Arran,
Yes, the authors are incorrect about the 1956 Crown Imperial. It was the
last Chrysler-built Crown Imperial and Ghia began building Crown Imperials
in 1957. The 1953 Crown Imperial modified by Ghia shown on page 137 is
actually a 1954 model.
The parade phaeton below the Crown Imperials was never meant to be a
production model, and in fact was one of three units built in 1952 and
updated for 1956.
Also, the Norseman was a show car. Some styling themes would have been used
to gauge public reaction, as they still do today, for possible used in
future production models.
By the way, on page 391 they show a photo of the Crown Imperial used by
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on their 1959 Canadian tour.
But the caption that really blew my doors off was on page 386. They show a
Scimitar wagon and claim it was "Chrysler's Scimitar prototype"! It was
nothing of the sort. The Scimitar was built by Brooks Stevens and had no
official connection with the Chrysler Corporation, although I believe it did
use a Chrysler powertrain. The vehicle had more influence on Studebaker,
though, as the Scimitar's sliding roof was used on the 1963 Studebaker
Wagonaire, also designed by Brooks Stevens.
Bill
Vancouver, BC
> Bill and others;
> In the book,"Cars Of The Fabulous Fifties", there is a an Imperial Crown
> limousine in the Chrysler Corporation section of the 1956 chapter. It
claims
> that the car was built by Ghia of Turin, Italy and I had always assumed
that
> it was, is this an error in that book or is this another one off car?
> As for the Windsor, Powermaster, and Dodge limousines I don't have no
> doubts now about the possibility of such a thing. Come to think of it I
> remember an article In Collectable Automobile regarding the post war
Dodges
> that did depict a Dodge limousine but I didn't know whether this model was
> continued into the 50's or not. However I am certain that the cars
depicted
> on Dave's Limo pages are seven passenger sedans and not limos as one
cannot
> see any evidence of a divider in the photographs.
> Best Regards
> Arran Foster
> 1954 Imperial Newport
> Needing a Left Side Tailight Bezel and other trim parts.
>
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