1933 Chrysler CL Custom Imperial Phaeton

The cylinder wars of the 1920s and 1930s had raised the bar on the luxury car segment. Cadillac had introduced its powerful V12 and V16 engines, followed by Marmon with its Sixteen cylinder engine. Pierce-Arrow re-entered the competition in the early 1930s with a 12-cylinder car. Lincoln, backed by funding from a prosperous Ford Company, continued to improve their fleet. Chrysler attacked with a vengeance in 1931, introducing a luxury car with style and performance accompanied by an attractive sticker price. This was the Imperial series.

The LeBaron-designed bodies were sensational; the long wheelbase and curvy fenders were elegant. The 384 cubic-inc nine, main bearings, eight-cylinder engine was not the largest engine in the market but it was powerful enough to offer impressive performance.

In 1920 the LeBaron Carrossiers Inc was formed by Thomas L. Hibbard and Raymond Dietrich, two very recognized names in the automotive business. They chose a location in New York City and though it was more than they could afford it did boost their image. The name 'LeBaron' had been chosen in a similar fashion; it sounded French, sophisticated, and had appeal. New York City housed its design office while the coachbuilding facilities were located in another location.

Ralph Roberts joined LeBaron shortly after it was opened. Due to his skills and abilities, was given a one-third partnership in the company.

Hibbard had always been fascinated with French design and in 1923 he traveled to France in pursuit of opening an office there. While there, he met Howard 'Dutch' Darrin and within a short amount of time, joined forces and created a company called Hibbard & Darrin. Hibbard sold his portion of LeBaron to Roberts and Dietrich.

Dietrich continued as a chief designer while Roberts managed the business. They hired Werner Gubitz and Roland Stickney to work as designers, illustrators, and draftsmen. Later, Dietrich was recruited by Murray and he went to work at that firm.

Briggs, one of the largest body building firms in Detroit, acquired LeBaron in 1927. Briggs's list of clients included such names as Hudson, Ford, and Chrysler, to name a few. LeBaron soon was designing custom coach bodies for Pierce-Arrow, Cadillac, and Lincoln.

LeBaron bodies graced some of the greatest creations of the era including the Duesenberg Model J, Marmon Sixteen, and the Chrysler CG and CL imperials.

Chrysler ordered fifty sport phaeton bodies from LeBaron in 1932. In 1932, fourteen were shipped and it is believed that a few were returned to the company for updating and trim. 36 were built in 1933, minus those that had been returned to the factory the year prior.

This 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Sport Phaeton with chassis number 7803604 is one of thirty-six examples built. It carries body number 172-26 and has coachwork by LeBaron. It is powered by a 384 cubic-inch nine main bearing eight-cylinder engine that produces 135 horsepower. It has a four-speed synchromesh transmission, vacuum clutch, and four-wheel hydraulically-actuated drum brakes. It sits atop a 146-inch wheelbase and has leaf springs and a beam front axle with leaf springs and a live rear axle.

It was offered for sale at the 2006 RM Auctions in Meadow Brook where it was expected to fetch $275,000 - $350,000. It found a buyer at $280,500.

By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2017