1931 Chrysler Deluxe CD Eight Rumble Seat Coupé
Chrysler made a bold move in 1931 by introducing its first straight-eight engines, joining competitors in the multi-cylinder race that defined luxury automobiles of the era.
The CD Eight represented Chrysler’s entry-level eight-cylinder offering, positioned below the more expensive Imperial CG Eight. Production proved somewhat complex, with three distinct versions appearing between mid-1930 and the end of the 1931 model year, each featuring progressively more powerful engines.
The Deluxe CD Eight, introduced in May 1931, featured a 282 cubic-inch inline-eight producing 100 horsepower. This engine was an upgrade from the earlier 240 cubic-inch (82 horsepower) and 261 cubic-inch (88 horsepower) versions used earlier in the model year.
All CD Eights were equipped with a four-speed manual transmission and four-wheel hydraulic brakes, both advanced features for the time.
Styling distinguished the 1931 Chryslers from their predecessors with a wide, V-shaped radiator grille inspired by the Cord L-29. Chrysler’s engineers managed to position the car unusually low to the ground despite its conventional rear-wheel-drive layout, giving it a sleek profile reminiscent of Cord’s front-wheel-drive design.
This combination of style, performance, and modern engineering helped solidify Chrysler’s reputation in the luxury market during a challenging economic period.
Source
