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Veteran
Posts: 163
 
Location: SW MO | http://milwaukee.craigslist.org/cto/5896762528.html
We may have discussed this car some time ago. The missing front fender seems to jog the memory. Not sure about the story of the origin of the three convertibles but a special car nonetheless. Hard to believe anyone could have abandoned a car so magnificent outdoors for any amount of time. I once saw footage of the astronauts that landed on the moon riding in a parade on a '56 Imperial convertible. It was probably 13 years old at the time, and still worthy of such a celebration.
I am almost afraid to inquire about the asking price. |
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Expert
Posts: 2221
Location: Muskego, WI | This car was discovered almost 10 years ago, see story below.
http://www.oldcarsweekly.com/news/hobby-news/1956_imperial_converti...
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Veteran
Posts: 163
Location: SW MO | Interesting. Thanks for the link. I seem to vaguely remember that now.
Same photos from the 9 year old OCW article used in the current CL ad. They estimated a year to restore. Looks like it's 10 years going on never. |
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Expert
Posts: 2221
Location: Muskego, WI | I'm hoping I can meet the owner and see the condition up front, only because I already have so many spare Imperial parts. |
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Expert
Posts: 4654
| He's asking 30K for both...... |
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Expert
Posts: 3002
Location: Sept. 1958 | That would be one hell of a car all restored. A beautifully restored blue one was shown at Hershey this past October. Weren't the ones that astronauts, politicians, etc seen in were 4 door convertibles? |
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Veteran
Posts: 163
Location: SW MO | I just received a confirmation e-mail that the price of entry is $30K. I'll have to think about that for awhile. An open car exposed in a northern climate for decades would indicate that just about everything on the car will have to be replaced. There is probably a reason there are no current photos. One hell of a car when done no doubt, but it would take one hell of a restoration effort.
I never saw more than a few glimpses of the parade footage. But you could be right on the astronauts in a 4-door "convertible". Los Angeles City or County has a '56 Imperial parade car. It could have very well been one like that.
Keep us posted Jon if you do get to see it in person.
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Expert
Posts: 2524
Location: Houston | It probably has interior parts that are damaged beyond repair and are unobtainable.
It'd be an awesome car, for sure, but other than a very small group of people not many will really car about a 56 Imperial convert.
As with many cars...it's a shame it was neglected when we all know simply letting it sit indoors undisturbed would have preserved it in far greater shape. It's my mantra....letting anything sit outdoors is the kiss of death.
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Expert
Posts: 2221
Location: Muskego, WI | My '56 Imperial sat INDOORS in WI for 39 years and it was still rotten as hell. This one sat OUTSIDE for 30+ years with only an old truck bed cap sitting over the convertible top. Think it would be worth a few hundred thousand restored if it was legit? |
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Location: Parts Unknown | For some cars, there is no option to "shop around". It's either
"go large, or go home" with a car like this. My DeSoto is pretty
much the same ball of wax. It would not have been my first choice
to attack such a rusty car, but just go ahead and try to find another,
let alone a better one !
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 10492
Location: So. Cal | christine-lover - 2016-12-02 4:45 PM
That would be one hell of a car all restored. A beautifully restored blue one was shown at Hershey this past October. Weren't the ones that astronauts, politicians, etc seen in were 4 door convertibles?
No. The parade cars were actually older '52 Ghias that were updated with '56 sheet metal to advertise the new Forward Look. And they weren't convertibles either. They were Phaeton body styles with two windshields and ****pits.
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Member
Posts: 38
| Does anyone have any info on 1956 Chrysler Imperial Convertibles? I have heard that they built 3? The model number of those cars and the VINs of those 3 REAL cars???
Thx |
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 11083
Location: Lower Mainland BC | .
The convertible wasn't even listed as an optional body style in at least one 56 Imperial brochure:
https://www.lov2xlr8.no/brochures/chrysler/56chri/56chri.html
That said, the parts book for 55-58 shows convertible top parts for Chrysler and Imperial, implying that it might have been possible
to construct an Imperial convertible with Chrysler convertible parts. Maybe.
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Member
Posts: 38
| thank you!
I found an interesting article on the imperial site aboyt the 3 cars that were supposedly built |
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Member
Posts: 38
| thank you!
I found an interesting article on the imperial site aboyt the 3 cars that were supposedly built |
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Member
Posts: 38
| thank you!
I found an interesting article on the imperial site about the 3 cars that were supposedly built |
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Member
Posts: 38
| thank you!
I found an interesting article on the imperial site about the 3 cars that were supposedly built |
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Member
Posts: 38
| thank you!
I found an interesting article on the imperial site about the 3 cars that were supposedly built |
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Exner Expert 10K+
Posts: 11083
Location: Lower Mainland BC | 56newyorker - 2025-07-22 10:39 AM
thank you!
I found an interesting article on the imperial site about the 3 cars that were supposedly built
As others have suggested to you, there were three dual cowl Imperial open parade cars. They started off as 1952 Imperials but were
updated by the factory in 1955 to appear like 1956 Imperials.
Jay Leno goes through the history of these cars with the two caretakers of the Los Angeles car:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MIlgnvblM8
Edited by 56D500boy 2025-07-22 4:33 PM
 (JayLenoAndThe1952-56ImperialParadeCarsOnLenosGarage.jpg)
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JayLenoAndThe1952-56ImperialParadeCarsOnLenosGarage.jpg (145KB - 255 downloads)
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Member
Posts: 38
| The parade car is amazing. Interesting how Chrysler took all 3 back and made them into 56's. The 3 (or 4) convertibles that were made are a little more practical and equally as rare! |
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Member
Posts: 38
| The parade car is amazing. Interesting how Chrysler took all 3 back and made them into 56's. The 3 (or 4) convertibles that were made are a little more practical and equally as rare! |
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Member
Posts: 38
| The parade car is amazing. Interesting how Chrysler took all 3 back and made them into 56's. The 3 (or 4) convertibles that were made are a little more practical and equally as rare! |
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Expert
Posts: 2139
Location: Idaho - where men are men and spuds are spuds | Why so many repeat messages?  |
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Member
Posts: 38
| thx for bring that to my attention. any thing to contribute to the thread, or just that? |
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1956 Imperial Convertible
