NEW PRICE! Rare, beautiful Series III CD8 roadster. Spectacular frame-off restoration several years ago, still in outstanding condition. Powerful, fast, comfortable, ready to tour or show.
This spectacular CD8 roadster is one of those late-production Series III cars, offering all the upgrades including the 282 cubic inch engine and 4-speed manual transmission, as well as standard Chrysler features like those powerful hydraulic brakes. It shouldn’t be any wonder that cars like this were favorites for stock car racing and a similar roadster even appeared at LeMans. Agile handling, a low center of gravity thanks to the dramatic Al Leamy styling, and the powerful straight-8 made it a formidable car on the track and a delight to drive on the road.
The restoration is a few years old, but it’s quite accurately done and wears its original color combination of Timber Beige with Deerfield Brown moldings and fenders, along with Omaha Orange wheels, and it looks just spectacular today. Dual sidemounts and a trunk rack add to the upscale air that was Chrysler’s target market, and there’s just not one single line that’s out of place. Finish quality is excellent and it shows minimal wear since it was completed, although the passage of time produces some inevitable micro-blisters that are visible upon very close inspection. The doors and rumble seat lid fit well and close on well-oiled hinges, the hood swings open easily, and details such as the matching Omaha Orange pinstripes add a dashing bit of flair. There’s simply no angle from which this car isn’t beautiful. The chrome remains in excellent condition throughout with no issues.
The interior is gorgeous brown leather, but calling it “brown” seems to be selling it short. Simple door panels with map pockets, nicely fitted carpets with custom floor mats, and a nice ribbon of leather around the dash make it feel well-tailored and speak to the quality of the restoration. There’s a full array of white-faced gauges in the center of the dash and they’re all functional, and we have every reason to believe that the 60,832 miles showing on the speedometer are authentic. The tan canvas top folds easily and the rear window curtain is removable to provide pleasant flow-through ventilation on warm days when too much sun with the top down would be uncomfortable. There’s also a matching tan canvas boot. The rumble seat, as I mentioned, is beautifully finished and includes small storage compartments on either side and a surprising amount of legroom, complements of the CD8’s lengthy 124-inch wheelbase.
As the final iteration of the CD8, this roadster received the larger 282 cubic inch straight-8 which makes right around 100 horsepower. It’s a traditional flathead design with a downdraft carburetor, and it does indeed use a mechanical fuel pump to ensure reliability even when it’s hot. It’s beautifully sorted, as it fires to life easily within a few turns and settles into an even idle without the need for choke or other coaxing. There’s a pleasing mechanical whirr from under the hood and a nice 8-cylinder grumble from the single exhaust pipe out back, connecting you to the car rather than isolating you from it. There are some minor signs of use on the engine, as this is a favorite tour candidate, but beyond some heat-related paint issues on the exhaust manifold, it’s extremely tidy under the hood. It’s not quite detailed for show, but it’s better than most of the cars you see on tours.
Chrysler also offered a 4-speed manual transmission, which you’ll find in this car. In truth, it’s nothing like the 4-speeds of the muscle car era, and what it really is, is a 3-speed with a choice of two first gears. There’s an ultra-low first gear and a regular first gear that you’ll use 99% of the time. The shift pattern is standard 3-speed manual, although the first gear slot branches into two separate gears, including the ultra-low creeper gear. Out back, it uses period-typical 4.10 gears but thanks to the smooth straight-8, it’s happy to cruise at 50-55 MPH without much effort. The chassis is like the engine bay, nicely detailed but showing signs of use, which only means that this Chrysler is fully sorted and ready to enjoy. The suspension is comfortable and capable, making the roadster feel agile instead of clumsy, and Chrysler’s hydraulic brakes are quite modern in their feel and remarkably powerful, so the car feels confident on the road. Wire wheels really dress the car up and are fitted with Lester wide whitewall tires that have plenty of life left in them.
Beauty, speed, quality; this Chrysler embodies them all. For a high-speed tour vehicle it’s a superb choice and it’s stunning good looks will earn it a place on any show field. With only a handful known to exist, this is an excellent opportunity to own one of the very best to come to market in years. Call today!
For more details and photos, please visit www.HarwoodMotors.com
