New Yorker

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Background:

New Yorker has almost always been the model name reserved for Chrysler's top of the line model -- Letter cars and when Imperial was not its own make excluded.

History:

The New Yorker name can be traced back to 1938, when Chrysler called it top of the line model the "New York Special". In 1939, the model name was changed to New Yorker, a name the stayed with Chrysler until the [LHS] was dropped in 1996.

Model Predecessor

[AirStream]

Model Successor

[Concorde]

Related Models

[Royal], [Newport], and [Saratoga] were all Chrysler's lesser model of the New Yorker.

Competition

Buick
Mercury
Edsel
Oldsmobile

Year by Year Changes, Production Numbers, and Cost:

1938-1948 Pre and Post War

The Flat Head Straight 8cyl motor and [Fluid Driv]e (Semi-Automatic) transmission were hardly leading edge technology, but were dependable. Like most cast immediately following WWII, the 1946-1948s were basically 1942 models with a different front end treatment.

Engines

323CI/135hp Flat Head

Transmissions

Specifications:

1949-1956 The Keller Cars

While the "Pontoon" front fenders disappeared for Chrysler's post war design, the cars had an unusually high roof-line, as dictated by Chrysler President [J. T. Keller], who felt men wanted to be able to wear their hat while driving. In 1953 Chrysler answered Cadillac and Oldsmobile's OHV V-8 with the introduction of the 331ci [Hemi] having 180hp.

Platform

Engines

323CI/135hp Flat Head through 1952
331CI/180-hp Hemi beginning 1953

Transmissions

Specifications:

1957-1961 Forward Look

1957 saw Chrysler's [Virgil Exner]'s huge fins on a longer, wider, and lower Chrysler. 1958 saw the New Yorker getting the 392ci/345hp Hemi to replace the 332.