Long Cars in Shelton

A rare 1959 Chrysler Imperial LeBaron highlighted the Antique and Classic Car Show today in Shelton. There was no award at the show for overall length, but if there had been one, the beautiful blue four-door hardtop (see photo) would have won. Not counting limousines, it is one of the longest production cars ever made in the United States.

The feature car appeared to be loaded with every option available at Chrysler in 1959, including a combination vinyl and stainless steel roof, power windows and seats, and air conditioning. Everything on the car is huge—you could probably fit a loveseat in the trunk and still have room for the spare tire. At 226.3 inches long (almost 19 feet) and 81 inches wide, it would be advisable to bring a friend if you have to wash and wax it.

I looked up a few more facts and specifications for the gorgeous land yacht at The Classic Car Database web site. The 1959 Imperial LeBaron was available as a four-door sedan or a four-door hardtop. With a base price of $5570, production was extremely limited. The hardtop slightly outsold the sedan, 622 to 510. LeBarons rode on a 129-inch wheelbase and weighed nearly two and a half tons—4875 pounds for the hardtop. There was a 413-cubic-inch engine rated at 350 horsepower under the hood. A 23-gallon gas tank helped lengthen the intervals between trips to the gas station.

A 1959 Pontiac Bonneville (see photo below), also at today’s show, looks like it might top the Imperial LeBaron in a contest for Shelton’s longest car. But that’s probably because of the angle and lighting of the photo of the four-door hardtop. Or perhaps the fender skirts covering the rear wheels make the big Pontiac look longer. According to a spec sheet provided by the owner, the Bonneville has a 124-inch wheelbase and measures 220 inches in length. That’s half a foot less than the Imperial LeBaron.

Neither car would fit in my cramped garage.