One of 11 extant CL Imperial Convertible Sedans, the car offered here is, by body number, the second built and retains its original engine. It has a remarkable ownership history, including many of the most prominent names in the Classic Car Club of America for decades. Historian Dan Phenicie records its earliest known owner as William Tilghman of Virginia, from whom it passed in succession to Roy Lassen of Connecticut, Marvin Jelinek of Nebraska, and Paul Quinn of Massachusetts, all serial CL owners.

From Mr. Quinn the car was purchased by the late Thomas Derro of Massachusetts, known for his outstanding collection of coachbuilt prewar automobiles, including multiple significant Chrysler Imperials. Mr. Derro sold the car in 1993 to Sonny Abagnale of New Jersey, who in 1997 passed it to legendary collector John Groendyke of Enid, Oklahoma. Mr. Groendyke, in turn, sold the Chrysler to Malcolm Pray Jr., the well-known Connecticut businessman, remembered for his avid philanthropy and his pioneering enthusiasm for “old cars” extending back to the early 1960s, and a great presence on the international concours scene for decades.

In 2000 the Chrysler was offered to Charles J. Noto, who did not hesitate to add this important Imperial, owned by so many of the hobby’s most famous names, to his own collection. While it had benefited from a high-quality older restoration and was still in very nice condition when he acquired the car, it was not to the standards that Mr. Noto sets for his collection. He undertook a fresh restoration, completed at his in-house facility, the final result being this striking combination of three shades of blue with complimentary interior and dark cloth top. The freshly restored Chrysler achieved an Antique Automobile Club of America National Senior First Prize in 2002 and went on to score an impressive 99.5 points and received its Primary First Prize in CCCA competition in 2004.

Preserved since restoration in Mr. Noto’s private showroom, the Imperial remains in excellent overall condition and is ready to continue its show career with proud new owners, who will add their name to an utterly impressive roster of the hobby’s most noted figures.