Here I go again, slamming Chrysler's big car styling. Sorry, but I just can't help it. Those hulking masses remind me of the monster truck that menaced Dennis Weaver throughout the movie "Duel." Elegance, which to my eyes is essential for timeless design, is totally missing and, I'm sorry to say, I don't see much of it in this Chrysler Imperial concept.

The Imperial, which is built on a stretched Chrysler 300 platform, is a massive blending of disconnected shapes that coalesce into one great lump. It looks surprisingly like the latest Rolls-Royce and in this instance that's not a compliment for the Roller doesn't display much elegance either. The grille is an attempt to make a statement (as in, if you're a big, expensive luxury car you must have a vast, in-your-face grille reminiscent of classic Rolls-Royce and Mercedes sedans) and the trunk, which you don't see in this view, is a throwback to the boattail speedsters of the 1930's. Actually, I rather like it.

One might question whether Chrysler really needs a car of this type in its portfolio. Maybachs and VW Phaetons are not exactly in demand these days. Knowing as I do that the company's talented design teams can create beautiful cars I'm looking forward to that time in the future when the current theme runs its course and elegance matters again. Back in the 1930's one of the most elegant cars you could buy was... the Chrysler Imperial!