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The Imperial model was first produced by Chrysler in 1926 to compete with premium luxury cars from Cadillac and Lincoln. Production continued until 1954, and the nameplate was reintroduced from 1981-1983 and again from 1990 through 1993. A hybrid tea rose was named the Chrysler Imperial and debuted in 1952. It is a fragrant, dark red variety. The flowers were used in a float built for the 1954 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and were entered into the parade by the City of Detroit and the Chrysler Corporation. The float's theme was 'Life of an American Workman' which was the title of Walter Chrysler's 1937 autobiography.


It might seem hard to believe, but with just 152 produced, this was the most popular open model in the entire Chrysler Imperial lineup. All Imperials were built in limited numbers as they represented the top tier at Chrysler. In order to remain competitive, Chrysler introduced this smaller version of the luxurious Imperial in 1932. The two distinct series included the CH (on a 132-inch wheelbase) and the CL (on a 146-inch wheelbase). Both used the same 384.8 CID, 125 horsepower L-Head inline eight-cylinder engine introduced in 1931. Chrysler boasted of the model's performance, which was quite exemplary for the era - a cruising speed of 96 mph and 0-60 mph in 20 seconds. Production of the CH bodies came from Briggs while most CLs were fitted with custom coachwork by LeBaron. Briggs was an auto supplier that began manufacturing bodies in the 1920s and purchased LeBaron in 1926.


The current caretakers recently acquired this Imperial, with just nine examples known to exist.




There were 1,393 CHs built in 1932 and only 152 of these were convertible sedans. These feature a rubber-mounted engine, an electric starter, and four-wheel brakes. The 384.8 cubic-inch, straight-eight engine generates 125 horsepower. The CH came standard with a sumptuous interior featuring leather seats and matching kick panels along with storage pouches in the rear doors. Ventilation was aided by the split-vee windshield which hinged at the top.



The first car to wear Walter Chrysler's name was a medium-priced six. Two years after its introduction, the upwardly mobile automaker added a lower-priced four, essentially an improved Maxwell, and a high-end model, the E-80 Imperial. Prices ranged from $2,645 to $3,695 for production styles which placed it within the range of the Packard Six and the lower-priced Cadillacs. Chrysler added distinctive styling touches to the Imperial which set it apart from other models, including a scalloped radiator, a unique hood, and bullet headlights. Six production body styles were offered, along with two long-wheelbase catalog customs, a landaulet, and a town car. Sales reached 9,114 units.

1927 and 1928 saw the introduction of additional Imperial body styles, along with custom styles from Dietrich, Locke, and LeBaron resting on four different wheelbases. The custom-bodied cars reached upwards of $6,795. Engine displacement measured 309.3 cubic inches thanks to an enlarged bore by an eighth of an inch. Horsepower rose to 100 or 112 with an optional high-compression head.

For 1929, the appearance of Chrysler automobiles became more in line with the new DeSoto and Plymouth marques. The scallop motif on the Imperial continued, and the grilles shells received a thin band of chrome around the perimeter. Imperial wheelbase sizes grew to 136 inches.

For 1930, a new four-speed transmission was added to the Imperial, and In July, a Series CG Imperial was added to the lineup. It had a large 145-inch wheelbase and the appearance was completely transformed. There was a long hood, and the radiator shell had become a grille that was canted back at a rakish angle and protected by a wire mesh. The fenders had flowing curves and the headlights became sleeker. The 309 cubic-inch six-cylinder was replaced by an all-new straight-eight displacing 384.8 cubic inches with nine-main bearings. With 125 horsepower, it was the largest and most powerful of the four different Chrysler eight-cylinder engines. There were four 'production' bodies by Briggs and four cataloged custom styles. Individual custom and semi-custom bodies were also available.

Chrysler introduced their 'second series' models in January 1932. The Model CH had a 135-inch wheelbase while the Custom Imperial CL was 10 inches longer than the CH. They had Floating Power engine mounts and a vee-configuration split windshield with panes that opened individually. The most popular of all open Imperials was the CH Convertible Sedan. Of the 1,393 CH Chryslers built in 1932, 152 of them were convertible sedans. Standard equipment included hand-buffed leather seats with matching kick panels and a leather door, storage pouches in the rear doors, and matching carpets in the front and rear. Also standard were dual side mounts, a trunk, a top boot, and a painted dash with a damascened instrument binnacle.

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Packard 4M-2500 Engines for USN PT Boats are manufactured at the Packard Plant in Detroit - 1943
The Packard 4M-2500 engine was a water cooled, gasoline powered V-12 engine which was utilized in all US Navy WW2 PT Boats. This engine was based on the 1925 Liberty aircraft engine which was earlier converted for marine use in racing boats.

The 4M-2500 was a four-stroke, 60-degree V-12 with a 6.40-inch bore and a 6.50-inch stroke, which brought it to 2,490 cubic inches. The aluminum engine block with steel cylinder sleeves weighed in at 2,900 pounds. It had a 6.4:1 compression ratio, and a centrifugal supercharger; later models were also fitted with an intercooler. During WW2 the 4M-2500 engine went through various performance updates and modifications. With early engines rated at 1100 h.p. and progressing to 1500 h.p. during the war.

Contrary to some sources, the 4M-2500 marine engine was not based on the Rolls-Royce Merlin, however, Packard did build an aircraft version of Merlin Engine under contract.
In addition to PT-Boats, the 4M-2500 was also used in Royal Navy Vosper MTB's (Motor Torpedo Boats) and USAAF 85’ Air Sea Rescue Boats.

1954 Nash Metropolitan