The year was 1955

@Dirn Wow! That's gorgeous! Do you have any idea why they would add that length in such an odd place? Why not create more room in the interior?

@jkuvakas 

john,

my guess is this.  It was the easiest place to add the length. The longer wheelbase was designed for prestige and a better ride.

and the ride is certainly better.

Adding length in the cabin would have required a separate different roof. This is a company that was able to use the same windshield for all of their various models: 2 and 4 door hardtop and 4 door sedan. The Windsor and New Yorker convertibles did have a shorter (cut down) windshield, but it was the same to start with.. The added length also gave Imperials a capacious trunk (7 inches deeper).

One last thing. Imperial limousines and Crown Sedans do have a longer roof and added interior including jump seats. And even though they are longer even than standard Imperials, their trunk is smaller with a shorter trunk lid.

@dirn, totally makes sense. Thanks, Tom.

Posted by: @dirn

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I should know after building an Imperial convertible which was never made by the factory.

Amazing conversion!  Always a fan of convertibles, I vividly remember a few conversion shops in the late 1980's.   For a fee, they'd turn just about anything into a drop top. I had some ideas but never followed through.... I wouldn't ever want to (nor could I ) do what you did.   I appreciate the fact that you retained a stock  appearance.  Your One of Zero  looks great!

Posted by: @ed-davis

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@bob-jackman +1

+2!

Amazing, that is one really long quarter panel behind the wheel well.