I Bought the Greatest Luxury Car of 1966: The Imperial Crown Convertible by Chrysler
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- Опубликовано: 25 июн 2024
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My uncle had one exactly like this. He made a ton of money selling cars for a living. He was a bachelor, dressed really well and lived the life of a playboy. In 1967, when I was 10, he drove my mother (his younger sister) to Phoenix from San Diego to visit their sister who was scheduled for surgery. My mom stayed in Phoenix for a month taking care of her and my uncle and I drove back after a few days with the game plan to go back to San Diego. We barely pulled out of my aunts driveway when he asked me if I wanted to have an adventure and being a kid, I said sure. He drove us to Vegas. He smoked cigarettes and drank beer the entire 300 miles or so. My dad drove a sedan and it was the first convertible I rode in and thought it was too cool. He didn't get drunk or drive too fast, we just cruised along. We stopped and got something to eat and he flirted with the waitress ( he was good looking guy) and I thought it was funny. We stayed in Vegas for 3 days ( he called my mom when we got there and I don't think she was happy about it) and stayed in a nice hotel with a pool. We ate in the steakhouse every night and slept in, get breakfast and hung by the pool, him drinking martinis and chatting up the occasional woman. He'd gamble a little at night while I hung out at the room watching T.V. and eat ice cream. We drove back to San Diego, him nursing beers and smoking and me drinking root beers the entire way. He'd kept the top up until the heat day passed and I remember the cool night breeze and open air feeling. The car was really nice and he got compliments every time we got gas (back in the day when the attendant would fill the tank and check the oil) and when we'd stop to get something to eat. It was a really good trip for a 10 year old boy. He was a cool uncle to have taken me on that side trip with him.
We all need an uncle like yours.
Oh man!
did you guys wear your sear belts?
@@dougn2350 Are you kidding? Nope
I grew up with a '64 Crown in our family. The doors were so thick they seemed like bank vault doors, and the build quality was just spectacular. Your example is just spectacular.
Keep that car, FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS HOLY KEEP THAT CAR
You have said it all!
Did he listen?
Alas, he did not listen.
Drive that beauty.
Narrator: "He didn't"
The Imperial's were a class of their own, pure luxury done right. I love them
Out of all your purchases , this is the best so far
🤗👍
Agreed
True.😀😁
(the viper)
And the SLK55
The BEST buy Hoovie ever made! Congratulations Hoovie, that's a KEEPER!
His last video with the noZ was also his best video!! Keep pumping out these hits!
your congradulating some one who will never read this doesnt know u exist n proably just borrowed the car to make a video
anthony damico who hurt you?
Im 17 and I bought a 1967 Imperial LeBaron last year and I love it! Great Purchase!
What a boss:
Good choice
@Cameron Costa Well back when I was 17 I bought a 1955 GMC 100 halfton pick-up, original Pontiac V-8 engine and automatic transmission.
A D Ikr.
power move tbh
Loving the Imperial, great colour, the front end looks great, and when you buy a helicopter there's room to land it on the back.
Easily your best one yet! And bought for just the right reasons :)
Thank you so much for buying an Imperial, I’ve been asking for you to do that for quite some time, Imperial was the greatest luxury car ever built. 1966 was a fantastic year. I could not recommend a greater luxury car. It’s time for Imperial!!!
What about the Lincoln continental?
the 66 fleetwood was superior but this is a close second
@@MultiSpencerc Not even close and I've driven many Lincolns including quite a few continentals and Fleetwood.
Robinson Joe The ‘65 and ‘66 Imperials were the best in the world then, and they continued to be for decades after. Unbelievable amounts of sound proofing. The front suspension design plus torsion bars kept the car far more level than competitors and helped soak up bumps without any oscillation, unlike Caddies and Lincoln’s that swayed back and forth on their big spring towers. And enormous torque that wouldn’t be seen again in luxury cars until the turn of the century. I wish my wife would let me have one again.
@@garysandiego Agreed. I mean nobody can take from Cadillac that they have been the standard when it comes to luxury cars and all others are judged by them. They decided what it meant to be a luxury car. The imperial at that time was the best.
I grew up with Imperials in the family. I love Imperials.
What do skinny jeans and cheap hotels have in common?
No ballroom :)
manel toe
Gotta have balls to need room
LOLOL That made me smile, thanks!
Petty Pendergrass that’s a pretty old one, still good!
LOL
Thats one Beautiful Automobile...💯💯💯
Finally Hoovie made a good decision! I’m shocked.
Ikr!
DON'T EXPECT ANYMORE IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
Richard Einstein Sadly I have to agree.
Ikr?
@@pex_the_unalivedrunk6785 "I know, right?"
When Chrysler had real managers and not actors running the company, and actually built quality beauties.
Ekko* Exactlly Lol. And when Chrysler’s weren’t trash.
they also wisely got Elwood Engel over from Ford ( he had done the 1961 Continental ) and was responsible for this style Imperial, best looking Imperial built, came out in 1964 this was the last year of the design
It wasn’t the kids K car.
That was back when Chrysler wasn’t a part of Fiat, and now Chryslers and Fiats are the equivalent of going to a vending machine only to realize it was broken. Well, Fiats were always bad but Chrysler was pretty decent until the gas crisis
When...was that? I don't seem to remember it. Chrysler products have always been trash. My parents bought them because my Mother liked them. My Dad talked her into letting him buy her a Chevrolet once and they never bought another Chrysler. It was quite a revelation to her to have a car that didn't have to go into the shop every six weeks or so for some repair.
Man that car is SWEET. KEEP IT. Remember Dad rented (the ragtop) one on a trip to California, then later he owned one. .He also owned the 1963 Lincoln Continental (ragtop) So, letting me test drive the Imperial on the city streets at 12, I was having trouble with the sensitivity of the power brakes. Do you think he cared as I was only 12 driving around? He did not care.
On that Imperial you just barely touched the brakes and you got instant reaction. Dad always found the humor angle in everything. Sensing my frustration with the brakes he tells me. "be careful, if you fart on them it will send you thru the windshield"
The Air Conditioning compressor is bigger than the engine in most modern cars.
That was an older design two-piston/crankshaft pump configuration. Newer ones have a rotating angled swashplate with pistons attached like on aircraft hydraulic pumps. I'll leave it up to you guys to find out what a swashplate is.
Spirit I have an Airtemp window air at our house and it still kicking.
ik swashplate as in helicopter swashplate, im guessing it works similar?
You aren't kidding. I saw an old Volvo in Pick'n'pull that had really did have a smaller motor.
@@MarcP5267 Those and all other vintage ACs are really sought after! I have a GM Frigidaire window AC from 1970 and it's amazing
I got to drive to drive a 1967 Chrysler Imperial some years back that had 14,000 miles on it. White on white with a super thick royal blue carpet and everything was electric. Controls for the radio were foot controls and there was a record player built in. You could run over a Hummer and not wonder what that was it was so smooth.
They aren't chrysler imperials. The make is Imperial. Kinda like the Ram truck.
@@isaakwelch3451 I know for a fact that the early ones were definitely Chrysler Imperials. Said so right on the back. I believe they changed in early to mid 60s.
@@andytaylor1588 they changed in 1955.
I drove around my grandfather in his 1965 Crown Coupe in the 70s...413 Wedge
“Better slow down now boy”
Tyler...your Imperial is one of the best cars ever built...or should I say crafted in the USA...period! Absolutely a masterpiece of sculptured automotive art.
I love this car, what a great purchase. I kind of miss my 1968 Plymouth Fury Convertible. 383 engine with a 4-speed! Now it's in Australia.
get it back
Have a road trip to Australia and get it back
I’m sure the new owner is enjoying it down under. It was time to move on to something else. Unlike Hoovie, I can’t keep them all.
Hoovie : I bought a *CHRYSLER*
Scotty Kilmer : NOW LET ME TELL YOU SOMETHING
Scotty Kilmer's brain has been fried.
Scotty says old chryslers along with old Ford and gm were solid cars, he would say this was a good purchase.
I was thinking the exact same thing👍
That One Guy I was thinking about that as well but I just wanted to joke about Scotty’s later hatred for Chrysler after it was bought by Fiat haha
He actually loves 60s American cars
Great car and thanks for giving a shout out to Elwood Engel. You can see his influence well into the 1980's. He is under appreciated!
My Dad bought a '66 Dark Blue Crown 4 door Imperial in '67 with a gorgeous light blue leather interior.What a beautiful, amazing car. My favorite of all his cars. It was very powerful, and super quiet.
Keep us posted on this beauty. I can't wait to see The Wizard's reaction to it. Also can't wait to see more videos of it. What a pretty and awesome car. Don't get rid of this one!
My grandma had an imperial for like 50 years. Bought one new and kept it until she was about 80
“I got me a Chrysler and seats about twenty” . The B52’s.
Yup! That was a '65 Chrysler
Gorgeous! It's great to see someone younger appreciate these old yachts, not to mention all the support in the comments. I had a few of them back then ('61 Cadillac convertible, '63 Lincoln Continental convertible, '67 Riviera GS) and the Imperial was right up there, even then. Enjoy!
This is literally my dream car. Thank you for your appreciation of cars. And thank you for your work.
I usually don’t like the land yachts, but this thing looks amazing 😍
Hoovie..I bought a 1967 Plymouth Fury III from a old couple in a retirement community here in Tucson, Arizona..last year..318 V8 fully loaded for $4000 What a find!
I poked around on Ancestry and found an Emil and Eliza Bilka lived at that address. Emil was born 13 Mar 1914 and passed away 1 Jul 1999.
Wow, they saw a HELL of a lot in their lives! Born just before the onset of WW1, where Europe was still dominated by monarchs that valued their public image over the lives of tens of millions of commoners. By 1999, every European empire had collapsed and society was now dominated by the Internet and computers, influenced at least partially by the newly released Windows 98.
They lived through the Roaring Twenties and the birth of the radio, the Depression, WW2, the birth of the atom bomb, the Korean War, the birth of the TV, Vietnam, the Hippie Movement, the first man on the moon, the end of the Cold War, and the beginning of the Digital Era! How insane is that!!!
I grew up in Derby. I am going to ask friends who live on Academy Hill if they remember them and the car.@@scottkrafft6830
I got me a Chrysler it's as big as a whale and I'm about to set sail...
Lord, what have I done to see that terrible song mentioned in the comments!?
Does it seat about 20?
I've got me a Chrysler, it seats about twenty, so hurry up! And bring your juke box money
Tin rooooof.....rusted
@@carmine440 TRUE! WORST SONG EVER!
Much more interesting than super cars and over priced eurolux sedans... 👍👍
coozmokramer agreed! More of these please!
Well said!
I’m a sucker for American cars from the 60s and 70s
Boy does this bring back memories. As a young teenager, I was in the back seat of Crown Imperial on a rainy day. A car coming in the opposite direction lost control and hit our front fender. The other car's fender was demolished. The Imperial? Not a scratch. At the time, I thought what a great lesson in physics that was. But now I see the frame construction might have helped a little, too! Thanks for this video...
This is my favorite car in your fleet! I’m speechless!
Are you going to act like you didn't just grenade your little Prius give us an update😂❤
I think this was filmed before and just uploaded. He said he was gone for over a week on the Prius video.
I think this is backlogged, he went to the Grand Prix in Monaco
Its in the trunk.
Seriously great stable of cars now mate. Living the dream. Good on you!
My Dad had a 66 Crown Coupe and he once caught me in our garage eating a slice of pizza and at 14 l learned all about washing and waxing his Pride and Joy every week until I graduated HS in 1970🤩 Another Great video Hoovie 👍
Just past the age of 20, 1965, I had one of these. A '64 white Crown Coupe. I came across a dealer that had it at a give away price and I became the most fortunate car driver in Anchorage, Alaska. With a factory reverberator in the trunk that made the stereo sound like a concert hall. Nicest car I've ever had. Sold it for considerably more than I paid for it.
Absolutely beautiful. Soft natural beauty, cutting sharpness, showcase for human driven design luxury. Looks hand wrought hand built
Hoovie you really live in rich fantasy from the old days
And i like it!
I also like luxe cars from the old days
Beautiful car with a commanding presence on the road! Yes Elwood Engel likes a slab side framed in chrome but he also liked propellers, the rear bumper, on the Imperial, from the circular eagle ornament to the pointed tail lights is a stylized propeller. That's Elwood at work!
An excellent purchase. Hope the repairs don't cost you a lot of financial pain. Considering how the car was made, its almost a work of art. It's unfortunate that our country no longer has a dedicated manufacturing line producing high end autos like Imperial and Continental.
you've bought a car that is actually perfect.... *claps*
For all the Imperials made in the Mack Avenue plant here in Detroit... You did good...
The Imperial assembly plant was on Jefferson and Conner. It had 6 bay windows the show cased that year's production models
I love how I'm always surprised at what you've bought next. I would have never guessed an imperial. Keep em coming we love it.
Katherine Hepburn had a black 1965 Imperial Crown convertible which is currently a part of the Petersen's collection. In the glove box they found a note from Hepburn which read "Please take care of her. She was my favorite"
That's awesome. Glad you did a video on Imperials. I used to own a 1969 Imperial Crown. There were 1,617 Crowns produced that year. Miss that old beast.
Damn, that's a good looking car. Well done.
Mopar guy here, maybe I can add a little more tech info for the land yacht master race that might not know much about these. This is riding on the D body platform, exclusive to Imperial. Chrysler really put a lot of effort into these and it shows, this engine replaced the 413 cubic inch crossram induction with 2 4 barrel carbs on runners almost 2 feet long spread across the engine bay, purpose being to use Helmholtz resonance to ram more air into the intake than it can draw in naturally with cylinder vacuum(shit's wild).
Another reason these ride so well is the longitudinal torsion bar front suspension. It uses an upper and lower A arm with the spring being a long piece of spring steel, keeping unsprung weight low and the center of gravity very low while allowing for a very good camber/caster curve under compression, coupled with the off center elliptical leaf springs in the back was pretty trick for the era(Rolls Royce did this too I think). For 1967, all full size Mopars were put on the newly designed unibody C body chassis that ran until 1978(although 1979 holdovers exist), which also were banned from demo derbies for the same reason. Driving a Chrysler of this era was when Chrysler built some of the best yachts in the world, and it's something you really have to experience to believe. I've personally got 3 and drive one every day, and absolutely love it.
I drove a '72 New Yorker from 1977 through 1982 and I'm here to testify, was one of the best cars I ever owned up to this very minute!
My first car was a '65 Crown, white with black vinyl roof. Looked very similar to this '66. I loved it. Way better hubcaps too with that gold detail in the center area. I got it in '70. A two door.
the artwork in the booklet really is beautiful. reminiscent of japanese kaiga
I don't know what it is but there is something special about cars built in 1966. Great car year...
You look smooth AF driving that around. Good find!!
These are sooooo cool, the epitome of 60s glamour wagons!
Gorgeous!!! Look at those beautiful and functional bumpers that will actually protect the car and not cost you 5000 bucks when you get too close to a fixed object!
I know of a guy who hit a Marine with his Chev pickup. Totaled the truck. The Marine turned around and said: "stop that! it tickles".
1966 was the best year for Chrysler!
I love the 66' Chrysler Imperial and 300, sooo underated!
Imperial was a different division of the Chrysler Corporation from 1955 to 1975! Chryslers top make, not model!
@@oliasofsunhillow7116 Technically yes but that was just marketing, these cars were sold at Chrysler showrooms so people still called them Chrysler Imperial. When the first Imperial came out in 1926 it was a Chrysler model and when last Imperial came out in 1993 it was a Chrysler model. See the marketing ploy didn't work well enough for Chrysler so I usually don't acknowledge it but it's an interesting fact lol
My dad bought a new 300 in 66, black, four door hardtop, white and black sport interior, lots of power options, 383 buckets, console. He owned it until he passed in 97. From the day he bought it people would stop him and ask if he would sell it. We sold it after he died to a buddy that still has it now.
I remember being with my mom in it as a kid, when we would pull up to a light beside some rumbling hot rod, I think this guy wants to race she would say. We left more than one guy in the dust, lol.
To this day I have never seen one exactly like it.
Magnificent, and seats look amazing.
GORGEOUS car!! Thanks for posting this gem!
Couldn't agree more, '66 was the peak year, and that color is stunning.
Is best looking year, though in the late 80s college drove a 70 fuselage imp to college out of state....90 on the interstate all day
Out of all of your cars, that is definitely my favorite!
It looks like you can effortlessly cruise in the car. I really like the way you shot this video and the way it shows the car off. I hope you hang on to this car for a long long time.
Hoovie, now THAT is a car! Nice review and find! I agree with the others please KEEP IT! You just don't see these cars around anymore
Better than a Rolls: Yes
Better looking: Yes
Better gas millage: Yes
Reliable: a lot
Cheaper to fix: Definitely.
SOVIET ARMY FIGHT FOR VLADMIR LENIN joke? Give me an Imperial every time
Great joke!
Have you every seen a roller?
This is a class beneath one. Its nice but not even close to a rolls.
And " its cheaper to repair" is not a valid argument as quality costs more.
Jesus that Lexus came up on him quick. 12:00
Yeah that’s how women drive
@@thelastmemphian Yep, pull out in front of oncoming traffic, I agree! At least he stepped on the gas pretty good, would like to see the rest of the video from that.
@@jlongjr27
Nah. The Lexus bitch was speeding.
He cut the Lexus off when it had a green light. Lexus may have only been going 40 but when an idiot driver pulls in front of you getting up to maybe 15mph, that 40 looks a lot quicker.
All yall smell like bitch to me
Oh the memories of a young boy who was lucky to be born to two wonderful parents, supported by a wonderful Dad that owned a few big Chrysler’s in the 50’s and 60’s. He did buy a 1964 Imperial Crown Coupe in light metallic blue with black top and leather interior. I must say the 64 was the best! With the split grill and push buttons shift. I do remember how quiet it was, plus Dads initials were hand painted on the drivers door and Moms on the passenger door. I do remember the first thing Dad had his mechanic do is add Dual Exhaust and very quiet mufflers!
an absolutely FANTASTIC car!! thank you for sharing it with all of us MOPAR/Imperial lovers!
*Hoovies not buying the cheapest version of the car*
Me: *Wait.. that illegal*
Getting blindfolded by Jay Leno must have been quite the experience.
Hoov is one hell of a petrolhead specimen
@@E_tiBEAMERBOY lol he is
Nice! Our family had a Chevy, but my dad worked on cars in his spare time, and we'd get all kinds. One was a 1967 Imperial. It was after the "hand-built" era, but it was much as you describe your car. Huge, powerful, quiet, full of impressive stuff like the 6-way seats, with a surprisingly stiff structure and better than expected handling. It was about 5 years old at the time, but it made a huge impression on me.
Truly beautiful car, has great lines and classic style. Great attention to details on the car. Nice color combination on the car as well.
Even the back of the rear view mirror has artdeco design. Something you would never notice unless you put a camera up there
Imperials are beautiful machines. Very overlooked as a collector classic until recently.
Superb , Thank you for a wonderful tour of those singular Imperials
I got to admit, you got me excited for this car. I have never heard of it but now that you've shown it to us i kind of want one. Smart purchase for once.
I'm beginning to think you really like fine autos!
Nice. I've got its poor cousin, a 1966 Sport Fury convertible. These are great cars. You'll have the oil leak fixed in no time.
My favorite was a 1966 Fury convertible. Miss it dearly... my 1965 HS graduation present from my grandmother...
I love the mix you have of info and entertainment. Keep up the great work!
I drove a 1964 Crown Imperial 4 door hardtop....413 cubes, all power, drums all around. Huge, huge, and huge and fast through gas. Quick for it's size, stiffly built tanks. My buddy bought it in Hawaii (we were stationed there), it was an island car (heat delete), for around $2000. Power bench seat in front, seats seven-eight and two kegs in the trunk--perfect for beach parties. Left it to me for a month while he was on leave for a month. Went through much $$ in gas--a blast to drive, comfortable to death. Lovely machines.
When USA cars were made with pride. Years later japan took pride
And now NOBODY takes pride!
You meant to say when USA vehicles were engineered with pride?
@@TheHaleyville62 Had four Japanese cars...EVERY ONE CHEAPLY BUILT GARBAGE!
Please remember all vehicles were built by members of THE UNION
@@garyfinger294 AGREE!
This car is beautiful, no doubt. Probably the best buy i have seen here.
Detroit’s finest hour. Absolutely stunning.
My jaw hit the floor when I saw the thumbnail. That car is gorgeous!!
I have a 1966 Buick Skylark Convertible, I love it to DEATH
That car is beautiful! I always felt mid 60s car styling was kinda boxy and boring but this is a star...wow!
I have many fond memories of my father and I riding around in his 65 golden crown sedan. Those cars are in a class of their own and for around 6k lbs, surprisingly fast. His had the 413cid and was amazing. Like sitting on the couch even at double the limit on the interstate. Love those cars and thanks for the video.
Beautiful example of a time gone by. Wish in some ways it would come back.
I use to have a 69 crown imperal labraon brogrham.. love the 440.
See, I LOVE the fins. These somewhat indiscernible boxes on wheels just don't cut it for me. If he had a '59 now, ... man!
In 1966 the car was called Imperial LeBaron. There was never a "Brougham" designation for Imperials in this era going forward.
The “Crown” model was mid line; Imperial Custom, Crown, and the top of the line was LeBaron.
Had the 68 Imperial Crown. Great car. Smooth 440. Nice styling
I have a '76 Cadillac Coupe DeVille project awaiting some much-needed welding and TLC... each time I see you bring one of these land going boats... It makes me wanna work on the Cadillac so much more...
Definitely seems like a steal for $20k
Just got two 62’s I’m going to restore I also have a 65 Chrysler New Yorker same body style and super comfortable.
My father had a 65 Crown Coupe and a 67 Imperial sedan triple black. The ride was superior and ahead of its time
BEAUTIFUL, Hoovie! Simply beautiful!
I hated working on late model Chryslers. I truly respect the build and quality of the vintage models.
I am no Chrysler fan, but that car is a masterpiece, top to bottom.
I am a Chrysler fan and to me this is the best 1960's American land yacht..bar none...and because they sold way less than Cads and Lincolns makes them more exclusive.
This IS your best purchase ever. Man, its gorgeous and superbly over built to last. Great find!
Love it. That is one of my all time favorite Mopars. Please keep it safe from mid-west storms.
After the 1973 oil embargo started, people were dumping these cars left and right. In addition to high prices, there were also long lines to buy fuel. I sat in many of them.