1937 Chrysler C-16 Royal Convertible Sedan

In 1933, the Chrysler Royal first appeared as the CT Series. They were fitted with features such as suicide doors, dual wipers, dual taillights, dual trumpet horns, and sweeping fenders. The Prices ranged from $895 for the business coupe and rose to $1,085 for the convertible sedan.

Beginning in 1935, Chrysler replaced many of its aerodynamic Airflow models with the more conventional Raymond Dietrich-designed Airstream. This style would remain in production through 1938 in a wide variety of models and body styles, including the four-door convertible sedan bodied by Murray.

The 1937 Royal was the company's six-cylinder line. The L-head, 228.1 cubic-inch engine offered 93 horsepower in standard guise. They came with a three-speed manual transmission with a conventional clutch, steel spoke wheels and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. In the front was a grille with multiple horizontal bars, and bullet-shaped headlights mounted on the front fenders. Most bodies rested on a 116-inch wheelbase platform, however, a 133-inch version was available for the 7-passenger touring sedan and the 7-passenger Limousine.

Chrysler built 642 examples of the six-cylinder convertible sedan in 1937. This particular example is one of about a dozen that still remain in existence. In the early 1980s, it was discovered in a barn in Ellenburg Depot, New York, by Fred Strass of Hackettstown, New Jersey, who spent five years painstakingly restoring it to its original condition.

While in the care of Pete Brophy, it won numerous first prizes and best-of-show wins, including AACA senior honors.

By Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2017