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Imperial History: the 1940s

Today is Tuesday, May 12th, 2026

Written by Chrysler Corporation in 1966.

Two years after his highly successful introduction of the Chrysler car and the formation of the corporation bearing his name, Walter P. Chrysler invaded the luxury car market. The 1926 New York Auto Show hosted the unveiling of a new Chrysler car, to which he gave the regal name Imperial 80. The numeral 80 stood for the peak speed; the car was guaranteed to do 80 miles per hour, and it quickly became well known for its high speed, low-gear pull, and hill-climbing ability. Many contemporaries called the Imperial the only stock U.S. car of its time that could deliver a truly sports car performance.

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1940 Chrysler Crown Imperial: All Imperial cars were now consolidated under a single banner--the Crown Imperial. Fluid Drive, Overdrive, and power brakes continued to be offered as standard equipment. The new Crown had three body styles: the six and the eight-passenger sedans, and the sedan limousine with glass partition.

1941 Chrysler Crown Imperial: Power windows made their initial bow in Imperial as standard equipment. A master control unit for the windows was mounted on top of the instrument panel. Prices ranged from $1,795 for a Town Sedan to $2,795 for the Sedan Limousine which was the most expensive of the Chrysler-built cars.

1942 Chrysler Crown Imperial: Five months and 448 Imperial cars after the start of the 1942 season, production of Imperials was shut down for the duration of World War II. Front fender lines of the new Imperial blended gracefully into the hood structure, and running boards were enclosed by the doors.

1946-1948 Chrysler Crown Imperial: Like all most postwar cars, the new Imperial reflected the same basic appearance that it had during the short-lived 1942 production year. A new grille and body ornamentation, however, provided immediate recognition to its two body styles: the limousine and the 8-passenger sedan.

1949 Chrysler Crown Imperial: A unique, self-energizing, hydraulic disc brake was introduced as standard equipment on all 1949 Imperials. It had two flat pressure plates on which segments of brake lining were bonded. Braking action was obtained when the pressure plates were forced outward into contact with rotating brake housings.

NEXT: Imperial History: the 1950s