Just as VW shoes we, of course, a little bit
The Phaeton. We have already a lot about this ondergewaarde prestigesloep of Volkswagen written. But in spite of everything, was the idea of a superluxe car with such name is not new. In 1941 Chrysler with the most beautiful name to an equally nice car, the Chrysler Newport Dual Cowl Phaeton LeBaron. This car was made from 1940 to 1941 produced. Well, yes, produced. With the hand, there were 8 instances of built, of which this Indy 500 Pace Car was the only one with the ‘open’ lights, the others had covers over it if the lights not on were. How cool. Also cool was the motor: a 5.3 liter eight-in-line with 145 hp.
In 1952, came to Canada again with a Phaeton. This time on the basis of the Imperial. The car was specially made for parades. Among other things, the team of Feyenoordde astronauts of Apollo 11 were honored in a Chrysler Imperial Phaeton. This Phaeton is even rarer than the first: only 3 copies were made. Under the hood was the familiar 5.4 litre Firepower V8.
Fast Forward to the 90s. When it comes to concept cars, is Chrysler the uncrowned king. The most separate concepts are reviewed. It would not only concepts remain, some were even in production. Think of the Dodge Viper, Plymouth Prowler and Chrysler PT Cruiser. Sadly the most prestigious project no further than the concept stage: the Chrysler Phaeton.
This car was in 1997 the light of day. It was clear where Chrysler the inspiration came from: the following years of the great American sleds. And the Phaeton was a sled. The total length amounted to 5,46 meters with a wheelbase of 3.35 m. The rims were wonderfully over the top: a 22-inch manhole covers. It was a four-door car with folding hard top, made by the specialists of the ASC, who later also the steel klapdak developed for cars like the Chevrolet SSR and Chrysler Sebring Convertible.
The interior was extremely luxurious for its time. The car had two separate booths, just like the previous Phaeton. Useful if you often fight with your driver. That you’re not with him, wanted to communicate did not him, you are not in the holes. In the back sat speedometers so that you can exactly in the holes could keep track of how fast the car was. Indeed, a trick that we later Maybach would come.
The similarities with the Volkswagen Phaeton go further than just the name. Of course, they are both flagships of their brand. But not only that. Just as Volkswagen had Chrysler at the time, not a V12. So, someone came up with the glorious idea to have two 2.7 liter V6 engines to each other to link to, and so a real twaalfcilinder to create. The maximum power was 450 hp, exactly the same power as the latest versions of the Phaeton with twaalfcilinder engine.
Of course came the car is not on the market. It was mainly an idea. In all probability, was the car on the chassis of a Durango, combined with the suspension of a Viper. There were still a few challenges in order to create the comfort at the level of Mercedes or Rolls. Fortunately, we have the photos yet.