1952 Chrysler Crown Imperial
Chassis no. 7815265
331ci OHV 'FirePower' Hemi V8
Single Carter WCD Carburetor
180hp at 4,000rpm
4-speed Prest-o-Matic clutchless manual transmission
Front coil spring and rear leaf suspension
4-wheel power-assisted disk brakes
*Extremely rare example of one of the most expensive American cars of its day.
*Complete and original condition
*Early example of the famous Chrysler Hemi V8
*Owned by the Pew family
Originally an up-market Chrysler, Imperial was registered as a marque in its own right in 1954, a move which enabled the corporation to develop a separate identity for the cars. In the immediate post-war years though, the conservatively styled Imperials looked little different from mainstream Chryslers. The latter were virtually identical to those of 1942, and not until 1949 did a new look appear. Based on the Chrysler New Yorker, the new-for-'49 Imperial featured a canvas-covered roof and superior leather and broadcloth upholstery. Its engine was the 5.3-liter sidevalve straight eight, while 'Fluid Drive' and 'Prest-o-omatic' (clutch-less) transmission were standard equipment. A Cadillac-style radiator grille was new for 1950, the last year of the straight eight engine. The latter was dropped at the year's end and replaced by Chrysler's classic 331.1cu in (5.4-liter) 'Hemi' V8. A direct competitor to Cadillac, the Crown Imperial was Chrysler's top-of-the-range and most exclusive model, being manufactured in relatively limited numbers.
The 1952 Imperial Crown was a low production year and the limousine was the rarest of the bunch. These exclusive long wheelbase machines have the distinction of being the longest production American car of the time. The Imperial boasted a number of innovative firsts, including power steering and four-wheel disc brakes.
The few limousines produced were made for heads of states or highly wealthy individuals who preferred a chauffeur-drive automobile. It is thought only about eighty of these Crown limousines were made in 1952
