LOT 238 •
1931 Chrysler Imperial CG LeBaron Sport Phaeton Chassis no. 7802482
Sold for US$150,000 inc. premium
Lot 238•
1931 Chrysler Imperial CG LeBaron Sport Phaeton Chassis no. 7802482
The Greenwich Concours d'Elegance, Collectors' Motorcars and Automobilia|7 June 2009, 12:00 EDT|Connecticut, Greenwich
1931 Chrysler Imperial CG LeBaron Sport Phaeton
Chassis no. 7802482
Chassis no. 7802482
The all-new 1931 Chrysler Imperial was obviously inspired by the dramatic Cord L-29, which had first appeared two years earlier. Reportedly, L-29 designer Al Leamy was actually responsible for the look of the new Imperial as well, having taken on the assignment during an interlude in his employment as chief designer for Auburn and Cord automobiles.
The Imperial's streamlined vee radiator grille was overtly Cord-like, and like the L-29, the Imperial windshield was set far back on the chassis, allowing for a very long hood/cowl line and sweeping front fenders. With the Imperial's 145-inch wheelbase chassis being even longer than the L-29, the newer car's proportions were all the more breath-taking.
The new Imperial was offered in two sub-series, a standard line with production Briggs-built bodies, and a more prestigious Custom line featuring semi-custom bodies, finished to order. LeBaron designed and built all but one of the Imperial “catalog custom” styles. Founded in 1920 by Raymond Dietrich and Thomas L. Hibbard, LeBaron was by 1931 a busy coachbuilding subsidiary of Briggs, operating under the direction of talented body designer Ralph Roberts.
An especially attractive car, the dual-cowl LeBaron Sport Phaeton featured front and rear compartments that were essentially individual “cockpits.” The effect was evocative of sporty mahogany speedboats of the period. A folding rear-compartment windshield was mounted on the flip-up rear panel that formed the rear cowl.
The offered car displays an exacting recreation of the Lebaron Imperial Phaeton coachwork, mounted to a meticulously restored authentic 1931 Imperial CG chassis. It is powered by the correct 384-cid, 125-hp Chrysler Imperial L-head straight-eight engine, with "Floating Power" mounting and four-speed synchromesh manual transmission.
Chromed wire wheels, an authentic option, set off the Sport Phaeton's flowing lines and accent its elegant color combination. An owner's handbook and documentation for recent restoration work are to accompany the vehicle.
One of the grandest of all American classics, the Imperial CG LeBaron Sport Phaeton is renowned for its style, power and handling. The offered car embodies a classic design considered by many to be the singular most beautiful and desirable of all Chrysler Imperials. It is certain to draw admiring crowds in the course of any public exhibition.
The Imperial's streamlined vee radiator grille was overtly Cord-like, and like the L-29, the Imperial windshield was set far back on the chassis, allowing for a very long hood/cowl line and sweeping front fenders. With the Imperial's 145-inch wheelbase chassis being even longer than the L-29, the newer car's proportions were all the more breath-taking.
The new Imperial was offered in two sub-series, a standard line with production Briggs-built bodies, and a more prestigious Custom line featuring semi-custom bodies, finished to order. LeBaron designed and built all but one of the Imperial “catalog custom” styles. Founded in 1920 by Raymond Dietrich and Thomas L. Hibbard, LeBaron was by 1931 a busy coachbuilding subsidiary of Briggs, operating under the direction of talented body designer Ralph Roberts.
An especially attractive car, the dual-cowl LeBaron Sport Phaeton featured front and rear compartments that were essentially individual “cockpits.” The effect was evocative of sporty mahogany speedboats of the period. A folding rear-compartment windshield was mounted on the flip-up rear panel that formed the rear cowl.
The offered car displays an exacting recreation of the Lebaron Imperial Phaeton coachwork, mounted to a meticulously restored authentic 1931 Imperial CG chassis. It is powered by the correct 384-cid, 125-hp Chrysler Imperial L-head straight-eight engine, with "Floating Power" mounting and four-speed synchromesh manual transmission.
Chromed wire wheels, an authentic option, set off the Sport Phaeton's flowing lines and accent its elegant color combination. An owner's handbook and documentation for recent restoration work are to accompany the vehicle.
One of the grandest of all American classics, the Imperial CG LeBaron Sport Phaeton is renowned for its style, power and handling. The offered car embodies a classic design considered by many to be the singular most beautiful and desirable of all Chrysler Imperials. It is certain to draw admiring crowds in the course of any public exhibition.
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| Zero rated for tax, no tax will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium. |