Classic Cars
From America
CHRYSLER GROUP, LLC
Flirting with associations
with Daimler, with bankruptcy and with several private investment groups,
Chrysler is now part owned by Fiat of Italy, but who knows how long this will
last.
It all began in 1925 when Walter P. Chrysler closed his original
Maxwell Motor Company and formed The Chrysler Corporation.
For years the company has had its ups and downs with some brilliant models and
some magnificent failures.
However, the group has produced some beautiful classics, my selection of which is depicted here.
The 1926 Imperial Roadster has to the first selection from the Chrysler stable.
Not only was this the first model produced but the series continued on and off,
until 1993.(*1)
This model came in 2 and 4 door, coupe, sedan and limousine with a 4729cc 6
cylinder engine. None of the subsequent models however, deserve mention until in
1955, Chrysler made a half-hearted attempt to create a separate marque with its
own branding.
Despite the 1957 Imperial being the best selling model, my selection from this post 1955 Imperial series
is this 1960 model
(*2)
with its accentuated rear tail fins. The 1961 model was also
spectacular. Engines were generally either 6.4L or 6.7L V8 and 3 models were
offered from the Custom, Crown and LeBaron.
I doubt many would disagree that the Chrysler New Yorker heralded Chrysler's
finest hours. America's longest running nameplate was produced between 1939 to
1996 and there are several models that deserve special mention. Following the
series of Imperial, this 1961 New Yorker
(*3)
came in a 6.4L V8.
See my Blog.
The 1956 New Yorker
(*4) was another marvel of American
automotive design. The look hadn't changed all that much during the next 5 years
and this model came in a 2 door and 4 door with a 6L V8 motor.
The garish tail fins were dropped in 1965 and replaced with controversial
(at the time)
square rear lines.
This 1970 New Yorker
(*6)
must be included, not because I owned one but because it
was a highly popular model. Similar models sold in Australia as the "770". Not
the fastest, not the best handling but they gave a short lived but desperately
needed lift to the Chrysler name.
Last in my list of Chryslers is the successor to the New Yorker but carrying the
sub-title of Fifth Avenue in America. Somewhat reminiscent of the Cadillac
design, this 1979 model
indicates for me, the most desirable car ever produced by Chrysler. Sheer luxury
throughout made it top of the Chrysler range and arguably, top of the available
American made automobiles. It came in one colour only but all interior and
exterior was colour matched with the champagne paint work. Engines were either
318ci or 360ci V8.
Gimme the Forum, I wanna scream.
References
*1 -
Wikipedia
*2 -
ClassyCars
*3 -
Hotrod.com
*4 -
YankTanks.com
*5 -
*6 -
Wikimedia