Tag Archives: LeBaron

145 Inch Prototype – Chrysler Imperial 8 CG LeBaron Roadster Prototype

In July 1930 Chrysler launched the second generation CG Imperial referred to in the sales literature as the Imperial 8.

Chrysler Imperial 8 CG LeBaron Roadster, Desert Classics, Palm Springs,

The 8 referred to the new L head 6.3 litre 384.8 cubic-inch, nine-main bearing straight 8 motor which developed 125 horsepower in it’s original incarnation.

Chrysler Imperial 8 CG LeBaron Roadster, Desert Classics, Palm Springs,

The CG’s chassis has an imposing 145″ wheel base, the same as a contemporary Duesenberg.

Chrysler Imperial 8 CG LeBaron Roadster, Desert Classics, Palm Springs,

Imperial 8’s could be ordered with either roadster, coupé, saloon / sedan or limousine bodies, the latter could be ordered with a way ahead of the curve dictaphone.

Chrysler Imperial 8 CG LeBaron Roadster, Desert Classics, Palm Springs,

This particular car photographed by Geoffrey Horton at the 2013 Desert Classic meet in Palm Springs is a 1931 CG with a prototype body by LeBaron.

Chrysler Imperial 8 CG LeBaron Roadster, Desert Classics, Palm Springs,

Unusually this roadster, which is believed to have been taken to the Chicago Auto Show, has no running boards.

Chrysler Imperial 8 CG LeBaron Roadster, Desert Classics, Palm Springs,

When the current owner bought this car he it restored in burgundy and silver in the absence of any knowledge as to the cars original colour scheme.

Chrysler Imperial 8 CG LeBaron Roadster, Desert Classics, Palm Springs,

The 145″ CG Imperial 8’s were only manufactured for one year the succeeding CL only had a 133″ wheel base.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for sharing his photographs.

Thanks for joining me on this “145 Inch Prototype” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres” I hope you will join me again tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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The Worlds Most Advanced Car – Marmon Sixteen

The transformation of flour mill machinery manufacturers Nordyke and Marmon, est 1851, into the manufacturers of the Worlds most advanced car started with 23 year old University of California at Berkeley graduate Howard Marmon returned to Indianapolis and built his first car, powered by an aircooled V twin featuring a pressurised lubrication system and overhead valves in 1902.

Morman Sixteen, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

Howard’s second design was powered by an aircooled V4 and a couple of years later Marmon sold it’s first six cars, allegedly mostly to friends. Nine years after designing his first car Howard’s Marmon Wasp won the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 with Ray Harroun averaging 75 mph for the 6 hours, 42 minutes it took to complete the distance. The Wasp is said to be the first car ever to feature a rear view mirror.

Marmon Sixteen, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

After full fulfilling a contract to build 5,000 Liberty motors for use in the 1914/18 war Marmon had the financial stability to continue innovating especially with the use of aluminium in automobile manufacture and with motor configurations until in 1927 Marmon began the design of the highly advanced V16.

Marmon Sixteen, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

The 8.1 litre / 491 cui V16 motor is a work of art featuring a ‘Y’ shaped block with a 45 degree V for the two banks of eight cylinders made from a single aluminium casting that includes the crank case. The excellent design of the engine was recognised by the Society of Automotive Engineers who’s annual design award was given to Howard Marmon.

Marmon Sixteen, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

With overhead valves operated by pushrods from a single cam shaft the motor produced 200 hp and weighed much less than the smaller V16 that Cadillac had pushed through to production in less time than Marmon with the help of an ex Marmon employee.

Marmon Sixteen, Hillsborough Concours d'Elegance

Most of the 390 Marmon Sixteens had bodywork by LeBaron with the design credited officially to Walter Dorwin Teague, Sr though much of the work was done by his son W.D. Teague, Jr an MIT student.

With a superior power to weight ratio, thanks to the extensive use of aluminium, to almost everything else on the road, all Marmon Sixteens were certified has having achieved 100 mph on the fabled Indianapolis Circuit. Unfortunately the The Worlds Most Advanced Car, as the Sixteen was marketed, came at absolutely the worst time when the market for $5,000 automobiles was at an all time low and so Marmon left the car manufacturing business when it went in to receivership in 1933.

My thanks to Geoffrey Horton for kindly sharing today’s photographs taken at the recent Hillsborough Concours d’Elegance.

Thanks for joining me on this “The Worlds Most Advanced Car” edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”.
I hope you will join me again for Ferrari Friday tomorrow. Don’t forget to come back now !

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