D'Agostino Custom Chrysler Imperial! (sold)
This custom 1957 imperial Chrysler is another work of art from the D'Agostino stable, purchased by Rene Rivkin and imported into Australia. The Imperial is considered one of Chrysler's great designs of the '50s. In many ways, it was already custom-styled from Detroit, but when Steve Standford, John Aiello and John started blending ideas the outcome became a radical '50s 'dream car'." Now being offered for sale in Australia.
Price:
$90,000
Specifications:
John started with a mint, 51,000 mile, one-owner car from Santa Barbara. His work was not a simple cut, fill and paint project - it was a major redesign. The top was chopped 3-1/4 inches at the front and 4-1/4 inches at the rear. The front fenders were swapped for '59 Imperials, which were sectioned and customized with '57 Mercury Turnpike Cruiser headlights. The headlight bezels were trimmed with perforated chrome mesh screens and fitted with Lucas headlights. The grille cavity was extended and rolled into the lower opening and the hood, doors and trunk corners were rounded. The body was de-seamed, molded, nosed, and decked and the rear tail fins were radically redefined at a much steeper angle. The body-mounted tail lights were removed and new lamps replaced into the '59 Imperial rearbumper. They were specially made by Gene Winfield. The remaining chrome and steel was replated. Creating new glass for the car was a major proposition. The rolling stock on the Imperial is Chromed Roadster Wire Wheels, which are capped with replica 760x15 BF Goodrich rubber by Coker Tires.
Powering the '57 is a freshened 392 Imperial Hemi which features 2-4's on a polished aluminum manifold and rare factory chrome valve covers. John had Madison's Air Conditioning of Concord, California install a Vintage Air A/C system and a radiator from US Radiator to keep the Hemi at the right temperature. Dago's Machine Engineering in Pacheco, CA, did all the engine prep and installation.
The paint is a Gene Winfield special.The design called for a Jade Idol-type fadeaway in a Candy/Pearl copper, gold and cinnamon toner over a light cream base color. The interior was handed using a pair of '59 Imperial swivel-mounted bucket seats, a custom console, and a rear seat, Trimmed in white pearl leather and imported Italian copper fabric. The console was also custom built, as were the brushed-stainless and chrome-perforated inserts.
