1955 Chrysler Imperial Resurfaces After 30 Years, Old-School HEMI Comes Back to Life

Introduced in 1955, the Chrysler 300 “letter series” is arguably the most iconic Mopar of its time. Not only was it a stunning hardtop designed by Virgil Exner, but the C-300 was also the first mass-produced American automobile to deliver 300 horsepower. The 300B that followed up raised the bar to 355 horsepower, while the 300C delivered up to 390 horsepower.

Initially a NASCAR homologation special, the 300 “letter series” evolved into a regular production model and remained in showrooms until 1965. It was Chrysler's flagship vehicle for 11 years, offering unmatched luxury and performance. Additionally, the 300 “letter series” is a rare car, with only 16,981 sold in just over a decade.

While not the rarest of the bunch, the 1955 C-300 is probably the most sought-after version. It is the vehicle that started the series and, as a homologation special, the only one with any real connection to NASCAR.

There are no statistics on how many have survived to 2024, but these days C-300s change hands for an average of $50,000 at public auctions. Highly original, well-maintained examples tend to fetch upwards of $75,000. It’s not the most expensive classic of its era, but it’s about the most expensive mid-’50s Mopar you can buy.

However, if you like the 1955 Exner design language and don’t mind a little less oomph and comfort, you can opt for a Dodge Custom Royal. It’s fairly similar in appearance and won’t break the bank at an average price of $21,000. Even better, you can go with a 1955 Imperial. Not only is it more similar to the C-300, but it also has more luxury features. But you’ll have to accept the fact that unlike the C-300, most 1955 Imperials are four-door sedans. Like this abandoned example that was recently rescued after 30 years of neglect.

It's unclear why this Imperial was taken off the road, but it appears to have spent the last 30 years sheltered from the elements. While the paint has definitely aged, there's not much rust on the body. Likewise, the interior looks set to come back to life with a thorough cleaning.

If you’re unfamiliar with the Imperial, Chrysler began using the name for its flagship model in 1926. In 1955, Chrysler spun it off as a separate brand to compete directly with GM’s Cadillac and Ford’s Lincoln divisions. The Imperial name was retired in 1983 and then briefly revived from 1990 to 1993.

This four-door sedan rolled off the assembly line shortly after Imperial became a separate automaker. It is one of two models produced that year: the standard Imperial and the longer, more expensive Crown. Chrysler sold 11,430 Imperials that year, including 172 Crown models. You are looking at one of 7,840 four-door sedans produced.

All 1955 Imperials were equipped with 331 cubic inch (5.4 liter) V8 engines. This unit was Chrysler's first HEMI powerplant. It debuted in 1951 and remained in production through 1955. It was rated at 250 horsepower in the Imperial, exactly 50 horsepower less than the uprated version offered in the C-300.

This sedan appears to have retained its original first-generation HEMI, which our host managed to revive after a solid 30 years without a sip of gas. Sure, the piece smokes like a chimney and isn’t exactly roadworthy, but it wants to live. Hopefully this Imperial gets a real renaissance in the future. I know it’s not as cool as a C-300, but it’s a gorgeous sedan and I’d love to see it back on the road.