Some background: All Chrysler's makes got new bodies for 1957. For the 1960 model year, all brands except Imperial were given new bodies featuring a form of unitized construction. I've yet to read an explanation for Imperial's exception, but I'll speculate that it had to do with wheelbase length and the task of modifying unit-bodies that was difficult compared to modification of body-on-frame cars. Chrysler New Yorkers had 126-inch wheelbases both before and after the changeover. Imperials had 129-inch wheelbases in 1959, but to have them share the new unitized bodies while maintaining the longer wheelbase would have been expensive for a brand that typically sold fewer than 20,000 cars per year. In other words, it was cheaper to continue the body-on-frame arrangement, especially because Imperials were already being assembled at their own factory on Warren Avenue in Dearborn -- a facility formerly used by Graham and DeSoto -- and therefore didn't need to be integrated into assembly lines for other Chrysler products.
This arrangement continued through the 1966 model year. Thereafter, Imperials were again derivations of Chryslers until the brand was phased out after 1975.
Wikipedia's Imperial entry refers to 1957-1966 models as the brand's "second generation," so scroll down the link for its take on those Imperials.
Unless otherwise noted, the images below are of cars posted for sale on various web sites.
First model year for the new Imperial body.
The grille and front bumper were restyled for 1958.
The bumper remains the same, but the grille, its framing and the chromed framing by the headlights have changed.
A major facelift came for 1960. Only the fender tops are basically unchanged, though even here windsplit creases were added at their fronts. The overall result is fussy, not very pleasing.
Another major facelift appeared in 1961. Here Chrysler styling boss Virgil Exner opted for a classic 1930s look. The grille is smaller and narrower. Fortunately, the bumper is back to being horizontal rather than angled. The most noticeable feature is the freestanding headlight assemblies. Very 1930s and probably very difficult to keep them and the sheet metal behind them clean.
The main change for model year 1962 is the divided grille.
Another grille restyling for '63, but little else new on the car's face.
By now Exner was gone and Elwood Engel replaced him. Engel was responsible for the classic 1961 Lincoln Continental and proceeded to impose Continental features on Imperials for 1964. Most of the sheet metal was changed, as were the front bumper and grille.
The two-segment grille was flattened and unified for 1965. headlights were combined into rectangular assemblies. Otherwise, little was changed.
The final year on the 1957 body featured only another grille redesign on the front end.
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