1929 Chrysler Series 75

The first Walter P. Chrysler automobiles were produced at the old Chalmers plant in Detroit beginning in January of 1927. They were medium-priced vehicles powered by a six-cylinder engine, giving a four-cylinder model in 1926 that was essentially a continuation of the Maxwell model. The four-cylinder model was offered until 1929 when it was moved to the Plymouth line, leaving the Chrysler's as solely powered by six-cylinder power.

The entry-level 1929 Chrysler model was the Series 65 resting on a 112.75-inch wheelbase platform and selling in the low-$1000 range. On the other end of the spectrum was the Imperial Series L with its 136-inch wheelbase and high-$2,000 to low $3,000 price range. Between them was the Series 75 with its 121-inch wheelbase with prices that ranged from $1,550 to $2,350. Open and closed body styles were offered in numerous 2- and 4-door configurations. The L-head six-cylinder engine displaced 248.9 cubic inches and developed 75 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. The Series 65 had 65 horsepower while the Imperial engine offered 110 horsepower. All engines were backed by a three-speed manual transmission with floor shift controls and all models had Lockheed four-wheel hydraulic brakes. Wood spoke wheels were standard while wire wheels were available for an additional cost.

The Series 75 was the company's first model to use built-in radiator shutters. In the front were a narrow profile radiator, bowl-shaped headlights, vertical hood louvers, and full crown fenders. The closed-bodied cars had arched windows.

Chrysler built approximately 48,850 examples of the Series 75 in 1929 with the four-door, five-passenger Royal sedan by far the favorite with 22,456 examples built. Chrysler's most popular of all models was the Series 65 4-door Tourer with 65,472 produced.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2020