There’s Only One Original Chrysler Left

The sole surviving prototype of the revolutionary 1924 Chrysler Six—the very car that launched an empire—is making its triumphant return to the public eye. In a fitting tribute, exactly one century after its sensational debut, this priceless piece of history is a star attraction at the 2025 New York International Auto Show (NYIAS). For enthusiasts and historians, this is not merely an old car display; it is a rare chance to witness the genesis of a brand that helped reshape American roads.

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Chrysler

Chrysler is the American subsidiary of the global automotive company Stellantis. Historically, Chrysler has been one of the ‘Big Three’ American automakers. It was founded in 1925 by Walter Chrysler and merged with Daimler-Benz in 1998; the company was called DaimlerChrysler until its Chrysler stake was sold off less than a decade later. Chrysler operated on its own until Fiat S.p.A acquired it in 2014. When Stellantis was formed in 2021 after the merger of FCA and PSA, Chrysler became a subsidiary. With only a few models on sale in the US at present, Chrysler is one of the handful of automakers still producing minivans, with its Pacifica lineup.

Founded

1925

Founder

Walter Chrysler

Headquarters

Michigan, United States

Owned By

Stellantis

Current CEO

John Elkann (temporary)

This appearance marks a double celebration. Chrysler is kicking off its 100th Anniversary festivities where it all began, while the NYIAS celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

A Legend Returns to New York

The Jacob K. Javits Center is hosting this historic reunion through April 27, 2025. Nestled within the Chrysler display, the prototype stands as a testament to Walter P. Chrysler’s vision and the engineering brilliance that brought it to life.

“This is more than just a car—it is a symbol of innovation, ambition, and the pioneering spirit that shaped the modern automobile industry,” stated New York Auto Show president Mark Schienberg. “To have the original Chrysler Six—the very car that stunned audiences at the 1924 Show—return exactly 100 years later is an extraordinary tribute to the enduring impact of automotive innovation.”

The prototype’s journey makes its appearance even more significant. For years, it was a highlight at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum before the facility closed in 2016. Since then, it has resided within Stellantis’ corporate collection, largely unseen by the public.

Engineering An Automotive Revolution

The early 1920s offered basic transportation like the Ford Model T at one end and expensive luxury marques at the other. The mid-priced segment was crowded and competitive, filled with cars many felt were designed for a bygone era. Chrysler, alongside his handpicked engineering wizards—Fred Zeder, Owen Skelton, and Carl Breer (collectively known as the ZSB team or “The Three Musketeers”) saw an opportunity. They envisioned a car offering advanced engineering, spirited performance, and modern style at an accessible price.

High-Compression Heartbeat

At its core pulsed a sophisticated 201-cubic-inch, L-head six-cylinder engine. Its defining feature was a high-compression cylinder head, boasting a ratio around 4.7:1, significantly higher than the circa-4:1 industry standard. This advanced design produced a remarkable (for the time) 68 horsepower at 3,000 rpm. The potent six-cylinder engine powered the relatively light car to a top speed of 70 miles per hour—hence the “B-70” model designation. Buick’s contemporary six-cylinder engine needed 255 cubic inches to produce similar horsepower, and Ford’s later Model A produced only 40 horsepower from the same displacement.

Achieving this required robust engineering. The engine featured lightweight aluminum pistons and a fully machined, seven-main-bearing crankshaft. They provided exceptional smoothness and durability under the stresses of higher compression. Full-pressure lubrication ensured oil reached vital components, complemented by then-advanced replaceable oil and carburetor air filters to help prolong engine life.

Stopping Power Standardized

Perhaps the most revolutionary element was the braking system. The Chrysler Six brought practical, mass-produced four-wheel hydraulic brakes to the moderately priced market for the first time. While Duesenberg pioneered hydraulics earlier on its expensive models, Chrysler’s system was designed using Lockheed patents.

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However, they were improved even further by the trio of engineers. They switched to rubber seals from leak-prone leather ones, making stopping power affordable. This gave the Chrysler Six a massive safety and performance advantage over the typical two-wheel mechanical brakes. Competitors like Ford would not adopt four-wheel hydraulics for another 15 years.

Beyond Engine and Brakes

The ZSB team’s comprehensive approach extended throughout the vehicle. The chassis featured standard shock absorbers for better ride control, a tubular front axle, and was relatively lightweight. Early rubber engine mounts—a precursor to Chrysler’s later famed “Floating Power” system—helped isolate vibration for a smoother ride than rivals’ rigidly mounted engines. Features like Oilite self-lubricating bearings and Chrysler’s patented safety wheel rim (designed to keep deflated tires from coming off) made the vehicle known for durability, convenience, and safety. Even the dashboard featured thoughtful touches like indirect lighting and a temperature gauge, adding to the car’s modern feel.

The Prototype’s Secret Origin

Zeder, Skelton, and Breer formed an engineering powerhouse, honed during their time at Studebaker. Zeder was the leader, Skelton mastered powertrains, and Breer focused on research and refinement. Recognizing their talent, Chrysler recruited them to Willys-Overland in 1920, tasking them with designing a modern six-cylinder car, with his name, to revitalize the Willys lineup.

A Design Derailed, Then Reborn

Financial instability plagued Willys, leading to Chrysler’s resignation in 1922. The Elizabeth, New Jersey plant and the completed ZSB-designed car were auctioned to William C. Durant. It was modified and enlarged and ultimately became the 1923 Flint. Undeterred, Chrysler, who had since acquired control of the Maxwell Motor Company, immediately hired the newly independent ZSB Engineering consulting firm. By mid-1923, ZSB was fully integrated into the company. The trio set up shop in Detroit at the former Chalmers plant (another automaker that recently merged with Maxwell after a prolonged process). They were tasked with creating a new six-cylinder car worthy of the Chrysler name. By July 31, 1923, the prototype was up and running.

From Four Originals To One Survivor

These prototypes were meticulously hand-built in secrecy within Maxwell facilities. They underwent rigorous testing, securing Chrysler’s personal sign-off, and generating excitement among crucial financiers and dealers in pre-launch demonstrations.

Walter Chrysler’s Personal Test Car

Adding to its mystique, historical accounts state that Chrysler himself drove this specific surviving prototype during its evaluation phase. It is, quite literally, the car that earned his approval to bear his name. After years as a centerpiece at the Walter P. Chrysler Museum, its public accessibility ended with its 2016 closure. Since then, it has been carefully preserved within the Stellantis historical collection, primarily housed at the Conner Center in Detroit, making its current NYIAS appearance noteworthy.

Unleashing the Game Changer

The transition to the production Chrysler Six Model B-70 was remarkably smooth. The core engineering triumphs of the prototypes—the high-compression engine, hydraulic brakes, advanced lubrication, and modern esthetics—carried over directly. While minor refinements for mass production occurred (expanded body style offerings, slight trim variations), the prototypes effectively proved the concept. The enthusiastic reception during pre-launch demonstrations confirmed its market readiness.

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A Sensational Debut and Market Dominance

Launched dramatically in the lobby of New York’s Commodore Hotel during the January 1924 Auto Show, the Chrysler Six was an immediate sensation. an astonishing 32,000 units were sold in the first year, shattering records for a new model introduction. This success validated Chrysler’s strategy and ZSB’s execution, propelling the combined Chrysler-Maxwell operation from the 27th biggest automaker in 1924 to fourth in three short years, under the new Chrysler Corporation banner.

Building an Empire on Success

The B-70’s triumph sealed the fate of the legacy Maxwell brand, which was discontinued after 1925. The profits generated by the new Chrysler Six enabled its namesake to formally establish the Chrysler Corporation on June 6, 1925. It also fueled rapid expansion. In 1928, Chrysler launched the lower-priced Plymouth and mid-priced DeSoto brands, followed by the monumental acquisition of Dodge Brothers. By 1936, Chrysler had become America’s second-largest automaker.

Why the Chrysler Six Still Matters

Often hailed by historians as “America’s First Modern Automobile,” the Chrysler Six offered an unprecedented package. Its performance could challenge cars costing much more, while its standard hydraulic brakes provided a safety edge unavailable in most mid-priced competitors. Priced competitively (around $1,395–$1,565 for popular models), it hit a sweet spot in the Roaring Twenties for consumers who desired speed, style, and technology without paying premiums.

An Enduring Engineering Legacy

The Chrysler Six cemented Chrysler Corporation’s reputation as an engineering-led company, a core identity for decades. This initial success, driven by the ZSB team, paved the way for subsequent Chrysler innovations like Floating Power engine mounts, the aerodynamic Airflow models, Hemi engines, and torsion-bar suspensions. After the Model T, some historians consider the Chrysler Six the most impactful model in automotive history because of how it forced other automakers to improve to meet Chrysler’s high standards.

Your Chance to See Automotive History

The return of the sole surviving Chrysler Six prototype to the New York International Auto Show is more than just an anniversary celebration. It is a unique opportunity to stand face-to-face with a vehicle that represents a pivotal moment of American ingenuity. For anyone passionate about automotive history, seeing this car back in the city where it first shocked the world is a window back to 100 years ago.

Sources: Stellantis, The Henry Ford, This Day in Automotive History, Hemmings, Street Muscle Magazine, Hagerty