IMPERIAL Newport 1955

by

Model number: 18111

Review of the model:

The Chinese model maker brand of Signature is an independent marquee of a Road Signature/ Yatming group. They fall in a category of more detailed model cars, which are nearly as high detailed, as Sun Stars models. And the price is also up to twice as much compared to Road Signature ordinary budget models. The model of 1955 Imperial Newton is one of the famous cars in their production line. So will the higher price be justified by higher quality and details? Let’s take a look and kick some tires!

Signature makes this model in few color schemes and this very models Crown Imperial Maroon and platinum hardtop is just stunning. I have always had the impression of the car design that it have no resemblance to other American cars of its time. It will at first glance remind one of a European car – like the Swedish Volvo Amazon. That just until you recognize the sheer size of this car! She is big as an Aircraft carrier! 223 inch overall.

If you like me, like chrome trim on cars, you will not be disappointed this model car is nearly plastered in chrome from front to back. Signature has made a fine job as it all looks very realistic. And the same can be said of all the other parts, on this model. I only have two small issues about the model car: The first is the paintwork – don’t get me wrong the overall work is perfect, with no imperfections whatever and no grains or dust particles. But the gloss on the paint is not as good as you can expect on other models of today.
The second “problem” on this model is the gabs around the doors and hood – I most say it can be made better- far better! The doors and hood have very good spring hinges itself, but the poor fit and gabs ruined the show.

Now that I have been a bit nit picky. Let’s highlight some of the very fine features after all this model has: look under the hood and the big Chrysler Hemi V8 fill the entire motor compartment. And all the wires and hoses are present, as well as the decals on the motor parts. The same quality goes for the interior: Realistic leather feeling of the seats and the carpet  inside is ready for a ride in Hollywood style. Even in the trunk we see a fine spare tire and wheel. All parts of the model is well detailed and fit nicely.

All of the clear plastic parts in this model is very good, just look at lenses all over this model they are perfect made and mounted. So is the model as good as one can expect?
I will say yes with a little hold of breath. Good but not as good as compared to a Sun Star Platinum. But on the other hand they are also more expensive without a discount sales price.

Signature have made a beautiful model car here, and placed in the sun outside a picture will go for the real car!
 

I will give this model 5 out of 6 stars  ******

Below here are pictures of the model, historical description, old brochures, technical data and some movie clips of the real car. So please enjoy!

History:

Imperial Newport 1955

The Imperial name had been used since 1926, but was never a separate make, just the top-of-the-line Chrysler. However, in 1955, the company decided to spin Imperial off as its own make and division to better compete with its North American rivals, Lincoln and Cadillac. Imperial would see new or modified body styles introduced every two to three years, all with V8 engines and automatic transmissions, as well as technologies that would filter down to Chrysler Corporation's other models.

For the 1955 model year, the Imperial was launched and registered as a separate marque, apart from the Chrysler brand. It was a product of the new Imperial Division of Chrysler Corporation, meaning that the Imperial would be a make and division unto itself, and not bear the Chrysler name. Chrysler Corporation sent notices to all state licensing agencies in the then-48 states that the Imperial, beginning in 1955, would no longer be registered as a Chrysler, but as a separate make .Chrysler introduced Forward Look Styling by Virgil Exner, who would define Imperial's look (and the look of cars from the other four Chrysler divisions) from 1955 to 1963. Even as early as in 1954, Chrysler Corporation ads at the time began to visibly and consciously separate The Imperial from the Chrysler Division car line in the eyes of the public, to prepare for the big change coming in 1955. Once the "Imperial" brand was introduced, Cadillac no longer used the "Imperial" name for its top-level limousines starting in 1955.

1955 The $100 million Look

1955 Imperial car model shown on display at January 1955 Chicago Auto Show
The 1955 models are said to be inspired by Exner's own 1952 Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton show cars (which were they later updated to match the 1955-56 Imperials). The platform and body shell were shared with that year's big Chryslers, but the Imperial had a wheelbase that was 4.0 inches (102 mm) longer, providing it with more rear seat legroom, had a wide-spaced split egg crate grille, the same as that used on the Chrysler 300 "executive hot rod", and had free-standing "gun sight" taillights mounted above the rear quarters, which were similar to those on the Exner's 1951 Chrysler K-310 concept car.

Gunsight taillights were also known as "sparrow-strainer" taillights, named after the device used to keep birds out of jet-engines. Such taillights were separated from the fender and surrounded by a ring and became an Imperial fixture through 1962, although they would only be free-standing in 1955-56 and again in 1961-62. Two "C-69" models were available, including the two-door Newport hardtop coupe (3,418 built) and pillared four-door sedan (7,840 built), along with an additional "C-70" Crown limousine model (127 built). The "FirePower" V8 engine was Chrysler's first-generation Hemi with a displacement of 331 cu in (5.4 L) and developing 250 brake horsepower (186 kW). Power brakes and power steering were standard, along with Chrysler's "PowerFlite" automatic transmission.

One major option on the 1955 and 1956 Imperials was air conditioning, at a cost of $535. Production totaled 11,430, more than twice the 1954 figure, but far below Lincoln and Cadillac.
 

Technical specification:

Assembly: Jefferson Avenue Assembly
Detroit, Michigan, United States

Designer: Virgil Exner

Body and chassis:
Body style 2-door Newport hardtop
4-door sedan
4-door Southampton hardtop

Powertrain:
Engine 331 cu in (5.4 L) Hemihead V8
250 Hp.
Transmission 2-speed PowerFlite automatic
3-speed TorqueFlite A488 automatic

Dimensions:
Wheelbase 130.0 in (3,302 mm)
Length  223.0 in (5,664 mm)
Width  79.1 in (2,009 mm)
Height  61.2 in (1,554 mm)
Curb weight 4,700–4,900 lb (2,100–2,200 kg)

Shake a Tailfeather
By David LaChance

There are many ways to distinguish a 1955 Imperial from the other senior Chrysler offerings built in that watershed, Forward Look year. The vertically split egg-crate grille was bolder than that used on the Chrysler and De Soto, for example, and the wheel wells were more rounded, to better show off those big wheels. But the simplest way to spot an Imperial at a distance is to look for the tail lamps, perched high above the rear fenders.

While the lines of the car were inspired by the three custom parade phaetons built for New York, Los Angeles and Detroit, the idea for freestanding tail lamps is one that chief stylist Virgil Exner brought with him from his days at Studebaker, and had used once before on the influential K-310 concept car of 1950. They succeeded in attracting attention, and were soon given nicknames like "gun sights," "bombsights" and (don't tell the Audubon Society) "sparrow strainers."

Each tail lamp sat on its own chromed "saddle," mounted astride the modest fins.  The passenger-side saddle also incorporated a small door, behind which was hidden the gas cap, à la Cadillac.

Exner justified the unusual design by explaining that the raised tail lamps, by being visible from the driver's seat, made the car easier to park by indicating where the rear fenders ended. Reviewers--nearly all of whom recognized the connection with the well publicized K-310--said that the lamps actually did work in that way, particularly at night, when a recessed lamp in the forward end of each nacelle glowed with a soft, amber light.

Whether or not they really were an assist to parking a 223-inch-long Imperial, the lamps did do something else: They stood out, each like an enormous, glittering diamond on a manicured hand, discreetly signaling that here was that rare combination of money and taste. This was indeed, as Chrysler described it, "the finest car America has yet produced." None of America's other fine car builders--Cadillac, Lincoln and Packard--would follow the Imperial's lead.

The tail lamps remained on their perch for 1956, but were moved down to the trailing edges of the fins for the 1957 model year. Bill Brownlie, who was intimately involved in designing the 1957 Imperial, once explained why Exner abandoned the distinctive look: "Ex admired the integration of form found in jet aircraft. He was emphatic that the taillights be integrated, not just stuck on, as in 1956." In 1962, they returned to the tops of the fins, this time looking like little rocket ships, but it turned out to be a one-year-only farewell tour, courtesy of Exner's successor, Elwood P. Engel.

Old brochures of the Imperial 1955

Videos of the real car from You Tube

If you have any question or comment your are free to contact me at: aeronautic@stofanet.dk

Dealers are welcome to get their models reviewed too.

Aeronautic Mar. 2018

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