This one hurts a bit. At one point not too long ago, a ’30s convertible sedan was guaranteed to be worth restoring, because you could almost certainly break even on your investment. Today, I’m having a hard time seeing it, which is such a shame. While this Chrysler Royal is a 116-inch wheelbase six-cylinder car rather than one of the grand Imperials, it’s still a one-of-642 example from a golden age of motoring. Barn Finds reader John found it on craigslist in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The seller claims that he bought it from a gentleman who, in turn, bought it from an estate sale after having sat in a barn since 1962. That’s clear enough, right?
We might as well get it out of the way; being a Michigan car means that the roads have won. A restoration would require almost every panel to be patched or replaced, and that is a tall order for a six-cylinder car from 1937 in our current marketplace. The floors are almost gone, the lower front seat is missing, and you can see the running boards and outer rockers. With an asking price of $5,400, I opened the ad with excitement. If it were solid but crusty, it would be a great project or interesting driver. As it sits? I just don’t know.
I hope I’m wrong, because I have really been appreciating late-1930s Chryslers lately. I watch a YouTube channel called “Cold War Motors,” which features a group of iconoclastic Canadians from Alberta having fun with cars; one of them recently picked up a beautiful and solid 1938 Imperial, and their work in getting it running has been a bad influence on me for the last few weeks. Therefore, this came up at exactly the right/wrong time, but there’s simply no way that I’m willing (have the space to/I really shouldn’t, right?) to take on a project of this magnitude.
Enough feeling sorry for this beautiful old Chrysler. Being a Royal, it has the familiar old 228 cubic-inch flathead six with 93 horsepower (100 was available with an optional “performance package”). It has a three-speed manual (no Fluid Drive or anything like that quite yet) with synchromesh on second and high. The dashboard is just as cool as you’d expect from a 1937-model anything.
The seller says that the Chrysler is 98 percent complete, and that a restoration is “worth the effort.” I hope they’re right and that someone with a bunch of room, talent, and enthusiasm for thirties cars comes along and welds this thing back up. I’m really pulling for this old Chrysler – what are your thoughts?
Nice work, Aaron! I agree, it’s a crying shame that this car will most likely never be restored. A perfectly restored one sold at Sotheby’s for $32,500, probably less than half of what it would cost to restore this example. I hope it can be saved, it’s a rare one.
Thanks Scotty…$32 grand for a restored one? Wow.
I certainly can see the temptation with this car.
We need more billionaires to stay out of politics and use a tiny bit of their money to bring these almost-lost gems back to their former glory, so history is preserved, and we all can appreciate it. But nobody listens to what I say…
Im listening Rex but unfortunately…… Im not a Billionaire. I’m a thousandair though, but unfortunately in todays economy that amount of money wont get me very far…..
That being said. This Old 4 door drop top needs to be saved in my opinion. But the buyers for cars from this genere are unfortunately dwindling away. And the newer generations that follow just dont seem to be interested. Unlike folks like us.
Rex in 2028!
Rex Wrong! I’m listening and you couldn’t be more spot on. Also note the number of likes you got. Now how about someone like Elon Musk stepping up and saving the SS. United States before it’s made into another artificial reef?
What?
Too many billionaires is why car prices are out of reach for so many of us.
Rex, I hear you loud and clear and I agree!
Its a big undertaking..
I think sadly a non original hot rod on a modern frame and engine might get support to save some of the cars heritage.
I just hope it retains an original look outside and non flamboyant wheels and paint.
That’s probably the only way to go. By the time you replace the chassis there won’t be much original left. Maybe a Slant 6 in place of the Flathead. You’ll retain some of the essence.
Jeff I’m seeing this sitting on a Jeep frame. With the top missing I just get that vibe. No outrageous lift just some knobby tires. Too much?
My thoughts exactly. Went to a street rods regional event and one of the guys points out a ’35 Ford Pheaton. Said that a lot of people would be upset that it wasn’t “restored” but at least it was preserved.
Somewhere out there is a guy in his 20’s or early 30’s who appreciates cars. If he has the space to keep it dry and the ability to work at it for years, it will have value when he is in his 60’s and the market has nostalgia for the days of gas powered cars.
It’s a rather “stogy” design. If the nose was swept back it would look a ton better. That’s likely the reason it wasn’t scooped up already. If it was as stunning looking car the value would be higher and warrant a full restoration. Maybe a restomod with some bodywork ( give it to Kindig and section it and sweep back the nose) and you might have something… And selling something like this a Southeby’s is a bit silly. Something like this parked among the Ferrari’s and Delage’s is going to look way out of place.
It has the style and grace of some sort of Soviet farm implement…
Sad.
As much as I hate resto-mods, that is probably the only path for this car. Just save the body. Even the dash and steering wheel are pretty far gone.
I like the steering wheel and taillights !
Just want to add a vote for “Cold War Motors.” The best show ever. I also agree with Bob. I could accept a restomod (gulp) if it saves this beauty.
Speaking of the steering wheel, what is that red thing on it? I thought it was just a necker knob, but it seems to have levers sticking out of it.
I think due to the picture angle that your likely mixing the window crank and the steering wheel suicide spinner as one unit.
I started restoration on a C16 business coupe years ago and I had to stop after having a messy divorce.
The car is still on a vacant piece of land in Warwick NY and most of the parts are there along with a rolling chassis and rebuilt engine and transmission…
Love the “apolitical comments”! My first reaction upon seeing this car was, “That’s a Chrysler???” Sorry, but the whole thing looks a bit clumsy to me, certainly not on the order of the more elegant Chryslers of the ’30s.