1926 Chrysler Imperial 80

Eagle-eyed observers among you will have immediately noticed what makes this car so special.

It still has the original and very distinctive bonnet and headlight fluting.

That’s unusual because those were design flourishes that had become associated with the then very big and powerful Vauxhall company, who immediately lawyered-up and issued ‘cease and desist’ notices.

Chrysler wisely conceded the fight and stopped manufacturing ‘fluted’ parts, meaning that these early, pre-Vauxhall intervention cars are today real rarities.

The vendor bought the car in July 2022. He has enjoyed his time owning and driving a machine that performs with levels of competence and capability that are nothing short of remarkable for a car that’s just a year away from its 100th birthday.

It came to the UK from Vintage Motor Cars of Michigan in 2004, by which time it had undergone a thorough and evidently highly expert restoration in the US. We understand that the car was in very good condition prior to the restoration, so it’s clearly been well looked-after throughout its long life.

The vendor tells us that, “It starts on the button and drives well. Not sure I'd want to do the top speed of 80mph (hence the name - Chrysler Imperial 80) in it though. It's terrifying enough at 50mph!”

Quite so.

But the vendor hasn’t kept it preserved in aspic like some museum piece – far from it.

To prove the point, there are pictures of him nipping down to his local B&Q in this fabulous car.

We imagine he turned a few heads on that trip.

This is undoubtedly a big, imposing vehicle, and yet the elegance of its lines mean that it is never cumbersome or ungainly, no matter the viewpoint.

Quite the opposite, in fact – it’s really a very handsome machine.

The bodywork is Old English White, save for the black paint on the headlamp and bonnet flutes (why not highlight your most notable points?) and on the wings and sills.

The panel gaps and shut lines are consistent and even, and the doors close home with firmness, weight and precision.

Both running boards are reassuring solid and secure, although there is a little bubbling to be seen at the base of the wing on the driver’s side where it meets the running board.

There are also a couple of small bubbles (benign or otherwise) under the paint on the n/s/r wing.

The paintwork is uniformly glossy and lustrous pretty much wherever you look and even standard stone chips, scratches and scuffs are more noticeable for their absence than their presence.

The brightwork is shiny and devoid of any pitting, tarnishing and foxing.

All five ‘artillery’-style wheels are in very good order, as are the matching Goodrich Silvertown tyres.

The attention to detail is endlessly fascinating and can be seen everywhere from the winged radiator mascot and the ‘Lorraine Controllable Driving Light’ to the leather corner protectors on the bonnet covers.

The black fabric hood is in equally impressive condition and goes up and down with a minimum of fuss and effort. The car comes with full sets of tonneau covers and side screens.

The lights, lenses, badging and other exterior fixtures and fittings are all equally commendable and beyond reproach.

The condition of the interior is at once simple and luxurious, with acres of blue hide enveloping passengers in the front and back.

The bench seats are comfortable and impressive, with just a few light creases and scuffs in evidence on the driver’s side of the front bench.

The chunky wooden steering wheel dominates the view ahead and is a deeply satisfying thing to grasp.

The gear lever and other controls all look to be in fine fettle, as do the blue carpets, the door cards and the roof lining.

The pop-up footrest in the rear is a fine piece of period metalwork.

Originality and authenticity are the order of the day here, just as they are with the exterior, and nowhere more so than on the dashboard and its dials and instruments.

We’re particularly taken with the small window through which the mph figure scrolls horizontally.

As far as we’re aware, all knobs, buttons, switches, dials and toggles do what they’re supposed to do.

The car is all original other than an updated Carter carburettor, which was apparently a commonly retro-fitted upgrade in the 1930s.

Finding the air filter missing, the vendor replaced it with modern mesh version.

Although it is running an electric fuel pump and an alternator, the original mechanical pump and dynamo are both still present and installed - they just aren't used at present.

Also disconnected is the exhaust-gas powered heater for the rear passengers.

Which is probably all for the best.

The engine bay is shiny clean and bright.

The undersides seem to be well preserved and everything we can see appears to have plenty of structural integrity.

The car has a few bills and invoices for parts and work in recent years.

But it hasn’t needed much doing to it.

These cars were built to last and this one has been kept in first-class condition.

The car comes with copies of the original user guide and instructions, some miscellaneous paperwork, various photographs of it out and about, and a V5C.

Big, bold and powerful, it should come as no surprise that the Chrysler Imperial was the steed of choice for legendary boxer Jack Dempsey.

This particular example, with its super-rare, Vauxhall-baiting bonnet and headlamp flutes, has weathered the vicissitudes of a century of use with astonishing stoicism.

And there’s plenty of life left in this glorious car for the next owner to enjoy and savour.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £17,000 - £22,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at Bonhams|Cars Online HQ. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.