When researching or restoring an Australian Chrysler Royal AP1, owners will often encounter model designations such as AP1/2CA, AP1/3CA, AP1/4CA and AP1/4VCA. These codes appear in workshop manuals, factory documentation and vehicle identification plates and were used by Chrysler Australia Limited to identify the engine and transmission configuration fitted to each car.

Understanding these codes is important when identifying a vehicle correctly and ensuring that the appropriate specifications, service information and replacement parts are used during maintenance or restoration.

The Chrysler Royal AP1, introduced in Australia during 1957, was Chrysler Australia’s first locally developed full-sized sedan. Although the body design was unique to Australia, many of the mechanical components were derived from Chrysler’s established American engine and transmission designs.

Chrysler Royal AP1 Model Designations

The Chrysler Royal AP1 was produced with several different engine and transmission combinations. These variations were reflected in the model codes used in factory service documentation.

AP1/2CA

The AP1/2CA designation refers to a Chrysler Royal fitted with the 230 cubic inch six-cylinder engine paired with a three-speed manual transmission.

This configuration offered dependable performance and a straightforward mechanical layout, making it a practical choice for everyday motoring in Australia during the late 1950s.

AP1/3CA

The AP1/3CA model used the 250 cubic inch six-cylinder engine combined with a three-speed manual transmission equipped with overdrive.

The addition of overdrive reduced engine speed during highway driving and improved cruising efficiency, making this configuration particularly well suited to long-distance travel.

AP1/4CA

The AP1/4CA model featured the 250 cubic inch six-cylinder engine paired with Chrysler’s PowerFlite automatic transmission.

PowerFlite was Chrysler’s early two-speed automatic transmission and represented a significant convenience upgrade compared with the manual transmission models available at the time.

AP1/4VCA

The AP1/4VCA designation refers to the V8-powered Chrysler Royal equipped with the PowerFlite automatic transmission.

Early AP1 production used the 302.5 cubic inch V8, commonly referred to as the 303 V8. In March 1958, Chrysler introduced the 313 cubic inch V8, which replaced the earlier engine during later AP1 production.

Both engines were part of Chrysler’s early overhead valve V8 family and provided significantly greater performance than the six-cylinder Royal models.

Chrysler Royal AP1 Identification Plate

Australian-built Chrysler Royal vehicles were fitted with a vehicle identification plate installed by Chrysler Australia Limited.

The plate was typically mounted inside the engine bay and contained important information used to identify the vehicle when ordering parts or confirming model specifications.

The identification plate generally reads:

Chrysler Australia Limited
Keswick, South Australia

Stamped onto the plate is the Vehicle Number, which identifies the model series and production sequence.

An example vehicle number may appear as:

AP1-3-611

In this example:

• AP1 identifies the vehicle as part of the Chrysler Royal AP1 series

• 3 indicates a three-speed manual transmission with overdrive

• 611 represents the individual production number

Chrysler Royal vehicles assembled in Australia were built using a combination of imported mechanical components and locally produced body and trim parts at Chrysler’s Keswick plant in South Australia.

Chrysler Royal AP1 Engine Number Location

The engine number is another important identification reference when servicing or restoring a Chrysler Royal.

On Chrysler Royal AP1 models, the engine number is stamped directly onto the engine block. This stamping allowed Chrysler dealers and mechanics to quickly confirm the engine specification when ordering replacement components or carrying out mechanical repairs.

The identification plate fitted to the vehicle advises that the engine number is located on the:

Left-hand side of the engine block

The stamping is typically found on a machined flat section of the block, which may need to be cleaned to make the number clearly visible.

Because engine replacements were not uncommon during the life of many classic vehicles, confirming the stamped engine number is often one of the first steps when identifying the correct parts for a Chrysler Royal.

Why These Identification Details Matter

The Chrysler Royal AP1 model codes, vehicle number and engine number are frequently referenced in workshop manuals and factory service documentation.

Correctly identifying these details helps ensure that the appropriate specifications, parts and service procedures are used when maintaining or restoring these vehicles.

Chrysler Royal Workshop Manual

Detailed service procedures, specifications and technical information for these vehicles are covered in the Chrysler Royal workshop manual available from Car Manuals Direct.

The manual includes maintenance instructions, engine specifications, transmission servicing procedures and detailed repair information for Chrysler Royal vehicles produced during the late 1950s.