Chrysler’s prestigious Imperial line of 1959 was the last to use the “Forward Look” styling that debuted in 1957, but it also incorporated a few firsts, including the introduction of the mighty 413-cubic-inch V-8, offering up 350 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. New gadgetry included dual front swivel seats, air cushion-enhanced torsion bar suspension for a peerless ride, and headlights and a rearview mirror that both adjusted to the glare of oncoming traffic.

The two-door “hardtop” Crown Southampton offered here was one of only 1,728 produced in 1959. Its original trim tag notes that it was built in the delightfully mid-century hue of Persian Pink over a full leather interior and equipped with six-way swiveling power front seats and numerous factory options. These included, in the Chrysler copywriters’ creative verbiage, the Flite-Sweep deck lid, with its embossed “spare tire;” the stainless steel Silvercrest roof; Custom Conditionaire heater; Touch Tuner radio, with rear speaker and power antenna; and Auto Pilot cruise control; as well as power windows, remote driver’s side mirror, and hood ornament.

Frederick C. Williams of Mechanicsburg, Ohio, the Imperial’s earliest known owner, sold it in 2003 to Charles J. Jandik of nearby Richfield; the title at the time noted 60,284 actual miles. When Mr. Jandik passed away in 2007, the Imperial joined the noted collection of Glenn Boyd in Wake Forest, North Carolina, a fellow appreciator of fine original 1950s automobiles well-known to The Michael Leith Collection. Mr. Boyd retained the Crown in his fleet until his own passing in 2022, and it was afterward acquired by Michael Leith. At the time of cataloguing, the car showed just 63,089 actual miles, reflecting its careful use by its successive owners over the years. It has been well-sorted in Mr. Leith’s collection and is offered in wonderful running and driving order.

Nothing speaks to this era of Chrysler like a gloriously tailfinned, chrome-bedecked Imperial—Silvercrest roof, Flite-Sweep deck lid, and all.