Re: IML: Automobiles of the Chrome Age

["Bill Watson" <wwatson5@xxxxxxxxx>]

If the body is clearly an Imperial body, then it is also a Chrysler and
DeSoto body as the 1955-56 Imperials shared bodies with the DeSoto and
Chrysler.  The 1955 Imperial hardtop used the DeSoto/Chrysler hardtop body
with the rear wheels moved back 3", thus giving longer rear quarters and
trunk.   The Imperial sedan in 1955 used the DeSoto/Chrysler sedan body with
3" longer front doors (and floor, rockers, roof,..).   Which is why all the
glass from a 1955-56 DeSoto or Chrysler will fit similar 1955-56 Imperials,
with the exception of the front door glass on the 1955 Imperial sedan.  All
1956 Imperial sedan and hardtop models sued the DeSoto/Chrysler units with
the rear wheels moved back 7" over the DeSoto/Chrysler wheelbase for 133".

Thus it would not be that difficult in 1955 to take the DeSoto/Chrysler
convertible body, put in on a 1955 Imperial chassis and install the Imperial
front clip.  That is what Chrysler did with the hardtops.   It would be
possible to install the hardtop rear sheet metal to the convertible with a
little (?) reworking to accept the convertible top instead of the hardtop
rear quarter windows and backlight.

Or take a Chrysler convertible, install the Imperial front clip and modify
the Chrysler rear end to look like an Imperial.   This version would thus be
on the shorter 126" DeSoto/Chrysler chassis instead of the Imperial's 129"
chassis.

So if the 1955 Imperial convertible has a shorter wheelbase than the
hardtop, the car was built on the New Yorker chassis.

Bill
Vancouver, BC



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "M Turner" <tminjesu@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 7:10 PM
Subject: Re: IML: Automobiles of the Chrome Age


> It may well have been a New Yorker platform, but Furman does not state
that
> in his book.  The body clearly is an Imperial body.  It does look
> "stretched", which could be the result of the shorter wheelbase.  I
frankly
> do not have enough details to say one way or the other.  Putting all that
> aside, it is a truly magnificent car to behold.
>
> Vince in Boston
>
>
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Christopher H" <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Wednesday, November 30, 2005 7:53 PM
> Subject: Re: IML: Automobiles of the Chrome Age
>
>
> >I think you mentioned the clue in your reply: "a shortened wheelbase."
This
> >lends credence to the car starting out as a New Yorker, as it ended up
with
> >the New Yorker's wheelbase, not the Imperial's longer one.
> >
> > Keller might have based his visual ideas off an Imperial (the more
logical
> > place to start envisioning), but it would make more sense to build the
car
> > itself from a New Yorker convertible as there would be fewer structural
> > differences.
> >
> > Chris in LA
> >



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