New official videos on Chrysler’s past and future

Today, Chrysler released two videos on its past and future, around 101 years and six months after the first Chryslers were made, unveiled at the New York Auto Show, and sold to customers.

The first Chrysler was an almost revolutionary car in two ways: its surprisingly powerful six-cylinder engine, which produced enough power to run with the top-of-the-line luxury Packard Super Eight, and its four-wheel hydraulic brakes, which provided fine stopping power. While the body was conventionally designed steel over wood, the suspension was sophisticated enough that drivers did not take their lives into their hands when they went to the official top speed of 70 mph (the actual tested top speed was 74 mph). This was quite fast for the time.

The videos are fairly short, but those wanting a more complete history can refer to the only published book on Chrysler’s full century-and-a-year: Century of Chrysler. The hardcover and paperback are available in color on Amazon; a black and white text version is also on Amazon, as is an ebook. iPhone, iPad, and Mac users can buy an ebook version from Apple Books, too.

We talk specifically about what the fuss over the 1924 B-70 is all about:

A quick review of Chrysler’s announced plans is in this video with some history:

And a look at the original 1924 Chrysler is here:

David Zatz

David Zatz started what was to become the world’s biggest Mopar site (Allpar) in 1994. After a chemo-induced 2007-2010 break, during which he wrote car books covering Vipers, minivans, and Jeeps, he returned with Patrick Rall to create StellPower.com for daily news, and to set up MoTales for mo’ tales (Chrysler history and “permanent” car and truck pages). He most recently wrote Century of Chrysler, a 100-year retrospective on the marque.