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1939 Chrysler Royal Windsor

The Chrysler company was founded on June 6th of 1925 by Walter P. Chrysler, with the re-organization of the Maxwell Motor Company. Like General Motors, the Chrysler company had several companion companies that focused specifically on different market segments, with Chrysler vehicles occupying the luxury segment. The top-of-the-line Chrysler was the Imperial, a name that was first used in 1926 and would eventually become its own make/brand in 1955.

For 1939, the Plymouth vehicles occupied the low-price market with prices that ranged from $645 to $1,150. Wheelbase sizes included a 114- and 117-inch platform and the six-cylinder engine had a 201.3 CID with 82 horsepower. An optional version with higher compression boosted power by 4 hp. A commercial version of the engine brought horsepower to 70 bhp.

The Dodge vehicles had chassis sizes of 114-, 117- and 134-inches, power from six-cylinder engines with 201 and 217.8 cubic-inch displacements, and 82 and 87 horsepower respectively. Prices ranged from $760 to $1,190.

The 1939 DeSoto vehicles wore streamlined styling and were equipped with a 228.1 CID inline-6 with 93 horsepower or 100 bhp with higher compression. Wheelbase measured 119- and 136-inches and prices ranged from $870 to $1,340.

1939 Chrysler
The 1939 Chrysler vehicles used both six- and eight-cylinder engines with chassis sizes of 119-, 125, and 130-inches. Prices ranged from $920 to $2,700. The 241.5 CID inline-6 with 6.2:1 compression, solid valve lifters, a cast-iron block, and a Carter carburetor developed 100 horsepower (107 hp with 7.0:1 compression). The 323.5 CID inline-6 had 130 hp (8 hp higher with higher compression), and the 323.5 inline-8 produced 132 horsepower (optional 138 hp).

The Chrysler and DeSoto line experimented with a radical aerodynamic model in 1935 which was not well received by the public. Known as the Airflow, they remained in production for only a brief period of time as conventional body styles were readied for production. The Airflow disappeared in 1938, and the Chrysler Royal which had been introduced in 1937, entered its third year of production in 1939.

Styling updates for the 1939 Chrysler included narrower running boards, recessed headlamps incorporated into the fenders, and a chrome strip that traveled upwards on the prow-shaped nose of the cars. The grilles had common designs throughout the Chrysler line with various differences in details. An upper belt molding began at the cowl and traveled to the rear of the body, and the Chrysler name appeared in script on both sides of the nose. The front bumper had a dip in its center with a twin bar guard arrangement. There was a vee-shaped windshield replacing the flat windscreen of the previous year. in the back was a concealed luggage compartment.

The 1939 Chrysler Royal included a coupe priced at $920, a Victoria Coupe at $970, a brougham at $975, and a four-door sedan priced at $1,010. A long-wheelbase version with seven-passenger seating was available, with the sedan priced at $1,235 and the limousine at $1,330.

The Royal and Royal Windsor was powered by the 241.5 CID engine six-cylinder with solid valve lifters, four main bearings, a Carter carburetor, and delivering 100 horsepower and 185 lb-ft of torque. It was backed by a three-speed synchromesh transmission with a conventional clutch and steering column-mounted gear selector. All four wheels had Lockheed four-wheel hydraulic brakes and steel spoke wheels. The wheelbase measured 119 inches and the long-wheelbase versions measured 136 inches.

Within the Royal line was the Royal Windsor which came equipped with Solar Spark ignition, an illuminated speedometer, nicer interior accouterments, a steering wheel-mounted gear selector, and hydraulic brakes. They were identified by the 'Windsor' name in chrome script behind three vertical bars on the sides of the hood.

The Royal Windsor coupe was priced at $980, the victoria coupe at $1035, the club coupe at $1,185, and the sedan was $1075. Both Royal and Royal Windsor production was combined, with 45,955 examples being sedans, 4,780 being the coupe, and 239 examples of the victoria coupe. 4,838 were Royal Broughams and 2,983 were Royal Windsor Club Coupes.

Above the Royal and Royal Windsor within the Chrylser line were the Imperial, New Yorker, Saratoga, and Custom imperial, all powered by eight-cylinder engines.

Chrylser would continue to use the Royal name through 1942 representing the entry-level model. When civilian automobile production resumed following World War II, the Royal name once again was the entry-level model, offered in sedan and coupe body styles with a standard and long-wheelbase platform. 1950 was the final year for the Royal name and the Windsor continued through 1960.


by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021

1939 Chrysler Royal Windsor Vehicle Profiles

Recent Vehicle Additions

Performance and Specification Comparison

Price Comparison

1939 Royal Windsor
$1,190-$8,400
1939 Chrysler Royal Windsor Price Range: $980 - $1,190

Compare: Lower | Higher | Similar

Other 1939 Chrysler Models
$915 - $1,010

Royal

Specification Comparison by Year

Year
Production
Wheelbase
Engine
Prices
116.00 in., 133.00 in.
6 cyl., 228.10 CID., 93.00hp
6 cyl., 228.10 CID., 100.00hp
$810 - $1,350
119.00 in., 136.00 in.
6 cyl., 241.50 CID., 100.00hp
6 cyl., 241.50 CID., 107.00hp
$980 - $1,190
55,812
119.00 in.
6 cyl., 241.50 CID., 100.00hp
$915 - $1,010
23,991
121.50 in., 139.50 in.
6 cyl., 250.60 CID., 120.00hp
$1,075 - $1,685

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