The initial Chrysler Series 70 six retained a 3.3-liter capacity until 1926 when it was increased to 3.6 liters. In 1927, a smaller 3.0-liter Series 60 six was introduced, while the Series 70 expanded to 4.1 liters in 1928, rebranded as the Series 72. During this period, the lineup broadened to not only include the smaller Series 60 six but also a four-cylinder model and the luxurious Imperial. The Imperial, larger and more expensive than the original, was designed to compete with prestigious brands such as Cadillac, Lincoln, and Packard.
For 1929 and 1930, Chrysler’s Imperial underwent visible enhancements, featuring a slimmer radiator profile, streamlined front body pillars, dual cowl ventilators, and arched hood louvers. The factory began producing semi-custom bodies, including designs by Locke. Locke, a coachbuilding company founded by Justus Vinton Locke in Rochester, NY, flourished in the twenties, gaining renown for crafting bespoke coachwork on luxury chassis, including those of Duesenberg, Packard, Pierce-Arrow, and Mercedes. As the decade progressed, Locke also started producing standardized coachwork sets for automakers like Chrysler, Graham, Franklin, and Lincoln, among others.
Source: Bonhams Cars
