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Steelcraft / Murray Chrysler

   1948 Model Murray Chrysler

Pedal Vehicle Identification

This information is based on Manufacturers Sales Catalogs and eleven years of restoration experience and side by side comparisons.  This article shows the differences between the early 1941 - 1946  and the Late 1947 & 1948 Steelcraft / Murray Chrysler more commonly known as the “41 Chrysler”.

The first notable difference is the hood ornaments and there location.    The early production cars (Photo #1)  have a cast Brass Hood Ornament and it is located 2” from the hood seam.  The late production cars (Photo #2)  use a stamped steel Ornament that is located 2 1/8” from the hood seam. This ornament is the same one used the Murray Pontiac and the Dipside Champions.

  #1   #2

The second difference is the way the grills are painted On the early cars only the insets are painted Photo #3.  On the early cars the trim color is carried up the hood to the windshield  Photo # 4.   On the late production  car the trim color stops just below the light pods Photo #3 & 4.  

#3   #4

The Steering Wheels are the third difference.  The Early Pedal Cars use the 3-spoke as opposed to the 2-spoke.  The early Cars Steering Wheel mounts to the Steering Shaft in the vertical (up & down) position.  The late production car uses the single bar steering wheel and the “Double D” runs  horizontal from side to side.  (Photo #5) The fourth difference is the rear fender emblem.  As can be seen in Photo #6  the 1941 - 1946 is very different than the 1947 - 1948 in design, size and location.

#5        #6

The last three differences include:

The pedal hangers on the 1941 - 1946 have a diameter of 11/32” and the 1947 - 1948 model measures 3/8” or .375.   The 1948 model has an embossed area in the bend of the saddle; this was done to add strength.  Photo #7  The last difference is the strength rib stamped into the wheels of the late model cars.  Photo #8 These ribs do not appear on the early model car wheels.

  #7      #8

We have seen and heard of some pretty weird wheel and hub cap combinations over the years including a original Steelcraft with artillery wheels.  It was a 100% original Pedal Car.  We have learned over the years of restoring cars that most of these discrepancies were done in the factory.  Steelcraft / Murray did whatever it took to fill the order and that included putting what parts were in stock on the car.     It also appears that when there was a model change in the Pedal Cars that Steelcraft / Murray used up any old stock parts they had on hand before they started using the new stock.  Naturally some parts ran out sooner than others.

 Steelcraft / Murray Chrysler Models from 1941 - 1948

1948 was the last time we found the Chrysler  in the Murray catalogs, but that does not mean that others were produced or that excess stock wasn’t sold in later years.

All information has been researched & compiled by:  Dave and Sno Kleespies

D & S Pedal Car Restorations   *   15257 S. 24th St.  *  Phoenix, AZ. 85048

Phone 480-759-5131 

dspedalcars@qwest.net   *   http://www.dspedalcarrestorations.com

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