1928 Chrysler Series 80 Town Cabriolet

Chrysler's top-of-the-line Imperial was in its third model year with production totaling only about 2,000 units. Just 161 sported custom bodies, including 21 to 31 Travelers. Just two are known to exist today, including this car which sold for $4,185 when new. The Chrysler Imperial L80 was large enough to take many different custom bodies from companies like Locke, Dietrich, and as with this example, LeBaron. A total of 161 custom-bodied Imperials were sold in 1928 and very few have survived.

The 309 cubic-inch Red Head engine with a 6.1:1 compression ratio produced 112 horsepower, making this the most powerful American automobile sold in the United States in 1928. The top speed was nearly 100 mph and these cars nearly won Le Mans that year. The 1928 Imperial had 35 pounds per horsepower, compared to 56 pounds for Cadillac, and when coupled with Lockheed hydraulic brakes, its performance was outstanding. Production for all 1928 Imperials was only about 2,000 cars while similar-priced Cadillacs and Packards each sold nearly ten times that amount.

It was purchased new at Kirby Motors in Kingston, Pennsylvania by Eleanor Mulligan. Her father founded the Second National Bank of Wilkes Barre, where she worked as an officer alongside her brother James, who was president of the firm. The car was used sparingly, spending much of its time at the family camp in nearby Glen Summit.

Eleanor dies in 1949, willing the car to her nephew William. He then drove the car during his college years, amassing nearly 35,000 miles. The car remained in storage for the next 40 years until purchased by the current owners from William in July 2012. It remains in original condition with just 73,000 miles on its odometer. The car retains its two side-mounted spare tires from the 1930s, and it has never been restored.