Imperial wheelbases were a not-excessive 124 inches (3150 mm) for 1974 and 1975. Lengths for respective years were 231.1 inches (5870 mm) and 232.7 inches (5911 mm). The latter being the same for the 1974-1978 generation New Yorkers, which also had 124-inch wheelbases. The length relative to wheelbase was due to large overhang, 108.7 inches (2791 mm) -- 47 percent of that overall length.
The Imperial brand was dropped for model year 1976 and reinstated 1981-83. In part because Imperials and New Yorkers shared the same basic bodies, 1976-78 New Yorkers received important styling details from the 1974-75 Imperials. I suppose that was intended to enhance New Yorkers' prestige, making them replacement Imperials.
This is the fancy coupe version with the fashionable vinyl top covering. Some consider this a hardtop coupe due to its apparently thin, chromed B-pillar. However, the after side windows are fixed in place, whereas true hardtop convertible side windows all can be rolled down. Moreover, the chrome strip is slightly narrower than the actual B-pillar, making the latter seem narrower than actuality.
The St. Regis trim package on New Yorker and Imperial coupes featured what seems to be padded vinyl covering that reduced the after side windows to opera-window status. Compare this front end to that of the '75 Imperial in the next image. New Yorkers for 1976 got that Imperial front end styling.
Besides different front ends, Imperials lacked the New Yorker's metal cladding along the lower edge of the body.
As mentioned, starting with the 1976 model year, Chrysler News Yorkers looked like Imperials would have, had the Imperial brand not been dropped from Chrysler's lineup.
A vinyl-free New Yorker coupe. The C-pillar area is large, creating visual bulk that the side striping does little to cure. Note the two-tone paint zone along the lower part of the body. This replaced the cladding seen on the 1974 and 1975 New Yorkers in the first two images.
2 comments:
A couple of points:
The '74-'75 Imperials are actually shorter than the '72 and '73. Part of this was due to a 3" cut in wheelbase for the '74 which it now shared with the Chryslers.
The '74-'78 Chrysler 2-doors (without the padded roofs) and 4-doors were true hardtops with roll down rear windows - the US industry's last.
Stumack -- You are correct regarding length -- I misread my notes that showed '73 Imperials with a 235.3 length (due to mandated more-robust bumpers).
As for the windows, I looked at Internet images of interiors. These suggested a fixed B-pillar, but that was ambiguous and I voted for that alternative. Then my go-to, usually accurate, "Encyclopedia of American Cars" (2002 edition) says there were hardtop coupes.
So I happily stand corrected.
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