Produced at the old Chalmers plant in Detroit and introduced in January 1924, Walter P Chrysler's first automobile was an innovative, medium priced, six-cylinder car of better-than-average performance, as numerous motor sport successes would soon demonstrate.

Offering a $5,000 specification for under $1,500, the Chrysler featured four-wheel hydraulic brakes, aluminium pistons, full-pressure lubrication and a tubular front axle, and was able to reach 70mph comfortably.

Not surprisingly, it was an outstanding success, 32,000 being sold in the car's first year of production.

The range soon expanded to encompass a 'four', a smaller 'six', and the Imperial, the latter larger and more expensive than the original, and intended to compete with the likes of Cadillac, Lincoln and Packard.

The original Chrysler Model 70 six remained 3.3 litres in capacity until 1926 when it was enlarged to 3.6 litres.

A smaller, 3.0-litre Model 60 six was introduced for 1927, becoming the Model 62 the follow...