When I was a kid, a widow lady down the street had a '55 Imperial. 4 door, hemi, wire wheels. Pale green inside and out. I used to go down and stare at it, imagining it when it was new. When she died, her son ran an ad in the paper that said, "1955 Hemi, $50." I know it said that because the guy who came to buy it (this was late 60s) loved the mid-50s Chryslers and Imperials and he saw the ad and thought he was getting an engine, not a whole car! He was tickled pink. He aired up a couple of tires (I never saw it on the road, it always sat at the back of her driveway), put a battery in it and it fired up. He turned on the air and it was cold! From 1955-1975, Imperial was a stand-alone division, not a Chrysler, kind of like how the 1956-1960 Continentals were a separate division and not Lincolns. To me, making minimal changes will look best, but it's not my decision to make. At any rate, have fun and learn some stuff!
Yeah, the only time I use that level of materiel is in a roadster, where there is literally no other structure holding the body together but the floors and subrails. And when I do, it is 0.083".
Too bad about the engine, trans and interior. Because the hand brake was on the transmission there is none on the rear axle. That means you might as well plan on replacing that too. The easiest and cheapest course would be to buy a running car that you can take the engine, trans, rear axle, radiator etc out of. Unfortunately there are not that many suitable old cars left. You sure have a major project there. With all the missing parts, and rusted out floors, it might be too far gone to save. Wonder what it would cost to buy a better one and use that one for parts? Are there any 55 Imperials on Craigslist or Ebay? If you could buy one complete and running for a few thousand bucks it would be money well spent.
That would be a good deal. There is enough room in the engine compartment for practically anything. A 5.7 Hemi would be nice, and they have been around long enough that you should be able to find one. Even an old 360 and Torqueflite would give decent performance, and there is room for a 440 if you have one. It would be easier and cheaper to drive 1000 miles and get a better car, than try to fix one that is too far gone.
Boy Rusty .I learned that lesson from the 56 buick station wagon I had. I still have nightmares about it. LOL. Bruce.
If you really want to chop a car, this is the wrong choice for many reasons, mainly the glass as was already mentioned, a rare or uncommon car = expensive windshield, that is curved, some guys break 4 or 5 cutting one to fit, not to mention trying to find a new windshield gasket ...and a shitload of stainless to cut and fit too, if I had that imperial it would be a nice mild custom cruiser...my useless 2 cents. Sent from my iPhone using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
Nearly all the hot rods I have ever had started with projects too far gone to fix, it was the only way I could afford to get into the hobby. One advantage of starting with something too far gone is that you really can't hurt it. That doesn't seem to discourage too many people from telling you what you should or should not do with your personal pile of junk though. I do hope the OP understands that most that have commented on this thread are presenting educated opinions of the amount of work involved, compared to the amount of benefit from his proposed project modifications. Nothing is more discouraging then to be 2 years and a pile of money into a project when you realize it will never be completed, and there is no way to get even a fair portion of your money back out of it. We have been there, and we are trying to save you from the same missteps we took. But like us, if you choose to go your direction, take us along for the ride, we will probably be able to help at some point. Gene
Thanks for all the replys guys. I understand where you are coming from with all that you guys say, thats kinda why I picked this car in my search I did find nicer cars to start with. However I do plan on this being a start for me to try techniques that I have never used before see what I know and what I need to learn. My ultimate goal in life is to build custom cars and bikes and this is a route that I will have to take to get there. I could scrap this car and buy something nice to drive but I currently own plenty of vehicles to drive. Lol. I want to try things and body wise this is solid except a few spots mainly just anything thay was horizonal while it sat is gone but only in cab and trunk. Like I say I'm not looking to make an all out show car my first time around, I may or I may fail but I will try. I'm glad to know I have some good guys here on the HAMB to help me out when the time comes and if not I will sadly go the route @gene-koning said and throw away my money but knowledge will remain. Will post some updates on build in a couple days for those read to see some action. Thanks guys!
I've found over the years that there is always a price you have pay for an education. It sounds like the money you are investing in this project will be part of your educational expenses. Sometimes learning can be a lot of fun, sometimes, not so much. Fire up the cutoff wheels and let the education begin! Wear eye, hearing, and body protection, watch where the flying sparks land, and have some fun. If you get in a jam, we are always willing to give you our thoughts, you will have to sort out which ones you will choose to listen to, and which ones to ignore. Gene
It sounds like you have the ambition, and aren't afraid to try. That's all I had when I got started. For inspiration, read the thread "Watch me section my Desoto" Similar era and sized car, and he totally changed the look of that car!
I'm trying to think where you could go with that whale. I'm thinking, start by welding up the floors and generally restoring the body. For the powertrain, a Mopar early Hemi crate motor 528 cu in. If that is too spendy how about a used or rebuilt 440. Torqueflite, PS PB all the luxury conveniences. For the outside some mild dechroming and a conservative paint job. The interior is where you spend your creativity, make it a really special luxury job. Finish off with wide whites and wire wheels, or if you prefer, dub wheels and rubber band tires. Call it "The Imperialist". The nice thing about a car like that is, it is old and rare enough you don't have to change it much to have something unique and distinctive.
If you want to go ahead don't overmatch yourself. Do the basics first and get it on the road or get it running. Keep your eyes open for a good parts car like a rusty or crash damaged Chrysler or big Dodge. It will be a learning experience no matter how it turns out.
Had a few free days this past couple weeks to do mainly cleanup on the car interior. I also went ahead and pulled the wiring because it was so dry rotted so bad the plastic would crumble off of it and I don't like fires (plus wiring is one of my favorite things to do). I was also able to get the car down to where I wanted it to be pre body drop. Very excited to know that I will be able to meet my goals with the entire front suspension being stock. I am not worried about the drum brakes up front it will have plenty of stopping power for what I will be doing with this car. The rear is going to get a tri 4 link and again no notch will be needed just stock frame. Does anybody know of a company that makes the suspension bushings for the Imperial besides rare parts? Here's a few pictures of the progress I plan on knocking out a few other small jobs on the car in the next couple weeks but looks like I will be retaining the body as it is with only removing the bottom part of rocker under door where the chrome is currently. I will be keeping the chrome tho I plan to rework it to be mounted to the bottom of the doors and fender.
My expectation is that Imperial, Chrysler and DeSoto from that era used the same suspension bits. Try Kanter for starters but if you search Hemmings Motor News you will find a number of MOPAR parts specialists. Car does look good setting down like that. Ray
Check here for any trim or mechanical parts needed. They just may have what you need....https://www.wildcatmopars.com/
I have not accounted for it. This is with no springs under the car the absolute lowest it will go when bags are deflated (sitting on bumpstops). I will account for the engine and trans once I start mounting my airride system. @Hnstray Thanks! @31Dodger Luckily I have all trim except tail lights and the crown on hood. Thanks for the link I'm sure it will become useful.
I don't know anything about custom cars but I know what I like. You can't improve a single thing about this car. IMHO!
We are doing a 56 New Yorker that had the Hemi harvested for another Rod project. Decided to swap in a late 60s 383. Just had to fab a transmission cross member, some motor mounts and the kick down linkage. Fits in nicely and doesn't look too out of place in the car.
Tony you are a man after my own heart. That is what I wanted to say but getting tired of being bagged on for suggesting not turning a Rolex into a Casio on a hot rod site. As for the suspension, Chrysler often used the same suspension on Imperial, Chrysler station wagons and limousines. But it would be easiest to just order Imperial parts. They are different, even the wheels are different, with a larger bolt pattern than other Chrysler products.
I have a '65 Chrysler Newport 4dr. Its a 383/2bbl with TF trans. I'm in Little Rock, Arkansas. I'd take $900.
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