1962 Imperial (Chrysler) Le Baron Sedan (LHD)

Description

As a result of the amalgamation of Chrysler and Imperial assembly operations, Imperial now benefited from the full, seven-stage, dip-spray corrosion-protection treatment. A separate metal shop was established to apply extra metal finishing to joints and seams in the body, while another special line in the paint shop allowed extra-quality sanding and the application of exclusive epoxy sealer coats to obtain a smooth, high-luster finish. After assembly, each Imperial was removed to its own inspection building for an intensive quality audit, high-pressure water testing, and a final road test to ensure that, according to Chrysler, "it rides, drives, and performs as an Imperial should." After an originally planned all-new "S-series" 1962 Imperial was canceled, stylists set about improvising changes to the 1961 car. The egregious fins were lowered and chopped back, becoming horizontal in side view and forward-leaning rather than undercut. They were capped by a new variant of the signature taillight, an elongated tubular shape ring. Because of the extended red lens, the stylists irreverently nicknamed the lamp the "flashlight." Up front, the angle of the headlamp brows was continued inboard via new moldings that extended nearly to the center before sweeping sharply downward, creating a V-shaped body-color panel that divided the horizontally ribbed grille. Though rather forced, the look was reminiscent of the 1955-1956 Imperials. A ringed Imperial eagle perched atop the grille divide, its previous position in the grille being replaced by block letters to spell out the marque name.