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Chrysler to Honor Outstanding Automobiles at the Louis Vuitton Classic

25 September 1997

Chrysler to Honor Outstanding Automobiles at the Louis Vuitton Classic

    NEW YORK, Sept. 25 -- One of the ultimate blends of art and
machine -- the automobile -- will again be honored by Chrysler Corporation
September 26-28 at Rockefeller Center at the second annual Louis Vuitton
Classic.
    Only four out of more than fifty of the world's rarest automobiles will
receive the prestigious Chrysler awards honoring "Best Overall Design
Elegance," "Outstanding Balance and Proportion," "Great-to-Drive Reputation,"
and "Greatest Breakthroughs in Technology."  The four bronze awards were
created by Chrysler Design Director Trevor M. Creed.
    Chrysler will also display two life-size automotive works of art:
The Chrysler Atlantic and the Chrysler Dual Cowl Phaeton concept cars.
    The Chrysler Atlantic was born in the spirit of luxury French coach
builders of the late 1930s, whose artists created distinctive, highly
expressive designs.
    Under the long, graceful hood lies a smooth, 4.0-liter, "straight-eight"
engine.  Beneath Atlantic's distinctive fenders are tires of heroic
dimensions:  21 inches in the front and 22 inches in the rear.
    The Atlantic is pure, rolling sculpture, a return to the days when
automobiles were designed on an artist's canvas.
    The flowing lines of the Atlantic is contrasted to the imposing elegance
of the Chrysler Dual Cowl Phaeton.  Inspired by Chrysler's 1940 Newport parade
car, the dual cowl design originally was intended for transporting dignitaries
and members of elite families during the first half of this century.
    Both the front and rear passenger compartments of the Phaeton are
completely separate, each having its own windshield, radio, and climate
controls.  Speedometer and odometer gauges are also featured in both
compartments, allowing rear passengers to monitor vehicle performance at a
glance.
    The Chrysler Dual Cowl Phaeton is a contemporary convertible based on a
design that was originally intended only for the wealthiest of individuals.
    Both the Atlantic and the Phaeton exemplify Chrysler's passion for
automotive design.  "We love the automobile business," says Thomas C. Gale,
Chrysler Executive Vice President of Product Development and a Louis
Vuitton Classic judge for the second year, "but more important, we love the
automobile itself.  We believe the automobile can be much more than simply a
mode of transportation.  Automobiles should be aesthetic wonders, exhibiting
great design and exquisite details.
    "Automobiles should make wonderful sounds.  Automobiles should stir the
emotions.  Our passion for the automobile is the reason we are associated with
the Louis Vuitton Classic."
    Chrysler invited five distinguished automotive journalists to serve as
judges for the Chrysler Awards at the Louis Vuitton Classic.  They are:

    David E. Davis, Jr.
    Editor/Publication Director, Automobile Magazine

    Ken Gross
    Director, The Petersen Automobile Museum and
    contributor to The Robb Report, Playboy Magazine,
    Automotive Industries Magazine, etc.

    John Lamm
    Automotive Journalist and Photographer
    and contributor to Road & Track Magazine, etc.

    Howard Walker
    Automotive Journalist and Columnist,
    Car Magazine and St. Petersberg Times

    Mick Walsh
    Automotive Journalist and Editor,
    Classic and Sports Car Magazine

SOURCE  Chrysler Corporation