1939 Chrysler Imperial Sedan Walkaround

I posted here that Chrysler Corporation's line was given a massive facelift for model year 1939.  For me, the most interesting styling was on the Chrysler brand's front end.  I wrote about that here.

Since then, I've come across a number of photos of a 1939 Chrysler Imperial sedan -- enough for a "walkaround" post.  The car pictured was up for sale.

Gallery

The late 1930s were a period of transition from tall, fairly narrow grilles to horizontal openings.  Chrysler would make that move with its redesigned 1940 line.

Most 1939 American brands featured hoods that terminated roughly in line with fender fronts.  Besides this Chrysler, those that didn't were Graham, Willys (like Graham, designed by Amos Northup), and Hupmobile, which used leftover Cord styling.

Window outlines are rounded, mid-late 1930s style, the front door being retained from 1938 bodywork.

Note the "speedine" sculpting on the fenders.

The backlight window is in two segments due to flat glass being used on the rounded body.  1940 Chryslers received curved backlight glass.

Rear décor is minimalist, typical of those times and not ours.

The side sculpting and trim below the beltline curve downward abaft of the C-pillar, then coincide with the lower trunk lid cutline.

Overhead view.  Note the semi-detached front fender and its relationship to the narrow hood,

The hood extends farther forward than other views might suggest.  The radiator is actually forward of the front axle line.

All that said in a post linked above, I like the car's prow not overlapping the catwalk (though its forward thrust comes close).  Maybe I like it because I love the front design of 1936-37 Cords that have a similar theme.  I also like those old, pre- sealed beam headlight assemblies.