Projects My new project: 1932? Chrysler 3w Coupe

Happy with my new project

Just bought it, picking it up this weekend. Got it from a collector with a yard and a barn full of cars who decided that he was not going to get to them all, so he's selling.

Planning to put in one of my Seagrave flathead v12's, keep the rest of the car as close to original as possible. Probably put in a 9" rear (I've got one sitting around) and probably will have to lengthen the frame a bit to fit the motor.

The car has very little rust, except for the driver side running boards and is very straight. Rumble seat, roll down rear window, cowl lights.

The only real damage I could find was the aluminum edge on the running board and the grill insert.

Haven't decided yet on fenders or highboy.. but I don't think that decision will take too long.

Have some nice spoked wheels ready for her (yes it's a her).

So I know it's a Chrysler, is it a 1932? what model? what to look for?

Anyone have a grille insert?

 

WOW, good looking ride, keep the fenders since you have them...dig that grille

 

NICE project!
I vote to keep the fenders. That grille looks repairable too.
Good Luck with it!

 

Early Chrysler's always have cool lines, nice score. I vote keep the fenders, you don't see too many 30's era Chrysler's. Let alone ones with all the fenders!

 

Dreaming about the project and looking at the pictures..

- Keep the fenders
- Remove the hood
- Lengthen the frame to fit the seagrave v12 (6" or so I think)
- Lengthen the running boards to re-connect the fenders

yep.. sounds like a plan

 

Yowza! That thing is really complete. Another vote for keeping the fenders.

 

There were 6 and 8 cyls with that grill type in 31 and 32. I am pretty sure 31 was a split year with the early ones being the older style grille.

Don't know about that car, but many mopars of that age, used the model letters as the prefix on the engine ID number stamped into the driver side of the block; up front near the head.

I'd have to look up the years/models, but one six was the CM6 as a model name. CD8 rings a bell for the 8

 

This is a 6 cyl car. The engine is very complete, just like everything else.

Also has dual cowl vents, rumble seat, luggage rack and all the brightwork. Even the shaped front bumper is there but not on the car.

 

I've got out one of my books...yikes there are many changes throughout the 31 and 32 years, early vs late, first series vs 2nd series..

They claim the ID tag is on the pass front door pillar.

And the 6's and 8's did use the model letter as a prefix on the block;

I do have lists of the ID numbers and engine numbers. I can look it up if you have them.

Just looking at the side view, I'd say it was a 6, and most likely an early 31, model CM6...just a guess rom what I see in the book.

 

Looks like a "New Six Series" 4 passenger coupe. The rumble seat makes it a 4 seater as opposed to the business coupe that had a trunk only.
Also called the Series CM, and the Royal coupe.5327 were built at a price of $885!
The 1932 closed Chryslers had split, Vee'd windshields, and the 1930's had a narrow rad shell, almost completely covered by the hood.

 

So this is a 1931?

 

What ever it is it's cool.. Keep the fenders.........

 

Technically, it is. they made so many half year models and series.

That grill came out in Jan 31 which was well into 31 production. The earliest post Jan cars had no visor, buyers hated it, so a visor was then put back into production.

Many car makers did the same first series-second series thing. They had leftover unsold cars, parts, etc, so they carried them over to dump them, Then came out with the second series, which was a completely modernized version.

Your car has a very old looking 29-30 style body shell with the newer very modern V rad.

 

This car has a visor, which would make it a later model..

 

Chrysler during that time was introducing the new models in January, selling them six months or so as that year, then selling and titling the same car as the next year for the second half of the year, before coming out with the new car. The only way to determine the year for certain is with the serial number.

 

Yep. But I'd love to have it.

 

I like that project . I looked at some seagrave engines and wondered if they are just to big. but big is better. Good luck and keep us updated

 

As the other guys said, it is a car released in '31 as the later models thru '32 had the split windshield similar to my buddy's recently finished '33.

 

So cool. I just love those '31/'32 Chryslers.

 

Just made the final arrangements, picking the car up Saturday morning, not decided yet what my first step is from there. Probably just put it in the shop and see how well the engine fits. Need to get the 1961 Studebaker out (sold) my son's 1971 Duster completed (within a few hours of being complete), finish my wifes beetle convertible (just got the parts today) and move the 1993 Mustang parts car before I can do anything with this one.

 

Got it, see pictures below.

As I expected the engine bay is about 6" too short to fit the seagrave, so now I have to decide how to get that space. Either turn the firewall around or lengthen the frame.

Would prefer the keep the car the same length as I like the proportions and probably want to retain the top of the hood. Any ideas on how to get some extra space?

 

Radiator in the back ?? Have the front of the engine under the grill shell ??

 

Thought about that to, but I really like the rumble seat... Time will tell. Need to get some other projects done, then clean this one out, take the front sheetmetal off and try the fit, see where we stand then.

 

Rob, been looking at it too....glad you got it....do you really need to put that Seagrave in it?....that motor would look better in a open hood speedster....you have alot of good stuff to work with....keep the fenders on....just my two sense worth...

 

The Seagrave in an open hood speedster....much better idea

 

Problem: I have a 3 window coupe, not an open hood speedster (trade?)

There will be a flatty V12 in there, Zephyr or Seagrave? Both available, both have their own issues.

 

Cool buy. Cool grill. Certainly keep the fenders. Perhaps a v12 may a bit difficult to install due to its length. How about keeping it simple and drop a Hemi in there.

 

te makkelijk

or for the non native Dutch speakers: to easy

 

thats a cool engine but its like trying to fit 300 lbs of arse in a 50 lb sack

 

really nice car to start with , i would try to fix the grill !