The following text is written by Richard Gebhard gebhard@ecd.rockwell.com
Here are some things you might like to know about the 75 Imperial in general...
1975 was the last model year for the full sized rear drive Imperial. This body style was only produced as an Imperial for model years 74 & 75, however it was also offered as a New Yorker and as a Newport during the 74-78 model years. In typical Chrysler fashion, the differences between the three nameplates is primarily in base model features and available options.
As the Newport was the lowest cost version of this car, they were marketed as a family sedan. New Yorkers have always been considered to be a Newport with more luxury, and as always, the Imperial remained the top of the line luxury Chrysler.
Front end styling is unique to the Imperial for the 74 & 75 models, but was later used for the 76-78 New Yorker. The 74 & 75 New Yorker shared a much squarer front end with the 74-78 Newport.
Every Imperial came with power winders, auto-temp air conditioning, tinted windows and 440cid engine with 4 barrel carb as standard equipment. Also standard on the Imperial, but not available for any other Chrysler product, were 4-wheel disk brakes. Most Imperials were built with a tilt and telescope steering column, automatic height adjusting rear shocks and automatic parking brake release.
In a word: rarity. A mere 6102 Imperials were produced for the 1975 model year, and very few remain.
This particular car, while not having every available option, is heavily optioned. Despite the fact that it is in need of a new vinyl top and a complete paint job, the body and leather interior are in very solid condition. Mechanically, the vehicle is in "drive it anywhere" condition.
This Imperial also represents tremendous value as the owner is selling it for much less than he has invested.
The original owner is believed to be the owner of a now closed Chrysler dealership somewhere in North Carolina, although I can't say if there is documentation to prove that. The current owner, an ImperialClub member, bought this car from that defunct dealership a couple years ago.
In my opinion: bad judgment.
When the current owner decided it was time to buy a classic American luxury car, he thought about what he wanted and went looking for 74 or 75 Imperial. This car may have been the first one he came across and he bought it for an outrageously high price, based on it's condition at that time. He has since doubled his investment by repairing most of the mechanical ills it had, and has come to the conclusion that tripling his investment by getting a proper paint job done doesn't make good economic sense.
As a ImperialClub member and 75 Imperial owner myself, I don't agree and have encouraged him to send this car to the shop that paints my vehicles. As the owner has recently acquired a 76 New Yorker, in much better condition and for less than this car cost him, I haven't been very successful in talking him out of selling this car.
The vehicle is currently being stored about 50 miles northwest of Philadelphia, PA. The asking price at this time is $3000, however offers will be considered. The owner has invested at least $2500 since purchasing this car, has all the receipts, and I will not allow him to sell this car for much less than that.
This vehicle is very road-worthy and could easily be driven home by any buyer, however if you're a bit leery about a cross country drive in a new 23 year old car, several reputable auto transport services are known to this car club.
For the serious out-of-state buyer, I have prepared a thirty minute video tape detailing what's right and what's wrong with this car, however here's most of what you need to know first:
Needs a new vinyl top and a complete repainting. There is evidence that parts of the car were repainted previously and numerous scratches and chips cover mostly the front fenders. The doors show very little sign of parking lot dings, however the left rear door has a minor crease along a body line.
There is evidence of two body panels being replaced, presumably early it's life, however there is very little rust damage. These cars, and Chryslers in general, are known for rusting heavily at the bottom of the front fenders and along the bottom of the quarter panels. This vehicle has no rust in those areas, however there are a few small rust holes where clip studs for the vinyl roof trim should be.
All trim pieces, emblems and moldings are there, and while the chrome and bright work in general are not perfect, they will buff up quite nicely.
White leather seats with white door panels and head liner. Black carpet and dash.
Both front seats have 6-way power adjustments and the passenger side reclines. Each front seat has it's own arm rest and the rear seat has a fold down center arm rest. The leather is not perfect, but is perfectly presentable in my opinion. The carpeting shows slight sun fading in the rear but is in other wise fine condition. The carpet in the trunk is in great shape.
Other interior features of note:
Glove compartment includes built in coin holder.
Dash, door panels, head liner, etc are all in fine condition, however the panels around the rear reading lights are falling down a bit. Every Imperial or New Yorker with these lamps that I've ever seen has this problem and it is not that tough to fix.
See option list below for additional detail.
The electrical system, wiring, and all components on this vehicle are 100% and need virtually no work. All interior and exterior lighting is functional and all the power options work, including the 8-track. Vehicle has a big, fresh DieHard battery, new battery cables, and recent tune-up. Two windows have had their regulator gears replaced and all four go up and down in unison.
Best selling feature, and the primary focus of the work performed by the current owner. As this car sat for several years between owners it had more than one problem when purchased. Most mechanical repairs were performed at a local Chrysler-Plymouth dealership, by a retired mechanic that still remembers how these old cars work. See listing below for detail of work performed.
I start it up every few weeks to keep the battery charged and it always starts on the first try.
Power Windows
Gas tank flushed, cleaned, and chemically lined.
Power steering just developed a leak, suspect o-ring in hose fitting.
This page was last updated October
19, 2003. Send us your feedback,
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SOME THOUGHTS ON THE 1975 IMPERIAL
WHAT'S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THIS IMPERIAL?
WHERE DID THIS IMPERIAL COME FROM?
WHY IS THIS IMPERIAL FOR SALE?
WHERE IS THIS IMPERIAL AND WHAT'S THE PRICE?
JUST WHAT SORT OF SHAPE IS THIS IMPERIAL IN?
BODY
INTERIOR
Passenger side sun visor includes built in lighted vanity mirror.
Rear seats have independent reading lamps with switches in the door panels.
All doors, except drivers, have built in ash tray with lighter. ELECTRICAL
MECHANICAL
OPTION LIST
Power Locks
Power leather seats
Auto-temp air conditioning
Electric rear window defroster
AM/FM with 8-track stereo and power antenna
Remote trunk release
Automatic high beam dimmer
Automatic head light shut-off
Automatic parking brake release
Automatic height adjusting air shocks
Tilt & Telescope steering column
Cruise Control
4-wheel power disk brakes
Custom wheel coversREPAIRS PERFORMED IN LAST TWO YEARS
Fuel pick-up replaced.
Carburetor replaced.
Complete tune-up
New EGR valve
Complete stainless steel exhaust, including catalytic converter
New radiator, hoses, belts, water pump, fan clutch and coolant reserve bottle.
New temp control servo
Transmission fluid and filter replaced
Rear end gear oil replaced
New master cylinder
New valve cover gasketsREPAIRS NEEDED
Clock doesn't work
Cruise works, but doesn't hold speed correctly, suspect cruise servo.
A/C needs recharge, probably needs gaskets, however all plumbing is intact
Hood latch sticks
