If you were watching a major parade anywhere in this country in the 1950's, chances are you saw the dignitaries riding in a majestic Chrysler Imperial Parade Phaeton. In 1952 the Chrysler Corporation donated three parade cars: One stationed in Los Angeles (cream with rose interior), one in Detroit to serve the Midwest (metallic green with natural pigskin interior) and one in New York City (black with light gray interior). The New York City Parade Phaeton is maintained by the DCAS Office of Transportation Services and has been a fixture in tickertape parades up Broadway's Canyon of Heros for over 50 years.

The body of the New York City Phaeton was handmade and outfitted with several features necessary for a parade car -- a front and rear windshield to protect dignitaries from the wind, a leather cushion along the backseat so the passenger could be seen above the crowds, flag holders along the grill, and even a red carpet on the floor. The most unusual aspect of the Phaeton is the dual passenger compartments. Front and rear cockpits are completely separate, divided by a second steel cowl behind the front seat. Both compartments had clocks and in one publicity photo the clocks showed different times prompting spectators to wonder if the Phaeton was so long that front and rear passengers rode in different time zones! Another interesting feature of the car is that it has no outside door handles. Passengers have to reach into the car to open the doors.