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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 Dan Vaughan

Rumble Seat Coupe

Walter Chrysler rescued Willy and then was hired to do the same at the troubled Maxwell-Chalmers company. In 1923, the Chalmers automobiles were dropped and the following year, the affordable, six-cylinder Chrysler was introduced. The Maxwell was dropped after the 1925 model year.

Fred Zeder, Owen Skelton, and Carl Breer led Chrysler's engineering department and were responsible for many innovations, including the 'Silent Shift' transmission, along with CentriFuse brake drums, 'squeak proof' oil light springs, and oil-impregnated sintered metal. Another innovation was 'Floating Power,' an automotive design that placed the engine on strategically placed rubber mounts. Walter Chrysler thought of 'Floating Power' as the automotive fourth milestone, ranking just behind the electric starter, four-wheel brakes, and enclosed body.

This Kercheval-bodied, three-windowed, dual-side mount, rumble seat coupe was built on March 29th of 1932, and was one of 2,913 produced at the Corner Avenue Assembly plant in Detroit, Michigan. It was shipped on April 1st to Cleveland, Ohio. It returned to Detroit and was purchased in 1998 by the present owner from a family in Grosse Point Park, Michigan. The body, engine, and chassis of this automobile are original and unmodified.