A friend of mine scored this beautiful '38 Chrysler Royal C18 that has been tucked away for decades and we're trying to find out just exactly what the deal is with it! Apparently only a few hundred rumble seat 2dr convertible coupes were ever made and only a half dozen or so are know to exist if that. Anyone have any information on these or a direction I could go in to find further info on it? The car runs and drives great and is all original with the exception of the laquer paint job done in the 60's. -Thanks, Dean
According to the Encyclopedia of American Cars '30-80, there were ( 480 ) 1938 Chrysler Royal C18 convertible coupes (2-4 p***) built.
Hot Rod...that is a beauty...sorry I cannot help. You might try PM'ing Ray Gun at Hot Rod Ch***is & Cycle...he is a pretty good resource for Mopar stuff!!!!! I think his avatar is Hot Rod Ch***is
I've got another one of the other few survivors. Mine's not as original as yours appears to be, but I'll help however I can. PM me.
That er..color would be one of the un-original things about my car. I always liked the marble/granite looks of the bakelite dashes on the slightly later Chryslers, so I got as close to that as I could. Oh, and the P-15 D-24 site is the most active/useful for all kinds of flathead-era Mopar info, even if restoration isn't your interest. Not limited to P15 and D24 despite the name.
Gosh, that ole Mopar has got to be worth 5 maybe 6 huneerd dollars! Let me know if I can haul it off for you I'll fly right out!
For some reason, the only convertible availble from Chrysler Motors was in the Plymouth line. Chrysler, dodge, and Desoto did not make a vert in 39. I believe 38 was the last year for rumble seats. The engine if stock should be a 241 cubic in L head 6, with a head leght of 25 inches. The engine number should start with a C18/19. The car should be 6 volt positive. Nice find. Check the Imperial club website and also AllPar for info. Walter P. Chrysler club also. For 50 bucks or so if you send the car's serial number (should be on a plate on one of the A pillars, to the WPC Museum in Detroit and they will do a facsimile of the build card for the car. It will tell ou the specifics of the car and what dealer it was sent to. I would imagine that it spent some time transporting folks between the country club and the yacht club.
Only 480 built $1085 list price for this Chrysler Royal.It was Chrysler's smallest wheel base car with many improvements over the 1937's. $ value, lots of 00's Darn -- were was I ?
bttt! Thanks to 4woody for some information on it. Still looking for any ideas on value, any help would be appreciated. Thanks alot, -Dean