1928 Chrysler Series 62

The all-new Chrysler vehicles were introduced in 1924 at the New York Auto Show in the city's Hotel Commodore. Walter Chrysler had joined the ailing Maxwell-Chalmers company in the early 1920s and was tasked with reversing the company's demise. Chalmers automobile production ended in late 1923 and in January 1924, Walter launched the Chrysler automobile. They were powered by a quality, high-compression six-cylinder engine with advanced engineering, fitted with hydraulic brakes, and priced in a similar territory as the Buick. Nearly 20,000 examples were sold in the first year, and as the years progressed, successive refinements and improvements were implemented, with additional models being introduced, notably the E-Series Imperial that competed with Lincoln and Cadillac.

After the 1925 model year, the Maxwell brand was dropped, and new, lower-priced four-cylinder Chryslers were introduced for 1926 being, essentially badge-engineered Maxwells.

The 1928 Chrysler lineup consisted of both four- and six-cylinder models. The entry-level Series 52, priced from $670 to $790, came equipped with a 170.3 CID inline-4 with approximately 45 horsepower and resting on a 106-inch wheelbase platform. The Series 62 had a 108-inch wheelbase and was powered by a 180.2 inline-6 with around 55 horsepower. Prices ranged from $1,075 to $1,235. The Series 72 had a 118.75-inch platform, the Series 80 rested on a standard 120-inch platform, and the Series 80L measured 136 inches. 127- and 133-inch platforms were also available on the Series 80. Most of the Series 72 body styles were priced in the mid-$1,000 range, and the Series 80 pricing exceeded $2,800.

The Series 52 had bullet-shaped headlights and the Series 62 had drum-type headlights. The cowl lights of the previous year were eliminated and the Series 62 had a higher radiator than before. Standard equipment included rubber engine mounts, hydraulic brakes, ventilating type windshield, an ignition lock on the dash, and an electric gas gauge. The lighting controls were located on the steering wheel and the instrument panel was redesigned, with the previous oval design replaced by a rectangular panel.

The six-cylinder engine had a cast-iron block, seven main bearings, a Stromberg carburetor, and solid valve lifters. It was backed by a three-speed manual transmission with a conventional clutch and floor shift controls. There were four-wheel hydraulic brakes and wood-spoke wheels.

The two-door Series 62 roadster was priced at $1,075, approximately $400 higher than the four-cylinder Roadster. The tourer and coach were priced at $1,096 and the business coupe was $1,065. The coupe had a factory base price of $1,145, the sedan at $1,175, and the landau sedan was $1,235.

Chrysler produced 76,857 examples of the Series 52 and 64,136 of the Series 62. Nearly 23,300 examples were Series 72 and approximately 1,962 were Series 80L Imperials. The 160,670 Chrysler examples built-in 1928 were the highest of the prewar era and this figure would not be exceeded until 1950.

by Daniel Vaughan | Mar 2021