1962 Imperial Crown Coupe- a very mild custom

Modeling Subjects Autos
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This 1962 Chrysler Imperial Crown Coupe model was acquired as a glue bomb in the early 1960s and was missing all its wheels, back bumper and other parts. It was quite rough due to the fact that the builder had heavily “welded” long, wide fender skirts to the rear side panels and had used a kit-supplied continental kit setup for the rear bumper. Major pieces of the skirts remained on the car after dislodging sizeable sections, making reshaping of the rear panels necessary. Inside, again, items were “welded” to the front seats, like a telephone and a tape recorder. These were able to be removed without compromising the seats themselves. But in the passenger-side back seat, a stuffed Teddy bear could not be removed without destroying it and the seat corner itself. Unfortunately, the Imperial was also missing its HEMI engine and its iconic taillights. And I should add that the chassis might not even be from the original kit as the builder had severed it into three sections for some unbeknownst reasons!

My parts bin is scant, especially in the wheel, tire and engine departments. My only choices of engines were between a Buick Nailhead and a Ford flathead. The flathead is destined for a 20s Ford Model T soon. The tires and wheels were all that was remaining of the antique 60s kit parts from the past. I had to go with the continental kit reluctantly, as I have never been a fan of continental kits. A custom-made back bumper seemed out of the question for a number of different reasons.

Thanks for looking…

P.S.Take a look at the beautiful 1:1 version

A very nice 1:1

3 Likes
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Sometimes you can only do so much with the kit and parts you have. It does look as if you have done a real good job given what you had to work with.
. FYI ebay has sellers of 1962 Imperial kits and /or parts if you can find something at your comfort level

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Thanks for the tip.

Suppose my comfort level cannot handle paying for an engine that sells for about 35 times what the original kit sold for in the 60s. LOL

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I understand completely. I mentioned that only if the model was a priceless heirloom and had to be perfect. :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

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I thought about this $35 engine briefly, but none of the models that I have are definitely not heirloom quality, for sure. My view is that having a model perfect or exact is fine if one desires those aspects. And there are those master builders who opt for and do achieve that level of perfection. I am a mere older neophyte “builder” who is nostalgic and who realizes that in Nature, there are many flaws and irregularities. Plus, having this perspective justifies my limitations and inabilities. LOL

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