1932 Chrysler Series CH

The first car to wear Walter Chrysler's name was a medium-priced six. Two years after its introduction, the upwardly mobile automaker added a lower-priced four, essentially an improved Maxwell, and a high-end model, the E-80 Imperial. Prices ranged from $2,645 to $3,695 for production styles which placed it within the range of the Packard Six and the lower-priced Cadillacs. Chrysler added distinctive styling touches to the Imperial which set it apart from other models, including a scalloped radiator, a unique hood, and bullet headlights. Six production body styles were offered, along with two long-wheelbase catalog customs, a landaulet, and a town car. Sales reached 9,114 units.

1927 and 1928 saw the introduction of additional Imperial body styles, along with custom styles from Dietrich, Locke, and LeBaron resting on four different wheelbases. The custom-bodied cars reached upwards of $6,795. Engine displacement measured 309.3 cubic inches thanks to an enlarged bore by an eighth of an inch. Horsepower rose to 100 or 112 with an optional high-compression head.

For 1929, the appearance of Chrysler automobiles became more in line with the new DeSoto and Plymouth marques. The scallop motif on the Imperial continued, and the grilles shells received a thin band of chrome around the perimeter. Imperial wheelbase sizes grew to 136 inches.

For 1930, a new four-speed transmission was added to the Imperial, and In July, a Series CG Imperial was added to the lineup. It had a large 145-inch wheelbase and the appearance was completely transformed. There was a long hood, and the radiator shell had become a grille that was canted back at a rakish angle and protected by a wire mesh. The fenders had flowing curves and the headlights became sleeker. The 309 cubic-inch six-cylinder was replaced by an all-new straight-eight displacing 384.8 cubic inches with nine-main bearings. With 125 horsepower, it was the largest and most powerful of the four different Chrysler eight-cylinder engines. There were four 'production' bodies by Briggs and four cataloged custom styles. Individual custom and semi-custom bodies were also available.

Chrysler introduced their 'second series' models in January 1932. The Model CH had a 135-inch wheelbase while the Custom Imperial CL was 10 inches longer than the CH. They had Floating Power engine mounts and a vee-configuration split windshield with panes that opened individually. The most popular of all open Imperials was the CH Convertible Sedan. Of the 1,393 CH Chryslers built in 1932, 152 of them were convertible sedans. Standard equipment included hand-buffed leather seats with matching kick panels and a leather door, storage pouches in the rear doors, and matching carpets in the front and rear. Also standard were dual side mounts, a trunk, a top boot, and a painted dash with a damascened instrument binnacle.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2019