The Last Imperial (and Dodge Mirada)

Chrysler Corporation used the name "Imperial" as a model name and a brand name off and on from the late 1920s into the early 1980s.  The model name was applied to the most upscale line of  the Chrysler brand.  At others times, the Imperial brand was the top of the entire Chrysler Corporation line.

Today's post features the last of the Imperial brand -- Wikipedia entry here.  Its body/platform also was used by the 1980-1983 Dodge Mirada, also treated here, and the Chrysler Cordoba.  The Imperial version was introduced for 1981.  Its production over model years 1981-1983 was only 12,385.

The most noticeable styling difference among the three was that the Imperial's rear featured a variation on English "razor-edge" design.  The American verson was a minor styling fad for luxury cars in the late 1970s and early 1980s.  I wrote about that here.

Gallery

1981 Imperial - Mecum Auctions photos
Another fad was placing Rolls-Royce inspired grilles on American luxury brand cars.  In this case, it's flanked by headlight doors, creating a clear appearance for the front end.

1980 Dodge Mirada - brochure image
The Dodge version's grille is also simple, but slightly heavier due to the thick grille bars.

A long hood created by considerable front overhang.  The trunk has a tacked-on appearance created in part by the fastback sculpting that extends the roofline.

1980 Dodge Mirada - Mecum Auctions photo
The Dodge's styling is more conventionally of its time regarding the C-pillar to rear-end zone.  That includes the fussier window treatment.

The Imperial's distinctive rear is comprised of simple elements that relate to each other.  Except for the tacked-on trunk shape caused by the C-pillar's aft crease line.  Like the other cars mentioned in the previous link, the rear end doesn't seem quite correct.

1980 Dodge Mirada - brochure image
What Imperial stylists had to work from.