1929 Chrysler 65 Tourer

Description

Founded by Walter P Chrysler in 1924 and first unveiled to the public at the New York Auto Show held at the Commodore Hotel in January that year, the new marque was America's first mid-priced automobile to combine excellent performance and features like all-wheel hydraulic brakes, a tubular front axle and full-pressure lubrication.  Powered by a relatively small capacity L-head six displacing 201.5 cubic inches, the new engine boasted aluminium pistons and higher than normal 4.7:1 compression ratio to generate 68 horsepower, a figure normally reserved for much more expensive luxury cars and the Chrysler's top speed of 70-75 mph was only marginally slower than a Packard Eight.  With more than 32,000 sold in the first year of production, the Chrysler proved a genuine success story and the company continued refining what was already an excellent product throughout the 1920s, adding a four-cylinder line and a luxury Imperial model in 1927.  The standard Six was available in two wheelbase lengths in 1927, the Series 60 and longer Series 75 and both featured Lockheed hydraulic brakes, one-piece windscreens and Delco-Remy ignition as standard.  For 1929 both short and long wheelbase Sixes were rebadged the Series 65 and 75 respectively, improvements including a new narrow profile radiator with in-built adjustable shutters, key ignition and Delco-Remy hydraulic shock absorbers.  Powered by a 195.6-cid six rated at 65 horsepower, the Series 65 was offered with a variety of body styles including roadster, tourer, two and four-door sedans, a Business Coupe and Five-Window Coupe.  Other notable features included a silver and black finished instrument panel and arched windows.  Having already proved their worth in the 24-Hours of Le Mans in 1928, Chrysler entered two teams in 1929, finishing sixth and seventh in their class.