Is the NY Brougham a good Imperial substitute?

7176 Views 98 Replies 12 Participants Last post by Adventurer55, 9 mo ago

ImperialFan

Discussion Starter · Feb 15, 2022

Been shopping for an Imperial in the '69-'75 range. They are pretty scarce!

So I've been browsing '76-'78 New Yorker Broughams. There's way more choice in those.

They have the Imperial body and style, although I know some things were thrifted out, like rear disk brakes. And those cars get into the Lean Burn era, and I've heard bad things about that system.

I'm wondering--do these cars really deliver the Imperial-level experience? And is the Lean Burn thing really that bad? Is it reasonably possible to repair or replace if so?

I'm browsing a lot of these cars, but I'm taken with the color on this one:

1976 Chrysler New Yorker For Sale - Gateway Classic Cars

Any advice would be appreciated!

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AceHanlon

· #2 · Feb 15, 2022 (Edited)

I own a Imperial myself though not in that age range. I heard positive things about the Chrysler New Yorkers from that time period and yes the lean burn can be problematic. @ImperialCrown has some good knowledge about the lean burn and how to correct the issues with it. You could also look into the 300's but you're looking at a very slim area of years and usually get more money. I would argue that you don't really need the disc brakes anyways.

Looks pretty nice but I think he's asking too much money. Should knock off 2k. Has that rust on the trunk lid and missing the emblem on the headlight cover(I know petty). Otherwise has beautiful untorn pillow seats, great top, and pretty good paint.

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ImperialFan

Discussion Starter · #3 · Feb 15, 2022

Thanks for the quick reply AceHanlon! I need to research Lean Burn some more. I noticed the same small things with the Gateway car, but they'd be simple to fix, I think. I'm almost more put off by the things the previous owner stuck to the dash around the radio area. One looks to be a cheapie clock, so I assume the factory one doesn't work.

That car has kind of stuck to the shelf, I think. They cut the price from $14,000 to $12,000 just recently. Might be some dealing to be done.

I'm weirdly attracted to this one too--mainly for the color. How long since anybody saw a green vinyl top? And they were mostly on green cars. Green over white is so rare I think I might have only seen one other in my life--a '68 Polara coupe that lived in my hometown when I was a young'un.

1977 Used Chrysler New Yorker at Jim Babish Auto Sales Inc. Serving Johnstown, PA, IID 20994288

Decisions, decisions!

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AceHanlon

· #4 · Feb 15, 2022

ImperialFan said:
Thanks for the quick reply AceHanlon! I need to research Lean Burn some more. I noticed the same small things with the Gateway car, but they'd be simple to fix, I think. I'm almost more put off by the things the previous owner stuck to the dash around the radio area. One looks to be a cheapie clock, so I assume the factory one doesn't work.

That car has kind of stuck to the shelf, I think. They cut the price from $14,000 to $12,000 just recently. Might be some dealing to be done.

I'm weirdly attracted to this one too--mainly for the color. How long since anybody saw a green vinyl top? And they were mostly on green cars. Green over white is so rare I think I might have only seen one other in my life--a '68 Polara coupe that lived in my hometown when I was a young'un.

1977 Used Chrysler New Yorker at Jim Babish Auto Sales Inc. Serving Johnstown, PA, IID 20994288

Decisions, decisions!

So you're in PA? I'm also put off by that crap that the previous owner put on there with the cheapo clock.

Now this green one...my my my that is very nice! I like a lot. I would jump on that one and of course do some negotiation.

valiant67

· #5 · Feb 15, 2022 (Edited)

Lean Burn gets a bad reputation because people believe what they read on the Internet (it’s junk, rip it out).
In reality, most Lean Burn problems are carb related. Any old carbureted car is going to need carb work from time to time, especially with modern gas and when a car sits a lot. Non-ethanol gas can help.

My 1979 Cordoba still has Lean Burn, but needs fuel system work. A few years back, I sold my 1981 Mirada, 1988 Gran Fury, and 1989 Fifth Avenue- all running their Lean Burn systems (though it was renamed on the later 1980s cars).

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valiant67

· #6 · Feb 15, 2022

The white car with the green roof has already had the Lean Burn removed.

valiant67

· #7 · Feb 15, 2022

This site has a great archive of information specific to the Imperial and New Yorker Brougham.

Online Imperial Club (OIC) for Imperial, Chrysler Imperial, and Chrysler New Yorker Brougham Enthusiasts

The Online Imperial Club is dedicated to the preservation, appreciation and restoration of Imperials and Chrysler Imperials of all years, models and body-styles.

www.web.imperialclub.info

Especially the year by year info:

(Chrysler) Imperials by Year

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ImperialCrown

· #8 · Feb 15, 2022

Dad and I went to look at an Imperial in 1974 during the Embargo. We had no intention of purchase, I just wanted to see the 'last' Imperial.

The 1976 New Yorker Brougham was the carry-over, a nice C-body but not a Y-body according to the VIN. Still an extremely attractive car, but a dinosaur of past ideas that were becoming obsolete.

The return of the Imperial in the early '80's and again in the early '90's was good tonic for corporate morale. Having a flagship car is always a good morale booster.

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ImperialFan

Discussion Starter · #9 · Feb 16, 2022

AceHanlon said:
So you're in PA? I'm also put off by that crap that the previous owner put on there with the cheapo clock.

Now this green one...my my my that is very nice! I like a lot. I would jump on that one and of course do some negotiation.

No, I'm in TN actually, AceHanlon. I got onto the PA dealer via AutoTempest. The green/white car does tempt me, but I'm a little disappointed that it doesn't have the fluffy buttoned seats that most all of them have. I guess it must be lacking some upholstery option, maybe.

I've seen the OIC site, valiant67, and they do have good info. But they've removed their bulletin board section--you can't post a question like this anymore.

BTW, the number of posts you guys have is amazing me. I've never anybody with that many on any other board. This is a really helpful place, and I appreciate all the replies!

And BTW, if any of you haven't tried AutoTempest, you should. It can deliver enough ads to keep you mesmerized WAY into the night--Craigslist for the whole country!

Reactions: 2

AdventurerSport

· #10 · Feb 16, 2022

Production of the last years of the traditional Imperial was pretty low (around 14,000 in 1974, less than 9,000 in 1975. So, in 1976, they kept building the same car but renamed it to "Chrysler New Yorker Brougham". the 76-78 NY B was the same car as the 74/75 Imperial, save for some features were made optional in 76, to lower the base price. Didn't seem to matter much, as most of the production of these cars came loaded up with options, anyway. Sales shot up to 33,732 in '76, over 62,000 in '77 and down to 36,497 in 1978 (prices went up). So, there are many, many more '76-78 NY Broughham's out there than '74-75 Imperials, even though they are mostly the same car.

Good luck!

JS

Reactions: 1

Dave Z

· #11 · Feb 16, 2022

Yup. Allpar does have a story on it. Really the same car. Most people optioned it out to cost as much as the Imperial with the same stuff included. Human nature is weird.

ImperialFan

Discussion Starter · #12 · Feb 17, 2022

Thanks, all--I am listening and learning!

AutoTempest served me this limo today--just up on ebay. Not a thing I'd bid on, but really interesting to look at.

1965 Chrysler Imperial Lebaron Barreiros Limousine | eBay

Also, this one might amuse you guys. I was somewhat interested at first, but I decided it's been modded too far away from its Imperial roots to be for me. (Although if I were younger, I might think differently.)

81 IMPERIAL

Fast Eddie

· #13 · Feb 17, 2022

Here is one with a white top and green bottom:

Wheel Land vehicle Vehicle Car Tire

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ImperialFan

Discussion Starter · #14 · Feb 17, 2022

That one looks nice, but doesn't have the just slightly weird quality of the green over white one.

ImperialCrown

· #15 · Feb 17, 2022

The Brougham Coupe with the padded St. Regis top is rare.
Imperials (5th Aves & 1st gen LHS) were known for their special 'Crown' roof treatments.

Rectangle Font Motor vehicle Parallel Automotive exterior

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ImperialFan

Discussion Starter · #16 · Feb 18, 2022

Yes, ImperialCrown, I have seen some of the Crown coupes. They are unusual--nobody but Chrysler used that style of vinyl as far as I know.

That diagram of the add-on roof structure is really interesting, but I never saw anything like it on an LHS. It really looks more like the top that they put on the K-car based Imperial. I actually like the look of those, but I bet it would be a nightmare to replace one. It has to be one of the most complex vinyl installations ever.

AceHanlon

· #17 · Feb 18, 2022

ImperialFan said:
Thanks, all--I am listening and learning!

AutoTempest served me this limo today--just up on ebay. Not a thing I'd bid on, but really interesting to look at.

1965 Chrysler Imperial Lebaron Barreiros Limousine | eBay

Also, this one might amuse you guys. I was somewhat interested at first, but I decided it's been modded too far away from its Imperial roots to be for me. (Although if I were younger, I might think differently.)

81 IMPERIAL

Yeah looking at that 81 I started not to like the "enhancements". One thing I can't stand is when they take out the original radio and don't keep it. My 90 doesn't have the original radio, I was thankful enough to find one at the junkyard that is in great shape(not the chrome one unfortunately). Especially since those radio's go for over 200 dollars on ebay!

Also on that 81 they messed with the original engine set up and the rims. Though the paint is amazing condition and so is the interior.

AceHanlon

· #18 · Feb 21, 2022

williamsport.craigslist.org

1967 Chrysler Imperial - cars & trucks - by owner - vehicle...

1967 Imperial 4dr. hard top.Beige/brown vinyl top....56,000 orig. miles,440 cu. in.-727 auto.AM/FM,all power...NO AIR...the pictures speak for the car.......I have owned this car for 22yrs..new...

williamsport.craigslist.org

altoona.craigslist.org

1974 Chrysler New yorker 4 door Brown - cars & trucks - by...

1974 *Chrysler* *New yorker* 4 door Sedan - $11,900 Call Us Today! Text Us Today! Chrysler_ New yorker_ For Sale by Jim Babish Auto Sales Inc. ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 💥💥 JIM BABISH AUTO SALES INC. 💥💥...

altoona.craigslist.org

Both of these two have been listed since at least August of 2021 at this point.

ImperialFan

Discussion Starter · #19 · Feb 21, 2022

I've seen both, and they just aren't for me. '67 is older than I want to go, besides that one being blah brown, having no A/C, and being overpriced. The '74 is a bit more interesting, although still brown, but really I only want either an Imperial or a NYB passing itself off as one, and in a cheerful color or colors.

Being so picky limits my choices, true, but I'm willing to live with that.

AceHanlon

· #20 · Feb 21, 2022

ImperialFan said:
I've seen both, and they just aren't for me. '67 is older than I want to go, besides that one being blah brown, having no A/C, and being overpriced. The '74 is a bit more interesting, although still brown, but really I only want either an Imperial or a NYB passing itself off as one, and in a cheerful color or colors.

Being so picky limits my choices, true, but I'm willing to live with that.

I get that. If you're spending that amount of money I dont blame you for being picky.

Also that guy seems to list stuff for too much money almost all the time from what I noticed.

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