Rare 1966 Chrysler Imperial: An Unrestored Survivor Revealing a Big-Block Surprise

Chrysler never made too many Imperials (which the company sold separately as a stand-alone brand), which makes perfect sense considering their luxurious touches, so finding one in tip-top shape today is quite a challenge.

Someone on eBay says they have a survivor, meaning the car has never been restored or molested. While it received a respray and a new top, the quality of the work is impressive, possibly as the repairs were conducted by professionals who knew precisely how to preserve the Imperial’s original magic.

The 1966 Imperial was a rare sight from the very beginning. Chrysler produced only 13,752 units, and the Crown Convertible accounted for only 514 units. The model posted on eBay by seller vehiclesellingsolutions is one of them, and given the unrestored condition, it’s a rare opportunity to own an Imperial almost like no other.

It’s impossible to tell how many Crown convertibles are still around today, but they were the rarest Imperials in 1966. The most popular was the Crown four-door hardtop, whose production reached almost 9,000 units.


The convertible could be had for $6,136, significantly more expensive than the base hardtop, which carried a price tag of $5,733. The LeBaron four-door hardtop was even more expensive at $6,540, with only 1,878 units rolling off the assembly lines.

The Imperial posted on eBay spent its entire life in a garage, so its top condition is unsurprising. The engine under the hood is the same 440 big-block that put the car in motion when it left the factory, and it most likely runs and drives like new (the owner did not share such information, but considering the overall condition, it’s safe to assume the big-block is also ready for the road).

All Imperials came with a 440 big-block unit in 1966, with the unit producing 340 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. It was paired with a 3-speed TorqueFlite transmission.


1966 was the first year for the 440, replacing the original 413 that Chrysler offered since 1959.

The seller says this unrestored Imperial flexes just 57,500 original miles, which makes sense considering the car never left the garage unless it was a sunny day. It’s been with the same owner for the last 19 years.

Now, let’s talk money.

This 1966 Imperial ticks nearly all the boxes for a rare survivor whose place should be in someone’s collection. It’s an unrestored example that only received a professional repaint and a new top. The engine is still in tip-top shape, and the mileage is low. Everything looks good, so the car needs nothing.


The bidding is underway, but the top offer exceeding $4,000 did not trigger the reserve. The seller did not reveal the reserve’s value, but I guess the Internet must do significantly higher before this Imperial can even dream of leaving for a new home

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