West Coast Classics are proud to present an extraordinarily rare and beautiful older restoration example of a climate controlled facility since being restored all original 1937 Chrysler Royal C-16 4 Door Convertible Sedan, 1 of only 642 built, and by far the most expensive car of the C-16 (116" wheelbase) Royal series in 1937!
Chrysler's six cylinder Royal line had all new styling for 1937 combined with a shorter chassis with bullet shaped headlights mounted high on the front fenders, a new imposing grille with horizontal bars that were longer at the top and shorter towards the bottom and built in defroster vents in the windshield. This is a very desirable and correct example which was recently acquired from a private collection. Numerous correct finishes throughout with many factory and period accessories. A rare body style at its very finest.
CHASSIS NO: 6914573
One of only a dozen known to exist out of the 642 produced
AACA Senior award winner
A convertible rarity
Well-known car among the Chrysler community
228 cid straight-six engine, 93 HP, three-speed manual transmission, four-wheel hydraulic brakes, rear-wheel drive; wheelbase: 116"
In the early 1930s, Chrysler offered a variety of models that included the Imperial and Airflow, but by 1935 they began to replace the controversial Airflow design with a more high-society look and feel vehicle. Led by Raymond Dietrich, the new design scheme would flow through till 1938 in a handful of models, including this rare four-door Royal Convertible bodied by Murray.
This Chrysler Royal Convertible Sedan is one of just 642 six-cylinders built in 1937 and is believed to be one of about a dozen remaining today. It's known history begins when it was discovered in the early 1980s in a barn in Ellenburg Depot, New York, by Fred Strass of Hackettstown, New Jersey, who would spend the next five years restoring it to its original appearance. Mr. Strass sought original and new-old-stock parts all over the country while reproducing others with his own two hands, such as the irreplaceable rubber running board mats and wooden windshield bow.
This automobile was then featured in the 99th issue of Special Interest Autos magazine as a Convertible Rarity where its then-owner Pete Brophy talks about it winning its AACA honors and numerous other first prizes and Best of Shows. This 1937 Chrysler entered The Rockhound Collection in 2017 and has since been maintained to a nice standard. While some patina is evident, it remains in beautiful shape and runs and drives very well. Its factory overdrive still works, and this Chrysler is a pleasure to drive. Today it presents itself as a fine choice for any collector seeking an unusual, distinctive, and a true Convertible Rarity that will be the talk of a show or classic car tour.
