1960 Imperial Crown Southampton

Engine: V8, liquid-cooled
Displacement: 6.8 L (413 ci)
Bore and Stroke: 106.2 x 95.25 mm (4.18 x 3.75 in)
Power: 261 kW (350 hp)
Transmission: 3-forward, 1-reverse, automatic
Weight: 2159 kg (4760 lb)
Capacity: 6 passengers
Original Cost: C $7759 (estimate)

In 1954, Chrysler developed its Imperial luxury model into a separate automotive line to compete with Lincoln and Cadillac.  By 1960, the Imperial had a unique styling featuring large tail fins, an abundance of chrome and a pushbutton Torqueflite automatic transmission.

The 1960 Imperial’s dash was the first to be lit with the “Panelescent” lighting system. Developed by Sylvania, this system used no light bulbs. Instead, it used phosphorescent ceramic material on the dash that glowed in the dark when powered.

Chrysler first used Imperial as a model name for their highest end model of car in 1926. In 1955, as a way to compete with Lincoln and Cadillac, Chrysler made Imperial a separate brand from 1954-1975 and for most of that time, except between 1971-1973,  the Chrysler badging was completely removed from the vehicles. Chrysler sold their Imperials in their Chrysler dealerships and the vehicles became known as Chrysler Imperials making it very hard for the public to separate the two brands. As a luxury line, Imperial offered, over the years, a variety of features not originally available on Chrysler models, including the world's first all-transistor car radio, hidden headlights, and anti-lock brakes. 

Chronology for Imperial:

1926 - Chrysler introduces the Chrysler Imperial. their top of theline model, to compete with Lincoln, Packard, Studebaker and Cadillac in the luxury car market.
1955 - Chrysler creates the Imperial brand, a separte line of luxury cars.
1956 - The Imperial is the first brand to offer as an option, the world's first all-transistor car radio.
1967 - Imperial brand offered three ranges - the Custom, Crown and LeBaron.
1976 -1978 - No Imperials produced but the styling was used and rebranded as the Chrysler New Yorker Brougham.
1981 - Imperial brand is resurrected but only until 1983.
1983 - The Imperial brand is discontinued.
1990 - Chrysler Introduced a new sedan, The Chrysler Imperial, to replace the dated Fifth Avenue model. This Imperial is simply a Chrysler model, not a separate brand.
1993 - The Chrysler Imperial is discontinued and that is the last time Chrysler used the Imperial name.

Chronology for Chrysler:

early 1920s - Walter Chrysler joined the Maxwell-Chalmers Car Company to overhaul the company's operations.
1923 - Chalmers automobile production ended.
1924 - The Chrysler Six is first launched and was designed as a well-engineered car at a reasonable price.
1925 - Last Maxwell car to be produced.
1925 - Walter Chrysler reorganized the Maxwell Company and created the Chrysler Corporation.
1928 - Chrysler introduced the Plymouth brand for the lower end market and the DeSoto brand for the mid-range market. Chrysler also bought Dodge Brothers and continued their line of cars and trucks.
1936 - Chrysler was the second best-selling car manufacturer in the US.
1955 - Chrysler and Philco announced the development of the world's first all-transistor car radio and it was introduced as an option inthe Imperial line in 1956.
1958 - Chrysler introduced the first production fuel injection as an option on some of its cars.
1960 - Valiant brand is introduced and put under Plymouth by 1961.
1967 - After merging several European holdings, Chrysler Europe Division is formed.
1970s - Chrysler entered into a partnership with Mitsubishi and began selling Mitsubishis that were branded as Dodge and Plymouth in North America.
early 1970s - Chrysler couldn't keep up with the public demand for more smaller car options, increased competition and meeting all of the new US requirements for safety, fuel economy, and emissions.
1976 - Quality control declined considerably and issues like engine failures and premature rust were showing up in many of their vehicles, which led to significant sales losses.
1978 - Lee Iaccoca is brought in to turn the company around.
1979 - Iaccoca asks the US Government for help by giving them loans and concessions including interest rate reductions and tax concessions.
1983 - Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager are introduced and made the minivan a major category in the auto market. This was also a major factor in Chrysler being able to pay off their Government loans.
1987 - Chrysler bought American Motors (AMC).
1988 - Chrysler established the Jeep/Eagle brand as a specialty division with Eagle cars targeting the import buyers.
1998 - Chrysler merged with Daimler-Benz creating Daimler-Chrysler. Eagle brand is retired.
2001 - Plymouth brand is discontinued.
2007 - Daimler Chrysler sold 80.1% of their Chrysler Group shares to Cerberus Capital Management who changed the name to Chrysler LLC.
2007-2008 - Global economic crisis hit Chrysler hard.
2009 - Chrysler filed for bankruptcy protection and their assets were sold to a new Chrysler group. The US and Canadian Governments provided loans to support this deal.
2011 - Chrysler Group repaid all Government loans.
2011 - Fiat bought a large portion of Chrysler shares.
2014 - Fiat bought the remaining Chrysler shares and the company became Fiat Chrysler, going by the name of Stellantis North America.
2017 - The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) accused Fiat Chrysler of using emissions cheating software to evade diesel emissions tests.
2019 - Fiat Chrysler reached a settlement for 800 million dollars to recall and repair100,000 automobiles equipped with the V6 EcoDiesel engine which had a prohibited defeat device.
2022 - Fiat Chrysler plead guilty to criminal charges of conspiracy to defraud the US, wire fraud and violatiion of the Clean Air Act.