1928 Chrysler-Plymouth Model Q

When Walter P. Chrysler took over control of the troubled Maxwell-Chalmers car company in the early 1920s, he inherited the Maxwell automobile as part of the package. The company's facilities were used to help create and launch the six-cylinder Chrysler automobile in 1924. In 1926, the Maxwell was reworked and rebadged as the four-cylinder Chrysler '52' model. In 1928, the '52' was redesigned to create the Chrysler-Plymouth Model Q. After the introduction of the Plymouth Model U in 1929, the 'Chrysler' portion of the name was dropped.

Plymouth, launched in 1928, was intended for the 'low-priced' market segment that was dominated by Ford and Chevrolet. They were originally sold exclusively through Chrysler dealerships, serving as a low-cost alternative to the upscale Chrysler brand. The logo was the rear view of the ship Mayflower which landed at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth, Massachusetts.

The Chrysler-Plymouth Model Q was powered by an inline, four-cylinder engine displacing 170.3 cubic-inches and delivering 45 horsepower at 2,800 RPM. It used solid valve lifters, three main bearings, and a Carter carburetor. The engine was backed by a three-speed sliding gear transmission with spur gears and a single plate, dry clutch. Hydraulic brakes on all wheels provided the stopping power. Wood spoke wheels were standard and wire wheels were optional.

Body styles included a roadster (with or without a rumble seat), deluxe coupe, two- or four-door sedan, standard coupe, and a tourer. Prices ranged from $670 to $725. Many mechanical and body parts were shared with the six-cylinder DeSoto and for the first few years, both DeSoto and Plymouth shared the same production facilities.

Walter P. Chrysler chose Madison Square Garden on July 7th of 1928 to introduce the Model Q. Amelia Earhart drove the first car as it entered the arena.

Nearly 60,000 examples of the Model Q were built in its inaugural year.

by Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2020