1933 Chrysler Imperial CQ & CL Specifications, Equipment and Options

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                                           HISTORICAL NOTES:                                            

 

The Imperial CL (referred to as the Custom) was the carry over production from 1932, but the CQ was an all new, smaller car which was downsized about 9 inches from '32.  It shared the annual styling theme of sweeping fenders, sloping V-type radiator, a cowl-less hood with door type ventilators, single bumpers and slanting V-type windshields.  Rear hinged "suicide" doors were, however, found only on the Imperial CQ convertible sedan.  In a new twist, Imperial buyers were offered a lower horsepower engine option.

 

The Custom was the richest of all Chrysler series and it also had sweeping fenders, sloping V-type radiators, sloping dual windshields (on open and closed cars), a cowl-less hood with door type ventilators, single bar bumpers and chrome external trumpet horns. Rear hinged "suicide" doors were used on all Customs except the the Limousines.  As usual, the factory cataloged semi-custom bodies were by LeBaron.  Only six chassis and cowls were supplies to custom coachbuilders and at least two of them were bodies in Switzerland by the shops of Lagenthawl and Jean Oygaz.

 

A new 3-speed silent helical gear transmission was on all new Chryslers.  Improved steel alloy exhaust valve seats was also an improvement on the '33 engines.  There were also innovations with a new type of oil filter and a better working automatic choke.  1933 was the last year the Imperial was available in a roadster body style.

 

Series numbers for the CQ started at 7529001 and ended at 7532779.  CL started at 7803551 and ended at 7803705.  Engine numbers for the CQ started at CQ1001 and ended at CQ4864 and for the CL started at CL1251 and ended at CL1408.

 

STANDARD EQUIPMENT   ENGINE -  Inline Eight Cast Iron Block Bore & Stroke : 3.25" x 4.5" Displacement : 298.65 cu. in. C. R.: (Standard) 6.2:1            (Optional) 5.2:1 Brake Horsepower :  (Standard) 108 @ 3400 (Optional) 100 @ 3400 N.A.C.C. Horsepower : 33.8 Main Bearings : Nine Solid Valve Lifters Carburetor - Stromberg 1V model EX-32 for the CQ and the CL had a Stromberg 2V model EE-3   CHASSIS -    Wheelbase : CQ - 126 inches CL - 146 inches Gas Tank :  CQ - 19.5 gallons CL - 21.5 gallons Tires : CQ - 17 x 6.50 CL - 17 x 7.50   TRANSMISSION - Manual transmission.  Speeds: 4 forward and 1 reverse.  Floor shift controls.  Conventional clutch.  Overall ratios: (CQ) 4.3:1 and  (CL) 4.10:1   DUAL WIPERS   TAILLIGHTS   EXTERNAL CHROME TRUMPET HORNS   COVERED REAR SPARE   DELCO REMY IGNITION   LOCKHEED HYDRAULIC BRAKES   "FLOATING POWER"   AUTOMATIC VACUUM CLUTCH   FREEWHEELING   6 WIRE WHEEL (convertibles and phaetons)   LANDAU IRONS (convertibles and phaetons)   TOURING TRUNK (convertibles and phaetons)   OPTIONS: Rear Spare Tire Sidemount spare tire(s) Leather sidemount covers Metal sidemount covers Chrome plated sidemount covers OSRV mirror Pedestal sidemount mirror(s) with sidemounts Special Goodrich spoke wheels with General Jumbo tires Trunk rack Touring trunk Leather rear tire cover Wire wheels (chrome plated) Cigar lighter Radio Radio antenna Wind wings Heater Clock Spotlight(s) Trippe lights Rear windshield (Phaetons) Demountable wood spoke wheels Steel spoked wheels Retractable tonneau windshield (Custom phaetons)	Because of the legendary work of Chrysler's Three Musketeers, Carl Breer, Owen Skelton & Carl Zeder, automotive industry firsts continue to mount for Chrysler.  A new "silent running" transmission with helical gear along with a gas-pedal starter appears on all new Chrysler Corporation products. Skelton, Zeder & Breer
	The downdraft-carbureted engine adopts an automatic choke and an automatic heat-riser valve on the manifold.
	Carl Breer designs a compact car with a V-8, but the project is shelled to focus resources on the new Plymouth PCXX.
	Chrysler forms the Chrysler Institute of Engineering with James C. Zeder as the chief engineer.  The institute's goal is to train new craftsmen, designers and engineers for the future of the corporation.  K. T. Keller reflected on the importance of the institute with the following, insightful statement, "The men who are worth most are usually the ones we develop - and that takes time.  If you cannot develop an organization, you are apt to remain without one.  You cannot go out and pick one off a tree.  You can get capable, intelligent, industrious men, but before you can develop a smoothly working organization, you have to study the men and fit them into your business."
	1933 sported a "Silent" transmission gear innovation.