1932 Chrysler Series CP

Within Walter Chrysler's automotive empire, the Chrysler marque was the flagship, and it was no accident that it was the last make in the company to adopt a straight-eight engine, in July of 1930 for the 1931 model year. Among the eights, the Chrysler eight was the best, being larger than those of the 1930 DeSoto or Dodge. Chrysler had four models with eights, the smallest being a 240 CID shared with Dodge. There was a new 261-CID powerplant, an intermediate 282-CID unit, and the Imperial had a 385-CID, 125-bhp engine derived from the earlier Imperial six. With the six-cylinder cars, Chrysler had seven series with five different engines in 1931.

Chrysler had three eights for 1932, with the 282 CID powerplant in carry-over Series CD cars, a new 299 CID unit in the Series CP, called simply 'Eight', and the large 385 CG, CH, and CL Imperials. Resting on a 125-inch wheelbase, an inch longer than the 1931 New Eight and Deluxe Eight, the CP Eight was offered in five all-steel body styles with approximately 5,065 examples built, including 48 bare chassis.

The Series CI with six-cylinder power and a 116-inch wheelbase ranged from $885 to $1,125. Standard equipment on the Series CI included six wire wheels on the convertible sedan, hydraulic brakes, double drop frame, dash-controlled freewheeling, 'Floating Power' type engine suspension system, Delco Remy ignition, and hydraulic shock absorbers. The automatic vacuum-controlled clutch and silent gear selector were new options.

Series CI styling updates for 1932 included a dual split vee-type windshield on closed-bodied cars, three-speed manual transmission, dual cowl ventilators, larger hubcaps, and a new oval instrument board. Open-bodied cars had a one-piece windshield.

The Series CP had a 125-inch wheelbase and was powered by an L-head, 298.6 CID inline-8 with solid valve lifters, a Stromberg carburetor, and delivered 100 horsepower at 3,400 RPM. Prices, not including the chassis, ranged from $1,440 to $1,700. A LeBaron Town Car was offered at nearly $4,000.

The Series CP also used a new double drop 'girder truss' frame, split vee-type windshields on closed cars, Delco Remy ignition, Floating Power, hydraulic brakes, and dash button-controlled freewheeling. Standard equipment included sun visors, cowl lamps, twin trumpet-type horns, a narrow vee-type radiator, rubber spring shackles, and a four-speed transmission. The exclusive LeBaron town car and the convertible sedan had six wire wheels. An automatic vacuum-controlled clutch was optional equipment.

The Chrysler Series CL had a 135-inch wheelbase and the Series CL had a 146-inch platform. The Series CI was the most popular with 18,964 examples produced, 1,402 were Series CH, and 220 were Series CL.

by Daniel Vaughan | Dec 2020