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| | | | |
| Lot number | 56 |
|---|---|
| Hammer value | N/S (est. £8,000 - 10,000) |
| Description | Chrysler Six Tourer |
| Registration | LE 7431 |
| Year | 1924 |
| Colour | Blue |
| Engine size | 3,300 cc |
| Chassis No. | 43728 |
| Engine No. | M117596 |
History
Produced at the old Chalmers plant in Detroit and launched at the January 1924 New York Motor Show, Walter P Chrysler's first automobile was an innovative, medium priced, six-cylinder car of better than average performance as numerous sporting successes would soon demonstrate. Offering a $5,000 specification for under $1,500, the Chrysler Six featured hydraulic brakes, aluminium pistons, full pressure lubrication, a tubular front axle and could comfortably hit 70mph. An overnight success, 32,000 were sold in the first year alone.
A very early example, this car was manufactured in January 1924 and registered in the USA on the 29th of that month. The owner believes that the body number (B372E) indicates that this was the fifth car produced. From the USA the car was then registered in Rhodesia in 1929 and later in Kenya in 1938 when the registration plate W2225 was issued. In 1967 this car was found being used as a farm wagon in Kenya.
The car was purchased by Ken Warrilow who commenced the restoration work on the vehicle and resprayed it to the original colours and coach markings which are those now seen on the vehicle. In 1971 the vehicle was shipped to England and registered with its present number LE7431 (This number is an age related plate for 1924 vehicles). The restoration work continued in the UK. Full restoration was completed in 1973 when an MOT certificate was obtained and the vehicle used on the public roads in England.
To the best of the vendor's knowledge, this is the only Chrysler Six in England, although there are several Chrysler 60 and 70’s still being used in England and America. The present owner purchased the car in 1974 and has covered over 10,000 miles since rebuilding the engine in 1976. The gearbox was also rebuilt about 7 years ago. The car has participated in many long distance rallies and runs over the last 30 years and is said to have always proved totally reliable, cruising comfortably at 55mph with excellent brakes for its era. It comes with a long MOT, a copy of an original owner's handbook and a fair amount of history.