A black and white photo of Chrysler founder Walter P Chrysler standing along side a a1924 Chrysler Six

Walter P. Chrysler with his first eponymous named car in 1924. (FCA US archives)

BY MARK MAYNARD

On this day in automotive history, the founder of the Chrysler Corp., Walter Percy Chrysler, died on Aug. 18 1940 after succumbing to a cerebral hemorrhage.

According to AutomotiveHistory.org, Walter Chrysler was born in Kansas in 1875 and began his career as a machinist and mechanic in the railroad industry. His railroad career peaked as works manager of the Allegheny locomotive erecting shops of the American Locomotive Co., also known as Alco.

His introduction to the automotive business would come in 1911 when he was approached by James J. Storrow, an investment banker who was critical in the formation of General Motors just a few years prior.

Walter P. Chrysler with a 1924 Chrysler.

Walter P. Chrysler with a 1924 Chrysler. (FCA US archives)

Walter Chrysler made his final resignation from railroading to become works manager (in charge of production) at Buick in Flint, Mich., according to Wikipedia. He found many ways to reduce the costs of production, such as putting an end to finishing automobile undercarriages with the same luxurious quality of finish that the body warranted.

The Chrysler 70 debuted with a six-cylinder engine in January 1924. It was marketed as an advanced, well-engineered car at a more affordable price than the competition. (Elements of this car are traceable back to a prototype that had been under development at Willys when Chrysler was there.)

The original 1924 Chrysler included a carburetor air filter, a high-compression engine, full-pressure lubrication inside the engine, and an oil filter, at a time when most autos came without all these features.

a black white photo of a 1924 Chrysler Touring model

The 1924 Chrysler Touring. (FCA US archives)

Among the innovations in its early years would be the first practical mass-produced four-wheel hydraulic brakes, a system nearly completely engineered by Chrysler with patents assigned to Lockheed.

Chrysler pioneered rubber engine mounts to reduce vibration, Oilite bearings, and superfinishing for shafts.

Chrysler also developed a road wheel with a ridged rim, designed to prevent a deflated tire from flying off the wheel. The auto industry eventually adopted this safety wheel worldwide.

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