While it is often taken as common knowledge that Chrysler’s CL Imperial models all featured bodies by LeBaron, this was not actually true, as LeBaron provided only the open styles. The closed bodies, most notable among them the rather rakish Close-Coupled Sedan, were built by Chrysler’s own coachbuilding facilities, with no less a standard of fit and finish. Further, the closed bodies were unusual in being almost entirely of metal construction. Despite their very much classic styling, they were quite modern automobiles and drove that way. Few cars of the Classic Era are as enjoyable to tour with as a CL Imperial, in particular a closed model.

Historian Joe Morgan recounts that only four of these Close-Coupled Sedans remain extant. His fellow CL Imperial historian Dan Phenicie records the history of serial number 7803627 back to the original owner, Ira O. Bashore of Mifflintown, Pennsylvania. Indeed, the car remained in Mifflintown for its first two decades. After Mr. Bashore’s passing in 1950, fellow local resident Dick Benner acquired it the following year. Then, in 1952 the car passed to Mifflintown’s Chrysler dealer Homer Smith. Smith is believed to have sold the car to a Mr. Steiner of Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, from whom it passed to Willard Bason of Lime Ridge. Frank Wright and his wife, Sharon “Sherry,” acquired the car from Mr. Bason in 1979 and brought it to Harrisburg. Amazingly, this Chrysler has never resided more than a couple of hours of highway driving from its original location.

The car was restored by Roy and Ralph Snider of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, and following completion of the restoration was campaigned by Sherry Wright in Classic Car Club of America judging, achieving a perfect 100 points and its Primary First Prize at the CCCA Eastern Grand Classic in 1986, and at Antique Automobile Club of America Events, receiving a Senior Grand National First Prize and the National President’s Cup for the Eastern Division that same year. Mr. Wright had achieved the latter award in 1977 with his own 1932 Chrysler, making them surely one of very few couples to have won the President’s Cup with his-and-hers automobiles.

Following Mrs. Wright’s passing, the Chrysler has remained in the couple’s collection, receiving the same excellent level of attention enjoyed by their other automobiles. Indeed, reflecting their fastidious nature, its restoration, while now over 40 years old, is still in outstanding cosmetic condition throughout, showing little signs of age or use; its finishes are nearly show-quality in every regard. Good work lasts, as can be seen in the preservation of the Wright Chryslers, this example very much included.

Unshown in recent years, the Wright Close-Coupled Sedan awaits the continuation of its career on the showfield with new owners, perhaps still in Pennsylvania, where it has lived its entire benign and well-loved life.