LOT 416

1931 Chrysler CD Eight Sedan Registration no. WD 1749 Chassis no. 2801505 Engine no. CD2412

Sold for £14,950 inc. premium

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Lot 416

1931 Chrysler CD Eight Sedan

The Beaulieu Sale: Collectors' Motor Cars & Automobilia|6 September 2025, 13:00 BST|Beaulieu, National Motor Museum

1931 Chrysler CD Eight Sedan
Registration no. WD 1749
Chassis no. 2801505
Engine no. CD2412

• Right-hand drive
• Believed a UK car from new
• Engine starts and runs

When Walter P Chrysler's up-market Imperial model debuted in 1926, the marque he founded was just two years old yet by the year's end would be the seventh-ranked US auto-maker. That first six-cylinder Imperial was superseded in 1931 when Chrysler joined the multi-cylinder club, introducing two new 'straight-eight' models: the CD Eight and Imperial CG Eight. Somewhat confusingly, the company introduced three versions of the former in quick succession; the first, 80hp type being built from July 1930 to around January 1931; the second, 88hp model from then until May 1931; and the Deluxe CD Eight from May '31 onwards.

The more upmarket Chryslers, CD Eight included, adopted a distinctive, wide profile 'V'-shaped radiator for 1931, a styling device inspired by the Cord L-29, a model widely recognised by today's connoisseurs as among the period's finest. The Cord's front-wheel-drive configuration allowed it to be set very low to the ground and Chrysler cleverly repeated this trick with its conventional, rear-drive Eights. By now four-wheel hydraulic brakes were standard on all Chryslers, while the CD and Imperial Eights also enjoyed the advantage of a four-speed gearbox.

At time of cataloguing it had not been possible positively to identify this eight-cylinder Chrysler, although the 'CD' engine number prefix suggests that it belongs to that series. The Chrysler is right-hand drive and our vendor believes it has been a UK car from new. He states that the engine starts and runs, while the transmission and electrics are said to be in working order, and the bodywork, paintwork and interior to be very good. Offered with a V5C Registration Certificate.

Saleroom notices

We are pleased to confirm that a former keeper has photographs of the car in the UK in 1955 which would likely suggest the car is a UK example from new.

Additional information

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