What Made the Imperial Disc Brakes a Game-Changer in the ’60s

Back in the early ’60s, most cars still relied on drum brakes—a system that was fine in theory, but downright terrifying on a steep downgrade in bad weather. Then came Chrysler’s Imperial, leading the Mopar charge into disc brake territory. Not only was it a performance upgrade—it was a whole new way of thinking about safety.

If you're restoring a classic Chrysler, understanding the Imperial disc brake setup is more than a history lesson—it's a blueprint for better performance and peace of mind.

Disc Brakes Weren’t Common—Yet

When disc brakes started appearing on U.S. production cars, they weren’t standard. They were either optional or reserved for premium models. The Imperial, being Chrysler’s top-of-the-line, was one of the first Mopars to offer them consistently by the mid-1960s.

Disc brakes brought a few big improvements:

• Faster heat dissipation = less brake fade
  
  

• Shorter stopping distances, especially at high speed
  
  

• Smoother performance in wet or downhill conditions
  
  

That made them especially valuable on big, heavy cruisers like the Imperial.

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What Made the Imperial Setup Unique

The early Imperial disc brakes used a four-piston caliper design and a large rotor—borrowed from aircraft-style braking systems. These weren’t just bolt-ons. They were engineered into the car to handle the kind of mass and luxury ride Chrysler was delivering at the time.

Andy’s Tip: These setups are rare and expensive to restore, but they’re worth it for authenticity. If you’re not going concours-correct, there are simpler modern replacements that still preserve the look.

Drum vs Disc: A Real-World Difference

I had a buddy once swap out his drums for discs on a ’65 Imperial after nearly rear-ending a station wagon on the freeway. He said the difference was like trading in dress shoes for cleats—better grip, better control, less panic.

Disc brakes don’t just perform better—they inspire more confidence. And for a car built for long, smooth cruising, that’s exactly what you want.

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Are They Worth Restoring?

If your Imperial came with factory discs and you still have the original components, absolutely. Clean them up, rebuild them, and keep them where they belong.

If you’re converting from drums, don’t just grab any kit off the shelf. Make sure it matches your master cylinder, booster, and wheel size. Otherwise, you could wind up with a mismatched system that causes more trouble than it solves.

 

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Upgrade or Restore Your Imperial Brakes

Whether you’re going full factory or just want safer stops on modern roads, we carry disc brake parts and conversion kits designed for classic Mopars.

👉 Shop Imperial Brake Parts – https://www.oldmoparts.com/classic-chrysler-parts
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