1982 Chrysler Imperial FS (Frank Sinatra)

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE 

By the mid-60s Southern California was engulfed in a car craze, captivating young men like Steven J. Karlock, who became enamored with the Shelby 427 Cobra. Steven's passion for high-quality cars began with a Cobra, extended to Corvettes, and grew to include many legendary marques. Together with his wife, Jackie, he restored and cherished these vehicles. They later moved to Hannibal, Missouri, where they opened Karlock's Museum of Pop Culture in a historic grain depot along the Mississippi River. The museum, showcasing top-tier motorcars and memorabilia, became a Midwest gem. Hagerty Marketplace is honored to present The Karlock’s Collection, offered entirely without reserve.  

“The best is yet to come…” Lee Iacocca joined Chrysler as its new chairman in 1979, just before the company’s bankruptcy, but by 1981 the company was back on its feet. Iacocca wanted the world to know the “New Chrysler” was alive and well, and its new flagship Imperial, already under development when Iacocca arrived, was proof. It looked the part with its neo-classic style outside and sumptuous interior designed by luxury goods maker Mark Cross. The Chrysler Electronics division, supplier to the space program, created Imperial’s continuous-flow electronic fuel injection system and the first automotive digital instrument panel. The injection proved too troublesome and was replaced by Chrysler dealers with a carburetor on most 1981–83 Imperials, as on this one from The Karlock’s Collection. 

Lee Iacocca also turned to his friend, the real “Chairman of the Board,” Frank Sinatra, to promote the Imperial. The Imperial FS featured the best Chrysler could offer, including special Glacier Blue paint (“to match Frank’s eyes”), Glacier Blue Kimberley Velvet interior, and a mini console with 16 cassette tapes curated by Sinatra himself. The Karlock’s Museum of Pop Culture featured two walls filled with Sinatra memorabilia, and this 1982 Imperial FS was the notable centerpiece.  

Highlights 

• Offered from The Karlock’s Collection  

• One of 278 code A51 Imperial FS editions built in 1982 

• 318 cu-in V8 with Chrysler two-barrel carburetor conversion 

• Three-speed automatic transmission 

• Finished in Glacier Blue Clearcoat paint only available on the FS 

• Glacier Blue Kimberley Velvet interior designed by Mark Cross 

• Gold plated “FS” front fender and rear deck emblems  

• Locking cassette mini console with nameplate engraved with Frank Sinatra’s signature. 

• Cartier crystal “Pentastar” hood, steering wheel, and opera lamp ornaments 

• Electronic digital instrument cluster 

• The chassis number (2A3BY62J9CR193154) decodes as: 

  • 2 – Canada country of origin 

  • A – Chrysler 

  • 3 – Passenger car 

  • B – Manual safety belt 

  • Y – Imperial 

  • 6 – Series special 

  • 2 – Two Door Specialty Hardtop 

  • J – 318 cu-in V8 EFI 

  • 9 – Check digit 

  • C – 1982 model year 

  • R – Windsor, Ontario, assembly plant 

  • 193154 – Sequential build number starting at 100001 

• Clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report  

Features 

• Mark Cross leather shoulder bag with cassette tapes curated by Frank Sinatra  

• Air conditioning with thermostatic temperature controls 

• AM/FM/Cassette stereo 

• Passenger umbrella holder 

• Power steering 

• Power front disc brakes 

• Power windows 

• Power front 40/60 seats 

• Aluminum wheels 

• Whitewall tires 

• Disappearing headlamps 

• Luggage rack 

Known Imperfections 

• Please note that all lots in The Karlock’s Collection are offered after many years of static museum display, without operation or road use. The selling estate endeavored to advance all cars to running condition, however, as a result of the extended museum display, it is to be assumed that every lot will require additional mechanical attention before being driven safely on open roads. All cars will have immediate needs associated with long-term static display and require sorting to perform best and safely. All lots are sold as is, where is.  

• Holes in exhaust 

• Rear view mirror delaminating 

• Chrome trim fading or crazing 

• Interior passenger door handle trim broken 

• Crazing on wheel center caps 

• Paint touch-up on trunk 

Included 

• An extensive collection of Frank Sinatra memorabilia, articles, posters, images, art, tributes, and displays are included with this lot and must accompany the car 

• Original dealer brochures 

• Owner’s manual 

• Electronics manual 

• Shop Manual 

• Frank Sinatra cassette tapes 

• Three sets of keys 

Ownership History 

The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report places this 1982 Chrysler Imperial FS in New York as far back as 1991, then Minnesota in 2013 and Pennsylvania in 2015, before being acquired by The Karlock’s Collection in 2020. It currently shows 82,600 miles.  

Additional Notes 

A private preview will be hosted by Hagerty Marketplace for registered bidders on Sunday August 18 and Monday the 19th.  You must call the representing Car Specialist, Ramsey Potts (912.508.4096), in advance to secure an appointment.   

Additionally, due to the cars being stored in a personal residence, following the close of the auction all lots must be retrieved while a Hagerty Marketplace representative is onsite beginning Tuesday, September 3rd through Tuesday, September 10. No cars can be retrieved prior to September 3 and any lots remaining after September 10 will be removed from the facility and placed in an adjacent lot.  

A Broad Arrow Group Consignment Specialist is working as an agent on behalf of the owner of this vehicle.    

Contact: Ramsey Potts   Phone: 912.508.4096   email: rpotts@hagerty.com