1938 Chrysler Imperial Custom Limo Body

[Jim Kennedy]

I have a 1938 Chrysler Imperial Custom Limo.  I understand these custom bodies were made by either Derham or LeBaron.  The car has no coachbuilder badge, but the body plate in the engine compartment says “Briggs.”  I believe Briggs owned LeBaron in 1938.  Does that mean LeBaron likely made the body for this car?  Thanks for any insight.

[1939_Buick]

A photo of the car would help.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Imperial

That has photo of cars "by Briggs" Which is not "Le Baron"

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Briggs_Manufacturing_Company

 

Quote

Briggs Manufacturing was an American, Detroit-based manufacturer of automobile bodies for Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation and other U.S. and European automobile manufacturers.

 

https://www.allpar.com/threads/briggs-body-plants-and-chrysler.229393/

Edited October 21, 2021 by 1939_Buick (see edit history)

[alsancle]

According to this auction description from Bohnams there won't be a tag because Briggs supplied the bodies?

 

https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/20498/lot/428

 

Surviving Chrysler archives indicate that 90 limousines were built on the 144-inch chassis, but the identities of their coachbuilders are not recorded. In secondary sources, this type of limousine has been attributed to both Derham and LeBaron. Some historians feel that LeBaron, with its Detroit location and relationship with Chrysler's body supplier Briggs, is the more logical of the two. In any case, there are no coachbuilder badges on this car. The sill plates read merely "Chrysler Imperial," so its ancestry remains ambiguous.

[Walt G]

A.J. has it correct. Derham of Rosemont and Philadelphia, Pa. were a Chrysler dealership starting sometime in 1937. They did this to get through the depths of the Great Depression and also to have the ready availability of Chrysler and Chrysler Imperial chassis without al lot of fuss. Derham would take a factory body that was in the sales dales catalog that Chrysler issued and alter it to a customers wishes. Perhaps a padded top, division window, different interior, for a few extra $ above the normal cost of a factory car. This gave the customer a "semi" custom car that was indeed different from the regular production line cars but was not a totally new body from the fire wall back and from the chassis up. Smart thinking on the Derham managements part for business , and since they had the facility and equipment for 40 + years already kept up the "carriage trade" - custom cars going up until they closed doors in 1967.

[Jim Kennedy]

Thanks much to you all—very helpful.

[keiser31]

1 hour ago, Jim Kennedy said:

Thanks much to you all—very helpful.

Here you go....