1932 Chrysler Series CL Imperial

Walter Chrysler established a wide range of vehicles that included the inexpensive Plymouth or Dodge, a mid-level DeSoto, and the top-of-the-range Imperial from Chrysler. The Imperials were given large wheelbases, mechanical prowess, and attractive coachwork, rivaling the finest vehicles on the market. They were elegant and well-appointed and were some of the most comfortable cars ever built.

Chrysler introduced two models in 1931 with straight-eight engines, the CD Eight and the Imperial CG Eight. The CG Eight had a nine-bearing engine offering 125 horsepower, capable of carrying the 5,000-pound car to a top speed in excess of 95 mph. Notable features included hydraulic brakes, adjustable seats, and steering column, as well as hydraulic shock absorbers. The 'Floating Power' Chrysler engine was paired with a four-speed synchromesh manual transmission and Hydraulic power Vacuum-Assisted drum brakes located at all four wheels.

The all-new 1931 Chrysler Imperial was long and dramatically low-slung, had a 145-inch wheelbase platform, and drew design inspiration from the front-wheel-drive Cord L-29 that Errett Lobban Cord had introduced to the market in 1929. Alan H. Leamy, the L-29 designer, was on hiatus from his employment as chief designer for Auburn and Cord automobiles when he contributed to the Imperial design. Cord design inspiration included the Imperial's streamlined, swept-back radiator shell, long hood, and cowl line, gracefully sweeping front fenders, and the windshield which was set far back on the chassis.

The Imperial was built in two sub-series, including a standard line with production Briggs-built bodies and the Custom line with semi-custom bodies, finished to order. LeBaron designed and built all but one of the Imperial 'catalog custom' styles. LeBaron Carrossiers Inc. was founded in 1920 by designers Raymond H. Dietrich and Tom Hibbard after Brewster had fired them for planning on company time. Although they were virtually destitute, they set up shop at no. 2 Columbus Circle in New York City. With inadequate funds to establish their own coachbuilding facility, they developed a new business model, which was to sell ready-made designs to clients and then contract to have them built by outside coachbuilders.

Changes to the 1932 and 1933 models included separated two-piece windshields, and door-type hood ventilators, and the overall proportions grew scaled on a slightly longer 146-inch wheelbase. The original CG Imperial was refined into the CL, with new bodies, enhanced front-end design, and an extended hood with ventilation doors rather than louvered. Approximately 220 examples of the Chrysler CL Imperial were built in 1932, with 28 receiving convertible coupe bodywork and 49 being convertible sedans. 14 examples were Dual Cowl Phaetons, 57 were Close-Coupled sedans, 35 were seven-passenger sedans, and 32 were Sedan Limousines. All wore coachwork by LeBaron with prices that ranged from $2,995 to $3,400.

The 1932 Chrysler CL Imperial was powered by an inline, L-head, eight-cylinder unit with a 384.84 cubic-inch displacement, solid valve lifters, a Stromberg carburetor, 5.2:1 compression ratio, and delivered 125 horsepower at 3,200 RPM. Its wheelbase measured 146 inches, far exceeding the 135-inch platform of the Series CH and the 125-inch wheelbase of the Series CP. It used four-wheel hydraulic brakes, wire-spoke wheels, and a four-speed manual transmission with a conventional clutch and floor-shift controls.

The list of optional equipment was extensive and included bumpers, side-mounted spares, leather or metal covers for the side mounts, outside rearview mirror, trunk rack, touring trunk, cigar lighter, wind wings, heater, clock, radio, radio antenna, and Trippe lights.

The Chrysler CL Series Imperial returned for 1933 wearing semi-custom coachwork by LeBaron. The 'Standard' Custom came with Delco Remy ignition, Lockheed hydraulic brakes, confidential starter, freewheeling, 'Floating Power,' and an automatic vacuum clutch. The 'Custom' Imperials had automatic heat controls, downdraft carburetion, rust-proofed fenders, and safety glass. Production remained exclusive with just 151 units built. The most popular body style for 1933 was the close-coupled sedan priced at $2,895 with 43 units built.

In 1934, Chrysler introduced a radically aerodynamic series of vehicles known as the Airflow, challenging the mainstream design with its teardrop shape, waterfall grille, and recessed headlights. The only remaining conventional cars in Chrysler's 1934 lineup were the Series CA and CB (short and long-wheelbase respectively) powered by six-cylinder power. The 'Imperial' name continued, representing Chrysler's senior-level automobile.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019