Auto industry / Business & brands
Walter P. Chrysler
1875–1940 · founder of Chrysler Corporation
Kansas railroad mechanic who ran Buick, founded Chrysler Corporation in Detroit in 1925 and made it one of the Big Three by buying Dodge in 1928.
- Born
Wamego, Kansas- Died
Kings Point, New York
aged 65- Birth name
- Walter Percy Chrysler
- Also known as
- Walter Chrysler
- Detroit years
- 1920–1940
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
Chrysler learned his trade in railroad shops and rose to run Buick's production in Flint, where he cut costs dramatically. After a stint rescuing Willys-Overland, he took control of the struggling Maxwell Motor Company, whose plant stood in Highland Park, and in 1924 launched the Chrysler Six, a moderately priced car with a high-compression engine and four-wheel hydraulic brakes. In 1925 he reorganized Maxwell as Chrysler Corporation, based at the Highland Park complex. He added the Plymouth and DeSoto brands in 1928 and that same year bought Dodge Brothers, which gave him Dodge Main in Hamtramck and made Chrysler one of Detroit's Big Three. Time named him Man of the Year for 1928. He also built the Chrysler Building in New York, completed in 1930. Chrysler's headquarters stayed in Highland Park until the 1996 move to Auburn Hills.
Highlights
- Launched the Chrysler Six in 1924
- Founded Chrysler Corporation in 1925, headquartered in Highland Park
- Created Plymouth and DeSoto and bought Dodge Brothers in 1928
- Time magazine Man of the Year for 1928
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 3
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Founded · 1925–1940
Highland Park Chrysler Plant and headquarters
Demolished · 1996
Chrysler's original headquarters campus, inherited from Maxwell; the company left in 1996 and the complex was demolished and redeveloped.
Related place · 1928–1940
Dodge Main (Dodge Brothers Hamtramck Assembly)
Demolished · 1910–1980
He acquired the plant with Dodge Brothers in 1928; it closed in 1980 and was razed in 1981.
Memorial
Walter P. Chrysler Museum
Closed · 1999–2016
Company museum named for him at the Auburn Hills headquarters; open 1999–2012 and closed for good in December 2016.