Chrysler – Custom Imperial CL (1933)

The name of this model already reveals the claim formulated by Chrysler at the time. The manufac- turer offered the Imperial as a top-of-the-line model that reflected the aspirations of the world’s elite. The spectacularly long convertible body was styled by LeBaron in Detroit. Only 50 of these cars were produced, with 32 of them wearing the more modern front end from 1933. The vacuum- assisted technology already used by Chrysler at the time is unexpectedly complex.

Many of the systems were discreetly servo-assisted, for example the hydraulic brakes and the clutch. This outstandingly documented example not only has its original engine and body to this day but is also regarded as the best-documented and restored Chrysler CL Imperial in existence. Out of the more than 10,000 hours that were devoted to the painstaking refurbishment, around one third alone were channelled into researching the history and the correct materials. One example of this was identifying the correct shade of paint with the lyrical name Moonglow. A perfect match with a miniscule remnant of the original paint was only achieved after more than a dozen formulations.