1932 Chrysler CP8 Touring Sedan

Description

Few cars in the 1930s were more modern than Chryslers. Among the first to adopt hydraulic brakes, mechanical fuel pumps, and adjustable shocks, cars like this 1932 Chrysler CP8 Touring Sedan offer a great driving experience with big car looks that really get attention. If you'd like something that's big enough for the whole family and cruises like a much younger car, this Chrysler is worthy of your attention.

Clearly an older restoration, this big Chrysler still has great presence. With styling reminiscent of its big brother the Imperial, the long, sleek CP8 will stand out among plain-Jane Buicks and Oldsmobiles, and fit right in with the Packards and LaSalles. The long hood, lower roof line, and sweeping fenders with sidemounts look like they belong on a far more expensive car, and the elegant color combination serves it rather well. The paint is showing some minor signs of age, but there's nothing that requires immediate attention and it means you can enjoy the car without worries, which is always refreshing. The cream pinstripes accentuate the sweeping fenders and conservative beltline, and please note the arched side windows, which give the car a very elegant look. The painted grille helps accentuate the chrome headlights and twin horns, as well as the handsomely curved bumpers, all of which show decent plating with a great shine. Out back, there's a very cool weathered wooden trunk that gives the car a bit of character and adds some practicality as well.

The tan cloth interior was restored and remains in outstanding condition. The wool broadcloth fabric is quite close to what it would have worn when it was new and shows very few signs of use with only some mild stretching on the driver's side. Take a moment to admire the wonderful woodgrained window garnish moldings and dashboard, which are painted steel and correctly finished. An engine-turned panel holds all the gauges, which are pretty white-faced dials that monitor all the engine's vitals at a glance. Aftermarket turn signals were added for touring safety and each side of the twin-pane windshield opens independently and has its own windshield wiper. Back seat space is commodious, with luxurious silk shades for the rear windows and a foot rest on the floor. If you want first class comfort, it'll be hard to do better than this.

Chrysler brought the power, too, thanks to a 298 cubic inch straight-8 that made a nice, round 100 horsepower. It's a strong runner with smooth torque to move the big body without a lot of effort, and thanks to smart gearing, you really don't have to shift very often at all. The engine isn't detailed for show, but it wears the right Chrysler silver engine enamel, a factory downdraft carburetor and heavy-duty air cleaner, and cloth-jacketed ignition wires, so it looks right. It starts easily and idles smoothly, and there's a nice eight-cylinder burble from the exhaust that's a bit different than the standard V8 sound you're used to. As I mentioned, the brakes are hydraulic in an era when everyone else was still using cables and rods, so stopping power is impressive and has a very modern feel. Likewise, the steering is surprisingly light and the long wheelbase means it just floats over pavement imperfections. Beautiful cream wire wheels are elegant and appropriate, and are fitted with 6.00/6.50-17 wide whitewalls that really make it look important.

A very handsome car that's ideally set up for touring and casual events, this Chrysler is an unusual find that will definitely get attention. Call today!