Chrysler Imperial, 1931
Chrysler Imperial II
Chrysler Imperial II•
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Chassis No.: 7802643
Auction: Kissimmee 2017
Auction date: January 15, 2017
Lot No.: S211
$154,000 | Sold
- Exterior: Black
- Interior: Gray
- 1931 Chrysler Imperial Formal Sedan believed to be only six left in existence, and only one Hot Rod
- 8.0/500 HP Viper V-10 engine
- 6-speed Viper transmission
- Chrome and polished stainless underside
- Fatman independent front end
- Mark Williams Pro Stock rear end
- Disc brakes
- Polished stainless brake lines and fuel lines
- Stainless fuel tank
- 3 inch chopped roof
- Original 145 wheelbase, not stretched
- Power windows
- Air conditioning
- Overhead stereo
- VIN ANNOUNCEMENT
This 1931 Chrysler Imperial Formal Sedan is not only one of just six believed still in existence today; it is the only one that has been completely personalized and updated in Resto Mod fashion, and it is even more fascinating than first looks suggest. The 1931-33 Chrysler Imperials have long been considered the company’s greatest classics of the pre-World War II era. With semi-custom bodies by LeBaron evoking grandiosity on a scale suggesting Bugatti’s Royales of the same period, the Imperial possessed low and rakish lines, unrivaled by any American automobile of the time, stretched over an impressive 145-inch wheelbase.
This highly customized Imperial capitalizes on those qualities with a full 3-inch chop of the roof that emphasizes its sweeping coachwork and elegant black paint. Its biggest surprise is inside the long, low hood; where once Chrysler’s first and largest straight-8 purred away, there is now a new fuel-injected Dodge Viper 8.0L/500 HP V-10 backed by a matching 6-speed manual transmission and race-engineered Mark Williams Pro Stock 9-inch Ford rear end with Detroit Locker differential. The well-engineered installation incorporates an American Autowire harness, custom radiator with 2-speed electric fan, aircraft-quality plumbing and high-flow tube headers feeding dual exhaust.
The undercarriage is awash in chrome and polished stainless, including stainless fuel and brake lines and fuel tank, Fatman independent front suspension, 4-wheel coilovers, power disc brakes and power steering. In addition to the chopped top, this handsome custom Imperial features a filled top, hood vents and front fender spare-tire wells, custom steel running boards, exterior bright trim and lights and 17-inch front and 20-inch rear Colorado Custom wheels and Goodyear tires.
The roomy cabin combines the Old World elegance of gray velour cloth upholstery with more chrome and polished stainless trim and controls, power windows, air conditioning and overhead sound system controls, completing this one-of-a-kind high-luxury vintage Rod.
