1955 Chrysler Cars Described

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1955 CHRYSLER CARS DESCRIBED

1955 CHRYSLER - GENERAL: The 100 Million Dollar Look, designed by Virgil Exner, brought the buying public an all new car from stem to stern. The six-cylinder engine was gone from any Chrysler. There were now only two lines: Windsor DeLuxe and New Yorker DeLuxe - and later the Chrysler 300. The models were paired down to 2 distinct 2-door hardtops in both lines, a 4-door sedan, Convertible, and Wagon. The lesser-trim 2-door Hardtop was intended to replace the now defunct 2-door Club Coupe. The long wheelbase models were gone, with this type of car sent to the Imperial line. Windshields were now of the wraparound style as were the rear windows on the hardtop and sedan, Tail lamps were integrated into a chrome housing which began at the top of the rear fender and dropped toward the bumper. Backup lamps were affixed to the panel beneath the deck lid. A new, highly touted feature was the dash-mounted shift lever for the Powerflite automatic transmission. In February of 1955 the Chrysler 300 debuted, while truly a separate line, it carried a New Yorker model number C-68-300.

1955 WINDSOR DELUXE C67 (Poly 8-Cylinder): For the Windsor, the new power plant was a 301 CID V-8, using a de- bored Hemi block and new "Polysphere" semi-hemi heads. See the attached image for a description of how a Polysphere head differs from a Hemi. The other big news was that there were now a pair of two-door hardtops in the line. The low-trim version essentially replaced the Club Coupe and was named the "Nassau". The high-trim version continued as the "Newport" as before. Later in the model year another Newport was offered, with slightly modified trim borrowed from the 1955 New Yorker St. Regis. Depending upon the color ordered, these late versions were named "Green Falcon" or "Blue Heron" and came in 2 and 4-door versions. The 4-door sedans used the same trim package as the 2-door Newport. Windsor DeLuxe grilles were identical with the upgraded New Yorker, except the Windsor used round parking lamps while the New Yorker had parking lamps that were a part of the upper bumper guard. Lower grille areas behind the bumper were also different on the Windsor DeLuxe.

1955 NEW YORKER DELUXE SERIES C68 (Hemi 8-Cylinder): The top-of-the-line New Yorker DeLuxe continued the use of the 331 CID Hemi engine, with horsepower increased to 250 due mostly to the increased compression ratio - now at 8.5:1. The two-door hardtop came in two flavors, as a standard Newport or an upgraded interior trim version called the "St. Regis" - noted for its unique two-tone paint. Later, a summer sales special used the St. Regis curved upper body side trim on the standard New Yorker DeLuxe Newport, providing a rather unusual two-toning effect. Minor lower grille and bumper alterations in the front and a different rear bumper treatment set the New Yorker apart from its Windsor sister. New Yorker DeLuxe nameplates were placed at the rear of the body side color sweep on standard cars. On the St. Regis, it was toward the rear, below the horizontal molding.

1955 CHRYSLER 300 SERIES C68-300 (Hemi 8-Cylinder): The most powerful automobile of the year sported a much modified 331 CID hemi-engine developing 300 horsepower. Two four-barrel carburetors, a full race camshaft and heavy-duty suspension, coupled with the grille from the Imperial, Windsor parking lights, and full leather interior, marked this car as something special. Chrysler 300s were only available in one color: Paint Code 30 Platinum. The 300 packed performance and styling combined in one package of such magnitude, that it created a true "muscle car" aura whose line would last for more than a decade and go through letters B through L with great performance that would end with an increase from the original 300 in cubic inches of almost 100 and horsepower to match. Initially, the 300 was only equipped with Powerflite automatic transmission, but later in the year the Windsor's 3-speed manual could be special ordered. The 300 would go on to dominate NASCAR and USAC stock car racing in 1955

MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA:

 Windsor DeLuxe serial numbers. Windsor DeLuxes built in Detroit were numbered from W55-1001 to W55- 92194. Los Angeles built cars numbered from W55L-1001 to W55L-4777. Motor numbers started at WE55-1001.  New Yorker DeLuxe serial numbers. Detroit built cars serial numbers were from N55-1001 to N55-4939. Los Angeles built cars serial numbers were from N55L¬1001 to N55L-3560. Motor numbers began with NE55-1001.  Chrysler 300 serial numbers. Serial numbers for the Detroit only built Chrysler 300 were from 3N55-1001 to 3N55-2724. Motor numbers began with 3NE55-1001 All serial numbers were located on the left front door hinge post. Windsor DeLuxe, Poly V-8 engine numbers and New Yorker DeLuxe and Chrysler 300 Hemi V-8 engine numbers were located at the front of the engine block, between the heads, under the water outlet elbow. No code numbers were provided for identification of body/style type.

BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS: (Colors in parenthesis only colors available for the 300)

 Desert Sand  1 Black (300)  5 Wisteria Blue  6 Rhapsody Blue  7 Crown Imperial Blue  11 Porcelain Green  12 Shantung Green  13 Jade Green  14 Crown Imperial Green  16 Skyline Gray  17 Embassy Gray  20 Canyon Tan  25 Tango Red (300)  26 Crown Imperial Maroon  27 Navajo Orange  30 Platinum (300)  31 Nugget Gold Continued –

CHRYSLER ENGINES:

 Windsor DeLuxe Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Polyspherical combustion chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 300.5 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.63" x 3.63". Horsepower: 188 @ 4400 R.P.M. Torque: 275 foot- pounds at 2400 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Compression ratio: 8.0:1. Carburetor: Standard Shift: Carter BBD 2180S or 2180SA or 2180SB. Powerflite: BBD 2162Sor 2162SA or 2162SB.

 New Yorker DeLuxe Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331.1 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.81" x 3.63". Horsepower: 250 @ 4600 R.P.M. Torque: 340 foot- pounds at 2800 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Carburetor: Carter 4- barrel WCFB 2126S.

 Chrysler 300 Series Engine. V-8 overhead valve, Hemispherical Combustion Chambers. Cast Iron Block. Displacement: 331.1 CID. Bore and stroke: 3.81" x 3.63". Horsepower: 300 @ 5200 R.P.M. Torque: 345 foot- pounds at 3200 RPM. Five main bearings. Solid lifters with full-race camshaft. Compression ratio: 8.5:1. Carburetors: 2 Carter 4-barrels WCFB 2126.

CHASSIS:  Wheelbase: Windsor and New Yorker models - 126.0".  Overall length: All Windsor models 218.6", All New Yorker and Chrysler 300 models 218.8".  Tires: Windsor - 7.60 x 15, New Yorker and 300 - 8.00 x 15, New Yorker, 300, and Town & Country with wire wheels - 8.20 x 15.

POWERTRAIN OPTIONS:

 Windsor DeLuxe. Three-speed manual transmission standard with Powerflite automatic transmission optional.  New Yorker Deluxe. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission standard.  Chrysler 300. Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission standard, three-speed manual transmission special order.

SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS:

 Air Temp air-conditioning. (Except Convertible, Town & Country, and 300).  Back up lights. (Not Available on 300).  Electric Window Lifts.  Fog lights.  Heater.  Heavy Duty Generator  Leather trim (New Yorker, standard on 300).  Map light (standard in Newport and Convertible).  Outside rear view mirror. (Not Available on 300).  Power brakes. Standard on Town & Country  Power seat.  Power steering.  Power windows.  Powerflite automatic Transmission (on Windsor).  Radio.  Rear seat radio speaker.  Solex tinted glass.  Spot lamps.  Two-tone paint.  White sidewall tires.  Windshield washers.  Wire spoke wheel rims.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The Chrysler and Imperial lines for 1955 were introduced November 17, 1954. Chrysler Town and Country station wagons were added to the line January 5, 1955. The Chrysler 300 was added to the line February 10, 1955. Chrysler took second place in the high-priced sales field this model year - Chrysler was back!

PRODUCTION: Chrysler production for 1955 totaled 152,777 See the attached chart for the detailed model breakout.

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CAR IMAGES

Introduced on February 10, 1955, the Chrysler 300 (so named for its 300 HP Hemi V- 8) was a New Yorker hardtop with an Imperial nose and Windsor parking lights. The 300 was an immediate hit, with 1,725 sold in a short model year.

The Chrysler 300 logo. It would be similar in 1956, but then morph into a very recognizable image carried on from 300C through 300K.

CAR IMAGES

The 1955 Chrysler New Yorker St. Regis replaced the Newport as the top end 2-door Hardtop, featuring an upgraded interior. 11,076 copies of this model were sold in this year.

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CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1955 New Yorker Convertible sales increased by almost 30% over 1954, showing that styling and power sold cars.

Always the sales leader in the New Yorker line, the 1955 4-door Sedan sent 33,342 to the hands of buyers.

The tried and true New Yorker Newport did well, but was slotted to replace the old Club Coupe. The result was that only 5,777 left the factory.

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CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1955 Town & Country Wagon sales stayed even with 1954, even with the new styling. Perhaps wagon owners didn't care as much about looks.

The 1955 Windsor Convertible now had V8 power and the result was that it almost tripled its '54 sales.

The 1955 Windsor Newport replaced the old Club Coupe. By moving downstream in interior appointments, sales skyrocketed to 13,126!

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CAR IMAGES Continued

The 1955 Windsor 4-door sedan with V8 power had its sales increase by over 30%.

The 1955 Windsor Town & Country Wagon had V8 power, but sales were flat. Apparently wagon owners were not impressed.

The 1955 Windsor Nassau 2-door Hardtop, had a much higher level of trim than the Newport. Over 18 thousand buyers cashed in on that and its 188 HP Hemi V-8.

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Styling Changes for 1955

The New Yorker and Windsor were most easily identifiable by the different hood ornaments, parking lights, and front bumper bar. Both used the same grille but the front fascia had different logos.

The Chrysler 300 was a New Yorker Hardtop with a Chrysler Imperial fascia - except it used Windsor parking lights and no hood ornament. The 300 had its own unique logo.

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CAR IMAGES Continued – Changes for 1955

The Powerflite automatic transmission shifter was on the dash and unique to 1955. Push buttons would replace it next year.

Engine Improvements for 1955

The Windsor's Polyspherical head V8 was an attempt to lower engine production costs yet use many Hemi parts. Chrysler Poly Heads used scalloped valve covers.

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Engine Improvements for 1955 Continued

The Chrysler 300 sported two 4-barrel carburetors, a hot mechanical camshaft and other improvements. The result was 300 street horsepower. Astounding in 1955.