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20/11/2025 7:22 pm
1941 Chrysler Newport Concept
Design and Features
The Newport was designed by the stylistRalph Robertsof the coachbuilding firm LeBaron, which was a division of Briggs Manufacturing Company. Roberts' vision was to create a modern interpretation of the classic dual-cowl phaeton body style, a design that had largely fallen out of fashion by 1941.
Key design elements and features include:
- Streamlined Body:The car featured smooth, uninterrupted lines with no visible body seams or bolt-on fenders, a radical departure from the norm at the time. The body was constructed from aluminum over a steel frame.
- Dual Cowl Phaeton:The body style included two separate passenger compartments, each with its own folding windshield. The rear cowl was even electrically powered on some models to ease passenger entry and exit.
- Concealed Headlights:Most examples of the Newport had headlights hidden behind retractable covers in the front fenders, an advanced feature for the era. The car that paced the 1941 Indianapolis 500 was the only one with exposed headlights.
- Aircraft-Inspired Interior:The cabin featured aircraft-style instruments and luxurious leather upholstery.
Engineering and Performance
The Newport was built on the lengthy145.5-inch wheelbase Chrysler Crown Imperial chassisand shared many conventional mechanical components with production cars to ensure reliability during its national tour as a show vehicle.
|
Component
|
Detail
|
|---|---|
| Engine | Chrysler 5.3-liter (323.5 cubic-inch)Spitfire L-head inline 8-cylinder engine |
| Horsepower | Approximately143 bhp@ 3400 rpm |
| Transmission | Three-speed Vacamaticsemi-automatic transmission with overdrive |
| Brakes | Four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes |
Legacy and Survival
Only a very limited number of 1941 Chrysler Newports were produced—sources state five or six examples—and remarkably, all of the known examples still exist today in private collections or museums, such as the National Automobile Museum (Harrah Collection) in Reno, Nevada.
One of the cars gained fame as the officialpace car for the 1941 Indianapolis 500, the first and only time a non-production vehicle has been selected for this honor. Notable original owners included the Chrysler founder Walter P. Chrysler, Jr. and the playboy Henry J. "Bob" Topping Jr., one-time husband of actress Lana Turner.
John Bono
North Jersey
20/11/2025 11:32 pm
Thanks John, an interesting history. Many of us have a few variations on this vehicle curtesy of Brooklin.
21/11/2025 2:42 am
thats a beauty, thanks John. Love the idea of a "car show season" mentioned in this line.
Keller commissioned Roberts for LeBaron to construct six Thunderbolts and six Newports to be put on the national show circuit. LeBaron was given a mere 90 days to complete the cars in anticipation of the 1941 auto show season.
21/11/2025 6:24 am
Despite looking like a butternut squash at initial viewing, it's pretty cool. Has a twin-cockpit arrangement like an old biplane. Yeah, pretty cool; but I'd pass on owning one.
Thanks John! Another great education in automotive history!