1933 Chrysler CQ Series Imperial

The early 1930s were scarred by the effect of the Great Depression with many automakers unable to survive those lean years. Despite these difficult times, many brilliant automobiles emerged, all vying for those elusive sales. The cylinder wars entered its zenith when Cadillac, followed closely by Marmon, introduced V16 engines. Duesenberg had a straight-eight engine and despite lacking half the cylinders, produced approximately twice as much horsepower as the Cadillac, leading the industry in horsepower, prestige, and price.

Chrysler introduced a new Imperial in 1931, featuring a long hood, vee-type radiator, a split and slanted windshield, and broad sweeping fenders. Walter P. Chrysler had begun moving up-market in 1926 when the marque he founded was just two years old. By the close of that year, Chrysler was ranked seventh in United States automaker sales. The early Chrysler automobiles, produced in the old Chalmers plant in Detroit, were innovative, medium-priced, six-cylinder cars offering above-average performance. The range soon expanded to include a four, a smaller six, and the Imperial, a larger and more expensive automobile.

The 1932 and 1933 Chrysler models received progressive styling updates with more pronounced separated two-piece windshields, door-type hood ventilators, and larger overall proportions. The 1933 Chrysler lineup consisted of the entry-level CO Series powered by a six-cylinder engine. The CT Series had an eight-cylinder engine and a wheelbase of either 120- or 128.5-inch wheelbase depending on the body style. Most of these bodies rested on the shorter platform, with the larger reserved for an 8-passenger sedan, or bare chassis for custom coachwork. The Imperial Series CQ was an all-new eight-cylinder model resting on a 126-inch wheelbase. It was smaller than the top-of-the-line Custom Imperial Series CL that measured a staggering 146 inches.

The Imperial CQ was introduced in December of 1932 and was intended as a more economical alternative to the CL, sharing many of its larger sibling's design cues, including the raked V-type radiator, a hood with door-type cooling vents, single-bar bumpers, and sweeping fenders. Body Styles included a rumble seat coupe, victoria coupe, convertible coupe, sedan, and convertible sedan. A bare chassis was also made available to custom coachbuilders to create unique creations specific to their client's requests. Prices for the CQ ranged from $1,275 and rose to $1,500. Total production reached 3,838, which was considerably more than the CL's total sales of 151. 10,389 examples of the CT were built and 17,814 of the six-cylinder Series CO.

Powering the CQ was an L-head, eight-cylinder engine with nine main bearings, solid valve lifters, and a Stromberg carburetor, and developed just over 100 horsepower. It was backed by a three-speed manual transmission with floor shift controls, a conventional clutch, and a 4.3:1 gear ratio. Lockheed four-wheel brakes provided the stopping power.

Standard features included taillights, external chrome trumpet horns, Delco Remy ignition, 'Floating Power,' automatic vacuum clutch, free-wheeling, dual wipers, and a covered rear spare. Convertible sedans came with a touring trunk, landau irons, rear-hinged 'suicide' doors, and wire wheels.

Chrysler remained at the forefront of style, size, and prestige, led by its Custom Imperial CL Series. The smaller and lower-priced Series CQ Imperial had similar aesthetics, and tremendous value, and helped Chrysler endure the lean years of the Great Depression.

by Daniel Vaughan | Sep 2020