Photo: Bogdan Popa/autoevolution/eBay seller gbtrainsales
A 1961 Chrysler Imperial Crown made its way to eBay earlier this week, promising a unique package that you rarely find these days.
The car is complete and original, and based on the images shared by seller gbtrainsales, it's been sitting in someone's yard waiting for a complete restoration.
Unlike most restoration candidates, this 1961 Imperial comes with clean undersides, so rust isn't a major concern this time. It doesn't mean the vehicle is a perfect ten because it's not. The seller lists all problems on eBay, but as a spoiler, the Imperial still needs occasional metalwork.
Fortunately, it's not a rust bucket, and the shared images speak for themselves. The overall condition is above the average, and the interior comes with its share of problems. The dash is already cracked, but the good news is that the entire cabin is still in place.
In plain English, this Imperial is a restoration candidate that still has everything you'd need to bring it back to the road, though some of the parts might need to be replaced.
Unfortunately, the car doesn't come with good news in the engine department. The original V8 is still there – a 413 V8 with a 4-barrel Carter carburetor and paired with a Torqueflite transmission. The engine no longer runs, and the horrible news is that it doesn't show signs of life either. The V8 looks seized as it didn't turn over by hand, so you must inspect it thoroughly before committing to a purchase. Find a good mechanic and have them check out the engine because it'd be a shame to lose the original mill if you restore the car.
The seller claims their Imperial is an early production car, as it's number 525 of 4,769 units built for this model year.
Imperial built 12,258 cars in 1961, and the convertible was the rarest, accounting for just 428 units. Obviously, this makes the convertible the model collectors are drooling over, but considering the limited output, any Imperial in good shape is an intriguing restoration candidate. The two and four-door hardtops were the most common for this model year, and most came as Custom, LeBaron, and Crown models. The four-door hardtop that landed on eBay this week is a Crown.
The car is a project in all regards, so the selling price is not surprising. The owner expects to get $5,000 for their Imperial, which is a fair expectation, considering the overall shape inside and outside. The non-working engine is the biggest concern, especially because it's already locked up from sitting, and it's probably the reason the owner has also enabled the Make Offer button on eBay.
Your best option is to travel to Arlington Heights, Illinois, and see the vehicle in person before making a decision over a potential purchase.
Unlike most restoration candidates, this 1961 Imperial comes with clean undersides, so rust isn't a major concern this time. It doesn't mean the vehicle is a perfect ten because it's not. The seller lists all problems on eBay, but as a spoiler, the Imperial still needs occasional metalwork.
Fortunately, it's not a rust bucket, and the shared images speak for themselves. The overall condition is above the average, and the interior comes with its share of problems. The dash is already cracked, but the good news is that the entire cabin is still in place.
In plain English, this Imperial is a restoration candidate that still has everything you'd need to bring it back to the road, though some of the parts might need to be replaced.
Unfortunately, the car doesn't come with good news in the engine department. The original V8 is still there – a 413 V8 with a 4-barrel Carter carburetor and paired with a Torqueflite transmission. The engine no longer runs, and the horrible news is that it doesn't show signs of life either. The V8 looks seized as it didn't turn over by hand, so you must inspect it thoroughly before committing to a purchase. Find a good mechanic and have them check out the engine because it'd be a shame to lose the original mill if you restore the car.
The seller claims their Imperial is an early production car, as it's number 525 of 4,769 units built for this model year.
Imperial built 12,258 cars in 1961, and the convertible was the rarest, accounting for just 428 units. Obviously, this makes the convertible the model collectors are drooling over, but considering the limited output, any Imperial in good shape is an intriguing restoration candidate. The two and four-door hardtops were the most common for this model year, and most came as Custom, LeBaron, and Crown models. The four-door hardtop that landed on eBay this week is a Crown.
The car is a project in all regards, so the selling price is not surprising. The owner expects to get $5,000 for their Imperial, which is a fair expectation, considering the overall shape inside and outside. The non-working engine is the biggest concern, especially because it's already locked up from sitting, and it's probably the reason the owner has also enabled the Make Offer button on eBay.
Your best option is to travel to Arlington Heights, Illinois, and see the vehicle in person before making a decision over a potential purchase.
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