American Muscles | Episode 03 – Imperial LeBaron

IMPERIAL LEBARON

Words Christian Parodi / Photos courtesy of their respective owners

Some occasions happen by chance and are as unexpected as they are special and definitely unrepeatable. This precise morning I wake up and on my smartphone I find a message saying “Chris, meet me at the gas station in front of your hotel, hopefully I’ll let you jump on a ’69 LeBaron”. In just a few minutes and without even thinking about breakfast, I find myself in front of a colossal Imperial LeBaron, ready to be delivered to its future owner, who will undoubtedly have some work to do – that’s why I didn’t even take a photo.

The second reason is the very little time at my disposal and therefore without the slightest delay, I begin to really realize how huge American cars were in the sixties. 5.8 meters long and 2 meters wide, regardless of whether comes as coupe or four-door version, the LeBaron has a unique look, an extremely low roof which makes it immediately recognizable, especially if looked from the front, the most distinctive side thanks to the two thin vertical headlights placed at the ends of the two rows of 20 square elements that characterized it. From the side profile it is equally immense and both the lowered stance and the mudguard that overlooks most of the rear wheels accentuate the idea of sportiness of a model which is nonetheless designed to cover great distances in the greatest possible comfort.

The LeBaron is no exception compared to the competition of the era and in fact enjoys a very soft set-up, which allows relaxed driving, almost as if you were behind the wheel of a gigantic inflatable mattress. The passenger compartment is pure 60s, with a large three-seater bench at the front and gear lever on the steering wheel, which shows off part of the crown in wood, to reiterate that Imperial left nothing to chance. Available with a 7.2-litre V8, the LeBaron delivered 350 horsepower at 4,400 rpm, thus allowing its generous bulk to move with discrete ease, provided that once you reach a corner you keep in mind that the set-up was anything but sporty.

A pity I didn’t have more time, as I consider it as one of the brightest examples of design in terms of purity and clean lines that are not so subtle, trying and managing to accentuate the 3XL size that Americans have always loved, especially in those wonderful years. If in Europe we talked about a 7.2 cc for a family sedan, we would be locked up in a mental hospital, today as it was back then. But here’s another story and few cars smell of stars and stripes like the ’69 Imperial.

… to be continued