| The Astor Collection Friday, June 27, 2008 - Sunday, June 29, 2008 |
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| 1933 Chrysler CL Imperial Sport Phaeton by LeBaron | |||||||||
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135hp 384 cu. in. nine main bearing inline eight-cylinder engine, four-speed synchromesh transmission, leaf spring and beam axle front suspension, leaf spring and live axle rear suspension, and four-wheel hydraulically-actuated drum brakes. Wheelbase: 146" The goal for Chrysler was simple going into the 1931 calendar year – mount a serious assault on the fine car market by offering a more affordable luxury car with beautiful styling and performance to match. The result was the incomparable Imperial series. With their long wheelbase chassis, flowing fenders, and smart LeBaron-designed bodies, many consider the Imperials to be among the best looking classics of the era. Although their chassis and drivetrain technology was rather conventional with 135 horsepower, they were certainly quick. For 1932 and 1933, the CG chassis was further refined to become the CL Imperial. By 1933, styling was enhanced with a more imposing front view and a sharply pointed grille that blended into a long, impressive hood, gained by overlapping the cowl. The car’s dramatic belt line swooped down along the body, creating a design that many believe was the best-looking Imperial of all. LeBaron Carrossiers Inc. was founded in 1920 by two of the most respected names from the era of the great coachbuilders: Thomas L. Hibbard and Raymond Dietrich. When they decided to set up shop together, they settled on a location and a name. The location – 2 Columbus Circle, New York City – was more than they could afford, but they decided it was essential to their image. Coincidentally, it was also home to Fleetwood’s design offices. They chose the LeBaron name because it sounded French and would lend a sophisticated air to their firm. Most interesting was that they chose to have only a design office, without coachbuilding facilities. Not only was this practical – they had no coachbuilding skills – but it allowed them to work independently from (and with) both chassis manufacturers and coachbuilding firms. Work began to flow in, and soon the pair were approached by Ralph Roberts, who knew Dietrich from his time at Brewster. Roberts wanted to design cars, and when he applied for a job, Hibbard and Dietrich liked him enough that they offered him a full one third partnership – but with the provision that he serve as the firm’s business manager. Hibbard wanted very much to work in France, and in 1923 he left for Paris to look into establishing an office there for LeBaron Carrossiers. While in Paris he met another American designer, Howard “Dutch” Darrin. The two hit it off, and decided to start their own company, Hibbard & Darrin. Hibbard sold his shares in LeBaron to Roberts and Dietrich and moved to Paris. At this point, LeBaron hired Werner Gubitz and Roland Stickney as draftsmen, designers, and illustrators. Dietrich continued as chief designer, while Roberts managed the business. Before long, Dietrich was recruited by Murray, and he too left the firm. LeBaron, meanwhile, continued to prosper, even after the loss of its two founders. Ralph Roberts proved to have a good eye for design, and excellent rapport with LeBaron’s clients. He and Stickney made a great team, with Stickney refining and implementing Roberts’ ideas. In 1927, LeBaron was acquired by Briggs, one of Detroit’s largest body building firms. Briggs’ clients included Chrysler, Ford, Overland, and Hudson. LeBaron continued to operate within Briggs, whose strong Detroit connections soon lead to prestigious custom work for Lincoln, Cadillac, and Pierce-Arrow. In effect, LeBaron became Briggs’ in house design label, as Dietrich had become Murray’s. Shortly afterwards, Briggs hired designer John Tjaarda, and he and Roberts assumed joint responsibility for running LeBaron. Together with their in-house design staff, the two were responsible for LeBaron’s designs for the next several years. LeBaron was ideally positioned to take advantage of the burgeoning demand for coachbuilt bodies that developed in the late 1920s. Factory design work included the legendary Model J Duesenberg, for which LeBaron bodies were among the most prolific. In addition, LeBaron designs graced the top of the line CG and CL Imperials, as well as the remarkable Marmon Sixteen. In total, 50 of these sport phaeton bodies were ordered by Chrysler from LeBaron in 1932. Fourteen were shipped in 1932, although a few of these are believed to have been returned to the factory for updating with 1933 sheet metal and trim. Other than these updates, that leaves 36 cars built originally as 1933 models. This particular Chrysler Imperial Sport Phaeton, body number 172-44, was reportedly restored about ten years ago and is accompanied by a folio documenting the body-off restoration as well as various pieces of correspondence between previous owners. A former Best in Class winner at both Palos Verdes and Newport Beach, this Imperial Sport Phaeton has held up very nicely and remains highly presentable throughout. Finished in white and black with a red pinstripe and accents, the quality of the paint and brightwork is show quality. While the tan top has clearly been well tailored, some discoloration is evident, which is simply attributable to age. The interior was also restored although, as with the exterior, this was work seems to have been conducted some time ago; the red leather upholstery and carpeting have also developed signs of age and slight cracking in certain areas, although the overall impression is certainly quite presentable. With minor signs of road use, the engine compartment and undercarriage are both indicative of thorough older professional restoration work and present very nicely. Finally, notable exterior features on this prewar Chrysler include a matched pair of Trippe Speed Lights, dual horns, dual side-mounted hardcover spares with tire-mounted mirrors, whitewall tires with chrome wire spoke wheels, and a rear-mounted trunk. Chrysler CL Imperials are renowned among Classic era enthusiasts for their spirited performance and agile handling. They are also one of the most attractive cars of the period – in many ways a swan song for the era. Given the remarkable rarity of the Sport Phaeton model, restored examples such as this remain highly sought after as valued additions to the most respected of collections. |
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