IMPERIAL 1958 HISTORIC NOTES

From Imperial Web Pages :
Imperial styling stayed pretty much the same from 1957, but a few changes did occur.  The mesh pattern grille of '57 was replaced by four "stacks" of horizontal bars.  The front bumper was now one solid piece with circular signal-light pods extending from its lower section.  On the Crown series, a tiny crown emblem above the second "I" in the Imperial nameplate is the easiest way to tell the Crown from the standard Imperial.  It came standard with six-way power seats, power windows, and an outside rear-view mirror.  The LeBaron series has a distinctive emblem on the front fenders, instead of the Imperial name in script. The '58 was introduced to the public on November 1, 1957.  Most, 93.6 percent, had power seats, 92.9 percent had power windows, 86 percent whitewall tires and 33.3 percent air conditioning.

The 1958 Imperial was the third year of Imperial as an independent marque. Prior to 1955, Imperial was the designation for a top of the line Chrysler. The Chrysler organization did not have a luxury brand as such, like Ford's "Lincoln" line or General Motor's "Cadillac." In 1955, Imperial was created as a separate marque, but no separate dealership network was ever created. This was a double confusion for the public, as they were used to the idea of Chrysler Imperial and used to getting them at their regular Chrysler dealership. The 1955 Imperial was also a somewhat badge engineered Chrysler, although a wonderfully handsome one with some distinctive features. Likewise the 1956. In 1957, an all new Imperial was introduced, with a body style all it's own. It was designed by Virgil Exner, the corporation styling chief, and maintained the company's 'Forward Look' theme. The 1958 Imperial was introduced with great optimism. The 1957 actually outsold Lincoln, a great achievement, though neither came close to the sales of Cadillac. The car differs from its predecessor in only a couple of minor regards.

1. The front bumper is a solid piece, the "bi-plane" bumper of 1957 being unique to that year.
2. The rear bumper's panels adjacent to the reversing lights are smooth, not rippled.
3. The rear view mirror is repositioned closer to the driver. It is still on the dashboard, but on the edge of the instrument cluster, not where the glass and dashboard meet at the center.
4. The turn indicator is in the same place, below the transmissions push buttons, but is resigned.
5. Under the hood the two barrel carburetor is gone and is replace by a four barrel, bumping horse power by twenty, to 345.

As before there were three trim levels, and five body styles. There was the Imperial, the Imperial Crown and the Imperial LeBaron. There was a two door hardtop, a four door hardtop, a sedan and a convertible. The fifth style was an elongated limousine, built in tiny quantities in Italy by Ghia. The company gave its hard top style a name, Southampton.

They were offered as follows :

Imperial : 2 door Southampton (hardtop), 4 door Southampton, 4 door Sedan.
Imperial Crown : 2 door Southampton, 4 door Southampton, 4 door Sedan, Convertible
LeBaron : 4 Door Sedan, 4 door Southampton
Crown Imperial : Limousine

For such a limited production model it is interesting to note there were 10 models! To further confuse the public, you may also note the difference between an Imperial Crown and a Crown Imperial.  There was a color range of 22 shades, not counting two tone options, or  interiors.

There was : 1, Ermine; 2, Champagne Gold; 3, Shell Pink; 4, Stardust Blue; 5, Midnight Blue; 6, Matador Red; 7, Air Force Blue; 8, Bamboo Yellow; 9, Spring Green; 10, Mandarin Jade; 11, Aztec Turquoise; 12, Ballet Blue; 13, Winchester Grey Metallic; 14, Cypress Green Metallic; 15, Spruce Metallic; 16, Satin Grey; 17, Mesa Tan; 18, Sandalwood Metallic; 19, Garnet Maroon Metallic; 20, Tahitian Coral. Identified as Spring Colors (probably a hold over from the previous year) are : 21, Bimini Blue; & 22, Frosty Tan.

The numbering system and code locations changed to LY1- 1,001- 17,325

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