1964 Chrysler Imperial Limousine
Coachwork by Ghia

Greenwich Concours d'Elegance Online Auction|25 October 2021, 13:00 EDT|Greenwich, Hagerty Garage + Social

1964 Chrysler Imperial Limousine
Coachwork by Ghia
Chassis no. 9343106979

413ci OHV Hemi V8
Single 4-Barrel Carter Carburetor
375bhp at 4,600rpm
3-Speed TorqueFlite Automatic Transmission
Front coil spring and rear leaf suspension
4-Wheel Drum Brakes

*Penultimate year of the Ghia Limousines
* One of only ten built
*An Italian-American luxury hybrid
*Cost triple the amount of an Imperial sedan

Previewing in Bedford Hills, New York by appointment. Please contact [email protected] for scheduling.

THE IMPERIAL CROWN

Although Chrysler Corporation introduced a prestige model, the Imperial, in 1926, its third year of production, it was nearly three decades before it became a marquee in its own right. What had long been the most expensive Chrysler model became, for model year 1955, simply "Imperial," and offered three body styles in two series. This separate branding was a direct challenge to Lincoln and Cadillac.

For the next two years, Imperial was largely a long-wheelbase Chrysler with a bolder grille, the latter appropriated for Chrysler's performance model, the 300. In 1957, however, Imperial was reinvented with a new personality, its gun-sight taillights incorporated into growing tailfins and curved side glass foretelling an industry trend. This year also marked the appearance of a faux spare tire embellishment on the decklid, a device first seen on the Exner-designed and Ghia-built concept cars of 1952-53. With the announcement of Imperial contracting Ghia to build their ultra luxurious limousines, these were destined to become some of the most expensive limousines of their era. Utilizing only the finest woods and leather for these vehicles, production numbers were kept low giving these Imperials the highest in exclusivity. From 1957 to 1965, a total of approximately 132 Ghia built limousines were completed, with only 10 being completed in the last year of 1965.

THE MOTORCAR OFFERED

If you hadn't just made it to the corner office, but also owned the building in which that office was located, you might have had your driver waiting for you out front in your $18,500 '64 Chrysler Imperial Limousine by Ghia. The original titan of industry who owned this car and the subsequent captains of business who followed are not recorded, but it is understood this car was the recipient of an older restoration (although the interior appears to be largely original) and was bestowed a CPW Mopar Special Merit award at the Fall Fling XII meet in 2007.

Coming from a California-based collector to the current owner in May of 2009, it has been on static display since and, as such, mechanical recommissioning is recommended prior to active use shuttling about the Masters of the Universe and their families.

Footnotes

Please note, the title will be in transit.

Additional information

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