1932 Chrysler Series CI

After rescuing the ailing Willys Company, Walter Chrysler stepped in to help the troubled Maxwell-Chalmers Company. The Chalmers company did not survive past 1923, and soon the Chrysler automobile appeared, initially with just six-cylinder power. After the Maxwell Company's demise after the 1925 model year, a four-cylinder model joined the Chrysler.

Chrysler's engineering team included Fred Zeder, Owen Skelton, and Carl Breer and together they developed the 'Silent Shift' transmission, the CentriFuse brake drums, oil-impregnated sintered metal, and 'squeak proof' oil light springs - among many other innovations.

The 1932 Chrysler CI was a six-cylinder model and the company's entry-level offering, with prices that ranged from $880 and rose to just over $1,100. The other models in the Chrysler lineup (the Series CP, Series CH, and Series CL Custom Imperial) were all powered by eight-cylinder engines, making the CI the sole six-cylinder model. Body styles on the CI included a roadster, phaeton, business coupe, rumble seat coupe, convertible coupe, sedan, and convertible sedan.

The Series CI had a 116-inch wheelbase that was the smallest in the lineup, the CP had a 125-inch platform, the CH rested on a 135-inch wheelbase, and the Series CL measured 146 inches. Changes this year included a new oval instrument board, dual cowl ventilators, larger hubcaps covering the wheel lugs, and a dual vee-type split windshield on the closed-bodied cars. The open cars had a one-piece windshield. New optional equipment included an automatic vacuum-controlled clutch and silent gear selector. Standard equipment included dash-controlled freewheeling, hydraulic shock absorbers, double drop frame, hydraulic brakes, Delco Remy ignition, and flexible 'Floating Power' type engine suspension system.

The L-Head, six-cylinder engine had a 223.98 cubic-inch displacement, solid valve lifters, a Ball & Ball carburetor, 5.35:1 compression, and developed 82 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. It used a three-speed manual transmission with floor shift controls, a conventional clutch, a shaft drive, and a 4.6:1 gear ratio. Braking was handled by four-wheel hydraulic drums which were standard on all 1932 Chryslers and rode on wood-spoke wheels. Options included bumpers, rear fender guards, side-mounted spares, metal side-mount covers, steel spoke wheels, trunk rack, touring trunk, Trippe lights, automatic vacuum-operated clutch, cigar lighter, and wire wheels.

The total 1932 Chrysler Series CI produced was 18,964 units, plus a few custom-bodied cars built on the Chrysler CI six chassis. Buyer's agreed with its styling, mechanical prowess, and price point, resulting in the Series CI accounting for approximately 75% of Chrysler's 1932 sales.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020