Chrysler Royal

{{For|information on the Australian Chrysler Royal|Chrysler Royal (Australia)}} {{distinguish|Dodge Royal}} {{Use American English|date=May 2026}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}} {{Infobox automobile | name = Series CD/CP/CT/C-16/C-18/C-22/Series 25/Series 28/Series C-34 | image = 1933 Chrysler Royal Eight coupe (5987431032).jpg | caption = 1933 Chrysler Royal Eight Series CT Roadster Coupe | manufacturer = [[Chrysler Corporation]] | assembly = [[Jefferson North Assembly#Jefferson Avenue Assembly|Jefferson Avenue Assembly]] [[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], United States | model_years = 1931–1932 (CD, CP) 1933–1934 1937–1950 | predecessor = [[Chrysler Six]] | successor = [[Chrysler Airflow]] (1934) [[Chrysler Windsor]] (six cylinder engine) [[Chrysler Saratoga]] (eight cylinder engine) | class = [[Full-size car]] | body_style = 4-door [[Sedan (automobile)|sedan]] 2-door [[coupe]] 2-door [[convertible (car)|convertible]] | layout = [[Rear-wheel-drive]] | engine = {{convert|240.33|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Chrysler Flathead engine#Straight-8|Chrysler I8]] (1931) {{convert|273.8|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Chrysler Flathead engine#Straight-8|Chrysler I8]] (1933) {{convert|298.65|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Chrysler Flathead engine#Straight-8|Chrysler I8]] (1932) {{convert|228.1|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Chrysler flathead engine#Straight-6|Chrysler I6]] (1937–1938) {{convert|241.5|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} [[Chrysler flathead engine#Straight-6|Chrysler I6]] (1939–1942) | length = | wheelbase = {{convert|120|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1933 Series CT) {{convert|124|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1931–1932 Series CD & CP) {{convert|128|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1933 Series CT LWB) {{convert|116|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1937 C-16) {{convert|133|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1937 C-16 LWB) {{convert|119|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1938–1939 C-16 & C-22) {{convert|136|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1938–1939 C-16 & C-22 LWB) {{convert|122|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1940 C-25) {{convert|139|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} (1940 C-25 LWB) | height = | weight = | related = [[Chrysler Imperial#1931–1933|Chrysler Imperial]] [[Chrysler Windsor]] [[Chrysler Airflow]] [[DeSoto Airstream|DeSoto S-Series]] }}

The '''Chrysler Royal''' was a [[full-size car|full-size]] car produced by the [[Chrysler|Chrysler Corporation]] in the [[United States]]. It was first released in 1933 and continued being built until 1934. Then, the model ended production and did not return until 1937, and then continued until 1950.

==Chrysler Eight== For production year 1931, Chrysler introduced their first straight eight engine for the Chrysler Imperial, and offered it in the Chrysler Eight Series CD. It borrowed appearance influences from the [[Cord L-29]].<ref name="Kimes" /><ref name="Wise1">{{cite encyclopedia| last=Wise| first=David Burgess| title=Cord: The Apex of a Triangle| editor-last=Northey| editor-first=Tom| encyclopedia=World of Automobiles: An Illustrated Encyclopedia of the Motor Car| location=New York| publisher=Columbia House| year=1974| volume=4| pages=435–437| url=https://archive.org/details/worldofautomobil04nort/page/434/mode/2up?q=cord+apex| url-access=registration}}</ref> The engine used had a {{convert|240.33|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} displacement that was smaller than the one used in the Imperial Series CG, followed in 1932 with the Chrysler Series CP and an upgraded {{convert|298.65|CID|L|1|abbr=on}} engine, while both Eights used a {{convert|124|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} wheelbase. The Chrysler Eight offered [[fender (vehicle)|sweeping fenders]], rear [[suicide door]]s, dual [[windshield wiper]]s, dual [[taillight]]s and dual chrome trumpet horns, sharing an appearance with the 1931 Chrysler Imperial Series CG, and was available with five different two-door body style choices that could accommodate between two through five passengers, and three four-door coachwork choices were offered, to include a sedan convertible and two versions of the Royal Sedan in Standard and Special trim packages. Prices ranged from US$1,495 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1495|1931}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) for the two-door Sport Roadster to US$1,970 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1970|1931}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) for the four-door Dual Cowl Phaeton.<ref name="Kimes" /> A stripped-down Chrysler Eight Series CD Sport Roadster was entered along with an Imperial roadster in the [[1931 24 Hours of Le Mans]] but did not finish due to radiator issues.<ref name="Kimes" />

Large displacement engines provided the horsepower and torque clients wanted and due to the low quality of [[gasoline#1903 to 1914|gasoline]] fuel at the time, and low [[compression ratio]]s, 50 bhp was more than adequate. It is estimated that the rating equivalent of early gasoline available varied from 40 to 60 octane and that the "High-Test", sometimes referred to as "fighting grade", probably averaged 50 to 65 octane.<ref>Matthew Van Winkle, ''Aviation Gasoline Manufacture'', McGraw-Hill, 1944, p. 10.</ref>

<gallery widths=200px heights=150px> File:Chrysler CD Convertible Coupe 1931.jpg|1931 Chrysler Eight Series CD Convertible File:1932 Chrysler Coupe Rumble Seat (26886885893).jpg|1932 Chrysler Eight Series CP Coupe </gallery>

==Chrysler Royal (eight cylinder engine)== The '''Chrysler Royal''' is a [[full-size car]] that was produced by [[Chrysler (division)|Chrysler]]. The "Royal" nameplate was added to the 1932 Chrysler Eight Series CP and appeared in 1933 as the Chrysler Royal Series CT and was previously used to describe a top level trim package on sedans.<ref name="Kimes">{{cite book|last=Kimes|first=Beverly|title=Standard Catalog of American Cars 1805–1942 |year=1996 |pages=306–334 |publisher=Krause Publications |isbn=0-87341-478-0}}</ref> The Royal was originally installed with the [[Chrysler Flathead engine#Straight-8|Chrysler Straight Eight]], and it was the second Chrysler to use a nameplate that didn't refer to a "Series" designation that referred to an internal body code or the speed it was capable of in past products. The first Chrysler product to do so was the [[Chrysler Imperial#1931–1933|Imperial]], which it originally shared a shortened chassis. The Royal was offered as a two-door Business Coupe, Roadster Coupe, Convertible Coupe, a two-door, five-passenger Convertible Sedan and four-door Sedan using a shorter {{convert|120|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} wheelbase from previous years. The longer {{convert|128|in|mm|0|abbr=on}} wheelbase was used for the eight-passenger sedan, while the longer wheelbase was available as a cowl and chassis only for special coachwork choices from private companies, of which 95 were documented to have been built.<ref name="Kimes" /> Prices ranged from US$895 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|895|1933}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) for the business [[coupe]] to US$1,085 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1085|1933}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}) for the [[convertible (car)|convertible]] [[sedan (automobile)|sedan]], while the long wheelbase was listed at US$1,125 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1125|1933}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}), offering the appearance of the flagship Imperial but at an affordable price.<ref name="Kimes" />

==Chrysler Royal (six cylinder engine)== The "Royal" nameplate was used for one year in 1933 when the [[Chrysler Airflow|Airflow]] replaced the Royal in 1934, then brought back as a new model in 1937 when the Airflow sold poorly, and was sold alongside the Airflow which continued to offer the Chrysler Straight Eight.<ref name="Hedgbeth">{{cite web |last=Hedgbeth |first=Llewellyn |title=Chrysler Royal |url=http://www.secondchancegarage.com/classic-car/chrysler-royal.cfm |website=secondchancegarage.com |accessdate=16 December 2013 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216075503/http://www.secondchancegarage.com/classic-car/chrysler-royal.cfm |archivedate=16 December 2013}}</ref> The Airflow received no direct successor. A November 1936 advertisement listed the 1937 Royal as available in ten body types, starting at US$715 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|715|1936}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}), with the four door sedan at US$815 (${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|815|1936}}}} in {{Inflation-year|US}} dollars {{inflation-fn|US}}).<ref>{{Cite journal |date=28 November 1936 |title=Advertisement |journal=New Yorker }}</ref> The 1937 Royal Series C-16 was installed with the [[Chrysler Flathead engine#Straight-6|Chrysler Straight Six]] and took the entry-level position in the Chrysler hierarchy, while being shared with the DeSoto Airstream. In 1939 the Series C-22 Royal introduced the "Royal Windsor" nameplate as a trim package, then in 1941, the "Royal", "Windsor" and "Highlander" became separate nameplates sharing the same wheelbase but only using the Straight Six, with "Windsor" models offering more standard features and a higher standard interior over the "Royal".<ref name="Kimes" />

1948 models built after 1 December 1948 were officially designated as First Series 1949 models.<ref>John Gunnell, Standard Catalog of American Cars 1946–1975, Revised 4th Edition, page 259</ref>

The Royal replaced the [[Chrysler Six]] that the company originated with in 1925, and the Royal remained the 6-cylinder entry-level model for Chrysler until it was dropped at the end of 1950 model year, making the [[Chrysler Windsor]] the entry-level car for the 1951 model year. Pre-war models were offered in two wheelbase lengths, with coupes and sedans available on the shorter wheelbase, while seven-passenger sedan and limousine were offered on the longer wheelbase. While it was the most affordable Chrysler, it was still a well equipped car with luxurious attention to detail as it was above [[DeSoto Six|DeSoto Custom]], [[Dodge Custom]] and [[Plymouth De Luxe]].<ref name="Hedgbeth" />

<gallery widths="200px" heights="150px"> File:37 Chrysler Royal (7332266488).jpg|1937 Chrysler Royal Sedan File:1938 Chrysler Royal Sedan (15698962324).jpg|1938 Chrysler Royal Sedan File:1939 Chrysler Royal Sedan.jpg|1939 Chrysler Royal Sedan File:Chrysler Royal, USA 126864 pic1.JPG|1940 Chrysler Royal Sedan Staff Car File:1948 Chrysler Royal (18325353632).jpg|1948 Chrysler Royal Coupe File:1950 Chrysler Royal Club Coupe (15649140145).jpg|1950 Chrysler Royal Club Coupe File:Chrysler Corporation automobiles and vans. 1946-1951models - NARA - 283791.jpg|1950 Chrysler Royal Four Door Sedan </gallery>

==Later use of the Royal name by Chrysler== The [[Chrysler Royal (Australia)|Royal]] name was revived by [[Chrysler Australia]] in 1957 for an [[Australia]]n produced model based on the 1953 [[Plymouth (automobile)|Plymouth]].<ref name=allpar>[http://www.allpar.com/world/royal.html The Australian Chrysler Royal, Plainsman, and Wayfarer] Retrieved from www.allpar.com on 27 March 2010</ref> The "royal" model name was also revived for the 1955 North American [[Dodge Royal]].

The name was later applied as a [[Car model#Trim levels|trim level]] of the [[Chrysler Newport#1969–1973|Chrysler Newport]] from 1970 to 1972;<ref>Flory, pp. 889–90.</ref> It was also used on [[Dodge Ram]] [[pickup truck]]s and [[van]]s until the early 1990s.<ref>Flory, p.890.</ref> {{-}}

==See also== * [[Chrysler Airflow]] * [[Chrysler Imperial]]

==References== {{reflist}} {{commons category|Chrysler Royal}} {{Chrysler}} {{Chrysler historic timeline}}

[[Category:Chrysler vehicles|Royal]] [[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]] [[Category:1930s cars]] [[Category:1940s cars]] [[Category:1950s cars]] [[Category:Full-size vehicles]] [[Category:Sedans]] [[Category:Coupés]] [[Category:Convertibles]] [[Category:Cars discontinued in 1950]] [[Category:Cars introduced in 1931]]