1964 Imperial Crown Ghia Presidential Limousine
Chrysler’s partnership with Italian coachbuilder Ghia produced one of the most exclusive American limousines of the 1960s. Only 10 of these hand-crafted Imperial Crown limousines were built in 1964, making them extraordinarily rare among luxury vehicles of the period.
This particular example served in the White House Motor Pool during the Johnson administration, with documented use by President Lyndon B. Johnson and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy for official duties.
The conversion process involved shipping Imperial LeBaron hardtop bodies to Turin, Italy, where Ghia craftsmen would cut, lengthen, and completely rework them into six-window limousines.
The exterior featured elegant proportions with a black landau top, gold pinstripes, and the distinctive Imperial styling cues of the era. Each vehicle took approximately a month to complete, reflecting the extensive handwork required.
Power came from a 413-cubic-inch V8 engine producing 340 horsepower, paired with Chrysler’s TorqueFlite automatic transmission. The drivetrain used pushbutton controls, a signature feature of Chrysler products during this period.
At $18,500, these limousines cost nearly three times as much as a standard Imperial sedan and significantly more than competing Cadillac Series 75 models. The Ghia Imperial program ran from 1957 through 1965, with only 132 total limousines produced during this span, making the 1964 models among the final examples of this ultra-exclusive collaboration.
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