Ego might have persuaded Walter Chrysler to join other manufacturers in developing 12- or 16-cylinder engines, but he never did. Needless extravagance, he thought, was unnecessary; however, he partially succumbed to temptation and joined the luxury ranks beginning in 1931 with the Custom Imperial. Imperials featured a 125-horsepower, 385-cubic-inch inline-eight-cylinder engine; not remarkable technically, it was good for a 96-mph top speed and 0-60 mph in 20 seconds—a first-rate performance in 1931.

Chrysler was notably impressed with the handsome lines of Errett Lobban Cord’s front-wheel drive L-29 introduced in 1929. He thought the front-wheel drive unnecessarily complex, but its good looks were undeniable. Not averse to borrowing, much of the looks of the new Chrysler were L-29-inspired including the lowness to the ground, its graceful curves, and its deeply set-back, canted grille. Despite his admission of admiration for the Cord, it was a look that was Chrysler’s own and the envy of the industry in 1931.

Imperials boasted a 145-inch wheelbase, hydraulic brakes, and an adjustable seat and steering wheel for the driver. All-steel semi-custom coachwork by LeBaron included phaeton, roadster, coupe, and convertible coupe bodies. At $3,575.00, 85 CG Dual Cowl Phaetons of a total 330 Imperials were produced for the model year, including this example.

This Imperial was inspected at Chrysler’s Jefferson Avenue facility in Detroit on 6 May 1931 and loaded for delivery to Greensboro, North Carolina on 29 May. Previous research indicates that it was eventually sold to H.P. Sewell of Carthage. Sewell kept possession of the Imperial until the early 1980s, when it was sold to Dr. Fay Culbreth of Charlotte, North Carolina, who subsequently sold the car to Paul Quinn of Boston, Massachusetts. Quinn engaged Ed Perkins to restore the car, which scored 97.5 points at the CCCA Eastern Grand Classic in July 1988; he sold the car that December. Its new owner contacted Dr. Culbreth, who confirmed the car as a 60,000-mile example with no rust or apparent damage.

Attesting to the quality of the restoration and the care the car has received, it still presents nicely. Both chassis and underhood are well-detailed. The interior leather shows creasing from use, but overall, the condition is remarkable for a 35-year-old restoration. As a CCCA Full Classic, it is eligible for all club events and CARavans. It will provide its new owner an extremely handsome automobile both on the show field and while demonstrating its power and capability on tours.