Six 1920s Chrysler car advertisements

Here’s a fascinating glimpse into automotive history – 6 illustrated Chrysler automobile advertisements from the roaring 1920s! These pages, taken from an old scrapbook, capture the essence of a game-changing era in transportation and design, when sleek innovation and affordability met head-on to define “The Modern Car Style for the Modern Age.” One of the featured ads for the Chrysler 75-65 proudly proclaims this forward-thinking slogan, perfectly encapsulating the spirit of the roaring twenties.

These beautifully illustrated ads, painstakingly clipped from their originals – albeit a little too close for comfort around the cars – showcase a variety of popular Chrysler models of the late 1920s. The lineup below reflects not only the evolution of car engineering but also highlights the way Chrysler positioned itself to appeal to a growing middle and upper class during a time of rapid social and economic change:

• Chrysler 75 – Sport Phaeton: Priced at $1,795, this elegant open-top model combined sporty aesthetics with relative affordability, appealing to those who desired luxury without breaking the bank.
• Chrysler 75-65: A variation of the popular 75 lineup, this version exemplified Chrysler’s dedication to offering versatility in style and performance.
• Chrysler 70: A classic amongst Chrysler enthusiasts, the 70 prioritized solid engineering and smoother handling—a result of Chrysler’s notable focus on quality drive systems.
• Chrysler 52 Deluxe Coupe: At an approachable $720, this budget-friendly model offered a taste of the Chrysler brand for first-time car buyers, combining glamour with practical value.
• Chrysler 72 Sport Roadster (with rumble seat): A stylish outdoorsy option priced at $1,595, it featured the iconic rumble seat in the rear—a perfect bonus for additional passengers or extra storage during road trips. This car oozed personality, capturing the carefree, adventurous spirit of the 1920s.
• Chrysler Imperial 80 – Town Sedan: Commanding a price of $2,995, the Imperial 80 embodied the upper echelon of Chrysler’s engineering and luxury lineup. A true symbol of status, its sleek design catered to the wealthy consumer who desired sophistication and exclusivity.
• Chrysler Six: This was Chrysler’s signature series during the mid-1920s, introducing innovative six-cylinder engines known for their reliability and advanced cooling systems—state-of-the-art for the period.

Each ad serves as a reminder of how the automotive industry approached marketing and branding in its early days, often weaving together artistry and technical detail to captivate potential buyers. Chrysler, founded by Walter P. Chrysler in 1925, had already begun defining itself as a leader in groundbreaking design, offering cars with smoother rides and inventive features unheard of in earlier models. Within just a decade of its founding, Chrysler became the second-largest car manufacturer in America, a testament to its commitment to accessible innovation and style.

These six advertisements transport us to an era defined by jazz, flappers, and rapid industrialization—when America was coming into its own as an economic superpower. Cars like the ones Chrysler produced weren’t just vehicles; they were cultural symbols of independence, modernity, and aspiration. One can imagine families flipping through these ads in magazines, marveling at how a car could be both sensible and stunningly chic.

It’s clear that these scrapbook pages hold more than just advertisements; they’re historical artifacts of a bygone era that continue to inspire vintage car lovers and collectors alike. Too bad the person who clipped these gems didn’t leave a wider margin around such iconic vehicles—but all the same, they’ve preserved six pages of automobiles that defined a generation.

Enjoy this nostalgic ride back to the 1920s and all the marvelous quirks that era had to offer!