Favorite Fuselage Imperial

[Zezima]

Search would indicate this question's never been asked before, so figured I'd start a series of polls (one for each brand, since polls only allow 10 options per thread) to see where this site's preferences lie. Also may take multiple replies since there's also a limit of 10 attachments per post, and I like having pictures.

First starting with the simplest poll (only 5 options): Imperial.

You can select as many options as you want, and you can change your vote at any time.

1969:

Front:
· Grille has center dividing lines.
· Hood emblem is the eagle logo.
· Imperial script in the bottom right of the grille.
· Contained turn signals which don't touch the inner edges of the bumper.

Side:
· Shark gill side lights.
· Body moulding follows upper beltline.
· Side skirts.
· Feature line crease in the lower third of the body.
· Imperial logo is front of the door, behind wheel well.
· Rear marker light is small red rectangle on lower fender.
· Circular side mirrors.

Rear:
· Tail lights are two clean, unbroken assemblies.
· Imperial script in the center.
· Singular eagle logo on the trunk.

 

[Zezima]

1970:

Front:
· Turn signals elongated and widened to touch the edges of the bumper.
· No more feature lines on the grille; egg crate pattern only.
· Imperial script center right.
· Turn signals no longer have Imperial logo.

Side:
· Body moulding positioned on lower third of body.
· Front side markers become single broad rectangle.
· Side fender logo becomes eagle only.
· Rear side marker moved to bumper.
· No fender skirts.

Rear:
· Tail light assemblies become divided into 4 segments each.
· Reverse lights replace the center divide.
· Imperial script is moved above the tail lights.

 

[Zezima]

1971:

Front:
· Appliques added to headlight doors, resembling the '65-'66 shape.
· Hood logo replaces the eagle with Imperial script.

Side:
· Front fender emblem removed.
· Rear fender script added.
· Side mirrors become rectangular.
· Return of fender skirts.

Rear:
· Imperial script removed from bumper entirely.
· Badge "Imperial by Chrysler" added to bottom right of trunk.

 

[Zezima]

1972:


Front:
· Turn signals have their own housings separate from the grille.
· Hood form changes; more raised and smooth, while fenders become more pronounced.
· Eagle logo becomes smaller, gets its own ring/wreath.
· Imperial script moved back to bottom right of the grille.
· Bumper no longer extends as far down as previous years, narrower chrome real estate.
· Hood cowl vents are no longer in one group; they are now four separate groups more spread out.

Side:
· Front side markers become bisected with body-colored cover.
· Back of the front side marker now follows the line of the wheel well.
· Rear marker light now takes the shape of the Imperial logo, accompanied by Imperial script.
· Side forms become "softer," no longer has scooped divot at the top of the doors meeting the C pillar.

Rear:
· Bumper completely reshaped.
· Tail lights are now vertical.
· Tail lights are bisected vertically.
· Trunk and bumper no longer touching.
· Eagle logo now matches front with its own ring.
· "Imperial by Chrysler" in the bottom right, now between the bumper and trunk.

 

[Zezima]

1973:

Front:
· Grille texture becomes finer; no longer egg crate.
· Imperial script remains in the bottom right.
· 5 mph bumpers added.

Side:
·

Rear:
· Tail light assemblies become slimmer, no longer bisected.
· Tail lights have their own outline now.
· 5 mph bumpers added.

 

[CBODY67]

Interesting how subtle changes happened each year!

The '69 and '70 front grilles would have looked good on an early '60s Buick Riviera, with the outboard park/turn signal lights.

Take care,
CBODY67

 

[Zezima]

Decided to add some explanatory details between cosmetic changes in years. Let me know if there's anything I missed or got something wrong.

Also, interesting spread so far:

 

[ayilar]

1969 is the most beautiful to my eyes, but the car was not ready for prime time. 1970 still has the old AutoTemp, no thanks. That means 1971 for me.

 

[Superbird]

The 1970 model is my favorite, and gets my vote. These are the reasons for my subjective opinion:

The 70 model is the only one without fender skirts, which makes for a cleaner look.
The 70 model 2 d ht has the nicest optional bucket seat with the five pillow style design (picture).
The 70 has the cleanest undisturbed grille texture.
The 70 has the most attractive side trim, with the upper body pinstripe and the lower body bright moulding trim.
The 70 has the 10 box style taillights, and the Imperial name in block letters, in the rear bumper.
The 70 model has less plastic pieces in the dashboard trim than later models.
The 70 model is the last year for the 350 hp high compression 440, before the compression and hp ratings trended down.
The 70 model is the last year for Imperial as a standalone make, before it got to be "Imperial by Chrysler" in 1971, and ending 16 model years of pure Imperials.

The 69 has nicer hubcaps, but as luck would have it my loaded Y13 demonstrator built 1970 LeBaron 2 d ht was built on the very first day of production (August 4, 1969), and it got the 69 hubcaps installed on the assembly line. It was one of the first five Imperials built that year.