Imperial Crown Limousine

The Chrysler Imperial limousine bearing chassis number LY11001 was constructed by Carrozzeria Ghia in Turin in 1958 on a special long-wheelbase platform. This model formed part of a limited production series of 31 hand-built limousines commissioned by Chrysler and assembled in Italy under the direction of Virgil Exner’s design office. These vehicles were intended for official and ceremonial use, combining American mechanical engineering with European custom coachbuilding practices. This particular example is understood to have been delivered new to the Eaton family of Toronto, one of Canada’s most prominent business families during the mid-20th century. Contemporary accounts associate the vehicle with Queen Elizabeth II’s 1959 visit to Canada, during which she attended the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair. While in Toronto, the Queen was hosted by the Eaton family, and it is reported that this Chrysler was used for her transportation to official events. A second car, described as a companion unit with a modified plexiglass rear enclosure intended for parade visibility, is believed to have been ordered concurrently. Following the eventual dissolution of the Eaton company, the limousine was retained in private hands and stored at the family’s seasonal estate. In the 1990s, it was acquired by Ed Meurer, an enthusiast and collector, who preserved the car and displayed it at regional exhibitions. Retaining its original specifications and formal configuration, the vehicle serves as a surviving example of Chrysler’s collaboration with Ghia, representing a brief period when American manufacturers engaged European coachbuilders to produce limited-series ceremonial and executive transport.