When Walter P. Chrysler passed away in 1940, K. T. Keller took over management duties. At this point, versions of the story differ: some claim that Keller wanted to stimulate the imagination of Chrysler’s own designers through the work of independent bodywork builders, while others say that it was LeBaron executive Ralph Roberts who approached Keller with a proposal to develop two conceptual cars.

The fact is that two very special projects began in that same year: on one hand, the futuristic convertible Thunderbolt, by the renowned designer Alex Tremulis; and the Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton on the other, coordinated by Ralph Roberts.

The new model shared its chassis with the Chrysler Imperial Crown (145.5 inches wheelbase), as well as a 5,301.21 cm3 in-line eight-cylinder engine which produced 143 HP at 3,400 rpm. Bearing in mind the fact that this performance is superior to that of the Imperial, the suspicion arises whether it may have been slightly embellished. It featured a three-speed, semi-automatic Fluid Drive transmission, a system patented by Chrysler.

Delivery deadline dates were almost impossible to meet (just 90 days, for Fall 1940), but five units were finally built (some sources claim there were six) for its premiere at the New York Auto Show. These cars would later participate in parades and shows all around the States. The great success of these promotional tours caught the attention of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway management, who chose this model as the safety car for the 1941 edition of the 500-Mile Race.

The chosen unit was chassis number C7807503, a champagne pearl-painted car with wine-red upholstery seats which had an easily identifiable feature: it was the only one that had visible front lights (the rest had retractable ones). The chosen driver was Allen B. “Tobe” Couture, Chrysler’s senior test engineer and a personal friend of Walter P. Chrysler. Additionally, not to miss any opportunity to promote its product, the company provided the organization with another unit for VIP transportation.

Ángel Luis Jiménez Zaldo, excerpt from the CJ-57 booklet.