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Imperial '67. Next year other luxury cars will be a little better because
of it...
INTRODUCTION DATE: September 29, 1966
TOTAL PRODUCTION: 17,614
Imperial Sedan (Code YM41): 2,193 ($5,374)
Crown Four Door Hardtop (Code YM43): 9,415 ($5,836)
Crown Coupe (Code YM23): 3,235 ($6,011)
Crown Convertible (Code YM27): 577 ($6,244)
LeBaron (Code YH43): 2,194 ($6,661)
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ENGINE
ENGINE CODE/DESCRIPTION
81 440 CID 4V V-8
Bore & stroke: 4.32 x 3.75 in.
Comp. ratio: 10.1:1
Horsepower: 350 at 4400 RPM
Torque: 480 lb.ft. at 2800 RPM
Carburetor: Holley R-3667A
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TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION CODE/
DESCRIPTION
5 3-Speed TorqueFlite Automatic
Transmission Breakaway Ratio: 5.0:1 (overall)
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WHEELBASE: 127"
OVERALL LENGTH: 224.7" (closed models)
WIDTH: 79.6"
HEIGHT: 57.1" (LeBaron and Imperial Sedan)
56.2" (Crown Coupe and Four Door Hardtop)
56.1" (Crown Convertible)
WEIGHT: 4,830 (Imperial Sedan)
4,860 (Crown Four Door Hardtop)
4,780 (Crown Coupe)
4,815 (Crown Convertible)
4,970 (LeBaron)
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Newest Prestige Car In a Decade
The 1967 Imperials certainly were new. New unit construction body, all
new sheet metal and interiors, crisp elegant styling, the powerful 440
V-8 engine was introduced just the previous year. Hoping to repeat sales
figures of a decade earlier, Chrysler had high hopes for the newest edition
to bear the Imperial name. Imperials for 1967 featured distinctive front
fender lamps that were embossed with the Imperial Eagle. The front grille
featured a color-keyed insert that matched the paint. At the rear, large
tail lamps were separated only by the distinctive Imperial Eagle, set in
a circular chrome frame. In between, the lines were very clean and uncluttered,
unlike many of the Imperial's competitors. Standard rear fender skirts
gave the Imperial a sophisticated look which appeared lower than ever before.
Inside, the elegant instrument panel featured real walnut—as did the
doors. To keep the panel tidy, a door closed to conceal the radio controls.
Another door hid the ash tray. Little details were designed to surprise,
and make the Imperial luxurious. For instance, the four cigarette lighters
were designed to slightly cant toward the person using them. The driver's
door console controls were discreetly illuminated by a small hidden light.
The foam padded seats actually had foam padding put on top of the foam padding. And as if that weren't good enough for an Imperial (it
wasn't), the under padding was padded once more! A passenger assist grip
was concealed on the underside of the dash pad, and when the cabinet door
is opened to reveal the in-dash glove compartment, a mirror automatically
tilts up to delight front seat passengers. If additional storage space
is desired, each door has its own glove compartment concealed beneath the
armrest.
Even the base Imperial Sedan for 1967 featured standard equipment that
its competitors were charging extra for. Power windows for one. (Cadillac
Calais models were equipped with manual windows, and did not provide any
rear seat cigarette lighters.)
People who bought a new luxury car in 1967 and had the opportunity to compare
the Imperial with the Cadillac and Lincoln were favorably impressed with
Imperial. Most consider the Imperial to be a superior road car. It doesn't
wallow on corners like the Lincoln, and its brakes were without question
safer than those of the Cadillac. Why then didn't more people choose Imperial?
It seems to be a matter of perception: the Imperial was considered by many
to be the entry-level luxury car. The one you bought when you just came
into "new money" and wanted something flashy to announce your
newly found fortune.
Perhaps there are more reasons, but it's unfortunate that more didn't choose
the finest car built by Chrysler Corporation. Current owners of these cars
tell us the more they drive them, the better they like them. Now that's
quite an achievement for a car that's seen more than three decades of service,
and those same owners will also tell you that their Imperials will start
and run when all other cars in the household fail to. Then there's also
the comparison to a Sherman Tank...(we think you get the idea.)
Imperial '67. Chrysler said it best, and said it first: this is what a luxury car was always meant to be.
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