1928 Chrysler Royal Series 72 6-Wheel Equipped Sedan (RHD)

Description

Founded by Walter P Chrysler in 1924 and first unveiled to the public at the New York Auto Show held at the Commodore Hotel in January that year, the new marque was America's first mid-priced automobile to combine excellent performance and features like all-wheel hydraulic brakes, a tubular front axle and full-pressure lubrication. Powered by a relatively small capacity L-head six (displacing 201.5 cubic inches), the new engine boasted aluminium pistons and higher than normal 4.7:1 compression ratio to generate 68 horsepower, a figure normally reserved for much more expensive luxury cars and the Chrysler's top speed of 70-75 mph was only marginally slower than a Packard Eight. With more than 32,000 sold in the first year of production, the Chrysler proved a genuine success story and the company continued refining what was already an excellent product throughout the 1920s, adding a four-cylinder line and a luxury Imperial model in 1927. The 1928 model line-up included both the cheaper Series 52 four and no less than three lines of sixes, starting with the Series 62 (with a 180-cid engine and smaller 109-inch wheelbase), the mid-level Series 72 and most expensive Series 80 Imperial. The Series 72 was powered by a 249-cid six developing 75 horsepower at 3200 rpm (or 85 horsepower at 3200 rpm with the optional 6.2:1 compression ratio) on a 119-inch wheelbase, with four-wheel brakes and wooden-spoked wheels both standard equipment. The model was distinguished by a taller radiator and cowl, along with a new instrument panel. Catalogued with a wide range of factory body styles, the Series 72 was available as a roadster, sport roadster, coupe, convertible coupe, Town Sedan, Royal Sedan, Crown Sedan or Imperial Town Cabriolet. Chrysler enjoyed its best pre-war ever sales in 1928, the same year the company took over Dodge Brothers, even gaining publicity from success on the tracks of Europe with a team finishing third and fourth in class at Le Mans that year.