Makes › Chrysler › Newport Dual-Cowl Phaeton (LeBaron show car) · Prototype · 1940–1941 Ultra Rare
Chrysler
Newport Dual-Cowl Phaeton (LeBaron show car)
LeBaron-built dual-cowl phaeton show car on 145.5-in Imperial chassis; six ordered, five completed; one paced the 1941 Indianapolis 500
Photo: brewbooks · CC BY-SA 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 5 Built
- Years
- 1940–1941
- Engine
- Inline eight-cylinder (Spitfire) · 5,280 cc / 5.3 LFactory: 322 cu in · converted
- Power
- 107 kW / 145 PSFactory: 143 hp · converted
- Top speed
- Not yet verified
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Ralph Roberts (LeBaron)
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 4 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Newport was one of Chrysler's two 1941 'idea cars' built by LeBaron, a modern reinterpretation of the classic dual-cowl phaeton. Only five were completed, and one of them paced the 1941 Indianapolis 500.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionhand-built Newports known to exist, including the pace car | 43 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
| Total model productioncompleted (six ordered) | 51,2 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
Ralph Roberts of LeBaron proposed the Newport in autumn 1940 and Chrysler chief K.T. Keller approved it, ordering six each of the Newport and the Thunderbolt. Only five of each were ready for the 1941 show season. The cars were built on the 145.5-inch Imperial chassis with a special version of Chrysler's Spitfire straight-eight and the Vacamatic transmission. The Indianapolis pace car, identifiable by its exposed headlamps, was later owned by Walter P. Chrysler Jr.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Newport Dual-Cowl Phaeton (LeBaron show car).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Inline eight-cylinder (Spitfire)4 |
| Displacement | 5,280 cc / 5.3 LFactory: 322 cu in · converted4 |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Valvetrain | L-head ('Spitfire') straight eight3 Independently researched |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 107 kW / 145 PSFactory: 143 hp · converted4 |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Three-speed Vacamatic with overdrive4 |
|---|---|
| Gears | 35 Independently researched |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Chrysler 145.5 in chassis (Crown Imperial length per Mac's; New Yorker frame per the Imperial Club)3,6 Independently researchedSources disagree on the base frame. |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | independent, coil springs5 Independently researched |
| Rear suspension | live axle, semi-elliptic springs5 Independently researched |
| Brakes | four-wheel drums5 Independently researched |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | integrated aluminium body6 Independently researched |
| Wheelbase | 3,696 mmFactory: 145.5 in · converted4 |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
The 1941 Indianapolis 500 pace car differs from the other Newports by its exposed headlamps; the other cars have concealed lamps. The catalogued pace car carries chassis number C7807503.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Chrysler Newport concept Level B conceptcarz.com
- only five examples of each concept were created
-
2
RM Sotheby's Amelia Island 2012 – 1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron Level B
- 5 completed (six ordered)
-
3
Dual Cowl Dreams: The 1941 Chrysler Newport Level B Mac's Motor City Garage
- Four of the hand-built cars are known to exist today
- the Spitfire L-head straight eight with 323.5 cubic inches and rated at 143 hp
- constructed on Chrysler's longest chassis, the 145.5-in wheelbase Crown Imperial
-
4
1941 Chrysler Newport Dual-Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron Level B RM Sotheby's
- 322 cu. in. inline eight-cylinder engine
- 143 hp, 322 cu. in. inline eight-cylinder engine
- three-speed overdrive Vacamatic transmission
- Wheelbase: 145.5"
-
5
1941 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron (Amelia Island 2012, lot R127) Level C RM Sotheby's
- three-speed overdrive Vacamatic transmission
- independent front suspension with coil springs
- live axle rear suspension with semi-elliptic springs
- four-wheel drum brakes
-
6
1940/1941 Chrysler Newport Phaetons Level B Imperial Club
- The Phaetons were built on the New Yorker frame
- integrated aluminum body and the aircraft-style cockpit
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