1940 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton Concept Car

Did you know that Chrysler's first concept car was the 1940 Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton by LeBaron? It was, the Phaeton was produced during 1940-1941 it had a sleek aluminum body that was set on an existing Chrysler New Yorker chassis. The Dual-Cowl Phaeton used the Chrysler Spitfire 143 hp L-head straight 8 engine with dual carburetors and a three speed manual transmission.

An interesting feature of the Phaeton was that the car had two cockpits and the back of the back cockpit was elevated to allow the passengers in the back seat a better view. Other features of the Phaeton were concealed headlights and two fold-able windscreens (remember this was in 1940). 

Walter P. Chrysler founder of Chrysler had a Phaeton for his personal car and drove it daily until his death later that year. Actress Lana Turner also owned a Newport Phaeton.  The 1941 Indianapolis 500 race the pace car was the Newport Phaeton this was the only Phaeton that did not have hide-away headlights and this is the Phaeton that became Walter P. Chrysler's personal car.

There were only six Phaeton's built and five are known to exist today. In March of 2009 restored Phaeton sold at RM Auctions for $687,500. Wow!