1964 Chrysler Imperial Crown Coupe on My Car Story with Lou Costabile
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
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On "My Car Story" we're in Northwest Suburbs of Chicago on 7-23-15.
We're looking at a 1964 Chrysler Imperial Crown Coupe.
The car's Owner is Joe Pieroni. He’s had the car since 1989. He shares in all the years he’s had the car, he’s only seen one other Crown Coupe.
ENJOY!
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Just as a remark: it was Elwood Engel who designed the Imperial and was a Chrysler's Chief of design from 1961-1974. He came from Ford, where he had designed the gorgeous 1961 Lincoln Continental line. That is why, there are similarities in design between those two cars. Lee Iacocca joined Chrysler in late 70's.
Great Imperial, I love it!
Hi Andrej Oman, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you find many more cars on the Channel you enjoy, Lou
I remember the first time I saw a 64 Imperial. I thought it was the most beautiful automobile I had ever seen. I still do.
Sounds like the car brings very good memories. Glad you were able to view this car, Lou
The Imperials were some of the most beautiful cars ever made !! Gorgeous car !!
Thanks DrGuffey, I'm glad you commented and enjoyed the video of this car. Take care, Lou
Never seen this truly elegant limousine: a rare piece of art! A clear design without useless chrome bling-bling
Hi Marco, Happy to share one you have not seen before. Glad to read you enjoy this "piece of art!" :-) Lou
For a Ford guy myself, I believe that this 1964 Chrysler Imperial, with the 413, was an outstanding epic car of its era and it sure outbeats, the Cadillac, or even the Lincoln Continental, of the same time period, as well, for that matter. What a real gem!
Lou! you haven't changed very much, over the course of time. Hence! despite the fact that this video was released, on the RUclips channel, seven years ago already, you still look pretty much the same and you've always kept the secret of your youth.
Take! care and thank! you for bringing us this utterly beautiful presentation, on your car story, my friend! Happy! Holliday Season's and have a great Thanksgiving weekend!
Johnny, from Montreal Rosemont, in Canada
🌲👍😁💙🔥
Hi Johnny from Canada, High praise for this car :-) I think hanging around the fun cars keeps me young (as I feel like I'm 17 again) Wishing you a great Thanksgiving weekend too. You're welcome, Lou
why do you keep calling this car a Chrysler?! .. it’s like using the name Chrysler Sport Fury or Chrysler Monaco! .. it’s wrong
Gorgeous car styled by Engel, thus the Continental styling cues. IMHO he did a better job on Imperial than the excesses attributed to Exner. When Iacocca came to Chrysler, he tried to bring Imperial back to life, but the market had already moved on. This one is a gem!
Hi DrAkbar1986, so glad you enjoyed the video, and for sharing your knowledge. When you have a moment on RUclips.com, please type in "My Car Story With Lou" and I hope you'll find many other cars you'll enjoy, Lou
Richard RT Simpson Yes the Frank Sinatra 1981 to 1983 Imperials. Disaster city.
To each his own, and this car’s clean lines have aged well. But to me Virgil Exner’s ‘62 Imperial - his swan song - will forever be the epitome of that marque. In the mid-50s, Chrysler’s dreary styling nearly bankrupted the company. Exner arrived in ‘55 to save the day with his “Forward Look” space-age styling. While Bill Mitchell’s interpretation of that theme also succeeded wildly - his ‘59 Cadillac is the ultimate tail fin car - Exner’s Imperial styling from that era to my eyes was more refined, and really stood out from Chrysler’s offerings. Which is quite unlike what we see here, basically a badge-engineered New Yorker with Lincoln highlights. To a Mopar fan, that’s heresy!
@@johntechwriter I think the 60 Cadillac looks much better than the 59. Much cleaner styling. And Engel's Imperial is much more pleasing to the eye than Exner's very busy, headache-inducing, design.
Even moreso re Engel, it closely resembles what he'd planned for the 1961 Thunderbird (retooling his proposed angular T-Bird that lost out to the four seater 1958 of Joe Oros' team, losing to them again re the 1961 models). The design was considered Ok for a revamped Lincoln, though, which literally saved that division. Engel then moved to Chrysler & redesigned the Imperial along that T-bird prototype.
Actually Imperial was its own brand then. Yes part of Chrysler Corp., but it's own mark. This is an excellent example.
I was surprised that even the owner called it a Chrysler Imperial.
People call it the Chrysler Imperial because many out there would have no idea as to what an Imperial was. It is like calling a Lexus Toyota or Buick GM.
There is nothing wrong with using the Chrysler brand name when describing the car.
Never called my Dart or Shadow a Chrysler Dodge. Did call my LeBaron a Chrysler though, because it was a Chrysler. My Shelby Charger was a Dodge...
@@MillerMeteor74 Yeah...he doesn't even know what MAKE of CAR he's driving !! Read this clip in Popular Mechanics' DETROIT LISTENING POST
dated SEPT. 1954: books.google.com/books?id=AeADAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA98&lpg=PA98&dq=POPULAR+MECHANICS++1954++IMPERIAL+A+SEPARATE+EXCLUSIVE+NAMEPLATE&source=bl&ots=r-sdPE63It&sig=ACfU3U2YYPKDRSiw3A_TLBD-PwM9gHxRng&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiA6rmKkcDjAhVaZ80KHan0AtMQ6AEwCnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=POPULAR%20MECHANICS%20%201954%20%20IMPERIAL%20A%20SEPARATE%20EXCLUSIVE%20NAMEPLATE&f=false
The "Chrysler" name appears NOWHERE on this car .It is not even VIN'ed as a Chrysler.
It's VINed as an IMPERIAL...plain and simple.
Thanks guys, I had never seen or taken a tour of a 1964 Imperial Crown Coupe, now I have and it is impressive. Many many thanks to Lou for these intriguing show spots.
You're welcome Jon C. Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
My parents had a tan Ford ranch wagon (raising 3 boys) when my uncle rolled up in an Imperial just like this......but a convertible! I was drooling. Stunning car!
Hi Fight Club, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Uncles car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Another great video!
Can never get enough of the Imperials, especially those between 60-68, which are my favourites!
Why buy Cadillac or Lincoln, when you can buy a Imperial? 😉 😄
Well, off to watch some more of your videos....keep up the excellent work! 👍👌👏
Thank you for the kind words, they are appreciated. Lou
Lee Iacocca had NOTHING to do with the 1964 Imperials or Chrysler Corp. He became CEO of Chrysler in 1978. He was GM of the Ford Division of Ford in 1964.
Imperial was a separate make, not a Chrysler model! this car is an Imperial Crown Coupe! Imperial was Virgil Exners baby, but Elwood Engel redesigned the 1964's! he also redesigned the 1961 Lincoln for the ford motor company, before Chrysler hired him in 1961! that is why the 1964 Imperial resembles the 1961 Lincoln! Lincoln was Elwood Engels baby! both were chief designers and headed their own design teams! like Harley Earl was GMs chief designer and he headed his own design team! and Cadillac was his baby! they all designed the luxury makes first and personally, as the luxery makes were the archetypes for the rest of the other divisions for each car company! but they were more distinctive and distinguished to fit the luxury car class! now, today, every car is a luxury car, basically! and most of them all look the same, except for cosmetic details that identifies the brand!
Imperial was a separate make, not a Chrysler model! this car is an Imperial Crown Coupe! Imperial was Virgil Exners baby, but Elwood Engel redesigned the 1964's! he also redesigned the 1961 Lincoln for the ford motor company, before Chrysler hired him in 1961! that is why the 1964 Imperial resembles the 1961 Lincoln! Lincoln was Elwood Engels baby! both were chief designers and headed their own design teams! like Harley Earl was GMs chief designer and he headed his own design team! and Cadillac was his baby! they all designed the luxury makes first and personally, as the luxery makes were the archetypes for the rest of the other divisions for each car company! but they were more distinctive and distinguished to fit the luxury car class! now, today, every car is a luxury car, basically! and most of them all look the same, except for cosmetic details that identifies the brand!
...and the 1981 82 83 Imperial was Lee Iacoccas baby!
He created the 1964
Mustang! The biggest event in automotive history in 1964!!
Yes he was the genius of FOMOCO!
Not a very knowledgeable narrator. Anybody who knows anything about auto history would have known that.
The Imperial has always been my favorite land yacht. And this one is a prime example. Lou you and Leno do the best job of showing cars. Great episode.
Hi Story Teller, Happy to read this one is a favorite of yours :-) Jay Leno and me in the same sentence, high praise! Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
The most classic automobile ever, the 64 Crown Coupe! Every square inch exudes class. What an upgrade from the previous outlandish style. I hope Joe is still enjoying it and doing well.
Hi Pat, Happy to read you had one :-) Nice! Lou
@@loucostabile Nope just saw one up close, in a trade school body shop in the 80s. I opened the passenger door and knelt in & split the seam in the brittle leather. I felt so bad. It was black with red leather.
Outlandish can be nice too !
this is my all time favorite Imperial design, just a lovely looking car
We have a Winner for you :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
Here in the UK we only saw this type of car on tv, yes we saw Mr Drysdale occasionally turn up in his big Chrysler. Such a fantastic car and a credit to the owner, his care and attention. After the sometime excessive look of 50's US design, the mix of understated style, quality and kit, make these early 60's cars truly classic in my view.
Thanks for filming it, pity we didn't get to go for a drive
+sherrif1959 Hi sherrif1959, So glad you've viewed the video, and shared such a wonderful comment. Take care, Lou
Some people talk despectfully about those "old barges", they don't know about the art and the mystique behind good design.
Hi Alejandro, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
And each day they stray further from this creative, natural, and beautiful happy world. They see these as a downgrade to their tech Tesla. Nowadays some kids ask for a computer and I'm not sure wether to tell them their to young to drive or invest 7,000 dollars on a panel screen. I'm just getting started on the disappointment I have for younger generations, they think they have it the best...they don't even have assess to luxuries. Luxuries of walking down the street seeing more than 1 person with a formal suit or sweater/vest/colored-collared shirt on, a women with a fanciful statement shoulder getup pant suit with frizzy hairsprayed-hair or a morning dress/sheath dress and a combed glossy locks of hair, resembling a wavy hills. The luxury of finely made interiors, warm dark and light colors, non of the cliche 50's pastels and salt and pepper checker floorings (of which never happened, but rockibillys can't be swayed), but elegant well thought colors. I had to go to Georgia to visit colors other than white-grey-red-blue-and metal chrome. Florida used to be so nice in the 1950's...sooo nice absolutely immeasurable how beautiful it was, and now it's a sad sack of wasted away history because the baby boomer generation scared young entrepreneurs into hating the past and sharing whatever fake truth they can about it despite never being born then yet somehow having a world of information about a time they know nothing about. The me generation. My grammar is subpar at one 2 a clock in the am, sorry.
Boy, the classic sound of a Chrysler starter. It really takes me back.
Nice :-)
Hey Lou 👋 Another sob story of the one that got away. Circa 1969, local dealer had a 64 dark green Crown Coupe with black vinyl top. Saw it just before closing on a Friday night. Told salesman I was interested and asked him to hold until next morning as he said it was too late to deal. He said No Problem. Next morning was there when they opened. Different salesman told me the car was SOLD! Need I say that dealer did not last long. 64 through 66 were the last Imperials that really did it for me. As always, a great 👍 presentation.
Hey RICK Oe, Happy to read you enjoy this presentation :-) Lou
I was with my Dad the day he took delivery of a 64 Imperial Crown Coupe, in met turquoise with a sort of vinyl black roof and the softest black leather interior. That was his pride an joy, till my third sibling was born! Then we could not all fit! So in 68, Dad was forced to trade his beloved Imperial in, for a nine passenger wagon, but not just any wagon! No, Dad went down to his friends Chrysler Dodge Plymouth Imperial dealer and special ordered a 68 Chrysler New Yorker Town&Country Beach Wagon! Loaded with every option! Including a 440/4 brl Commando Engine and ever power feature there was! That was the car I learned to drive in, got my road test in and later on in life used as a daily driver for a while. If you ever come across one of those Lou, please do a segment on one!
Hi Kevin, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Dads car too :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Lou, I never get tired of looking at this beautiful Imperial Crown Coupe video. If Chrysler only had better build quality, I think they would have had a better chance of being #2 in the American luxury car market. Better quality begets higher sales, and higher sales means higher profits and the willingness of the corporation to invest more into Imperials instead of them becoming slightly gussied-up full-size Chryslers. *Sigh*
Mike, Happy to read you can enjoy this video again and again :-) Lou
Oh what a beautiful car and color. I always thought the Imperials and New Yorkers were such nice looking cars. I love the lines in this car. It looks like it would be real fun to drive.
Hi kfl611, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Lou
What a beautiful car
kramden Hi Kramden, Glad you enjoyed the video, take care, Lou
Very nice. This is the first time that I have ever seen the AM/FM radio that was offered back then.
From what I have read, a reverb was also available back then too. Was not bad for music, but was weird for speaking.
So glad you liked the video. It's such an education when Owners tell their stories, and we can see the history as you look at the cars in 10 year increments. Thanks for viewing and commenting, Lou
My dad drove lots of Imperials... One was a '62 Le Baron 4 door Ht. with the smaller "formal" rear windshield... As a child I logged many miles in that one... And it was factory equipped with an am/fm radio! Dad tuned it to WNEW out of the "Big" city where he worked. We lived out on Long Island. Frank Parks in Summerville, Ga.
Am/Fm radios that were not stereos were offered for the first time in 1963 on Ford Fairlane, Mercury Meteor, Ford Galaxies, Mercury Monterey Ford Thunderbird and Lincoln Continental. GM 1st offered AM/FM stereo radios in their full sized cars in 1965.
Whenever I see this generation Imperial I cannot help but think of the Green Hornet’s “Black Beauty”! Probably the most recognizable Imperial styling ever. Thanks, Lou! ~ John
Ahhh the Black Beauty :-) You're welcome John, Lou
I saw one of these as a kid. I fell in love with that body style. I'll probably never have one, but I always felt it was one of the most beautiful cars to be made in the US.
Hi hattree, Happy to read this car brings back memories of the car you saw as a kid :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Long,classy,and elegant! Winner Lou!
A good one for sure Joseph Romano :-)
I am sooooo excited. I just brought one today. I can't wait to get started with the restoration.
Hi Marquitta Trent, Congratulations! Hope your car comes out just the way you like it, Lou
@@loucostabile awww, thanks love 🥰🥰🥰
It wasn't Lee Iacoca that came over to Ford in 64 it was Elwood Engel move to Chrysler in November 1961, after being designer of the '61 Lincoln that shows up so much in the '64.
+Chris Ritter -Correct.
You know your history Mr. Ritter! Remember these when we were kids?
Yep Elwood replaced the timeless Exner forward fast design of the 50's. Led to these wingless cars in the 60's. All starting with the 61 revamped Lincoln Continental. Suddenly made all those Cadillacs look old.
Chris Ritter I was thinking the same thing I just came from looking at one .guy wants a thousand bucks and I kept telling my friend that I see Lincoln on this 64 Chrysler
they used to call this the Lincolnized Imperial
Absolutely great car ! All Mopars had that unique starter sound....
Hi, So glad you enjoyed the video. When you have a moment on RUclips.com I hope you'll type in "My Car Story With Lou" and I hope you'll find other great cars you'll enjoy, Lou
It was *Elwood Engel's artistry* showing on both 1961 Lncoln and this Imperial. Lido (Lee) Iacocca was still at Ford, helming back then the wildly successful launch of both Mustang and the whole pony car segment.
Hi Arne, Thank you for viewing and sharing. Lou
best part about this Ark?
coldest a/c system known to mankind. period.
I think you could get dual AC and be twice as cold. Dual AC was available in full sized station wagons from 1960-1964 (at least). The second unit on those hung down from the ceiling behind the heads of the second row passengers. It did make sense on three row wagons.
Hi Evad Enri', Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Gorgeous red... The 64-66 Imperials are my favorite!
You have great taste :-)
Nah . .. ‘59 to ‘62 Imperial, with the exposed headlights and taillights, and between them a body of unmatched grace - was Vigil Exner’s masterpiece and Chrysler’s halo car. The ‘64-66 models were nice but basically badge-engineered Chryslers - with that hideous phony continental spare styling on the trunk. The elegant ‘59-‘62 Imperial look was unique in the industry and even now occasionally makes an appearance in movies set in the future.
At 7:54 Chrysler's "hummingbird" starter motor sings its familiar song just before the engine fires. Music to Mopar fans.
John Richards That starter always sounds terrible like it’s starting an old Slant-6 lol. But it’s the standard starter noise in old movies and shows lol.
@@Porsche996driver Nope, it sounds beautiful to many of us. Slow wind like an old piston aeroengine.
I was always enchanted with the sound of the Chrysler gear-reduction starter. When I was young i startled people with an almost accurate mimic of the sound.
:-)
The Chrysler starter sound from that era is simply the greatest mechanical sound ever invented by mankind.
Thanks Joe and Lou! LOVE that spotless Imperial in "Roman Red"! Thanks!
Hi Jeffrey, Happy to read you enjoy this car :-) You're welcome, Lou
I absolutely ❤️ the 1964 Chrysler Imperial, my Daddy & brother had matching blue 💙 Imperials one had a white top, the other had a white top! Beautiful Beautiful cars! Thank you Gents, great video of a true American Beauty!!!!!💯❤️🔥🔥🔥🔥🥂
Hi Ms. JANN CAN, Happy to read you "absolutely love" this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Classiest car from the 60s. Congrats Joe!
Hi Pat, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Lou
Beautiful old lead sled. The original interior held up well especially since it had been sitting for so long. Usually, during the first winter, the mice move in and that smell is impossible to remove. Thanks for bringing this one to us Lou.
Hi Rich, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this "'lead sled" :-) My pleasure sharing this car with you, Lou
Lou, that is actually a 1964 Imperial Crown Coupe! Imperial was its own entity from 1955 to 1975, and then, from 1981 to 1983! Imperial was a "D" body hence the 1970 to 1974 Barracuda and Challenger being "E" bodies! Chrysler Corporation had "A", "B", "C", "D" and "E" bodies!
Hi Olias Of Sunhillow, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
one of the most beautiful cars ever made
Hi cbi1991, Glad you like this one :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
These old 'land yachts' were in a class by themselves: beauty, comfort and performance. And that 413 was one helluva engine.
HI Mr C, Happy to read you appreciate this "class by themselves" car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
@@loucostabile I'm already subscribed and I appreciate your channel immensely. The cars you showcase are some of the cars I grew up with.
At 340 hp this car could really be
considered a muscle car ! I can say
that personally I've see Imperials and Chrysler Imperials in the 4 door
Sedan versions but I believe this is
the first 2 dr coupe I can remember
seeing . The coupes must have been
built in lower numbers . Has anyone
researched this car to determine
where it was built ? Anyhow this
gentleman certainly lucked out to
so easily find this car in such good
condition considering it had been
parked out in the elements so long.
Great color, great chrome, great
interior ! Looks comfortable. This
car would be perfect for a Chrysler
caravan or a road trip or just for
cruising in the evenings ! Real head
turner no doubt ! Thanks for
showing it !
Hi Alan, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. My pleasure sharing this car with you. You're welcome. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
The 64-66 Imperial is a masterpiece of design. Thanks Lou
High praise FUBAR Model Yard :-) You're welcome.
@@loucostabile pop had a 65 Imperial. Built like a tank. These have been banned from demolition derbys.
My dad was an original owner of one of these gorgeous cars!! The pedal he pointed to was the parking brake! The lever next to the shifter button was the release! You guys mentioned the Lincoln influences, the chrome trim from the frt headlights along the top of the fenders and doors, along the top of the quarter panels to the stop lights, came from Lincoln also!!
Hi Kevin Voyer, Thank you for sharing your Dad had one too. Also appreciate you sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many cars on the Channel you'll enjoy, Lou
Lou Costabile yea Lou I was a very fortunate kid, the oldest of six after all. But at 9 I remember going to the dealership to pick up the car! At the time there were only my sister and brother, three of us that had plenty of room in the huge back seat that my parents loved not having to worry about having rear doors we could open! I remember laying down across the package shelf under the rear window at night on the way home from the beach, looking up at the stars! One day as my Dad was building a summer home for us at Great Island in Narragansett R.I., we were at the neighbors house, when my Dad gave me the keys to go get something out of the trunk, well being the little devil in the family I could not stop myself from sitting behind the wheel and starting the engine up, to rev it up and listen to it roar! But I revved it so high all the belts came flying off! With a huge BANG! Oh man was I ever petrified! I thought I blew the engine up!!! We they heard the loud noise and came running over! Man did I catch HELL THAT NIGHT! But my Dad being the best Dad in the world just shrugged it off, then showed me how to replace all the belts the next morning at 13 years old! Later on that year my Mom had my second brother, so now with the four of us siblings, my Dad had to give up his beloved Imperial, but he did make a great choice! He special ordered the next best thing. He ordered a 1968 Chrysler New Yorker Town &Country Three Row Beach Wagon the family owned for the next 20 years that was the first car I had at my disposal as a daily driver after I was Honorably Discharged and came home, my Dad gave me the use of the car till I got on my feet again. That Beach Wagon was a beauty though. dad had ordered is with the new 440 Commando 4 brl Dual Exhaust Engine, loaded in deep maroon with red leather interior, even the third row way back was leather, that when folded down left a deep pile carpet with stainless chrome strips along the floor. He also ordered The Factory Tow Package that came with front disk brakes, hd tow hitch and wires, but best of all 3:55 Posi Traction rear end! That car was so fast top end, that one night with a friend I had the speedo needle go past 120, into The adjacent clock to Three o’clock!! With the engine screaming! That car ran flawlessly from 1968-1988! With just over 200,000 miles!!! The only issue we ever had other than normal belts hoses and all fluids changed regularly, along with brakes and tires and exhaust systems was freeze plugs! Covering the area from road trips to Northern Maine to Jersey Shore! Also towing a 6,000 lbs wooden boat every now and then. I ended up selling the car to a big immigrant family in town that needed transportation for the 8 of them! As far as I know that car ran for a long time after!!!
Great Car Lou, thanks for sharing. The owner should really remove the Headlight half covers, They make the car less safe to drive, and do the opposite of what people think they do. The stock Headlights are very dim by modern standards already, by covering 50% of them it is almost like driving with no headlights. If by chance he or his son have to drive the car at night it would be a shame to total a beautiful car for such a simple fix.
Hi Rock, Happy to read you enjoy this "Great Car" & thanks for sharing a tip too. Regarding sharing, my pleasure sharing with you, and you're welcome, Lou
I was the second owner of one of these, white, in the late 60's. Nicest car I've ever owned. Someone mentioned below the resemblance to the early-60's Lincoln Continentals - mainly those front fender lines with the chrome trim. I was young and foolish and sold it but should have put it up on blocks and stored it . . . or maybe not . . . second guessing doesn't get us anywhere. They changed the grille in '65 and it didn't look as nice. This Crown Coupe was a masterpiece. There was a wheel/toggle thing below the dashboard just to the right of the steering wheel. It mixed sound between the front and rear speakers and if you pulled it out it turned on a factory reverberator which made it sound like you were in a concert hall. Really a magnificent, luxurious vehicle that was an excellent "road" car since it was so wide and low and heavy it handled curves like it was glued to the track. Also very quiet inside. A luxury car in all senses of the word. I miss it.
Sounds like you had a wonderful car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing.
Just beautiful, I’m mesmerized with the details in buildings quality and luxurious quality.
Hi Roberto, High praise :-) Lou
this must be taking place in an alternate universe--where Lee Iacoca designed this Imperial--and "Fred" Cole designed the "Mustaro" at Chevrolet---which John "Zelorean" at Pontiac grudgingly borrowed components from to create the "Firestang"--lol
Frickin’ hilarious!
Firecriss cute!
Too bad you figured it out
:-)
My aunt had a 1972 New Yorker and I washed it for her one time when she came over and aside from it being a battleship to wash on the outside, I was also intrigued that it too had back seat lighters in the ashtrays!!
Hi Jon Simunovich-Audron, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Aunts car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
This car has outstanding styling!
High praise for the style of this car.
What a beauty. I find the dashboard and front grille design of the '64 to be superior to the Imperial Crown coupes that followed. They just don't have the grace that this one has. Gorgeous machine!
Hi cytherians, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
This car is a super funky, gorgeous piece of art, big bro Lou! I have become a huge fan of Imperials (the styling is so unique and wild. Love those taillights, man!) and lament not seeing them more, but delight that you bring us this beauty. God bless that fine old gent Joe, and great to see your son behind the camera at the start. Oh boy! I would fire my super floppy DC sneakers offa my tubesocked stocking feet at you guys and hope you would catch them like footballs, Lou! In these crazy times we are living through in our world, thanks so much for the American car guy inspiration, man. :) JV Johnny
Hi JV Johnny, High praise for this "piece of art" :-) My pleasure being your American Car Guy, Lou
Hey Lou; what a gorgeous example of a 64 Imperial.
Hey Lucky, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Lou
I would have been delighted if my family got one of these brand new in 64. What a smooth, comfy ride it must have provided. 😃😃
Hi Alan Strong, That would be a nice ride in 1964, and today too :-) Lou
Sorry to inform you of this obvious mistake in the video, but Mr. Iacocca was over at Ford in 1964 fathering a project called the "1964 Mustang!" You did point out some Lincoln styling cues on this beautiful 1964 Imperial Crown Coupe, but they came about without the help of Mr. Iacocca. He left Ford in the late 1970's and headed the rebuilding of the Chrysler Corporation that was about to go under, but he did an incredible job at saving the company and bringing them back to profitability.
+michael cerza Hi Michael, thanks for sharing your knowledge. Feel free to view other videos on RUclips.com by typing in "My Car Story with Lou" and see if there are other cars and Owners stories you can enjoy, take care, Lou
+Reaganite Republican Hi, Thanks for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Take care, Lou
They were trying to call it of the top of their head and made a mistake.
Love the Imperials between 60-66, they're my favourites....out of this world styling!
High praise for the styling for the Imperial :-)
Yes, 60 through 63 were definitely out-of-this-world. 64 through 66 back down to reality.
Imperial. A great name, really sums up the car. Brilliant.
Hi Phil, Happy to read "Brilliant" :-) Lou
Mr. Drysdale of the Commerce Bank drove a black four door version. These cars were so strong, theyd win every Demo-Derby entered every time Eventually they were even outlawed from competition because nobody woud enter if an Imperial was in the mix...
Hi Charlotte, Thank you for viewing and sharing TV info and for sharing your knowledge. Lou
I still remember my 1964 Chrysler 300K with the 413 cross-ram. Foot on the floor, in drive... It finally shifted out of first gear at almost 60 miles per hour. Had it up to 135... but lost my nerve. Damn I wish I still had it, but that was back in 1973............................
Hi Don F, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing, Lou
Lou, I love your vids; but I keep falling in love with almost all the cars you feature!
Hi Matt Zehentner, You are clearly a "Car Guy". I love them all too. I figured if I can not own them all, maybe I can learn about them from the Care Takers / Owners and see details on the cars I'd want to remember, which makes RUclips the perfect way for me to do that and share with people like you. I'm having so much fun learning about the cars. I'm glad you commented and are enjoying the Channel, Lou
Me too. Depressing.
5 years ago? Why haven't I seen this yet? And why do I torture myself by watching? These were on the road when I was 8 years old and I thought they were magnificent, gorgeous machines! And no, Iacocca didn't have a hand in them.
But let the old guy think so.👍
HI George B, There are so oldie but goodies videos I've done back a few years ago...glad you found this one :-) Lou
Eye candy. That red paint and chrome is making me giddy.
Hi Brett, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Acres and acres of Imperial, what a beautiful car! The front wheel cover alone on that car was enough metal to produce all four doors on a KIA Soul.
Hi Donald, I enjoy your comment :-) That's funny :-) Lou
Total eye candy.
Hi itsmegp46, Happy to read you appreciate the looks of this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Candy apple red?
@@alejandrounda4362 in 1964 the collective color charting choice on red; talk about a c inception, was Royal ruby and Roman red. Both very attractive names and even more attractive results. I believe the Mercury 1970 came in iridescent red, a rare metallic to find.
That pedal may release the parking brake, but it also puts it on.
Good to know.
Great Imperial, thanks Lou for showing this one, great content as always.
Hi James, Happy to read "Great Imperial" :-) My pleasure sharing with you. You're welcome, Lou
What a beauty. Mr. Drysdale would be proud.
Hi damon9408, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
What a handsome car. A neighbor who was an insurance salesman had on of these. He would go fishing and fill the trunk with beer before his trip.
Hi Mary Rafuse, Glad to read you enjoy the looks of this car :-) Good story of your memories of your Neighbors car too. Thank you for sharing, Lou
Patented Chrysler start up sound. Great piece Lou
Hi Paul, Happy to read you enjoy this "Great piece" :-) Lou
When I was a teen my mom’s car was a 1965 Chrysler 300 coupe, a cousin to the car shown here. That was the year they put tempered glass windows over the head lights. Those enormous cars were fitted with drum brakes, and not very large ones. As a 16-yo I can vouch for those brakes being able to stop the car ONCE from 100 mph. After that they took about 10 minutes to cool down before they returned to operational status.
Hi John Techwriter, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Moms car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
The 1964-66 Imperials were mostly designed by Elwood Engel, but they have design cues that are pure Virgil Exner. Exner's windshield and chrome moldings of 1957 were retained through 1966, and Exner also designed the entire rear chrome bumper assembly and the Imperial Eagle medallion, and some interior design elements. Exner retained his design office at Chrysler to the end of 1964, not 1961, as some have erroneously stated. Exner's last full Imperial design was 1963, although Engel suggested and added a new more linear four door hardtop roofline for 1963, and the tail lights.
Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge.
Thank you, Lou and Joe. The last year for the push button transmission buttons.
You're welcome Jed Clampett :-)
Another older video before I subscribed. That is a classy looking car. The "Ford" look is possibly the result of Elwood Engel's involvement when Chrysler hired him from Ford. Historians say that Engel was one of the designers on the 1961 Lincoln Continental project, and shortly after that car's launch, he left Ford for Chrysler, and worked on the this generation Imperial.
Hi Michael, Happy to read you're finding past video you enjoy :-) Hope you see many more, Lou
This was a rebody of the Imperial that came out in 1957 and was largely facelifted in 1960. You can only really tell by the identical windshield.
Thank you for viewing & sharing. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy, Lou
Absolutely beautiful car.
So glad you enjoyed the video. I hope you'll take a moment when on RUclips.com and type in "My Car Story With Lou" and I hope you'll se other cars you'll enjoy. Thanks for commenting, Lou
Lou this car comes from an era when America really was great, no other country in the world was doing cars like this.Only rich people with swimming pools owned cars like this! Right out of Mad Men. Could see this parked in a carport in Palm Springs!
Hi ron, Thank you for viewing & sharing you enjoy this car -) Lou
That's an awesome car inside and out. The gauges caught my attention. Needles appear that they would stay vertical and sweep left to right. My favorites are the 69, 70 with the hideaway headlights. But this car just screams look at me.
"Screams look at me", I like that :-) Lou
I had never seen one of these until today when I was out delivering, I thought it was some kind of Lincoln but I didn't recognize the hood ornament so I asked the lady what it was. Her husband was restoring it and so it was all ready to just be painted. Beautiful car
Hi TheAnimePiper, Thank you for sharing you saw a car like this today. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I'm can't believe it. The car is in such a perfect condition--in and out--that you'd think it had just rolled off the assembly line yesterday! I guess these cars were built to last.
Hi moinyp, Glad to read you enjoy the condition of this car :-) Lou
Beautiful looking car...well designed. Auto makers today could learn a lesson from the old Imperial's. No stupid big ass wheels on tires with NO SIDEWALL. Anyone who has ridden in these types of cars knows EXACTLY what I mean.
Hi Keith, Happy to read "Beautiful looking car...well designed." :-) Lou
The knob on the dash is not the, "high beam". It's the switch to turn on/off the headlights & parking lights. The high beam is controlled by the foot dimmer switch on the floor.
Hi Gary, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
wow lou.its like a shifter handle to get out of her,,amd a clutchpedal to set e brake,,amazing retro teck,i love that car.thanks lou,i am realy learning tons of car history with your valuable and rare vids and interviews,,thanks again lou.
Hi Jose, One goal with the Channel is to leave a legacy of great cars. Regarding learning... we're both learning together :-) Glad you're finding value in the Channel and thank you for your kind words, Lou
My grandfather owned a 1976 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham (the Imperial replacement). It was 12-years after this car was manufactured and many of design cues remained the same (instrument gauges, interior light fixtures, etc.). Beautiful.
+solipha1 Hi, Thank you for sharing your story about your Grandfather, and your knowledge of the car. Take care, Lou
So there was an A/C vent centered directly under the steering wheel column? If so, that must have made the driver’s private parts quite frosty. 😏 The silhouette. The beautiful shade of red. God, what a beauty!
Hi Charles, Happy to read "God, what a beauty!" :-) Lou
Very nice Imperial profile. Excellent car.
Hi Charles, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
my grandmother had a 63 lebaron, silver, with silver brocade interior, over the top!
and fast! the family referred to it as the queen Mary, as my grandmother's name was Mary,
not even 5ft tall on a windy day..
Hi bert, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your Grandmothers car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
These Imperials competed with Cadillac and Lincoln. Beautiful car. Calling these “Chrysler Imperials” was a common mistake back then as it is today.
Hi J Hancock, Happy to read you enjoy the looks of this car, and thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge, Lou
I had a beautiful cream yellow 1966 four door with a 383 four barrel. I sold it with one hundred sixty thousand on it,and everything still worked including ac.
Hi Ken, Happy to read this car brings back memories of your car :-) Thank you for viewing and sharing. Hope you see many cars on this Channel you enjoy! Please Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
I think I prefer the 64’ to the 65’-66’ with the headlights behind a cover.
What a great color!
Hi Henrik, Thanks for viewing and sharing, Lou
Very nice car. And finally one the runs smooth and quiet and doesn't sound like a motor boat.
Hi Jayna Reynolds, Thanks for viewing and I'm glad you enjoyed the sound. Thanks for commenting. Take care, Lou
Fabulous Car! I noticed a couple of details. The car has a third, center brake light. These didn't come out until the mid '80's. While these became mandatory on new cars, I imagine older cars must have been "grandfathered" in. Right? I believe that I also see the floor foot button switch for the "brights." I don't remember the time frame on those, but haven't seen them in a long time. Firsts & Lasts in this car: '64 was a totally New Imperial from previous years, and the first one with a similarity to Lincoln. Also as mentioned, it was the last year for the Push-Button Transmission. BTW, since 2013 Lincoln now has Electronic Push-Button Transmissions, on at least some of its models.
+Patrick OBrien Hi Patrick, Thanks for commenting, and share your observations. Take care, Lou
Its not Chrysler Imperial, they stopped calling them Chrysler Imperial's in late 1954. So its Imperial.
True. But only up until the `67 models came out--Imperials `67-`75 were AGAIN Chrysler Imperials.
@@autobug2 no they weren't they were separate makes up until 75 when they quit building them. 81-83 and 91-93 is a Chrysler Imperial.
Hi MoparGuy08, Thank you for viewing and sharing your knowledge. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
What a beauty, cooler than cool. Love the styling and color.
Glad you enjoy this one Julian Davis :-) Lou
Just discovered your channel today Lou, I'm binging now. Great stuff man, love your taste in cars.
A very beautiful and well cared for Imperial. Looks great in red too.
Glad to read you enjoy this car :-)
@@loucostabile If I had a car like this ,it would be the last thing I would ever ask for. But sadly my combined age and finances, I realize it will never happen. Thanks for replying , and enjoy your wonderful Imperial.
The car in this video may very well be the most badass car on the planet.
High praise.
Indeed.@@loucostabile
Nice MOPAR !
Hi 01trsmar, Happy to read you appreciate this car :-) Thank you for viewing, sharing and I believe you're going to see many more cars on this Channel you'll enjoy. Hope you Subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou
Ellwood Engell designed the 1961 Lincoln Continental
...and the 1964 Imperial Crown and LeBaron!
Thank you for viewing & sharing.
@@loucostabile More than happy to. My favorite Imperials are the 57, 58, 65, 68, 69, 70, 71, and 74....Live long and prosper !
@@oliasofsunhillow7116 That is correct
before I clicked to watch this
I knew it had a beautiful dash
You were right :-)
The Green Hornet would be RED with envy ! Marvelous !
Hi Jay Wilder, Well said, Lou
If you got in a wreck with a modern car it would be like hitting a soda can with a sledge hammer.
True, however hopefully all the protective balloons going off inside the car help make you feel like it's a party and they protects you :-)
It took until 1964 for Imperial to finally drop its fussy 1950s styling.
Hi Scott Mathews, Thank you for viewing and sharing your thoughts. Hope you see many more cars on this RUclips Channel you enjoy. Please subscribe, and hit the "bell" so you can see all the cars when they are uploaded on this RUclips Channel, Lou