1937 Chrysler Rag-Tops Versus Steel Tops

In the mid-1930s American cars began receiving all-metal tops in place of tops having fabric inserts.  Bodies were now all-steel instead of metal cladding of wooden framing.

Car body metal stamping technology was in its early stages in those days, so many body segments were formed with large-radius curving.  That included the shapes of passenger compartment greenhouses and even rounded window profiles.  The result was cars looking more bloated than svelte.

However, there was one exception: convertibles.  Having no steel tops or rounded-off side windows, they looked better than their stablemates.  Today's post provides some examples in the form of 1937 Chryslers.  Unless noted, images below are of for-sale cars.

Gallery

1937 Chrysler Royal Business Coupe
Lots of rounding here.  Note all the curves associated with the passenger compartment.

1937 Chrysler Royal Convertible Coupe
Those curves are gone.  But the short hood concentrates frontal rounding.

1937 Chrysler Imperial Touring Sedan
Chrysler's premium Imperial line featured longer hoods, but the passenger compartment styling remains rather dumpy.

1937 Chrysler Imperial Convertible Sedan - via Hemmings
Now much of the dumpiness is removed.  Note the after door is hinged on the B-pillar, not the C-pillar, as on the sedan.  The open zone of the car is long, creating a somewhat boxy feeling.

1937 Chrysler Imperial Convertible Sedan - Hyman Ltd photo
Another Imperial Convertible Sedan as seen from the front quarter.  That boxy look is apparent here as well.

1937 Chrysler Imperial Convertible Coupe
The long-hood imperial Convertible Coupe is by far the most attractive 1937 Chrysler, in my opinion.

The rumble rear opening city lines car be seen here as well as the entry step on the right rear fender.

The thrusting prow works well here, complemented by the downward curve at the rear.

Even the canvas top is attractive when raised.  Too bad other '37 Chryslers look so homely in comparison.