1928 Chrysler Series 72

Chrysler had been a part of the Maxwell-Chalmers company since the early 1920s and worked to overcome the company's troubled operations. When production of the Chalmers automobile ended in late 1923, Walter began building the Chrysler 6-cylinder automobile in the Chalmers plant in Detroit. In January 1924, at the New York Auto Show in the Commodore Hotel, the Chrysler Model B-70 was introduced.

The Chrysler engine featured high compression, full-pressure lubrication, oil filtration, and a carburetor air filter. Some of its early innovations included rubber engine mounts to reduce vibration, and the first practical mass-produced four-wheel hydraulic braking system, which was completely engineered by Chrysler with patents given to Lockheed.

Chrysler acquired Maxwell Motors in the mid-1920s and further expanded the brand's line of vehicles with the introduction of the Plymouth and DeSoto lines. By 1928, the Chrysler Corporation has invested more than $22 million in development and growth. Chrysler was one of the few American companies to take an interest in international racing competitions, sending several cars to Le Mans, Goodwood, and other venues where they finished respectably. At Le Mans, two Chrysler Model 72 roadsters were raced by European distributors and placed 3rd and 4th behind the race-prepared Stutz and Bentley.

The Series 72 for 1928 was a sporty automobile that was positioned above the four-cylinder Series 52 and six-cylinder Series 62 and below the Series 80 and Series 80L six-cylinder models. Offered with an array of body styles, the Series 72 was priced between $1,500 to $1,800. Standard equipment included hydraulic brakes, rubber shock insulators on springs, a new oblong instrument panel, a three-speed manual transmission, and tubular axles.

by Dan Vaughan

LeMans Replica

The auto industry adage about the sale effect of racing 'Win on Sunday, sell on Monday' was decades away when modified Chryslers like this 1928 Model 72 Roadster made a name for the brand in Europe. From motoring's earliest days, automakers entered vehicles in performance events for publicity and to establish a reputation for reliability and performance. Chrysler Corporation had no role in racing these 1928 roadsters, which were entered in France's famous 24-hour-long LeMans road race by European distributors and finished third and fourth overall.

While they never seriously challenged the winning Bentleys, the Chryslers' finish was a triumph given their volume production and moderate price. In England, they became known as 'the poor man's Bentley.'

Familiar auto industry tactics were used to promote Chrysler cars. In Europe, road racing was de rigeur in the 1920s and 1930s. There was no Chrysler factory team, but Chrysler's European distributors supported these highly successful efforts. In the thirties, Chrysler Corporation promoted its products at world's fairs, even building special Chryslers as 'official' vehicles. Another prestige-builder was the use of what today would be called 'halo cars' - limited production vehicles whose role was to bestow glamour over the entire model line. Chrysler Town & Country models were used in this way in the pre and post-war eras.

LeMans Replica

Chrysler cars were entered in France's fabled LeMans 24-Hour road race by European distributors during the late 1920s. The Chrysler Roadster finished third and fourth overall and earned the name, 'the poor man's Bentley.'

This example is a Model 72 Le Mans Racer #8 Replica.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster
Chassis number: J229240

By the late 1920s, the Chrysler Corporation had spent more than 22 million in expansions and development in just under three years. 1928 marked the company's first entry into racing, sending a small fleet of cars to LeMans, Goodwood, and other venues where they would place well considering the company was competing against the vast International competition.

Chrysler's Model 72 Deluxe Roadster was a sporty model that was meant to appeal to younger people. The Deluxe was a slightly upgraded version of the Roadster, offering sportier accouterments and trim. This particular example has been lovingly maintained for many years. It has a rumble seat and a 248.9 cubic-inch L-head six-cylinder engine. It is painted in period-correct blue with a brown interior. When new, it was one of the more costly cars of the late-1920s, having a selling price of $1,525.

by Dan Vaughan

Convertible Coupe
Chassis number: CR386C

The 1928 model year was the last of this design as the 1929 models were given a facelift, new engine choices, and many other modifications to modernize the Chrysler line-up. Chrysler built just over 1,700 examples of the Model 72 Convertible Coupe. Power was from Chrysler's 249.5 cubic-inch L-head inline-6 offering 75 horsepower.

This Model 72 has been well maintained and in long-term ownership. It wears an older restoration with a few aesthetic upgrades. It is finished in a period-correct White and Red color combination.

by Dan Vaughan

Roadster

Chrysler was one of the few American-based companies to gamble on the European market by venturing into international racing. In 1928, a modestly modified Model 72 roadster was entered in the prestigious 24 Hours at Le Man's race in France. After the grueling 24 hours, two of the Chryslers placed a respectable 3rd and 4th behind the race-prepared Stutz and Bentley.

This Model 72 Roadster with Rumble Seat has been meticulously restored and features factory-period performance accouterments of the era. It has a rear-mounted spare, Parabeam headlamps, and a six-cylinder engine fitted with 2 Stromberg carburetors.

by Dan Vaughan

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