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History 1938 Chrysler roadster barn find-value? history?

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by HotRod28AR, Mar 8, 2009.

  1. 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
     

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  2. Royalshifter
    Joined: May 29, 2005
    Posts: 16,022

    Royalshifter
    Moderator
    from California

    He is a lucky guy....beautiful.
     
  3. Ted H
    Joined: Jan 7, 2003
    Posts: 312

    Ted H
    Member

    What a beautiful car!
    Ted
     
  4. WQ59B
    Joined: Dec 14, 2005
    Posts: 2,620

    WQ59B
    Member

    According to the Encyclopedia of American Cars '30-80, there were ( 480 ) 1938 Chrysler Royal C18 convertible coupes (2-4 p***) built.
     
  5. Ebert
    Joined: Feb 13, 2006
    Posts: 1,920

    Ebert
    Member
    from Keller, TX

    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
     
  6. 4woody
    Joined: Sep 4, 2002
    Posts: 2,110

    4woody
    Member

    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.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  7. 37hotrod
    Joined: Mar 15, 2006
    Posts: 2,110

    37hotrod
    Member

    Damn...I don't even know the guy and I already hate him! That is a sweet car.
     
  8. bonesy
    Joined: Aug 14, 2005
    Posts: 2,999

    bonesy
    Member


    I love that dash.
     
  9. KIRK!
    Joined: Feb 20, 2002
    Posts: 12,031

    KIRK!
    Member

    I'd keep it!
     
  10. 31aBoy
    Joined: Sep 17, 2006
    Posts: 634

    31aBoy
    Member

    Anyone know of any early mopar websites out there?
     
  11. 4woody
    Joined: Sep 4, 2002
    Posts: 2,110

    4woody
    Member

    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.
     
  12. kwoodyh
    Joined: Apr 11, 2006
    Posts: 641

    kwoodyh
    Member

    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! :)
     
  13. plym_46
    Joined: Sep 8, 2005
    Posts: 4,018

    plym_46
    Member
    from central NY

    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.
     
  14. bonesy
    Joined: Aug 14, 2005
    Posts: 2,999

    bonesy
    Member

    Very cool - from the pictures I thought it was a bakelite dash.
     
  15. 30dodge
    Joined: Jan 3, 2007
    Posts: 498

    30dodge
    Member
    from Pahrump nv

    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 ?
     
  16. autobodyed
    Joined: Mar 5, 2008
    Posts: 1,943

    autobodyed
    Member
    from shelton ct

    nice car. did he find it here in ct.?
     
  17. captainjunk#2
    Joined: Mar 13, 2008
    Posts: 4,420

    captainjunk#2
    Member

    a great score for sure
     
  18. phukinartie
    Joined: Oct 8, 2008
    Posts: 965

    phukinartie
    Member

    That thing drips cl***!!!
     
  19. bttt! Thanks to 4woody for some information on it. Still looking for any ideas on value, any help would be appreciated. Thanks alot,
    -Dean
     

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