Stellantis archivist and historian Brandt Rosenbusch discusses iconic vehicles, groundbreaking concepts, technological innovations and historic moments that have highlighted Chrysler’s 100 years.
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00:00A brand like a Chrysler can't be around for a hundred years without bringing out some really cool product.
00:21A car so revolutionary in its mechanical betterments that it was destined to be a sensation.
00:26It all started with the 1924 Chrysler, the first vehicle that Mr. Chrysler really wanted to put his own name on.
00:32It was sleek, it had a better design than most vehicles out there, it was lower.
00:36Really the important parts were the high compression engine, which was more performance than most vehicles had out there,
00:42plus the four-wheel hydraulic brakes, which were standard equipment.
00:45This is something that Mr. Chrysler always wanted, a safe vehicle and value for the customer.
00:51So in the 1930s, we brought out the air flow, and they advertised it as the first modern vehicle, and it truly was.
01:00This is the first vehicle to use a wind tunnel in its design.
01:03It had a tubular steel frame, meaning it was very rigid and very safe.
01:06Here it comes on its death drop, leaping clear of the ledge and landing with crushing impact in the rocky shale beneath.
01:13They changed the architecture of the vehicle to move the axles front and rear for a better ride.
01:22The 1940s, of course, we were very busy with the arsenal of democracy and providing things for our troops and for our government all over the world.
01:29But after the war, they brought out the town and country.
01:32And this wood-bodied vehicle, it really kind of was Americana, really.
01:36It was a vehicle your Hollywood people were owned.
01:39And it really set the standard in design and really built Chrysler's reputation as a design company and an elegant company.
01:49The 1950s, of course, so much went on, from the early concept cars and design styling of Virgil Exner to the Chrysler 300.
01:59And in early 1955, we released our first model, the Chrysler 300.
02:04300 for horsepower.
02:06Chrysler 300 is the first car from the factory that could put out over 300 horsepower and was built for performance with upgraded brakes.
02:15And even the badging had checkered flags on them.
02:18We then brought out the fins.
02:20In DeSoto for 57, you just touch a button and go.
02:23Split-second getaway and the most exciting car in the world today.
02:27Anybody in the world will look at a vehicle with fins on it and know that that car came from America.
02:32And the Chrysler brand really is the brand that brought those out.
02:38In the 1960s, Chrysler brought out a few slots of styling.
02:41And it really reflected the times.
02:43This is the 1960s where we're going to space.
02:46We're going to the moon.
02:47And it's really kind of a rocket ship looking car.
02:51When you look at it, the whole side of the vehicle, it looks like it could be a rocket ship.
02:57And that's really went across all brands that look.
03:03Chrysler.
03:04Finer than ever in 1973.
03:07The 1970s was a difficult decade.
03:10We were transferring from larger vehicles to smaller ones because of the changing taste in the consumer as well as the oil crisis in 1973.
03:22So Chrysler brought out the Cordova, their first small Chrysler.
03:26Shortly after that, things transitioned again to front-wheel drive vehicles.
03:30If you don't agree that the best Chrysler has ever made the very best America has to offer at a sensible price, then I'm in the wrong business.
03:37Oh, one more thing.
03:39If you can find a better car, buy it.
03:42In the 1980s, brought back the convertible, the town and country convertible in 1982.
03:47And there hadn't been a convertible in the American market since 1976.
03:51So again, you know, the brand's leading.
03:53And of course, the minivan came out in 1984.
03:56A segment that did not exist until this company created it.
04:00And now we've been a leader in that segment ever since day one when those vehicles came out.
04:07Throughout the 1980s, the design changed, became more modern.
04:12They moved to an updated LeBaron at first.
04:14But then in the 1990s is when the town and country minivan arrived.
04:19And then, of course, cab forward design came out in 1993.
04:23A very modern interpretation of design.
04:30Late 1990s saw the PT Cruiser, which was, you know, a retro car, but a fun one.
04:36And it still has a loyal following.
04:39And when you see a PT Cruiser, you know what it is.
04:42And it's just a fun car.
04:44And, of course, the 300 came back in 2005.
04:47You know, an iconic car that looks dated, you know, really back to the original 300.
04:53Really played homage to that original car.
04:56And, of course, the Pacifica came out in 2016.
05:03You know, the most awarded minivan ever and still leads the market.
05:06So, drawing upon all these decades, you know, you can see that it's a company and a brand that is going to be at the forefront going forward.
05:17It's going to be bringing out new technology.
05:19It's going to be leading different segments.
05:21Because that's what we've done for the last 100 years.