☰
conceptcarz.com
✕

1927 Chrysler Series 70

Walter P. Chrysler had rescued Willys from their financial problems but had failed to gain control of the firm from John Willys. After taking on the job of reorganizing the ailing Maxwell Motor Company and obtaining a controlling stake in the company, the Chrysler Corporation was officially founded in 1925. Mr. Chrysler aspired to build a mass-market and high-quality automobile that could be sold for less than the Buick and Cadillac.

Production of the Model 70 began in 1924 and its name was derived from the vehicle's top speed. It was bestowed with many never-before-seen engineering qualities that helped distinguish it from many other vehicles on the road at the time. The Model 70, dubbed the 'Chrysler Six' for its high-compression six-cylinder engine, had a seven-bearing crankshaft, the first replaceable oil filter, full pressure lubrication system, and a carburetor air cleaner. The period advertising for the Model 70 focused on two main technological breakthroughs which included the four-wheel hydraulic brakes and its 4.7:1 compression ratio.

During its introductory year, Chrysler offered nine body styles on the Model 70. By 1927, 12 body styles were available. New upgrades for 1927 included bullet-shaped headlights on the open-bodied models while the closed cars continued to use the prior year's drum-type headlights.

Standard equipment included a one-piece windshield, Delco Remy ignition, a three-speed gearbox, and an L-head six-cylinder engine.

by Dan Vaughan

Rumbleseat Roadster

The restoration of the car was originally undertaken by automotive journalist Kevin Clemens so he could enter the Royal Automobile Club's Around the World in 80 Days millennium tour in 2000. The purpose was to recreate Chrysler #8 which raced at Le Mans in 1928 and finished in third place behind a Bentley and a Stutz Bearcat. The car was not completed for the 80 Days Tour and the current owner purchased the partially completed restoration in 2005. During the course of the restoration, both Martin Swig and Francois Castaing, owners of pre-war Chrysler race cars were consulted. This car inspired Chrysler Corporation to restore a 1928 Model 72 in their collection as Chrysler #8.

The Chrysler Corporation has been in existence since the early 1920's with its first vehicle offered for mass production being the Model B-70. It was introduced to the public at the New York Auto Show held at the city's Hotel Commodore. The vehicle was very versatile with nine body styles being offered that ranged from $2725 through $3225. The vehicles were offered in a variety of two- and four-door configurations with seating that could accommodate up to five passengers. Mounted under the hood was a six-cylinder L-head engine that displaced just over 200 cubic inches and produced nearly 70 horsepower. The engine was mated to a three-speed manual gearbox with floor shift controls, shaft drive, and a conventional clutch. Braking was by four-wheel hydraulics. All body styles rode on a 112.75-inch wheelbase and had a length of 160 inches.

The response was positive, with nearly 80,000 examples of both the Chrysler and the Maxwells sold. As such, little was changed in the following year.

The Series 70 would remain in production until 1931. It had withstood the onset of the Great Depression and by the early 1930s, was feeling its age. A new look had been introduced for Chrysler in the early 1930s, though little changed on the Series 70. For 1931, the list of models included the Series CJ with its six-cylinder engine, the CD and CG with eight cylinders, and the CM which was also known as the 'New SEries Six'. The Series 66 and Series 70 had both been carried over from the prior year with few changes.

by Dan Vaughan