Steve Hagy Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 As always I'm depending on the sharp-eyed readers of this forum to set me on the correct course. When I enlarged this I thought the name in script on the side of this car reads "Imperial." I would like to know the exact year, make, and model of this black over red beauty that was used by one of the chaplains of the Chicago Fire Department. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nzcarnerd Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 1955. Imperial, not Chrysler Imperial. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hagy Posted March 25, 2018 Author Share Posted March 25, 2018 Thank you. Was there a difference between an Imperial and a Chrysler Imperial? Was Imperial a make from a separate company? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Curti Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 The imperial was made by Chrysler, but called 'Imperial.' Like 'Lincoln' was not called a Ford Lincoln. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1912Staver Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 That's got to be the classiest fire service car I have ever seen. Would the fire dept. have provided such an expensive vehicle or would have it belonged privately to the person using it? Greg in Canada Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryB Posted March 25, 2018 Share Posted March 25, 2018 Might have been donated by Chrysler to the FD for their use. Chrysler corp was big in donating cars to the driver education programs. I took my drivers test in a Plymouth they had loaned to my high school. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Hagy Posted March 26, 2018 Author Share Posted March 26, 2018 6 hours ago, 1912Staver said: That's got to be the classiest fire service car I have ever seen. Would the fire dept. have provided such an expensive vehicle or would have it belonged privately to the person using it? This was in use by one of the chaplain's of the Chicago F.D. (note the cross on the door). I have a couple more photos of chaplains' cars from that era that I'll be posting and they were provided with some very nice rides. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bleach Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 5 hours ago, TerryB said: Might have been donated by Chrysler to the FD for their use. Chrysler corp was big in donating cars to the driver education programs. I took my drivers test in a Plymouth they had loaned to my high school. We had Buicks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D Yaros Posted March 26, 2018 Share Posted March 26, 2018 On 3/25/2018 at 1:28 PM, 1912Staver said: That's got to be the classiest fire service car I have ever seen. I too was thinking, they were riding in mighty high style! $4,483 purchase price in 1955 = $41,717 in 2017. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lostwrench1 Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 On 3/25/2018 at 4:58 AM, Steve Hagy said: Thank you. Was there a difference between an Imperial and a Chrysler Imperial? Was Imperial a make from a separate company? Prior to 1955 they were Chrysler Imperials. Starting in 1955 Imperial was considered an individual make so they were no longer Chrysler Imperials but just Imperials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted June 7, 2018 Share Posted June 7, 2018 15 hours ago, Lostwrench1 said: Prior to 1955 they were Chrysler Imperials. Starting in 1955 Imperial was considered an individual make so they were no longer Chrysler Imperials but just Imperials. My 56 Imperial had "Chrysler Firepower" emblazoned on the valve covers. True, later models got their own "Imperial covers" Maybe the Imperial folks had some pride in their heritage. I don't ever recall anyone referring to "Imperial Hemis". I kinda miss the old girl. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now