Imperialism

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We are not sure which Chrysler Imperial you can see here, but the car is supposed to be a 1931 model and a roadster, with a beautiful lady posing in front. What we also like about it is the location, which looks to be more than a farmer’s field in rural Iow or Idaho than a golf lawn in southern California or Florida, which is perhaps where we get to see these cars most nowadays.

1932 Chrysler CL Imperial Dual-Windshield Phaeton by LeBaron

Speaking of which: RM Sotheby’s happens to offer three similar Chryslers in this year’s Amelia Island sale on the 22nd of May. One of them is a LeBaron Phaeton with dual-windshield. That particular car is of 1932-vintage but what sticks out in its history is its purchase (and restoration) by So-Cal attorney Robert J. Gottlieb in 1948. He bought it for the princely sum of $225 and had it featured in a number of 1950s magazines and books. One of them showed it as an example on how to restore antique and classic cars as early as 1954. The restoration was carried out particularly well, too, as it remains in the same condition today – speaking of ‘older restorations’… It is estimated to sell at $175,000 to $250,000, which seems almost cheap to us.

1932 Chrysler CL Imperial Convertible Roadster by LeBaron

A LeBaron CL Imperial Roadster of the same year that’s also offered in the same sale is estimated to make $600,000 to $675,000 in comparison. But then just 29 of these models were built, with a dozen believed to be surviving. Sold in Pennsylvania the early history is not totally unravelled, but later owners made good for that. A few ‘noted’ Chrysler collectors owned the car, one of the lasts of them was a Pebble Beach regular, who undertook a major restoration.

1931 Chrysler CM New Six Roadster

Still too expensive for you? Another stunner is a 1931 Chrysler CM New Six Roadster that may suit your wallet. Not an Imperial, we know, but this car is very attractive never the less in its unusual colour scheme of cream with blue, with added orange details and a blue leather interior. Perhaps not a combination you’d think of yourself, but it works out great! There’s a rumble seat, a pair of spotlights at the front and Trippe Speedlights at the dashboard. Estimated at $90,000 to $120,000, we’d say this is definitely worth its price.

Words by Jeroen Booij. Pictures courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.

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