Lot 8055: 1931 Chrysler Imperial

The 1931 Chrysler Imperial CG series represents one of the most significant luxury cars of the early 1930s. Here’s the complete history and production breakdown:

History: The 1931 CG Imperial was Chrysler’s flagship model, designed to compete directly with luxury marques like Packard, Cadillac, Pierce-Arrow, and Duesenberg. This was the first Chrysler to feature an all-new L-head inline eight-cylinder engine displacing 384.8 cubic inches and producing 130 horsepower. The car rode on a massive 145-inch wheelbase and featured advanced engineering for its time, including a four-speed gearbox and hydraulic shock absorbers.

The styling was heavily influenced by the Cord L-29, with Chrysler even hiring that car’s designer, Alan Leamy, away from Cord. The CG Imperial featured gracefully swept fenders, a low-mounted deep V-shaped radiator shell, and raked windscreen, giving it an appearance of speed even when stationary.

Production Numbers:

• Total 1931 Chrysler CG Imperial production: 3,228 vehicles
• Of these, 99 chassis were sent to custom coachbuilders
• The most desirable body style was the LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaeton, with only 85 examples built
• Today, only about 10 of these LeBaron Dual Cowl Phaetons are known to survive

The CG Imperial was available with either standard factory coachwork or semi-custom bodies by LeBaron, with the Dual Cowl Phaeton being the pinnacle of these offerings. These cars were capable of 100 mph performance and represented Chrysler’s ambitious move into the ultra-luxury market segment.

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