100 bhp, 282.1 cu. in. L-head inline eight-cylinder engine, four-speed manual transmission, front and rear semi-elliptic leaf spring suspension, four-wheel hydraulic brakes. Wheelbase: 124″
It was no accident that Chrysler, flagship of Walter Chrysler’s automotive empire, was the last marque in the company to adopt a straight eight engine. It is significant, moreover, that its Eight was the best of the three, larger than those of the 1930 DeSoto or Dodge. In fact, there were four Chrysler Eights. The smallest, a 240 cubic inch unit, was shared with Dodge. There was a new 261 cubic inch powerplant, an intermediate 282 cubic inch unit, and the Imperial had a massive 385 cubic inch, 125 brake horsepower engine derived from the earlier Imperial Six. With the six-cylinder cars, Chrysler had seven series with five different engines in 1931. Prices ranged from $745 to $3,145 (more for individual customs), wheelbases from 109 to 145 inches.
The Series CD cars are the most confusing. Initially the “New Eight,” produced in First Series with the 240 cubic inch engine from July 1930, the CD gained a second series in January 1931 with the 88 horsepower, 261 cubic inch engine. Finally, the CD Deluxe Eight, using the 100 horsepower, 282 cubic inch engine, debuted in May. This was a sportier, more powerful car, built in smaller numbers.
Part of the CD Deluxe Eight line introduced in May 1931 this is 1 of 501 produce this year.
