After achieving success as the president of Buick, Walter P. Chrysler left General Motors and started the Chrysler Corporation from the remains of Maxwell-Chalmers in 1924. Four years later, having acquired Dodge and establishing Plymouth and DeSoto, the Chrysler Corporation had become the third-largest auto company in America. Chrysler believed in excellent engineering and superior value for money, something that all Chrysler Corporation products from the era provided.

In 1926, Chrysler decided to build a luxury car to take on the likes of Packard and Cadillac, and named their new model the Imperial. In 1931, the completely new Imperial 8 was introduced, powered by a robust 385 cid, straight-eight engine producing 125 hp. While value was always a part of the Imperial’s allure, these eight-cylinder cars were among the finest automobiles of their time, offering hydraulic brakes and effortless performance along with undeniably attractive styling.

The Imperial offered here, chassis 7803667, is a 1933 CL Custom model, all of which carried bodies built by LeBaron and featured attractive, full-length hoods and split windscreens. This example carries beautiful and versatile dual windshield phaeton coachwork and is one of just 36 built in this style.

Records on file show that by 1952 it was owned by Quentin Craft of Prescott, Arizona, who in turn sold it to Earl J. Broyles of Fredericksburg, Virginia, in 1966.

The Chrysler was purchased from Mr. Broyles by noted collector Dave Kane in 1997, and he subsequently entrusted it to the award-winning Stone Barn Classic Cars of Vienna, New Jersey, for a complete refurbishment.

Upon completion, the Imperial was taken to the 2000 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance®, where it was awarded Best in Class. Senior and Premier First Place awards followed at the 2000 CCCA Spring and Summer Grand Classic shows. It later attended the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and scored a perfect 100 points at the 2004 CCCA Michigan Regional Annual Meeting, winning First Place in the Premier Division once again.

In 2005, the Imperial was sold by Mr. Kane to a private collector, and it joined an extraordinary collection of classics. The consignor bought the Chrysler in 2011 and has maintained it as part of his world-class assemblage of classic and sports cars. The restoration, now 23 years old, looks spectacular and the Imperial presents in show-quality condition. Its dark green, almost black paint and matching green leather interior are sublimely accented by the tan top and whitewalls.

As a standout example of one of the ultimate models of the Classic Era, this Chrysler Imperial ticks all the boxes for those who will only accept the best.