The 1955 Imperial was the first Imperial to compete under the Chrysler Corporation banner as a separate marque. It was no longer a "Chrysler Imperial" as it previously had been known, and it was expected to compete head to head with Lincoln and Cadillac. 1955 was the first year of the Virgil Exner designed cars at Chrysler. Many of the design elements of this car came from a 1952 showcar parade phaeton, which was one of Virgil Exner's first design projects when coming to Chrysler. Those elements included the unique "microphone" taillights mounted on the top of the rear fenders, and the fully open rear wheel cutouts. Mr. Exner's personal emphasis and interest in designing the 1955 line of Chrysler Corporation cars was on the Imperial. While he delegated and shared the decision making on some of the design elements of the rest of the 1955 line of cars from Chrysler,he took great personal interest in the Imperial. Ken, I appreciate the many gallery photos of this beautiful two door hardtop. You have captured the many beautiful design elements of this car. The detail is magnificent,,,the chrome eagle and gold crest above the egg crate split grille, the integrated bumper treatment front and rear, and of course the unique microphone taillights. This car was advertised as ..."the finest expression of the Forward Look!", and indeed it was. Many auto enthusiasts and historians consider this car as one of the greatest designs to come out of the Fifties. Also, Mr. Exner lifted the grille off of the Imperial design for the first Chrysler 300. I consider Virgil Exner to be one of the great stylist and designers of the Golden Era of the American Automobile. Harley Earl of GM would be the other. Thanks for the excellence demonstrated in photographing this car.
