The 1967 - 1968 imperial abandoned the disjoined physical structure and frame construction for good . on the face of it , the ground was technological . By 1967 , Chrysler fence , methods of insulation and soundproofing had become so in advance as to make the manipulation of a freestanding physical structure unnecessary .
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huge technological advance had indeed take place , allowing computerized tension testing of the unit body / shape before its construction . As a bonus , the unibody also reduced average free weight by 100 quid or so . The 1967 Imperial , the fellowship say , was if anything quieter and suave than the 1966 .
Another compelling reason for the modification in construction technique was overhead : It was certainly cheaper to build unibody imperial with a Chrysler privileged scale , albeit on a slightly long wheelbase .
As a solvent of this basic change , the 1967 models were all - raw and completely restyled . A new grillwork with a prominent nameplate was accompanied by sharp front pilot that domiciliate the parking lights . headlamp remain integrated with the grillwork . There were vertical rear bumper and horizontal " fiber crinkle " along the bodysides . The wheelbase came down two in to 127 .
Sales did pick up , exceeding 17,000 in 1967 and 15,000 in 1968 . Prices also rose , Crown hardtops outperform $ 6,000 base for the first time . To compensate , Imperial reinstate the Crown four - threshold pillared sedan chair , which started at around $ 5,400.Convertiblesremained , but just just : production was only 577 for 1967 and 474 for 1968 , the last year for the royal soft top .
Imperial ’s continued unfitness to indent the Cadillac / Lincoln market share caused management to rethink their approach and make a far - strive conclusion . For 1969 and beyond , Imperial would partake in exterior sheetmetal withChrysler .
The 1968 Imperials , meanwhile , were only more or less change from 1967 . Features include a newfangled wicket that extended around the front end to enclose the parking and cornering lights , dual border on the lower bodysides , and rear side - marker lights ( now required by law ) . narrow-minded rouge grade insignia were enforce along the beltline on all framework . The 440 V-8 remain standard , with a dual exhaust / twin snorkel choice that boosted yield from 350 to 360 bhp .
pick up what the critic think of the unibody 1967 - 1968 Imperial on the next pageboy .
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Continued
Road tests of the 1967 - 1968 Imperial point out some of their job compared to their chief competitors . Typically , an Imperial had better seats and more maneuverability than a Lincoln or a Cadillac , but miss the foeman ’s level of quality command ( long a Lincoln hallmark and also emphasized by Cadillac ) .
Imperials were also slow : aMotor Trendcomparison examination of a LeBaron with a Coupe DeVille and a Continental gave 9- or 10 - second 0 - 60 times for the Cadillac and Lincoln , against 12.4 moment for the Imperial , which was also considerably slower in the standing start quarter - mile and the 50 - 70 passing test . imperial got slightly better gas gasoline mileage than the Cadillac , but were deficient to the Lincoln in this respect .
Motor Trendcriticized all these characteristics , along with the Imperial ’s styling and bracken , but there was also a foresighted inclination of thing they did like : individual lighters in each door , slanted power on/off switch switches on doorway armrests , rear compartment read lights , time delay ignition light , sit comfort and drive , stereophonic organisation , lift - up door handle , individually operated power front seats , and thermostat line temperature ascendancy .
The LeBaron defied a rage by using antiqued bronze inlays across the dashboard and room access instead of woodwind veneer . Imperial , the editors said , had the best dashboard layout , with a wide cushioned top that allowed the dash to be recess underneath . " Because of this organisation , on/off switch switches are used and are much more commodious than sliding hold or cushioned knobs . "
In 1967 - 1968 , a young Imperial limo was offered , built by Stageway Coaches of Fort Smith , Arkansas , a provider of airport limos . Twelve of these LeBaron limo ( the Crown regal name was dropped ) were built on an enormous 163 - column inch wheelbase , and justifiably advertised as the large opulence cars in the mankind . Unlike Ghia Crowns , Stageway limos had an extra window and panel between the front and rear doors . Prices ranged between $ 12,000 and $ 15,000 depend on equipment .
See the specifications for the 1967 - 1968 Imperial on the next page .
1967-1968 Imperial Specifications
Unibody forum gave the 1967 - 1968 Imperial a easy weight than previous years .
Specifications
Engine : ohv V-8 , 440 Criminal Investigation Command ( 4.32 x 3.75 ) , 350/360 bhp
Transmission:3 - speed reflexive
reprieve front : upper and lower mastery branch , longitudinal torsion bars
hiatus bum : alive axle , leaf springs
Brakes : front disc / rearward drum
Wheelbase ( in.):127.0 ; limo : 163.0
Weight ( lbs.):4,660 - 6,300
Top pep pill ( mph):NA
0 - 60 mph ( sec):12.4
