Chrysler only

I've seen car enthusiasts crowd around a vehicle no one has seen in many, many years. When it was launched, hardly anyone raised an eyebrow.

Whoever wants to write the history of Chrysler has no easy task. The third largest American car group has throughout the post-war period acquired other car brands, many of them on the brink of bankruptcy.

They have also been on a shopping trip in Europe. There they bought up British Rootes, French Matra-Simca and a Spanish truck factory. To begin with, the brands were allowed to keep their original names, such as British Sunbeam and French Simca. But one car brand was launched under the Chrysler name, – just Chrysler. The reason is supposed to be that the brand was developed as a joint venture between French and British Chrysler, as well as the parent company. The problem with the name Chrysler is that everyone expected a name - a model designation.

Chrysler what?

The new model was simply called the Chrysler 160, Chrysler 180 and Chrysler 2 liters, depending on the engine. But at the same time American Chryslers, Dodges and Plymouths were sold in Europe with catchy model names such as Challenger, Polara and Fury. "Only Chrysler" became the car that completely lacked identity. It was designed in the USA and had several similarities with American cars from the same group, such as the Dodge Polara. But the European Chrysler was smaller and by American standards had small engines. And it didn't even have a name!
 

It's no surprise that "only Chrysler" became a hard sell. In Norway, a lot of money was spent on full-page advertisements, but the car was barely visible on the road. The car also sold poorly in Great Britain, France and Spain. It didn't get any better when the engines got a reputation for not being durable. After being produced at the production plant in Poissy, France (now PSA), production was moved to Chrysler's old truck plant in Madrid. It may have created a certain domestic market in Spain, but the quality hardly improved.
 

I recently came across a Chrysler 2 liter in France. It arrived at a car collection of special vehicles for car enthusiasts. The 2-litre with 3-speed automatic was barely audible as it glided along the parade route and parked by the harbour. Anglo-American design and French/Spanish production. I think the car looked very nice in white with a black vinyl top and yellow lights, and the interest from the French public was great. Much larger than when the car was launched.
 
I think that "Just Chrysler" is actually one of the most beautiful 4-door European sedans produced in the 70s.

Spanish advertising. Why did the mechanic throw away the wrench? Was it in frustration at having so much to do? - Or simply because Chrysler never needs a workshop visit? The beautiful Spanish ladies and the Catholic priest at least allowed themselves to be impressed. Chrysler found a viable home market in Spain.

See

The model is looked after by Rootes Car Club Norway