1933 Chrysler CL Custom Imperial Convertible Sedan

Intrigued by the automobile industry, Walter P. Chrysler left his lucrative job at American Locomotive Works to accept a meager position with James J. Storrow, who was in charge of restructuring the ailing General Motors Company. Within four years, Chrysler had become President and General Manager of Buick, but following a dispute with Billy Durant, Chrysler focused his attention on the crippled Willys- Overland Company. By 1922, he had moved to the Maxwell Company, soon earning profits in excess of four million dollars.

With help from several gifted engineers from Willys-Overland, Chrysler began work on a special project - a new six-cylinder engine. Wearing the Maxwell nameplate, the car was promoted as the 'Chrysler Six.' He attempted to display it at the 1924 New York Motor Show, but the car was rejected as it was not a production model. So instead, Chrysler launched a different campaign strategy. Knowing that several key figures of the automobile industry and media were staying at the Hotel Commodore for the auto show, Chrysler leased the lobby. His marketing strategy worked and he would leave a few days later with a five million dollar loan to mass produce his car. By mid-1925, Chrysler acquired the Maxwell Company and renamed it the Chrysler Corporation.

The new Chrysler Corporation ranked number 32 among the American automobile manufacturers, but within a one-year period, the company jumped to fifth place. Near the close of the 1920s, it was in fourth place. Ahead of Chrysler were Ford and Chevrolet, who had their own facilities to forge steel and iron. If Chrysler were to compete and expand its operations, Chrysler would have to spend millions to expand its operations. Instead, they turned to Dodge, who was also struggling to compete. Along with Plymouth and DeSoto, the Chrysler Corporation would become the third-largest auto company in America.

In 1926, Chrysler entered the luxury car segment to take on Cadillac and Packard. The new model was dubbed the Imperial and in 1931, the new Imperial 8 was introduced, equipped with a 385 cubic-inch straight-eight engine offering 125 horsepower. It offered effortless performance, hydraulic brakes, and attractive styling.

This particular 1933 Chrysler CL Custom wears dual windshield phaeton coachwork by LeBaron - one of thirty-six examples built in this style. By 1952, it was owned by Quentin Craft of Prescott, Arizona, who in turn sold it to Earl J. Broyles of Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1966. Dave Kane purchased the Chrysler in 1997 and subsequently entrusted it to the award-winning Stone Barn Classic Cars of Vienna, New Jersey, for a complete refurbishment. After the work was completed, it was shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 2000, where it earned Best in Class honors. Senior and Premier First Place awards followed at the 2000 CCCA Spring and Summer Grand Classic shows. It was later shown at the Amelia Island Concours d'Elegance, and scored a perfect 100 points at the 2004 CCCA Michigan Regional Annual Meeting, winning First Place in the Premier Division.

A private collector purchased the Imperial from Mr. Kane in 2005, and the current caretaker purchased it in 2011.

The car wears a dark green paint screen with a matching green leather interior and tan top. The 385 cubic-inch L-Head 'Red Head' inline eight-cylinder engine has a single Stromberg carburetor and delivers 125 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. There is a four-speed manual gearbox, four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes, and a live rear axle with semi-elliptical leaf springs.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2023