Chrysler, one of the US's most cherished brands, has produced a great many icons and legends over the years, since its inception 100 years ago. It has been a partner with various other brands and worked alongside Maserati, Mitsubishi, Mercedes-Benz, and many more. Fruits of the Chrysler corporation have included the Chrysler 300C, Dodge Viper, and Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, just to name a few. Some may associate the brand with minivans today, since the only model now on sale is the Pacifica/Voyager, but these models below are just an example of some of the varied models to come from the Chrysler brand, many of which pushed the boat in terms of design, engineering, or features. Chrysler Airflow Year: 1934 1934 Chrysler Airflow, front 3/4This was one of the first cars to be wind tunnel tested, and aerodynamics played an important part in its design. You could say it was ahead of its time, and the design, although prescient, would take time to catch on, with reluctance from the public due to its bold look. Basic Specifications It was an innovative design under the sheet metal, too, with an engine located ideally for weight distribution as well as the use of a unibody construction, which was another great engineering choice, something that would also later catch on. An inline-eight engine was fitted from the beginning, with some sources claiming a straight-six was also offered. Chrysler Imperial Year: 1949 1954 Chrysler Imperial Newport, front 3/4Chrysler's Imperial was produced over a variety of decades and stood out as an innovator of technology, safety, and design over the years. This generation is the fifth entry in the Imperial range and featured disc-in-drum brakes, a first for a production car, as well as Hydraglide power steering and an early form of air conditioning. Basic Specifications It was filled with amenities and luxurious appointments and was also more refined and better equipped than many of its rivals. An inline eight-cylinder engine was competitive at the time, and its torque output is good, although it wasn't built for speed and works best as a relaxed cruiser. Chrysler Newport Year: 1955 1955 Chrysler Imperial Newport Hard Top, front 3/4This model was offered as a hardtop coupe variant of the Windsor and New Yorker and featured a styling innovation called the Forward Look. With a lower silhouette featuring sweeping lines and a lowered roofline, it was intended to look sportier and was different from many other previous designs. Basic Specifications The interior featured upscale materials, jet-age dials, and optional power accessories, underscoring its premium positioning. A two-speed automatic is modest by today's standards, to say the least, but at the time, the smooth-shifting unit and the Poly V8 providing decent torque were pure Chrysler, which was focused on luxury. Other features included power steering, power brakes, and transistor radios. Chrysler Turbine Car Year: 1963 Chrysler Turbine Car, front 3/4This model was produced in just 55 examples, and one example was bought by Jay Leno. It's an iconic car that, aside from its futuristic styling, featured a centerpiece innovation that could have changed the world: a turbine engine. The small turbine unit was connected to the rear wheels via a conventional transmission and turned the wheels rather than propelling the car like an airplane. It could run on almost any combustible fuel and was extremely smooth, with no reciprocating parts. Basic Specifications It was loaned to real people to be tested and performed well on the road. The body was styled by Ghia in Italy, with looks inspired by aviation and the space race. Unfortunately, the turbine suffered from lag, high fuel consumption, and emissions challenges, which eventually brought an end to the project. Chrysler TC by Maserati Year: 1989 Chrysler TC by Maserati, front 3/4Spearheaded by Chrysler CEO Lee Iacocca, the collaboration between Chrysler and Maserati (one of many collaborations between the brand and other automakers), the TC was designed to be beautiful and styled with a heavy European focus, a halo car to elevate the brand and compete with other models like the Mercedes-Benz SL or the US's own Cadillac Allante. Basic Specifications It was built in Italy by Maserati by hand, with mostly Chrysler components under the attractive body. A removable hardtop was offered for this model, as well as luxury features and appointments. A range of engines was available, starting with the 2.2-liter four-cylinder with 160 horsepower, followed by a 141-horsepower V6. The Maserati-headed, Cosworth-tuned 2.2-liter, four-pot is the coveted version as it had 200 horsepower. Delays and high costs were nails in the coffin of this interesting and stylish cruiser. Chrysler New Yorker Year: 1993 1994 Chrysler New Yorker, front 3/4A part of the varied LH platform sedan series that included other models, the New Yorker received a significant styling overhaul for this generation. Its 90s design was a cab‑forward design, inspired by the 1987 Lamborghini Portofino concept and relatively innovative for the time as it expanded interior space by pushing the windshield forward and the wheels to the corners. Basic Specifications The New Yorker shared its architecture with LHS and Concorde, but was aimed at luxury with traditional trim and upscale interiors - the spacious interior features huge, comfortable seats and luxury features. It's a thirsty old barge today, but as a comfortable cruiser, it's hard to beat, especially as there were features such as automatic climate control and keyless entry. Old electronics are the only downside. Chrysler Concorde Year: 1993 Chrysler Concorde, rear 3/4Another car based on the LH platform and shared its underpinnings with the Dodge Intrepid and Eagle Vision, the Concorde was produced from 1993-2004 overall, going through some pretty significant styling changes over that time. It innovated once more with the cab-forward design, showing how a front-mounted windshield, short hood, small overhangs, and extended wheelbase could enhance interior space. Basic Specifications Other features that showed how modern Chrysler's sedans had become were the use of front-wheel drive, and its focus on safety was demonstrated with features like dual airbags and antilock brakes. Later facelifts were hit-and-miss, but kept the model looking modern until it was ultimately succeeded by the Chrysler 300. Plymouth Prowler Year: 1997 Chrysler's Prowler was innovative, of course, for its retro-modern design, combining hot-rod aesthetics with modern engineering. It was built from 1997-2002 overall and was later sold as the Chrysler Prowler. Modern features included power locks and windows, air conditioning, and more. This follow-up to the legacy created by the Dodge Viper was rear-wheel drive too, and had an ideal weight distribution.3/4 front view of 1999 Plymouth ProwlerUnfortunately, the design was not without its downsides, and aside from the decision not to include a manual transmission in such a driver-focused machine, the engine was underpowered. Even the later, 253-horsepower variant was adequate rather than impressive. Its limited cargo space, very niche styling, and underwhelming performance made it short-lived. Chrysler 300M Year: 1998 Another LH-platform model, the 300M was a luxury full-size car priced above the Concorde and sold from 1999-2004. Relatively attractive and sporty for a sedan, it was longer, lower, and had a wider stance than its predecessors, with a sleek look. Inside, there was a refined cabin with leather upholstery, woodgrain accents, and comfort features such as dual-zone climate control and a premium sound system, as well as spacious, comfortable seating.Chrysler 300MAnother Chrysler sedan that featured the cabin-forward design, the 300M also pushed the envelope with its performance, style, and value in one package, in an arena usually dominated by the Euro brands. Eventually, it was succeeded by the Chrysler 300 in 2005 as the flagship sedan. Chrysler Crossfire Year: 2004 asdfasdfThis model was fresh and innovative for the brand, capitalizing on the partnership between Mercedes-Benz and Chrysler, with the product being a true sports car for the brand. Based on the contemporary SLK, the Crossfire boasted a rear-wheel drive platform with Mercedes-Benz build quality and strong engines. A manual transmission was available, and even an SRT-6 variant with a supercharged engine.Front 3/4 shot of a 2005 Chrysler Crossfire SRT6Both coupes and convertibles were produced, and there was no denying the exotic look that Chrysler had managed to create. Downsides include the styling, which is still not to everyone's taste, and the interior, which is covered in a sea of plastic. An affordable and capable sports car that will become less of a secret as time goes on.