I purchased this Imperial in 2005 from a friend in Central California. My wife and I call this the Silver Ghost because of its color. I bought this car because of the rarity of the single headlight models and it's unique look. I haven't had a chance to start working on this car yet, it does have a few issues, and the motor and transmission are missing some parts and may need total rebuilds. In my free time have been working on my other Imperials, but I am anxious to get going on restoring this one.

Production numbers of IM1-1 - 4 door Southhampton Custom - 7527

Here are the Data Tag specs:

MDL - Model - 179 - 1=Low (IM1-1) - 7=Base (Custom) - 9=4 door hardtop

PNT - Paint - LU - L= Desert Beige (roof) over - U= Deep Ruby Metallic

TRIM - Interior Trim - 51 - light gray metallic vinyl & light gray (beige) basket weave fabric.

SCH - Scheduled build date - January 04, 1957

ITEM - 2550 (?) not sure what this means, my other car is a later build dual headlight model and is ITEM 2549 (one number less than this car)... very odd?.

BODY - 06967 - should be the production number of this car (of all 1957 Imperials built?)

SO/FO - special order/foreign order - (none)

328 - Power Windows

326 - 6-way Power Front Seat

331 - Vanity Mirror

335 - Mirror - left outside rear-view

334 - Mirror - inside tilt type

356 - Electro-Touch Radio

323 - Heater - custom conditionaire

261 - (?)

332 - Solex Glass

324 - Rear window Defogger

V8 Hemi "Firepower" - 392 CI (6425 cc)

Bore x stroke: 4.00 x 3.9 inches

Horsepower: 325 hp at 4600 rpm

Torque: 425 ft/lbs at 2800 rpm

Compression ratio: 9.25 / 1

Carburator: 4 BBL Carter WCFB 2590 S

Electrical: 12 V

Automatic transmission - "Torqueflite" 3 speeds

Converter ratio: 2.7 / 1

Gear selection: 5 pushbuttons (left-hand side of inst. panel): N, D, 1, 2, R

Ratios: 1 : 2.45 ; 2 : 1.45 ; Drive: 1 ; Reverse : 2.2

Rear axle: 3.18 / 1

Front, type independent, torsion-bar with ball joints, power steering : "Coaxial Power steering"

Rear, type semi elliptic leaves

Brakes: power, 4 drums ( 12 in.)

Parking brake (drum) at rear of transmission

Wheelbase: 129 in. (3,28 m)

Length x width : 224 x 81,2

Weight: 4640 to 4940 lbs

Height: 57.5 in loaded

Tires 9.50 x 14

 

 

Here is what the car looks like today. At some point in the past it was resprayed a Silver color, but there are many places where you can see the amazing original Deep Ruby Metallic paint....... It's almost a Candy Apple Red color.

 

 

I removed one of the door panels and you can see the original color here....

 

 

 

I have a couple of other Imperials that I am working on, and also a couple of other projects which are almost finished.

 

I can't wait to begin work on this one........ (more pictures to come)

 

-Michael