1963 Chrysler Imperial Crown

I noticed this car sitting in a parking lot not far from my apartment. It had been sitting for several months. The driver's side vent window was smashed and the driver's side interior had some water damage, but the interior looked in remarkably good condition otherwise. I left a note on the windshield, "If you'd like to sell this beautiful thing please call me..."
A couple of weeks passed and I'd basically forgotten about my note when a guy called talking about an Imperial he was trying to sell. I'd been looking at so many online I didn't know which one he was talking about until he told me where it was sitting. "Oh yeah, THAT one! How much?"

"12 - 1500."

"Wow. That's a steal."

Of course, I didn't know if it ran, though he said it had 6 or 8 months before when it had been parked. But when I told my girlfriend the price she wanted it. Eventually the owner came to town and told us a bit about how he'd inherited it but couldn't get it down to Florida where he lived. We bought the car, along with a book of everything that had been done with the car since about 1970.

More pictures:

• driver's side
• passenger's side
• rear
• engine - 413 CID

6/14/2000 I bought a new battery and started her up. She ran ok in park, no stalling or knocks or anything. Eventually I figured out how to get the pushbutton transmission into neutral and checked the fluid level. She needed a bunch of fluid but I couldn't find any major leaks. Apparently it had just sat there too long.
I couldn't get the beast to steer. Having driven a 1971 Chrysler Newport 30 miles without power steering, I knew it would have to be investigated. Once I figured out where the power steering fluid resevoir was, I filled it up and it turned perfectly. Again, no leaks!
I filled the brake fluid resevoir and drove it around the parking lot. She was still jumpey and didn't like to move or stop smoothly.It needs to be driven a bit to wear off all the rust and dust of sitting so long.

6/26/2000 I didn't trust driving it yet, so I had it towed to a mechanic. He took one look at it and told me the front suspension was shot. I thought (more like hoped) it was just the shocks. His investigation determined it was the torsion bars, which needed replacing on both sides. I ordered them used from Mopar Restos up in Summerville, Ga. (706) 857-2832 Frank is a one man operation and a super nice guy, but he ain't cheap! On the up side, he does guarantee any part he sells.Once the new torsion bars were in the car no longer looked like a low-rider! The mechanic also replaced the spark plugs and gave it a once-over. He said the brakes are fine and to give it a test drive.

8/4/2000 I finally got around to driving it. The suspension was fine, the brakes were fair, but the engine continued to skip. The mechanic hadn't been able to nail down the problem but after talking to the folks on the Imperial Mailing List I got some leads. Apparently it's common for the power brake booster to rob the vacuum from one of the cylinders.
The transmission is still a little sticky too and probably needs to be drained, refilled, and a new filter installed. The guages don't work properly, nor does the radio but it may be something as simple as the fuses. I ordered a replacement vent window and assembly from Hoffmeister's Imperial Heaven - a massive yard for Imperials only. Super nice, but you pay for the specialization: http://www.imperialheaven.com/

8/11/2000 The new vent window went in fine. The driver's side door panel was shot so I didn't bother to have it put back on. It needs a replacement window motor for that side anyway. But my mechanic couldn't trace the problem with it skipping. It sounds like it's starved for gas and can't create a good vacuum. He checked he power brake booster and disconnected every vacuum line to check them all, but nothing seemed to help. Either it needs a new carb, or the motor can't create a good vacuum for the carb anymore and it needs a rebuild. It'll run about $400 to replace the carb, an expensive risk but if the engine needs rebuilding we'd want a new carb anyway. Hmmm....

12/1/2000 We decided to start with the new carb. That solved the vacuum leak problem but it wouldn't stop skipping. A new distributor solved that problem, but it still wouldn't run as smoothly as it should. I put super unleaded gas in her and she ran better than she ever has so it may just need some more tuning/adjustment. Unfortunately I decided to put this car on the back burner for a bit and work on my other car, a 69 Ford Thunderbird.

6/1/2001 After running into problems with the Thunderbird I decided I couldn't afford both cars. The Imperial has to go. I tried selling her on ebay but the high bidder wouldn't return my emails. Then I got laid off so I got a bit more desperate and finally let her go for $1200 back in November 2001. I actually miss it taking up the space in the yard but hopefully the new owner will get her running again.

Had:

• New carb
• New distributor, wires, plugs
• Nice, straight body - very few dings, little rust, most chrome/trim is in fair shape
• Good interior - needs new door panels and a few other touch ups, but the seats are in fair shape and the dash is perfect
• History going back to the 70's
• Shop manual, wiring diagram, several part # pages, sales literature, original paint chips and other literature useful for restoration of the beast

Needed:

• Some engine work - doesn't run as smoothly as it should
• The trunk lock trim, AKA the "deck lid ornament", AKA Cover w/spring - #2255607
• The "Imperial" logo trim off both sides - #2240942
• Hood ornament - #2417457
• Passenger side mirror - #2275015
• The steering wheel needs a little repair - there are kits for this
• The horn rim is broken - it could probably be welded (the break is in an area that wouldn't be visible), but replacement would be easier
• Blinker handle off the steering column
• Front bumper repair - it looks like someone tried to tow this beast by the bumper - it needs repair or replacement of the Face Bar - #2123800
• The fuse block doesn't look good and could probably be replaced - I've seen them on ebay several times for about $15
• Heater control valve
• Washer fluid bag - Gary Goers makes these new
• Map light lense
• Dome light lense
• The driver's side power windows don't work - need a new motor for the front at least and perhaps a replacement set of switches
• Antenna - it's power but I don't know if the motor portion works yet - #2426304
• Jack
• Spare wheel
• Owner's manual
• Any sales literature describing the car and options
• Some interior work, particularly on the driver's side door, such as the door panel, arm rest and other parts, as well as a new headliner. A new carpet set would be nice. 1A Auto makes them new: http://www.1aauto.com/carpet/chrysler.htm#Imperial The seats need some very minor repair.
• The power seat doesn't move (haven't investigated yet)
• The gas guage doesn't work, the spedometer bobs wildly (haven't investigated yet)
• Paint job - we're thinking either a two-tone blue/light blue, or "Festival Red" like this 4 door that was for sale on ebay: picture 1, picture 2

Info:

• 1963 Chrysler Imperial Crown 2 door:
• Engine: 413 V8, 340 H.P.
• Carb: 4 barrel
• Bore & Stroke: 4.1875 x 3.75
• Compression Ratio: 10.1
• Maximum Brake H.P. @ R.P.M.: 340 @4600
• Maximum Torque Lbs. Ft. @ R.P.M.: 470 @ 2800
• Normal Oil Pressure Pounds: 40 - 65
• Spark Plug Gap: .035
• Point Gap: .017
• Dwell Angle: 28 - 33
• Firing Order: 18436572
• Ignition Timing BTDC or Mark: 10°
• 3 speed Torqueflite pushbutton transmission
• 2.93 to 1 rear axle ratio
• Power windows, power seats, power antenna, A/C, heat (front and rear), power steering, power brakes

Info stolen from carnut.com at http://carnut.com/specs/gen/_chry60.html and from crash sheets I purchased on ebay.

Links:

If you're interested in big mopars check out the extensive page we have on our '71 Newport, including a massive link list for both Mopars and Newports, as well as other useful tidbits.

Chrysler Imperial Restoration and Parts contact list: http://www.movit.de/htm/impadr.htm

Gary Goers has '55 and later reproduction stuff, chrome and rubber and such - highly recommended from the Online Imperial Club - as well as a short link list http://www.garygoers.com/

We've got a few '62 and '63 Imperial ads online as well.

Hoffmeister's Imperial Heaven - a massive yard for Imperials only. Super nice, but you pay for the specialization: http://www.imperialheaven.com/