Imperial Home Page -> Imperials by Year -> 1956 Chrysler Imperial Home Page -> Walter Fletcher's 1956 Imperial
How did you acquire the car and what were the circumstances surrounding your acquisition of it?
Have been looking for a 55 Desoto hardtop for a number of years as I had a 55 wagon in junior college. This car came up on e-bay and was purchased. That buyer defaulted and it came up again a few weeks later when I purchased it from a gentleman who only had it for 4 months. He got it to go along with his 56 sedan but decided to resell it instead. He got it from the second owner who is 86 and had the car since 1978. Purchased car and drove it home from Healdsburg, Oregon to Redding, Ca. Got 14 miles per gallon.
Is there anything worth mentioning about the previous owners or the history of your car?
Have not been able to obtain any information about previous owner or history other than previous owners were non smokers. Cars lighters and ashtrays have never been used. Previous owners repainted car cream and coral. Original colors were sand dune beige and desert rose. they also redid front seat in white instead of tan leather. Otherwise car is complete and original. That old 56 is a poor wrong color repaint and wrong front seat leather but the whole car is there down to the rear wheel wooden block for chocking the rear tires.
Does your car have a name? How did it come by that name?
No name yet.
What do you like best/least about this car?
The fact that it is a totally unique car and so far has brought only good reactions from people. I am looking forward to refurbishing it.
What are the funniest reactions/statements made about your car?
What is it? And one fellow wanted to know what year Desoto it was. And another wanted to know how many bodies would fit in the trunk.
Are there any unusual features/options/quirks about your car?
Previous owners installed a number of auxiliary switches to turn off everything from ignition to radio to antenna.
Pictures taken in Healdsburg Oregon.
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