1959 Chrysler Imperial Crown Sedan

350 bhp, 413 cu. in. V-8 engine, four-barrel carburetor, TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission, independent front suspension with parallel torsion bars, semi-floating rear axle with tapered semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel, power-assisted hydraulic drum brakes. Wheelbase: 129" • Chrysler's top-of-the-line luxury car of the 1950s • Carefully refinished and maintained, ex-Milton Robson • Approximately 40,000 miles, perfect for showing and cruising While the 1959 Imperial Crown marked the end of Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look” design theme, it also heralded a number of firsts. Mechanically, Chrysler Corporation’s hemispherical-head V-8 was replaced by the new 413-cubic inch “wedge” with single Carter four-barrel carburetion, developing 350 hp and 475 ft-lbs of torque while weighing a staggering 101 pounds less than the “Hemi” it replaced. The ’59 Imperials were the first cars to be assembled at Chrysler’s all-new Dearborn, Michigan plant, where each vehicle received quality-control checks at every station. Reinforcing its technological dominance, the ’59 Imperial lineup introduced fingertip-controlled dual-front swivel seats and a pushbutton-actuated heater/air conditioner unit. These Jet Age innovations joined the finger-controlled TorqueFlite transmission, Auto-Pilot cruise control, radio, six-way power seats, power windows and power door locks in pampering the Imperial driver and passengers. Optional Imperial features debuting for 1959 included an air suspension enhancement to its torsion-bar setup, a self-adjusting rearview mirror and an electronic headlight beam changer. This Copper Spice Imperial Crown four-door hardtop was acquired in 2008 by noted collector Milton Robson for local driving in nice weather around his Gainesville, Georgia estate. He repainted it, reapplied 70 percent of the chrome and detailed the engine bay. Chrome wire-spoke wheels and modern tires were fitted as well, but since the interior had already been restored, it was left untouched by Mr. Robson. At the time it was acquired by the current owner, the Imperial showed less than 38,200 miles. A handsome and very enjoyable example of Chrysler Corporation’s top-line 1959 Imperial models, and perhaps the crowning achievement of Virgil Exner’s “Forward Look” design theme, it is sure to please.