Imperial Home Page -> Imperials by Year -> 1961 -> Specifications
HISTORIC NOTES & VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION INFORMATION:
A new horizontal bar grille and slightly recessed, free standing headlights dramatically changed the front end appearance of the new Imperial. The make's name was now printed on the top section of the grille. The tailfins were even more prominent and came to a point. The taillight pods stuck out from the lower section of the fins. A highly stylized eagle was placed on the rear fender part of the slightly slanted mid-body molding. The wheel well openings and rocker panels were also trimmed with chrome. Just over half of the Imperials made in 1961 came with air conditioning.
Vehicle identification numbers were as follows: the first symbol designated make (9 - 1960 - 1964, Y - 1965). The second number designated series (Custom). The third number designated year. The fourth the manufacturing plant (4 - Detroit). The fifth to tenth symbols designated production numbers starting at 100,001.
STANDARD EQUIPMENT
ENGINE -
V-8 413 Cast iron block
Displacement : 413.2 cubic inches
Bore & Stroke : 4.18 x3.75 inches.
Compression Ratio : 10.10:1
Brake Horsepower : 350 at 4600 rpm
Overhead valves
Carburetor - Carter four-barrel Model AFB-3108S
CHASSIS -
Wheelbase :
(Custom, Crown and LeBaron)- 129"
(Crown Imperial) : 149.5 inches
Tires :
(Custom, Crown & LeBaron): 8.20x15
(Crown Imperial) : 8.90 x 15
TRANSMISSION -
Torqueflite automatic transmission with pushbutton shift controls was standard.
POWER BRAKES
POWER STEERING
IMPERIAL CROWN
POWER SEAT
REAR LICENSE PLATE FRAME
VANITY MIRROR
CARPETING
POWER WINDOWS
OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR
IMPERIAL LeBARON
ALL THOSE STANDARD FEATURES ON THE CROWNS, PLUS:
POWER VENT WINDOWS
STONE SHIELD MOLDINGS
WHITEWALL TIRES
CROWN IMPERIAL LIMOUSINE
ALL THOSE STANDARD FEATURES ON THE LeBARONS, PLUS:
AIR CONDITIONING
AUTO PILOT
AUTOMATIC HEADLIGHT DIMMER
THREE HEATERS
POWER WINDOWS
CONVENIENCE OPTIONS:
Air conditioning, Cool Aire($590.20)
Auto Pilot ($96.80)
Automatic beam changer ($46)
Body Undercoating
Cap, Fuel-Tank, Locking ($2.95)
Child Guard Safe-T-Lock ($4.95)
Cover, Spare-Tire, Plastic ($3.95)
Crankshaft ventilation system ($5.20)
Curb Signals ($2.95)
Cushion Toppers, Front & Rear ($9.95 Each)
Defogger, rear window ($21.45)
Differential , Sure-Grip ($57.45)
Door guards
2-door ($4.40)
4-door ($6.50)
Electric door locks
2-door with power windows ($47.40)
4-door with power windows ($72.10)
FliteSweep deck lid ($55.45)
Fuel Pressure Regulator ($6.95)
Heater ($136.30)
Kool Kooshion - Standard Size - $4.45
Kool Kooshion - King Size - $5.60
Leather trim
in Crown ($104.30)
in LeBaron ($69.70)
License plate frame (Custom) ($6.05)
Light, Emergency Warning ($10.45)
Outside, left remote-control mirror ($11.90)
Outside, right remote-control mirror ($6.85)
Wheelhouse, stoneshields and sill molding ($39.60)
Six-way power front seat (Custom) ($124.80)
Power vent windows ($76.70)
Power windows (Custom) ($125)
Touch-Up Paint - Applicator ($1.00) Spray Can ($1.49)
Radio - Electric Golden Touch-Tuner radio with rear speaker and power antenna ($168.80)
Radio - Electric Golden Touch-Tuner radio with power antenna, in convertibles ($153.30)
Seat-Belt Packages
Front Single ($12.50)
Rear Single ($12.20)
Front Dual - $23.95
Solex glass ($53.75)
Spotlight - Less Brackets ($26.95)
Stainless steel roof (Custom) ($62.40)
Swivel seat, manual power seat required ($101.35)
Window-Lift Safety Switch ($2.35)
Whitewall rayon tires ($55.10)
BASIC GROUP TRIM PACKAGE
Heater
Radio with rear speaker and power antenna
Door edge protectors
Remote-control outside rear mirror on left
Solex glass
Rear window defogger
CONVENIENCE GROUP PACKAGE ($255.85)
Power seat
Power windows
License plate frame
DECOR GROUP TRIM PACKAGE ($101.90)
FliteSweep decklid
Stoneshields
Sill moldings
Manual right outside rear view mirror
The 1961 DeSoto Adventurer is the last car of the DeSoto Division.
Imperial and all other Chrysler Corporation cars use the alternator, first applied to the 1960 Valiant.
1961 - 1963 Imperials sport free standing headlight pods, Exner's latest attempt at recapturing the classic era in Imperial styling.
Elwood Engel takes over as Chrysler's chief stylist; his Lincolnesque styling will dominate Imperial design for the next decade.
