1926 Chrysler Imperial E-80
Walter Percy Chrysler was born in 1875 He began his working life as a railroad machinist, but quickly realized there was a fortune to be made in automnobiles. Working his way up, Chrysler held top executive positions at Buick, Willys-Overland, Maxwell, and Chalmers. Finally in 1926, he unveiled a new car company called the Chrysler Corporation. Each of the three series in the original Chrysler line—the 58, the G-70, and the flagship E-80 Imperial—was badged for the cars’ alleged top cruising speed. The last was designed as a response to Cadillac, and though Imperials rivaled GM’s crown jewels in most every way they were really just top-of-the-line Chryslers through 1954. In 1955, Imperial became its own make and would remain so for 20 years.
Still, the early models were very special, with distinctive styling by Alan Learny of Cord L-29 renown and a reputation for fine engineering. Wheelhases of 120 and 127 inches were offered, with a 133-inch wheelbase chassis available on special order. The 1926 Imperial used a new 288-cid six-cylinder engine designed by J.B. Macauley Chrysler’s chief of dynamometer testing. It had pistons of Lynite alurninum alloy and made 92 bhp at 3000 rpm.
Specifications
Body style: 2-door roadster
Engine: 288-cid L-head straight-six
Bore x stroke (In.): 3.50 X 5.00
Horsepower: 92
Transmission: 3-speed manual
The Driver: Swiss-born Louis Chevrolet started the marque that bears his name. In addition, he drove Buick racers in the early 1900s and competed in four lndy 500s between 1915 and 1920.
The car’s three-speed transmission had chrome-steel gears and a roller-bearing output shaft. The impressive new Chryslers attracted attention from the Speedway, which named the sportiest of the Imperials—the four-passenger roadster—as the 1926 pace car. This dashing rumble-seat ragtop weighed 3730 pounds and cost $2885, though the pace car had accessory wire wheels instead of standard wood-spoke rims.
Speedway exposure burnished Chrysler’s luster and the company built 129,565 cars for 1926, rising from 27th to fifth in the sales race. Modified Chrysler production engines would compete at the Brickyard during the early thirties, and there was no better way to inaugurate the marque than for the original Imperial to pace the big race.
The Race: Frank Lockhart, a dirt-track racer who liad never run at Indy, replaced the ill Peter Kreis and went on to win the 500 shortened by 100 miles due to rain.
Walter Chrysler and William Durant at Buick.
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