The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a full-size luxury car produced by Chrysler. It was the flagship model of the Chrysler brand and was available in a variety of body styles, including a four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop, and a convertible. The Imperial was powered by a 392 cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower. It was also equipped with a variety of luxury features, including power windows, power seats, and air conditioning.
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a significant car for Chrysler. It was the first car to be equipped with the company’s new TorqueFlite automatic transmission. It was also the first car to be offered with a padded dashboard and seat belts. These features helped to make the Imperial one of the most luxurious and safest cars on the market.
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic car that is still popular with collectors today. It is a beautiful and powerful car that represents the best of American luxury and engineering.
1958 Chrysler Imperial
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a significant car for Chrysler, representing the pinnacle of American luxury and engineering. Here are ten key aspects that highlight its importance:
- Luxury: The Imperial was Chrysler’s top-of-the-line model, offering the utmost in comfort and amenities.
- Power: The Imperial’s powerful 392 cubic-inch V8 engine provided impressive performance.
- Style: The Imperial’s sleek and stylish design turned heads wherever it went.
- Innovation: The Imperial was the first car to be equipped with Chrysler’s new TorqueFlite automatic transmission.
- Safety: The Imperial was one of the safest cars on the market, featuring a padded dashboard and seat belts.
- Comfort: The Imperial’s spacious interior and plush seats provided a comfortable ride for passengers.
- Convenience: The Imperial was equipped with a variety of convenience features, including power windows and power seats.
- Status: The Imperial was a status symbol, owned by celebrities and dignitaries.
- Collectible: The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic car that is highly sought-after by collectors.
- Legacy: The Imperial played an important role in Chrysler’s history, helping to establish the brand’s reputation for luxury and innovation.
These key aspects demonstrate the significance of the 1958 Chrysler Imperial. It was a car that combined luxury, power, style, and innovation in a way that no other car could match. The Imperial was a true icon of the American automotive industry, and it remains a popular collector car today.
Luxury
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was the epitome of luxury. It was Chrysler’s flagship model, and it offered the utmost in comfort and amenities. The Imperial was available in a variety of body styles, including a four-door sedan, a two-door hardtop, and a convertible. It was also equipped with a variety of luxury features, including power windows, power seats, air conditioning, and a padded dashboard. These features helped to make the Imperial one of the most luxurious cars on the market.
The Imperial’s luxury was a major factor in its success. Customers were willing to pay a premium for a car that offered the best in comfort and amenities. The Imperial’s luxury also helped to burnish Chrysler’s reputation as a builder of high-quality cars.
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic example of American luxury. It was a car that was designed to impress, and it succeeded. The Imperial’s luxury is still appreciated today by collectors and enthusiasts.
Power
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was powered by a 392 cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower. This engine was one of the most powerful engines available in a production car at the time. It gave the Imperial impressive performance, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 8 seconds. The Imperial’s powerful engine was a major selling point for the car. Customers wanted a car that could perform, and the Imperial delivered.
The Imperial’s engine was also very reliable. It was able to withstand the demands of everyday driving, as well as the rigors of racing. In fact, the Imperial was a popular choice for NASCAR drivers in the late 1950s and early 1960s. The Imperial’s powerful and reliable engine helped it to become one of the most successful cars on the track.
The Imperial’s engine is a key part of what makes it such a special car. It is a powerful and reliable engine that provides impressive performance. The Imperial’s engine is a testament to Chrysler’s engineering prowess, and it is one of the reasons why the Imperial is still so popular today.
Style
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a stylish car that turned heads wherever it went. Its sleek design was a major factor in its success. Here are a few of the key elements that contributed to the Imperial’s stylish design:
- Long, low, and wide: The Imperial was a big car, but it was also very sleek and stylish. Its long, low, and wide proportions gave it a very distinctive look.
- Sweeping lines: The Imperial’s body was covered in sweeping lines that gave it a very fluid and graceful appearance.
- Tailfins: The Imperial’s tailfins were one of its most distinctive features. They were large and sweeping, and they helped to give the car a very dramatic look.
- Chrome accents: The Imperial was adorned with chrome accents that added to its luxurious and stylish appearance.
The Imperial’s stylish design was a major factor in its success. It was a car that was both beautiful and distinctive, and it appealed to a wide range of buyers. The Imperial’s design is still admired today by collectors and enthusiasts.
Innovation
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a significant car for Chrysler, and one of the key reasons for this was its innovative features. The Imperial was the first car to be equipped with Chrysler’s new TorqueFlite automatic transmission. This transmission was a major advancement in automatic transmission technology, and it quickly became the industry standard. The TorqueFlite transmission was smooth, reliable, and efficient, and it made driving the Imperial a much more enjoyable experience.
The TorqueFlite transmission was a key component of the Imperial’s success. It helped to make the Imperial one of the most popular luxury cars on the market. The TorqueFlite transmission was also used in a variety of other Chrysler products, and it helped to establish Chrysler as a leader in automatic transmission technology.
The TorqueFlite transmission is a good example of how innovation can lead to success. Chrysler was willing to invest in new technology, and the TorqueFlite transmission was a major payoff. The TorqueFlite transmission helped to make the Imperial a better car, and it also helped to improve Chrysler’s overall reputation.
Safety
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was one of the safest cars on the market, featuring a padded dashboard and seat belts. This was a significant innovation at the time, as most cars did not come with these safety features. The Imperial’s safety features were a major selling point for the car, and they helped to make it one of the most popular luxury cars on the market.
- Padded dashboard: The Imperial’s padded dashboard was designed to protect passengers in the event of a collision. This was a major safety feature, as it helped to reduce the risk of head injuries.
- Seat belts: The Imperial was also one of the first cars to come with seat belts as standard equipment. Seat belts are one of the most important safety features in a car, and they help to keep passengers in their seats in the event of a collision.
The Imperial’s safety features were a major factor in its success. Customers were willing to pay a premium for a car that offered the best in safety. The Imperial’s safety features also helped to burnish Chrysler’s reputation as a builder of high-quality cars.
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic example of American innovation. It was a car that was designed to be safe, and it succeeded. The Imperial’s safety features are still appreciated today by collectors and enthusiasts.
Comfort
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was renowned for its exceptional comfort, a key component that contributed to its overall appeal and success. The spacious interior provided ample room for passengers to stretch out and relax, while the plush seats offered a luxurious and comfortable ride experience.
The spacious interior was a major selling point for the Imperial. In an era where cars were often cramped and uncomfortable, the Imperial offered a welcome respite. Passengers could easily enter and exit the vehicle, and they had plenty of room to move around once inside. The spacious interior also made the Imperial a popular choice for families and those who frequently traveled with luggage or other items.
The plush seats were another key component of the Imperial’s comfort. The seats were made from high-quality materials and were designed to provide excellent support and cushioning. Passengers could sit in the Imperial for hours without experiencing any discomfort or fatigue. The plush seats also added to the car’s overall luxurious feel.
The combination of a spacious interior and plush seats made the 1958 Chrysler Imperial one of the most comfortable cars on the market. This comfort was a major factor in the Imperial’s success, and it remains a key selling point for luxury cars today.
Convenience
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was known for its convenience features, which were not commonly found in cars of its era. These features were designed to enhance the comfort and ease of use for drivers and passengers.
- Power windows: Power windows were a major convenience feature in the 1950s. They allowed drivers and passengers to open and close the windows with the touch of a button, rather than manually cranking them. This was especially useful for the large windows on the Imperial.
- Power seats: Power seats were another major convenience feature. They allowed drivers to adjust the seat position with the touch of a button, rather than manually adjusting the seat.
These convenience features were a major selling point for the Imperial. They made the car more comfortable and easier to drive, which was appealing to buyers. The convenience features also helped to burnish Chrysler’s reputation as a builder of high-quality cars.
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic example of American innovation. It was a car that was designed to be convenient and easy to use, and it succeeded. The Imperial’s convenience features are still appreciated today by collectors and enthusiasts.
Status
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a status symbol, owned by celebrities and dignitaries. This was due to its combination of luxury, performance, and style. The Imperial was one of the most expensive cars on the market, and it was seen as a symbol of success and wealth. Celebrities and dignitaries who owned Imperials included Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, and President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
The Imperial’s status as a status symbol was important to its success. It helped to create a demand for the car, and it also helped to burnish Chrysler’s reputation as a builder of high-quality cars. The Imperial’s status as a status symbol also had a practical significance. It meant that the car was often used for important events, such as state dinners and award ceremonies.
The connection between the Imperial’s status as a status symbol and its success is a reminder of the importance of image and perception in the automotive industry. Cars are often seen as a reflection of their owners, and the Imperial’s status as a status symbol helped to make it a desirable car for those who wanted to project an image of success and wealth.
Collectible
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic car that is highly sought-after by collectors due to its unique combination of style, luxury, and performance. Several factors contribute to its collectibility, including its historical significance, rarity, and design.
- Historical significance: The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a significant car in the history of the automotive industry. It was the first car to be equipped with Chrysler’s new TorqueFlite automatic transmission, which was a major advancement in automatic transmission technology. The Imperial was also one of the first cars to come with safety features such as a padded dashboard and seat belts.
- Rarity: The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a relatively rare car, with only 25,000 units produced. This rarity makes it a desirable collector car, as it is not as common as some other classic cars.
- Design: The 1958 Chrysler Imperial has a stylish and distinctive design that is reminiscent of the “Golden Age” of American car design. Its sleek lines, tailfins, and chrome accents make it a visually appealing car that stands out from other cars of its era.
The combination of historical significance, rarity, and design makes the 1958 Chrysler Imperial a highly sought-after collector car. Collectors are willing to pay a premium for these cars, and they are often used in car shows and other events.
Legacy
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a significant car in Chrysler’s history. It was the first car to be equipped with Chrysler’s new TorqueFlite automatic transmission, which was a major advancement in automatic transmission technology. The Imperial was also one of the first cars to come with safety features such as a padded dashboard and seat belts. These innovations helped to establish Chrysler’s reputation for luxury and innovation.
The Imperial’s legacy as a luxury and innovative car continues to this day. The current Chrysler 300 is the direct descendant of the Imperial, and it shares many of the same design cues and features. The 300 is also known for its luxury and innovation, and it is one of the most popular sedans on the market.
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a reminder of Chrysler’s rich history of innovation and luxury. This car helped to establish Chrysler’s reputation as a builder of high-quality cars, and its legacy continues to this day.
FAQs about the 1958 Chrysler Imperial
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic car that is known for its luxury, performance, and style. Here are some frequently asked questions about this iconic vehicle:
Question 1: What was the significance of the 1958 Chrysler Imperial?
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a significant car for several reasons. It was the first car to be equipped with Chrysler’s new TorqueFlite automatic transmission, which was a major advancement in automatic transmission technology. The Imperial was also one of the first cars to come with safety features such as a padded dashboard and seat belts. These innovations helped to establish Chrysler’s reputation for luxury and innovation.
Question 2: What engine did the 1958 Chrysler Imperial have?
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was powered by a 392 cubic-inch V8 engine that produced 325 horsepower. This engine was one of the most powerful engines available in a production car at the time. It gave the Imperial impressive performance, allowing it to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 8 seconds.
Question 3: What are some of the unique features of the 1958 Chrysler Imperial?
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial had several unique features that set it apart from other cars of its era. These features included its long, low, and wide proportions; its sweeping lines; its large and sweeping tailfins; and its chrome accents. The Imperial was also one of the first cars to come with power windows and power seats as standard equipment.
Question 4: How many 1958 Chrysler Imperials were produced?
A total of 25,000 1958 Chrysler Imperials were produced. This makes it a relatively rare car, which contributes to its collectibility.
Question 5: What is the value of a 1958 Chrysler Imperial today?
The value of a 1958 Chrysler Imperial today varies depending on its condition and rarity. However, these cars can sell for anywhere from $20,000 to $100,000 or more.
Question 6: Where can I find more information about the 1958 Chrysler Imperial?
There are several resources available online where you can find more information about the 1958 Chrysler Imperial. These resources include the Chrysler website, the Imperial Club website, and various automotive history websites.
These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the 1958 Chrysler Imperial. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
Summary: The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic car that is known for its luxury, performance, and style. It is a significant car in Chrysler’s history, and it remains a popular collector car today.
Transition: If you are interested in learning more about the 1958 Chrysler Imperial, please visit the resources listed above.
Tips for Maintaining a 1958 Chrysler Imperial
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a classic car that requires special care and attention to maintain its value and performance. Here are a few tips to help you keep your Imperial in top condition:
Tip 1: Regular Maintenance is Key
Regular maintenance is essential for any car, but it is especially important for a classic car like the 1958 Chrysler Imperial. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule, which includes regular oil changes, tire rotations, and brake inspections.
Tip 2: Use High-Quality Parts
When it comes to maintaining your Imperial, it is important to use high-quality parts. This means using genuine Chrysler parts or high-quality aftermarket parts that are specifically designed for the Imperial.
Tip 3: Store Your Imperial Properly
If you are not going to be driving your Imperial for an extended period of time, it is important to store it properly. This means storing it in a dry, well-ventilated area. You should also disconnect the battery and cover the car with a car cover.
Tip 4: Protect the Paint
The paint on a 1958 Chrysler Imperial is delicate and can be easily damaged. Be sure to wash and wax your Imperial regularly to protect the paint from the elements.
Tip 5: Find a Good Mechanic
If you are not comfortable working on your Imperial yourself, it is important to find a good mechanic who is familiar with classic cars. A good mechanic can help you keep your Imperial in top condition and avoid costly repairs.
Summary: By following these tips, you can help to maintain the value and performance of your 1958 Chrysler Imperial for many years to come.
Transition: If you have any questions about maintaining your 1958 Chrysler Imperial, please consult with a qualified mechanic.
Conclusion
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial was a significant car in automotive history. It was the first car to be equipped with Chrysler’s new TorqueFlite automatic transmission, and it was also one of the first cars to come with safety features such as a padded dashboard and seat belts. These innovations helped to establish Chrysler’s reputation for luxury and innovation.
The 1958 Chrysler Imperial is a reminder of a time when American cars were known for their style, performance, and luxury. This car is a classic in every sense of the word, and it continues to be admired by collectors and enthusiasts today.