood Engel the 1964-66 Imperial was crisp; it attained a new elegance. This Imperial was sold new by Mr. Pettit's company and taken in trade in 1970. It is in quite superlative condition inside and out and when last used was in fine mechanical shape. WITHOUT RESERVE
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.jpg "Source: Christie's")
.jpg "Source: Christie's")
