Vehicle Description
Although the Chrysler Corporation was still in its relative infancy
in 1928, the fledgling company had managed to leap up the sales
charts from 32nd place to 3rd in a matter of a few years, buoyed by
its rapidly growing reputation for performance and quality. The
main ingredient for success came in the form of the L-head,
seven-main-bearing inline-six originally developed for the B-70.
These engines were rather unusual in the US market in that, at
248.9 cubic inches, they were smaller in displacement than the
competition, yet could match or surpass the output of their rivals.
The impressive numbers were achieved via a special high-compression
cylinder head and lightweight cast aluminum pistons. These early
Chrysler roadsters quickly gained a reputation for being some of
the fastest cars in their class. Chrysler also took a unique path
in sending a number of its cars overseas to compete against the
best Europe had to offer in motorsport. With the high-performance,
six-cylinder Series 70-series, Chrysler scored a tremendous 3rd and
4th position in the 1928 Le Mans 24 Hour race. In that same year,
Chrysler scored a class win at the grueling Mille Miglia in Italy.
Perhaps the most remarkable point about Chrysler's success in these
punishing endurance races is that, at Le Mans in particular, the
mid-priced Chrysler was only beaten by much more exotic and
expensive machinery. The cars that Chrysler campaigned were only
moderately prepared, and they stood up to the might of the Bentley
squad's race-prepared machines which had struggled to keep their
big burly cars held together long enough to finish, limping their
winning car across the line. A French-entered, overhead cam Stutz
Black Hawk took the fight to Bentley for overall honors (finishing
second), but Chrysler - in a pair of mid-market roadsters that were
essentially unmodified - achieved their remarkable result by
managing a steady and reliable race to finish on the podium.
Chrysler had achieved what few other American car makers could,
using virtually showroom standard machinery. This charming 1928
Chrysler Model 72 Sport Roadster is a wonderful AACA Senior
National First Prize-winning�example recently out of a prominent
collection. Wearing an older but high-quality restoration performed
by the respected experts at Prueitt Restorations of Glen Rock,
Pennsylvania, it still presents in outstanding condition. This
charismatic roadster looks wonderful in its vivid paint scheme,
which was part of a marketing ploy used to attract well-to-do young
buyers to the sporty Chrysler line. The paint presents in excellent
condition overall, remaining quite attractive since the restoration
was completed. Body and panel fit is quite good, in keeping with
the high quality construction these Chryslers enjoyed when new.
Chrome and brightwork is also presented very nicely, with excellent
quality plating on the bumpers, radiator, lamps and accessories.
Being a deluxe-trim Sport roadster, it is equipped with wire
wheels, dual sidemount spares, chrome plated drum-type Depress Beam
headlights, dual matching cowl lights, wind-wings and a trunk rack.
The radiator is topped with the "Mercury Wing" mascot and the body
features a golf-bag door and a generously sized rumble seat with
good quality upholstery. The cockpit is trimmed in tan leather
which presents in very good condition, again showing little wear or
signs of ageing since this car was restored. Likewise, brown
carpeting is in excellent condition. The dash proudly features
Walter P Chrysler's signature embossed on a plate above the gauges,
and we particularly love the sleek, minimalist style of the
instrument panel which was a new design for 1928. Minor controls
are fitted either below the dash or onto the wheel to keep the
fascia as clean and uncluttered as possible. The canvas top is in
fine order, exhibiting good fit and finishing. The top frame also
presents very well, with quality chrome plating and beautifully
finished woodwork and full weather equipment is stowed in custom
bags which fit neatly in the golf-club compartment. Mechanically,
this Chrysler is in very good order. It is equipped with the rare
and desirable high-compression "Red Head" specification engine. The
detailing is to a very high standard, with correct porcelain
finished manifolds, red-painted cylinder head and properly finished
cylinder block. Wiring and plumbing are tidy, with proper fittings
and hardware for a clean, uncluttered and period correct look. To
cope with the improved performance, Chrysler equipped the Model 72
with hydraulic brakes and an improved front axle for 1928, making
it a surprisingly enjoyable car to drive. While this car certainly
presents well enough for casual show, it is perhaps best enjoyed on
the road where its next owner can fully exploit the potential of
that brilliant six-cylinder engine. Thanks to that reputation for
performance and the sporty styling of the roadster, the Chrysler
70-series is a car that is prized by today's enthusiasts. It is
also one of the few American cars of the era that is eligible for
both the Mille Miglia Storica and the Le Mans Classic, further
enhancing their collector value and opening up amazing
opportunities to experience a taste of what Chrysler's team may
have felt from their incredible successes of 1928.