Fourth-Generation Imperials by Chrysler

For decades, Chrysler marketed its high-end model named at one time or another as Chrysler Imperial or simply Imperial in those years when it was a separate brand.  Those various Imperials were never a sales threat to America's leading post- World War 2 luxury brands, Cadillac and Lincoln, aside from the 1957 model year when Imperial sales were around 36 thousand compared to Lincoln's 41 thousand.  Nevertheless, Imperials remained in production in one brand guise or another through the 1983 model year.

This post deals with what Wikepedia classes as Imperial's fourth generation, marketed model years 1969-1973.  That was the time when full-size Chrysler Corporation cars were given what was called "fuselage" styling -- more rounded than the somewhat more angular designs from competing firms.

Although Imperials were attractive, they were essentially facelifted Chrysler New Yorkers with more luxurious interiors.  Sales were never strong, beginning with about 22 thousand made in model year 1969 and ranging between 11,500 and 16,800 during the remaining four years.  For that reason, despite the high prices Imperials could command, the corporation did not invest a large amount of money on facelifts.

Images below are of cars for sale or are via Chrysler Corporation.

Gallery

1969 Chrysler New Yorker
The New Yorker was the top of the Chrysler brand's line.  The car shown here and the Imperials pictured below are all four-door hardtops for the sake of consistency.

1969 Imperial
Imperial exteriors were given a different grille and some other trim items.  A major difference is that Imperials had concealed headlights.

Rear quarter view.

1970 Imperial
The grille was redesigned.

As were the taillights.

1971 Imperial press release
Click on this image to greatly enlarge.  Another grille change and side trim added along with minor side panel alterations.

1972 Imperial
Once again, the grille-bumper ensemble is freshened.

Tail lights are now vertical and at the aft of the fender.

This shows the headlights when they were exposed.

1973 Imperial
The grille mesh is new as are the rubber-tipped bumper guards.  The latter were in response to government collision impact regulations.

The rear seems essentially unchanged aside from the bumper guards.