West Coast Classics are proud to present an exceptionally straight and rust free and great daily driving survivor of this very rare (1 of only 577 built) and original YM27 Mopar - a 1967 Chrysler Imperial Crown 2 door Convertible loaded with every option available as originally factory ordered by the 'Imps of Omaha' and presented in its original 'Daffodil yellow' (code R) factory color paint matched to it's all original 'Gold & Black' (trim code M3E) Imperial leather seats interior and with its highly desirable original 440 c.i. 4 BBL 350HP V8 engine with reportedly only 36K original miles and TorqueFlite automatic transmission, air conditioning, power steering, power brakes, power windows including vent windows, electric clock, and loaded with factory options including:
Air Conditioning: ($452)
Auto Pilot Automatic Speed Control ($95)
Bucket Seats with Leather Upholstery
Power Door Locks ($71)
Tilt a Scope steering wheel ($92)
Remote Trunk Release ($30)
Tinted Glass ($53)
Rear window defogger ($26)
Deck Lid Release ($30)
Power seat ($105)
AM /FM Radio with power antenna ($228)
Whitewall tires ($45)
Power windows
Power brakes
Power steering
Heater & Defroster
Retractable Seat Belts
Undercoating with Hood Silencer
Front & Rear Center Armrests
One of only some 577 Crown Convertibles built in '67 and the top-of-the-line model convertible model for the Chrysler Corporation and this is one of the legendary cars order by the 'Imps of Omaha' with every available factory option in 1967.
With the softest and most distinctive automotive leathers available of its day, rare 100 year old walnut, tempered glass protected headlamps, these Imperials stood out from their competition as being the height of unmistakably elegant automobiles.
From 1957 through 1968, there was an Omaha, Nebraska, 'Tangier Shrine' parade unit of Freemasons known as the IMPs (Imperial Motor Patrol). The group was made up of 23 businessmen who bought identical new Imperial convertible parade cars each year, which they drove in parades and other VIP events.
These Imperials were the largest fleet sales of Imperials for Chrysler and each year before the new models were built, a Chrysler VIP would meet with the Shriners to decide the color and how they wanted their new convertibles outfitted. Chrysler guaranteed no other convertible would be built exactly like them and that the Shiners cars would be the first convertibles off the assembly line. This made the 23 years of custom built Imperials extremely rare. One of the local Omaha Police motorcycle officers jobs was to escort the IMPs around town to parades and other functions.
This car, serial number 101688, was one of the "Imps of Omaha" cars.
For those folks that haven't heard of them .... a group of 'Shriners' who belonged to the Tangier Temple of Omaha, NE, bought 23 new identical Imperial convertibles every year from 1959 through '68. They used the cars in parades and special events. Naturally, such a large order got special attention in Detroit.
Reportedly the Shriners would order virtually identical cars with Masonic decals on the windshields an the Shriners would typically take delivery of the cars as soon as the models became available therefore with early serial numbers.
One of the Omaha Shriners who would fly up to Detroit each year and go to the Chrysler factory and take possession of the first 20+ new Imperial Converts off the line and they would then drive them back to Omaha in a group. What a sight that would have been to see! After the last two years of the Imperials (1967-1968) they switched to Cadillac Eldorado convertibles until they too ceased production in 1976. For a time in the 80's and 90's they also drove LeBaron or Mustang converts.
It us believed now that obviously the majority of the original 'Imps of Omaha' have now sadly passed on but after contacting the Tangier Shrine in Omaha it was recalled how the original 'Imps' would take the cars on tours to Kansas City or St. Louis and drive the "big wigs" around. Reportedly they would never get dark colors because they would not "stand out". The cars were Gold, Red, White and Yellow. Some of the original Imps were: A.E. Ruser, Potentate of Tangier Temple; Arthur Swaboda; Claude Gresham.
These 'Imps' were the first in the nation to take delivery of new model Imperials on new car announcement day by flying into Detroit's Willow Run Airport and meeting with Chrysler Division General Manager C.E. Briggs. The cars were purchased from Mr. F.M. Briley of 'Briley Motor Co'. in Omaha, for the first few years and later from 'Gateway Chrysler Plymouth', also of Omaha Nebraska, in the last few years.
The 1967's were Yellow exterior with a black top and the same unique Black/Gold leather used in the 66's. Sadly the end of the line! With the demise of the Imperial convertible in 1968, the Shriners were forced to switch makes and went to Caddy convertibles until they too ceased production in 1976. Later they drove LeBaron convertibles or 65 Mustang Convertibles. They are no longer known as the 'Imps of Omaha' as that name died with the Imperials. Later they were simply the Shriners motor patrol and can still be seen in local parades in and around Omaha Nebraska.
This particular car has been owned since new by only obviously very careful and mature owners and seemingly always been garaged as it is both a rust and accident free true survivor car! The car boasts its original 'Daffodil Yellow' factory color paint with its all original 'Gold & Black' color leather seats interior seats and trim.
The Imperial model of the late 50's and early 60's sold well and remained a strong contender with Cadillac and Lincoln, the two other luxury marques of its day. The 1963 mild face lift design was reminiscent of Virgil Exner's earlier designs and especially the Lincoln Continental which he had styled for Ford. By 1964 the Imperial was completely 'Continental' in character with its fenderline traced in brightwork like the big Lincolns and about the only left over in the design being the familiar hood ornament. Even the dash panel was completely redesigned. One of the models best features were its seats, especially the front ones which used air foam padding with Imperial's brochures referring to them as 'Executive Aircraft-Type Seats'. They were individually powered and gave both driver and passenger a high commanding view of the road ahead or let them sit lower if they wanted. Both seats had head rests which could be adjusted for height or removed and stored in their own compartments in the rear seats and a new feature of the Imperial Crown Coupe was a reclining front passenger seat making sleeping in the cars utterly smooth and quiet performance easy. The car boasted many other creature comforts for its day and was sold with extensive rust proofing being dipped seven times and sprayed six times before the nine coat paint job was applied. The first eight coats were hand rubbed and the last one was machine buffed!
The Imperial Crown Coupe and Convertible were the top-of-the-line models for the Chrysler lineup in 1967 and with only some 577 Convertibles built in total! This makes any survivors from this era quite rare and would make this particular car a prized asset to any dedicated Chrysler Imperial or MOPAR collection.
The original and very powerful 440 V8 engine with believed to be 36K original miles runs very strong and and this particular car drives really well - must be driven to be appreciated - does not miss a beat and purrs like a kitten - drives straight as an arrow with no strange road wobbles, shakes or rattles - a truly remarkable daily driver that will give any modern day car a run for it's money!
With very few remaining 1967 Crown Imperial Convertibles of this caliber left, this is an extremely unusual opportunity to own a very rare and great daily driving example of this rare and very desirable 1967 Imperial Crown 2 door Convertible loaded with factory options including air conditioning, leather upholstery, AM/FM with power antenna, cruise, tilt, power seat, power steering, power windows, power brakes and power locks etc in very fine daily driving condition ready and for any classic American car or Mopar enthusiast to enjoy or collect today!
