1933 Chrysler CL Custom Imperial Phaeton

Chrysler introduced their Imperial model in July of 1930. Built on a 145-inch wheelbase it was powered by their largest, 384.8 cubic-inch straight-8 engine, which developed 125 horsepower. The standard CL Imperial line was offered with six body styles as well as a handful of individual customs for specific customers. These included a roadster, a coupe, a convertible coupe, and this custom phaeton, all built by LeBaron.

This long-wheelbase version was dubbed the CL Imperial Custom and was distinguished by a longer hood, extending from the radiator shell back to the base of the windshield. Ralph Roberts, a partner at LeBaron, had been inspired by a design he saw at the 1931 Paris Auto Salon, and commissioned a Lincoln to be built in a similar fashion. After that, Walter Chrysler ordered it to be adopted for the new CL. This Imperial was a favorite of Roberts, who maintained the car well into his retirement. It was much admired by his neighbor, Richard Stephens, the patriarch of the Academy of Art University, who was instrumental in building its automobile collection. This Chrysler, which was warded the Most Elegant Open award at Pebble Beach in the mid-1990s, currently resides at the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, California.

Chrysler introduced the Series CG Imperial in July of 1930. It rode on a very large, 145-inch wheelbase and was powered by an all-new straight eight. At this point in history, there were no fewer than four different Chrysler eights, with the Imperial receiving the largest, a 384.8 cubic-inch, nine-main bearing unit developing 125 horsepower. The Imperial line was offered with four production bodies by Briggs, and four catalogued customs. The semi-custom bodies included a roadster, coupe, convertible coupe, and dual-cowl phaeton, all clothed by LeBaron. Additionally, the chassis provided a suitable platform to receive elegant coachwork capable of satisfying every customer's needs and desires.

The Series CG Imperial was succeeded by a new Series CH line in 1932. These came with a double-drop frame, vee-type windshield, and Floating Power. A long-wheelbase version was available and dubbed the CL Custom Imperial. The CL line was distinguished by a longer hood, extending from the radiator shell back to the base of the windshield. The catalog for the CL line listed six body styles, three of which were by LeBaron, and a handful of individual customs for specific customers.

At the 1931 Paris Auto Show, Ralph Roberts was inspired by a design he saw and commissioned a Lincoln to be built in a similar fashion. Edsel Ford was not impressed by Lincoln's experimental hood, but Walter Chrysler did and ordered it adopted for the new CL.

In 1932, the Chrysler CL's original dual cowl phaeton was replaced by what many call a sport phaeton with a crank-up rear screen, housed in the back of the front seat. In 1933, the CL received very few changes.

LeBaron Carrossiers, Inc.
The LeBaron coach-building firm was formed in New York City in 1920 by Raymond Dietrich and Thomas Hibbard. Their first project was a drawing of a seven-passenger limousine for the New York branch manager for Packard. The task of building the body was handled by Fleetwood. The customer was so impressed and satisfied with the design, that soon referrals began to come in.

Within a short time of the company's inception, Ralph Roberts (a recent Dartmouth graduate) was hired by the LeBaron company as a partner. Soon, the company was designing bodies for chassis supplied by New York dealers for Rolls-Royce, Mercedes-Benz, Minerva, Fiat, Hispano-Suiza, Packard, Cadillac, and Pierce-Arrow (and others).

In 1923, Hibbard left for Europe, where he associated with Howard 'Dutch' Darrin in Hibbard & Darrin. Before the close of the year, the remaining partners of LeBaron were approached by the Bridgeport Body Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut to become design partners, in exchange for stock.

After a favorable meeting between Dietrich and Edsel Ford at the New York Auto Show, the LeBaron Company received a large order from the Lincoln marque. Soon, Lincoln had become LeBaron's best customer. Pleased with the work, Edsel tried to get Dietrich and Roberts to relocate to Detroit. Dietrich was persuaded by the very generous offer and moved to Michigan. Roberts and Stickney, however, remained at Bridgeport. In 1927, Walter Briggs of Briggs Body Company in Detroit approached Roberts with a buyout offer. This time, Roberts accepted the offer and departed for Detroit, where he and LeBaron became an in-house design studio for Briggs.

The Briggs Company was a major body supplier for the newly formed Chrysler Corporation. The recent purchase of LeBaron allowed Briggs an opportunity to provide an upscale series of designs.

In 1953, Chrysler bought out Briggs and the LeBaron name was part of the purchase. The name has been used by Chrysler on certain prestige models ever since.

Chrysler Custom Imperial Five-Passenger Phaeton
Chassis number 7803657 is believed to be the last example completed. It was built for Ralph Roberts as a gift for his wife. The car was given several unique features including dual rear-mounted spare tires, a painted radiator, and lower-mounted headlights.

The car remained with the Roberts until the early 1940s. It was later purchased by Bob Harrison of San Francisco. At the time, it still wore its original paint and all the unique features. A few changes were made over the years by Mr. Harrison, including black paint and a stone guard. It remained in his care until 1960 when it was purchased by fellow San Franciscan Bob Burkholder. The new owner had the top removed and replaced it with a canvas tonneau cover. The fender skirts were removed along with the unique wheel discs.

By the mid-1980s, the car was in the care of its seventh owner, Mr. Otis Chandler. Later owners included Joe Morgan in the early 1990s as well as Neil Wynn, who commissioned a complete restoration by Curt Austin, after which the car was awarded the Most Elegant Open award at Pebble Beach in the mid-1990s.

The car resided in another prominent collection before its acquisition by the Milhous Collection in 1998. Currently, the car is painted in its original Moon glow Polychromatic and the original Roberts-ordered features have been restored. The interior is upholstered in tan leather and furnished with a rear seat armrest. The floors have grey carpet, and the top is tan canvas, with a matching tire cover at the rear.

In 2012, the car was brought to auction. At the time, the car had fewer than 78,000 miles. RM Auctions was tasked with finding a new owner for the car. The car was estimated to sell for $750,000 - $1,000,000. As bidding came to a close, the car had been sold for $1,210,000 inclusive of the buyer's premium. A few months later, the new owner brought the car to Concours d'Elegance of America at St. John's where it was awarded Best of Show.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2012