Bill Watson's Chronological History of
Chrysler Corporation: 1920-1939 (Before The War)

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Chrysler History, Part 3: The Story So Far

The Dodge Brothers, who originally supplied Ford, have started their own company, building vehicles with a strong reputation for durability. Walter P. Chrysler, after rising in the railroads as an engineer and, later, a supervisor and manager, was put in charge of faltering Buick, with excellent results.

1920: Chrysler goes to Willys, Dodges die, Maxwell weakened

The post-war recession, coupled with material shortages and rising prices, weakens Maxwell and Chalmers. Maxwell has a debt of $32 million and had 26,000 unsold cars (total 1920 production was 34,169).
Maxwell places the emergency brake on the driveshaft, beginning a Maxwell, then Chrysler, trademark.
John Francis Dodge dies January 14; Horace Elgin Dodge dies December 10
Fred M. Zeder, Own M. Skelton and Carl Breer (the "Three Musketeers") leave Studebaker and form Zeder-Skelton-Breer Engineering Co.
Walter P. Chrysler is hired to save the Willys Corporation, at $1,000,000 per year; he hires Zeder-Skelton-Breer Engineering to design a new car, the Chrysler, to be produced in the Elizabeth, NJ, plant.
Frederick J. Haynes becomes president of Dodge Brothers.

1921: Chrysler hired to save Maxwell-Chalmers

Maxwell, faced with falling sales, ceases production in the Chalmers plant. The Maxwell is plagued with weak axles and poorly mounted gas tanks. Later 1921 models had two straps on the gas tank and two steel trusses on the rear axles.
To raise cash, the Willys-Overland plant in Elizabeth, NJ is put on the auction block. It, and the protoype Chrysler (considered by the Chrysler group later as the model A), are auctioned off to William C. Durant, who uses the plant for production of his low-priced Star while the Chrysler is used as a basis for the Flint. The Zeder-Skelton-Breer Engineering Co. work for a time for Durant Motors, transforming the Chrysler into the Flint.
Late in 1921, the company bankers approach Walter P. Chrysler to save Maxwell and Chalmers. Chrysler agrees, for $100,000 a year plus stock options.
The Maxwell Reorganization Committee is forced to put the company on the auction block. Faced with heavy bidding from William C. Durant, the Studebaker Corporation, the White Motor Company and others, the committee pays $10.8 million for the company and its assets.
A new Maxwell Motor Corporation is incorporated in West Virginia, and Walter P. Chrysler becomes chairman of the board with W.R. Wilson as president.
Dodge Brothers and Graham Brothers sign an agreement whereby Graham Brothers will use Dodge Brothers engines and sell their trucks through Dodge Brothers dealers. Production of Graham Brothers Trucks begins at Hamtamck, MI.
Byron C. Foy becomes president of Reo Motor Car Company of California, LosAngeles, CA
New Process Gear Company, Syracuse, NY, a subsidiary of Willys Corporation, is purchased by William C. Durant.

1922: Maxwell buys Chalmers assets

Walter P. Chrysler's contract with Willys-Overland ends.
Maxwell Motor Corporation purchases assets of Chalmers Motor Company for $2,000,000.

1923: First Chrysler introduced

Fred M. Zeder, Owen R. Skelton, and Carl Breer head a team to design a new car, the soon-to-be Chrysler Model B. The car is introduced to the public later than year during the New York Auto Show.
The 1924 Chalmers is introduced in the fall of 1923, with 4-wheel hydraulic brakes - a test bed for the brakes on the new Chrysler. Production of the Chalmers ceases and is replaced by the Chrysler.
K.T.Keller becomes general manager of General Motors Products of Canada Limited.

1924: Zeder, Skelton, Beer join Maxwell

Zeder-Skelton-Breer Engineering Co. dissolved as Fred M. Zeder, Owen R. Skelton and Carl Breer accept posts with Maxwell Motor Corporation.
April - James C. Zeder goes to work for Maxwell Motor Corporation.
1 millionth Dodge Brothers car

1925: Chrysler takes over Maxwell. First four.

Dodge Brothers purchased from the widows of the Dodge brothers by Dillon, Read & Co. for $146,000,000.
Chrysler Motor Corporation formed to handle sales of the Chrysler car.
From 34,169 cars in 1920, to 79,144 in 1924, the new Maxwell-Chrysler combine produces 132,343 cars in 1925.
June 26 - After two years of stock acquistion by Walter Chrysler and Harry Bronner, the Chrysler Corporation is incorporated in Delaware and takes over the Maxwell Motor Corporation. Walter P. Chrysler is president and chairman of the board.
May - the last Maxwell is built
June - the first Chrysler four.
October 1 - Dodge Brothers Inc. purchases 51% of Graham Brothers, Inc., with plants in Evansville, IN and Stockton, CA. Ray A. Graham becomes general manager, Joseph C. Graham becomes vice-president of manufacturing and Robert C. Graham becomes sales manager of Dodge Brothers Inc.
Edward J. Wilmer appointed president of Dodge Brothers Inc.. as Frederick J. Haynes becomes chairman of the board.
Byron C. Foy vice-president of of J.H.Thompson Company, Detroit, MI, Chrysler distributors

1926

K.T.Keller leaves General Motors and joins the Chrysler Corporation.
May 1 - Dodge Brothers Inc. purchases remaining 49% of Graham Brothers Inc.

1927

Chrysler Motors Limited purchased in London, United Kingdom.
Graham brothers leave Dodge Brothers and purchase Paige Motor Co., which becomes the Graham-Paige Motor Corporation.
Byron C. Foy becomes vice-president of Simons, Stewart & Foy, Chrysler distributors in New York.

1928: Plymouth and DeSoto formed; Chrysler buys Dodge

May - The Plymouth Motor Corporation and the DeSoto Motor Corporation are formed. Walter P. Chrysler is president of Plymouth Motor Corporation and Joseph E. Fields is president of DeSoto Motor Corporation.
June 11 - the first Plymouth 4 is built, a product of the Plymouth Motor Corporation, a Chrysler marketing subsidiary, in the Highland Park plant.
July 7 - The 1929 Plymouth 4 (model Q) is introduced to the public. The car is basically the former Chrysler Four (nee Maxwell). Name was suggested by Joseph W, Frazer, sales manager. Plymouth was also name of very popular binder twine.
July - DeSoto production begins at Highland Park.
July 31 - Chrysler purchases Dodge Brothers Inc., manufacturers of Dodge Brothers cars and trucks, and Graham Brothers trucks. Main plants and forge facilities in Hamtramck, MI, with assembly plants in Stockton, CA, Evansville, IN and a CKD plant in Toronto, ON., plus land on Lynch Road, the future site of the Plymouth plant. Walter P. Chrysler is president of Dodge Brothers Corporation and K.T.Keller is general manager.
August 4 - The 1929 DeSoto 6 (model K) introduced to public.
September - The Fargo Motor Corporation was formed with production beginning that month at Highland Park. Walter P. Chrysler is the first president of the Fargo Motor Corporation.
Chrysler Export Corporation organized.
James C. Zeder chief engineer of Plymouth and DeSoto.
Frederick J. Haynes and Edward J. Wilmer leave Dodge Brothers upon purchase of company by Chrysler Corporation.
2 millionth Dodge Brothers car

1929: Lynch Road opens

New Lynch Road plant opens for Plymouth and DeSoto production.
Chrysler Motor Parts Corporation (later Mopar) formed.
Byron C. Foy becomes vice-president, Chrysler Corporation
David A. Wallace becomes master mechanic for the Chrysler Corporation.
Walter P. Chrysler begins construction of the Chrysler Building in New York City.
See related article: Chrysler and Plymouth, 1929-32

1930: Fargo ends, Dodge Bros. and Graham become Dodge

Graham Brothers Truck and Dodge Brothers Truck become Dodge Truck and the Dodge Brothers car becomes Dodge. Both, however, continue to use the Dodge Brothers Star of David emblem to the end of the 1938 model year.
January - DeSoto model CF, with a straight-eight engine, introduced.
Dodge introduced an eight cylinder model.
November - Fargo Truck production ends, for the first time. Division carries on for export and fleet car sales.
F.L.Rockelman named president of Plymouth Motor Corporation.
K.T.Keller names president of Dodge Brothers Motor Corporation.

1931: Floating Power

Plymouth introduces floating power engine mounts.
Last DeSoto straight-eight built.
Chrysler introduces straight-eight.
Joseph E. Fields named president of Chrysler Motor Corporation.
Byron Foy named president of DeSoto Motor Corporation.
David A. Wallace, vice-president of Chrysler Corporation in charge of manufacturing.
Plymouth cars now sold by DeSoto, Dodge and Chrysler dealers.
Chrysler Building completed.

1932

Dodge Truck assembly ceases at Evansville, IN.
Herman L. Weckler resigns as works manager at Buick Motor Company and becomes assistant to K.T.Keller at Chrysler Corporation
B.E.Hutchinson named president of Plymouth Motor Corporation.

1933

Click here for details on Plymouths of 1933.
June - production of the DeSoto shifted from Lynch Road to Jefferson Avenue.
Plymouth production begins at LosAngeles, CA plant.
Dodge Truck assembly shifted from Stockton, CA to LosAngeles, CA, plant.
Last year for Dodge straight-eight engine.
Chrysler Technical Institute organized.

1934: Airflows across brands; Airtemp formed

The Airflow appears - the DeSoto Six, Chrysler Eight, Chrysler Imperial Eight, Chrysler Custom Imperial Eight (in 2 sizes), and, in Canada only, the Chrysler Six.
Chrysler Custom Imperial Airflow CW has first one-piece, curved windshield.
Airtemp Division formed to manufacture heating, cooling and refrigeration equipment.
Purchases Wyoming Avenue plant from General Motors.
Dan S.Eddins named president of Plymouth Motor Corporation.
1 millionth Plymouth
Click here for details on 1934 Plymouths

1935: Corporations become divisions; Keller becomes president

The Evansville, IN plant is renovated and expanded. Starts assembly of Plymouth cars with the 1936 models.
Fargo Trucks begin production for export markets for 1935, with production beginning in August, 1934.
Dodge introduces a Plymouth-based export market Dodge (model DV), assembled at Lynch Road.
July 22 - K.T. Keller president of Chrysler Corporation and Walter P. Chrysler continues as chairman of the board.
Marysville, MI plant acquired.
Plymouth Motor Corporation becomes Plymouth Division, Dodge Brothers Corporation becomes Dodge Division, DeSoto Motor Corporation becomes DeSoto Division and Chrysler Motor Corporation becomes Chrysler Sales Division.
Click here for details on 1935 Plymouths

1936

Herman L. Weckler planned and managed conversion of plant on Wyoming Avenue for DeSoto production. Plant is opened in September. It becomes the head office and main plant for the DeSoto Division.
Airtemp Division moves to Dayton, OH.
3 millionth Dodge car

1937: Kokomo plant

Plymouth Truck introduced.
DeSoto Six (export) goes into production, model SP3, based on the Plymouth P3, assembled at Lynch Road.
Dodge cars assembled at Evansville, IN, plant for 1937 and 1938.
Opens transmission plant in Kokomo, IN.
David A. Wallace named president of Chrysler Division.
Herman L. Weckler named general manager of DeSoto Division, under Byron C. Foy.
2 millionth Plymouth
1 millionth Chrysler
First model year Chrysler Corporation builds over one million cars in one year

1938: Warren plant; expedition to China

New Dodge Truck plant completed in Warren, MI.
Della Chrysler, wife of Walter P. Chrysler, dies.
W.J. O'Neil named president of Dodge Division.
Joseph W. Frazer leaves Chrysler Corporation to become president of Willys-Overland.
Webmaster note: Dr. Roy Chapman Andrews took his 1938 Dodge through the Gobi Desert, following an earlier Dodge-powered expedition through China.

1939: UK production ends as war heats up; Fluid Drive

First 1939 DeSoto Truck built in September, 1938, for export markets.
Fluid Drive introduced on Chrysler Imperial line.
Purchases land for future expansion in San Leandro, CA.
Assembly of Chrysler and Dodge vehicles in United Kingdom ceases due to war in Europe.
3 millionth Plymouth