Chrysler Newport Phaeton Show Car

The dual blows of the Great Depression and the only slightly less disastrous Airflow traumatized the Chrysler Corporation, which spent the late-1930s building conservatively designed and engineered automobiles. It was designer Ralph Roberts, of LeBaron, who, in the fall of 1940, recognized that as the nation and the company recovered, Chrysler would benefit from some high style added to its lineup.

The idea that Roberts had in mind was a dual cowl phaeton, a body style that had disappeared from the scene at Chrysler after 1933. For the dual cowl’s last dance, he combined the old-fashioned body style with exotic baroque curves inspired by aircraft design, including flowing envelope fenders, a fully disappearing fabric top, and headlights that disappeared behind flush-fitting retractable covers. Even the rear cowl was electronically raised and lowered, to ease passenger entry and exit. The result, dubbed the Newport, was so visually stirring that it moved even Chrysler chief K.T. Keller, a known proponent of conservative design.

Keller ordered LeBaron to produce six examples of the Newport for the 1941 auto shows, which, by the time of the order, meant that all six cars had to be turned out in 90 days. It is believed that only five were actually completed, and they caused a sensation as they toured auto shows and Chrysler dealerships in the months before World War II. While the Newport’s design itself would impact future production Chryslers only in detail, emotionally, its impact for Chrysler was far greater. It proved that the company could produce beautiful things again, and that it would continue to build them in the future.

Despite their “concept car” status, the Newports have enjoyed an enviable survival rate. All five cars built remain today, including examples held in the permanent collections of the Walter P. Chrysler Museum and the National Automobile Museum.

for more, see:

    https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/dd13/the-don-davis-collection/lots/r117-1941-chrysler-newport-indianapolis-500-pacemaker-by-lebaron/296045