1959 Imperial LeBaron Southampton
As the flagship of Imperial’s three-tiered lineup, the LeBaron stood at the top with just 622 Southampton hardtops built for 1959, while a more formal LeBaron 4-door sedan with framed door glass was also offered.
Virgil Exner’s “forward look” design created one of the most distinctive luxury cars of the late 1950s, with soaring tail fins and the optional FliteSweep deck lid that mimicked a continental spare tire. The Silvercrest roof option added a stainless steel crown that could be paired with either body color or a black Landau treatment.
Imperial had operated as an independent make (marketed as a separate marque of Chrysler) since 1955, positioning itself against Cadillac and Lincoln. New for 1959 were optional swivel seats that rotated 40 degrees outward via a release lever, making entry and exit easier. The push-button TorqueFlite automatic transmission became a period styling trademark.
Under the hood sat a 413 cubic inch (6.8 liter) V8 generally rated at 350 horsepower in Imperial applications, replacing the previous 392 Hemi while saving about 101 pounds. Full power accessories typically included windows, steering, and brakes, with air conditioning and power seats also available on LeBaron models.
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