Yes Virginia, There is an $800,000 Chrysler...

Discussion in 'Other Vehicles' started by caseydog, Nov 25, 2015.

  1. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

    Nov 7, 2012
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    I photographed this 1942 Chrysler Town and Country "Barrelback" yesterday. Stunning car, and very rare. I also learned to drive a Chrysler Fluid Drive transmission. It is a manual, but to get rolling, you lift off the clutch pedal giving it NO throttle. it engages, and sits still until you step on the throttle. The owner told me it wouldn't stall, and sure enough, it didn't stall.

    [​IMG]

    CD
     
  2. BruceK

    BruceK Active Member

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    Beautiful car. But 8/10s of a million dollars? Wow.

    I've never heard of a transmission like that. Sounds like some sort of centrifugal clutch.
     
  3. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    BTW, this is why it is called a "Barrelback." It has two "hatch" doors that open like Clubman doors.

    [​IMG]

    CD
     
  4. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Rarity equals value. And, it is a stunning car to look at.

    It is a little like an centrifugal clutch, but there actually is a clutch pedal. Once you are rolling, you use the clutch to upshift as you would with a regular manual.

    CD
     
  5. DneprDave

    DneprDave Well-Known Member
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    My folks had a '48 Dodge with fluid drive. It said so right on the back bumper.

    It was a fluid coupling between the engine and the clutch with a standard three speed transmission. You could stop without pushing in the clutch and start up again in any gear.
     
  6. Nathan

    Nathan Founder

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    From the wiki

     
  7. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Here is a shot of the doors open...

    [​IMG]


    CD
     
  8. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Nathan, the Town and Country resumed production after the war. I also shot a 1946 Barrelback. Also, the Town and Country was offered in a sedan, and two-door convertible.

    Here is a shot of a convertible and barrelback I shot a few years ago...

    [​IMG]

    And here is a sedan that I also shot yesterday...

    [​IMG]

    The barrelbacks are the rarest.

    CD
     
  9. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Interesting story. The barrelbacks and sedan I shot yesterday were in two locations, about 50 miles apart. The owner decided to drive the sedan from one location to the other, and told me to follow him in my rental Maxima.

    He was hauling arse. The first mile was dirt road, and he was doing 50. He was doing 70-plus on the highway. He was passing slower moving vehicles on two lane roads.

    CD
     
  10. vetsvette

    vetsvette MINI Alliance Ambassador

    Nov 9, 2013
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    That had the "straight eight" in it didn't it?
     
  11. caseydog

    caseydog Well-Known Member

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    Some did. Most apparently had sixes. The sedan I shot yesterday has an eight.

    CD
     
  12. Angib

    Angib New Member

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    [​IMG]

    All credit to the guys in the days before CAD who got the 3D angles of those hinge pins correct so the doors could actually open!

    There are some serious angles gong on there.
     
  13. 2010Chili

    2010Chili New Member

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    That barrel back is super sexy, as a matter of fact they all are stunning. I've always loved wood on a car (excluding in the wheels, thank you) real or otherwise. It's warm and inviting like a 1970's rec room or basement bar.
     

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