Single-Owner 1981 Chrysler Imperial

Description

OFFERED WITHOUT RESERVE

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 a 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. 

As Aaron Kiley in Car and Driver magazine in 1981 discovered, “In the miles and weeks that I’ve driven the car I’ve seen folks speed up in traffic to look us over—me and the Imperial—and flash us a thumbs-up sign or a big grin that indicated they clearly thought that it was pretty slick.” The consignor of this Imperial certainly knows the feeling — he bought it new and has cherished it ever since. 

Highlights 

• Single owner 1981 Imperial from the “New Chrysler” 

• Finished in Sterling Silver Crystal Coat over a Red velour interior 

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

• Three-speed automatic transmission 

• Clean CARFAX Vehicle History Report 

Features 

• Maintenance on this 1981 Imperial includes: 

  • The EFI was replaced with a carburetor system from Chrysler under warranty 

  • The air conditioner was upgraded to modern R134a refrigerant 

  • The headliner was replaced 

  • New battery 

  • New oil and filter 

• Electronic digital instrument cluster 

• Air conditioning with thermostatic temperature controls  

• AM/FM/Cassette stereo  

• Disappearing headlamps 

Known Imperfections 

• Minor chips on the front and the front paint has checker from a respray about 30 years ago from a small accident 

• The transmission converter lockup sometimes vibrates at 55 mph until you pass this speed 

• The power windows and door mirrors are very slow, as are the front seats 

• The instrument cluster was replaced when the mileage was around 75,000 with a used one 

• Hidden headlight doors will not close, only open 

• There is a drain on the battery, possibly a relay issue 

• The horn does not work 

• The high-speed choke sometimes sticks keeping the idle high when the engine is cold 

Included 

• Keys 

• Owner’s manual 

 Ownership History 

The accompanying CARFAX Vehicle History Report places this single owner 1981 Chrysler Imperial in Pennsylvania. The instrument cluster was replaced at around 75,000 miles and the actual mileage is unknown. 

The owner states, “You can't drive this Imperial without people wanting to know about this car. I did take the Imperial to the Woodward Dream Cruise in Michigan in 2018, where if there is any kind of car you will find it. If you find one, you'll see a dozen of them. Well, there was only two 1981 Imperials, mine and a white one which was located in the Dodge/Chrysler display. This car has never seen snow, but there is some rust under the trunk lid. I am looking for a new owner that will love this car as I have for the last 44 years.”