Kevin Halliday is the proud owner of a remarkable 1968 Imperial Crown four-door hardtop that is arguably the best example of top end North American luxury cars from that automotive era.
Imperial Crowns were limited edition cars built for a small market of affluent buyers who wanted a car that could easily run with the big dogs like Lincolns and Cadillacs in terms of unchecked opulence.
A 1968 Imperial Crown oozes class and was built to a very high standard that would easily match today’s luxury class automobiles in terms of build quality.
Jim Sutherland
Kevin’s Imperial Crown was initially purchased in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and eventually found its way to a British Columbia before it wended its way to Alberta. Kevin discovered the car in Alberta and became its latest owner about 13 years ago.
Kevin told MyStarCollectorCar he was “between old cars” at the time and the Imperial Crown was the right car at the right time for him. Kevin initially spotted the car at the former owner’s home and instantly thought: ”If that’s the car- I’m taking it home”. Kevin took it home because it was indeed the car and became its current owner.
As mentioned earlier, the 1968 Imperial represented Chrysler Corporation’s entry into the high-end luxury class of domestic automobiles and was arguably the best of the Big Three bunch that year in terms of overall excellence.
The Imperial Crown’s build quality was closer to 1930s-era coachwork for luxury cars than assembly line vehicles built in the 1960s. Kevin’s Imperial has every creature comfort available in 1968. Its long list includes power steering, power brakes, air conditioning, cruise control, power windows (including its vent windows), power door locks, power front seat, power trunk, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, and a leather interior.
The car has its original 440 cubic-inch big block bolted up to its factory 3-speed automatic transmission, a combination that “won’t do wheel stands”, in Kevin’s words, but can easily haul the 4775 lb. car up to highway cruiser speeds upon request. Kevin labeled his ’68 Imperial Crown “an elegant muscle car”, a description that really suits the big Mopar sedan.
The car’s driving experience is still second to none, even after 56 years, according to Kevin, so he has logged about 10,000 miles (roughly 16,000 kms) behind the Imperial Crown’s steering wheel since he became its owner.
The car retains its factory rear drum and front disc brake setup, a system that still works well because the front discs are very large, are finned to keep down the heat, and have 4-piston calipers to squeeze down on the discs to slow down the giant road beast.
Kevin and his wife are comfortable with the idea of road trips in the car and took the Imperial Crown to one of the larger shows in British Columbia because the ’68 Imperial can easily handle the rigors of mountain driving.
The Imperial Crown had a repaint about 16 years ago and still looks like it just left the showroom in 2024. It is clear this luxury car has led a pampered life and will continue to live the good life under Kevin’s watch.
Jim Sutherland
BY: Jim Sutherland
Jim Sutherland is a veteran automotive writer whose work has been published by many major print and online publications. The list includes Calgary Herald, The Truth About Cars, Red Deer Advocate, RPM Magazine, Edmonton Journal, Montreal Gazette, Windsor Star, Vancouver Province, and Post Media Wheels Section.
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