1932 Chrysler CL Imperial Convertible Sedan
- Engine
- 6.3L inline-eight, L-head, nine main bearings, high-compression Red Head cylinder head, ~135 bhp
- Colour
- Gunmetal gray over black
The 1932 Chrysler CL Imperial Convertible Sedan is the 39th of approximately 49 examples constructed and one of only ten known survivors. Bodied by LeBaron Carrossiers for Chrysler's top-of-the-line chassis, it features a 385 cu. in. straight-eight with its original Red Head high-compression cylinder head. The car traces its history to post-war New Jersey, passed through several enthusiast owners including noted Imperial authority Joseph Morgan who restored it to concours standard, and subsequently earned multiple major show awards including at Pebble Beach and Boca Raton.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold US$429,000
- 1955 → 1995Acquisition unknownJack Gassnerpartial documentation
Based in Wall, New Jersey; began disassembling the vehicle for a restoration that was never finished before his death. The car passed through his estate sale in November 1995 in a taken-apart but largely complete condition.
- 1995-11-01 →AuctionJoseph Morganfull documentation
Well-regarded Imperial specialist from Windham, New Hampshire, who acquired the disassembled car at the Gassner estate sale and carried out a full restoration to the original Gunmetal Gray over Black color scheme. His research history of the car is included in the documentation file.
- Date unknownArmy colonel in New Jerseypartial documentation
Military officer who held the car around the period of the Second World War; location was New Jersey.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownCharles Duvallepartial documentation
Resident of Belmar, New Jersey; held the car after the wartime colonel as part of a consecutive New Jersey ownership sequence.
- Date unknownPrivate saleJarvis Bartonpartial documentation
Portland, Connecticut resident who exhibited the restored car extensively in AACA judged events, earning Senior Grand National First Prize recognition. The car passed on following his death.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownEast Coast collectorpartial documentation
Prominent but unnamed collector on the US East Coast who maintained the car carefully for close to ten years and entered it in several notable concours events.
Competition
- 2002AACAAACA Senior Grand NationalFirst Prize, Senior Grand National
Shown extensively in AACA judged competition during Jarvis Barton's ownership, culminating in the highest Senior Grand National recognition in 2002.
- 20072007 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
Entered at Pebble Beach during the present owner's period of stewardship; no placement result stated.
- 20112011 Boca Raton Concours d'EleganceSponsor's Choice award
Took a sponsor-designated prize at the 2011 Boca Raton event while in the current owner's care.
- —Amelia Island Concours d'EleganceSpecial award
Exhibited during the current owner's tenure; received a special category award, year not specified.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1955Restoration
Car was partially disassembled by Gassner in preparation for a full restoration, but work was halted and never completed before his death; the car was stored in this disassembled state.
Car was described as very complete despite being taken apart.
- —RestorationJoseph Morgan
Full restoration carried out by Joseph Morgan to exacting standards of authenticity, returning the car to its factory-correct colour combination of Gunmetal Gray coachwork over a Black lower body (factory code 802).
Photographic documentation of the restoration process is included in the history file. Work completed after Morgan's acquisition in November 1995.
- —Service
Ongoing detailing and concours preparation work carried out during the current owner's tenure.
Receipts for this work are retained in the car's history file.
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