Imperial: Chryslers forgotten division

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For 1955 and 1956-onward Imperial was a seperate division at Chrysler Corporation. The Model 70 Crown Imperial was the top of the line on the extended wheelbase frame. Chrysler built their own '70s' in house.  It wasn't until 1957 that Crown were contracted out to Ghia.  

In 1955 Derham Custom Coachbuilders, Rosemont, Pennsylvania, USA, created three cars for President and Mrs. Dwight Eisenhower.  Two were personally titled to them  The third, a parade use car was titled to the White House. For the 1956 model year Derham Custom was contracted to build two extra formal bodies with closed quarter in the roof and full wool coachcloth rear compartments and power division glass seperating the black leather chauffeur compartment.  

The is the only one of the two cars known to survive... The color photos are recent. The black and white photo is from The Antique Auto Club of America archives showing the car when brand new.

(Words and pictures Wayne Graefen)      

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