The vendor of today’s Nice Price or No Dice Imperial is claiming it to be the “final of the big MOPAR luxury cars” and describes it as a “a truly cool guys car.” Let’s determine if it comes with a particularly attractive price tag.
BMW’s once popular E30s have entered the same unique realm as the Porsche 928. The array of pre-owned models available today range from budget-friendly options to high-priced examples of later and rarer models. The 1991 318i Touring we examined on Friday fell somewhere in the middle, albeit on the lower end of that spectrum, given its $13,500 price tag. This was after all the hard work of privately importing it had been completed and the car was free of any major issues. Nevertheless, given the current market conditions, many of you didn’t see it as a fair deal. Ultimately, the Bimmer suffered an 87 percent No Dice defeat.
It goes without saying that today’s 1983 Chrysler Imperial doesn’t have the same following as BMW’s E30—regardless of the model. Nonetheless, this doesn’t mean that Chrysler’s former flagship model lacks its own dedicated fan base. All vintage Mopar vehicles seem to have at least a small group of enthusiasts.
This 1983 model represents the most recent RWD Imperial to date and the last edition with two doors. Built on the slightly smaller second-generation Chrysler Cordoba platform and based on the J platform that can be traced back to the 1976 Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare, this large Imperial showcased a subtle bustle-back design reminiscent of the contemporary Cadillac Seville, and also adopted by the Lincoln Continental of that era. It can be argued that, with its boxier trunk, the Imperial executed this design the best.
The rest of the car embodies typical ’70s Americana, with a standard front-engine/rear-wheel-drive chassis, a leaf-sprung live axle in the rear, and an abundance of chrome and plastic.
This particular model has only traveled 47,000 miles as per its digital odometer and appears to be in relatively good condition given its age. The advertisement highlights the car’s Midnight Blue paint and Mark Cross leather interior. It also mentions the Cartier crystal pentastar on the hood, indicating that this is a vehicle that shouldn’t be left unattended in a less than desirable area.
Underneath the Chrysler emblem, there’s a 318 CID V8 engine paired with a three-speed Torqueflite automatic transmission. When it was new, the Imperial stood out from the Cordoba with its fuel injection instead of carburetion, resulting in an additional 10 horsepower for a total of 140. Strangely, the ad indicates that this car underwent a carburetor conversion at 1970 miles, as deduced from a tag on the door. More recently, the ad mentions that the engine received a complete gasket refresh, and the oil pan appears to be quite clean considering the car’s age.
The interior also has many appealing features. The color-coordinated leather and ’70s design might be a bit overwhelming at first glance, but familiarity could potentially address that. Since this is an unrestored car, there is some surface rust evident on the door jambs, and it still reportedly has its original ozone-depleting A/C refrigerant. These factors, along with average performance and fuel efficiency, showcase the car’s age and era.
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