1953 CHRYSLER CARS DESCRIBED 1953 CHRYSLER - GENERAL: In a major change, the Saratoga nameplate was dropped and replaced by the New Yorker nameplate, with the original New Yorker renamed New Yorker DeLuxe. Chrysler officials had determined that there were too many nameplates in the Chrysler line - confusing buyers. Now the line consisted of Windsor, Windsor DeLuxe and the New Yorker and New Yorker DeLuxe. In a downsizing switch, all Chryslers sat on the old Saratoga/Windsor wheelbase of 125.5 inches. The only long wheelbase remaining was the 139.5-inch wheelbase used on the 8-passenger sedans, now labeled Windsor and New Yorker. The New Yorker limousine replaced the Saratoga nameplate in this model. Most sheet metal panels were carried forward, continuing the styling of 1951-1952. However, in reacting to the critics of the brand’s stodgy styling, two major changes were made. One was to redesign the roof line with more rearward slope. The second was to add a one-piece curved windshield - the first since the Chrysler Airflow of 1934-1937. Minor revisions were made to the tail lamps and the grille. Parking lamps were located on a separate pod below the headlamps and between the upper and lower wraparound grille bars. Chrysler added a third grille bar to the New Yorker which encompassed the parking lamps. The Club Coupe now became more sedan-like in style. All wagons and eight-passenger cars continued to use the 1951-1952 Windsor rear fenders including trim and tail lamps. The gas filler was now located below the deck lid on the left side, except on those models using the earlier style fenders. Big news was the introduction of the Powerflite fully automatic two-speed transmission that debuted late in the model year, in June 1953, replacing Fluid Drive. It was so popular over 35.000 were installed in Chryslers by the end of the model year. Air conditioning and chromed wire wheels made their appearance as new options. INNOVATIONS: Powerflite fully automatic two-speed transmission and air conditioning. 1953 WINDSOR SERIES 60-1 (6-CYL): The Windsor remained the low-price Chrysler offering. It still offered the Club Coupe, the 4-door Sedan, the Town & Country wagon and the 8 passenger 4-door sedan. Chrysler doggedly stuck to the lowly 119 HP L-Head six-cylinder power plant for these cars. 1953 WINDSOR DELUXE C60-2 (6-CYL): The Windsor DeLuxe, the upgraded version of the base Windsor, featured only three body styles: 4-door sedan, Convertible and the Newport Hardtop. Styling was identical to the base Windsor series, with only upgraded interior finish as a distinction. "Windsor DeLuxe" appeared on the fenders to denote the model. Windsor rear fender stone shields were noted for their stylized horizontal bumps. Rear tail lamps used an integrated backup lens with the upper red lens divided vertically. 1953 NEW YORKER C56-1 - 8-CYLINDER: The Saratoga nameplate was replaced by “New Yorker” moniker, and was found on the front fenders. In this third year of the Hemi V-8, it was continued with the same configuration of 331 CID and 180 horsepower. Major styling changes paralleled the Windsor changes, although there were grille and rear fender splash shield differences. The 'V' insignia was affixed to the hood and rear deck lid and denoted the hemi-engine power plant. The eight-passenger and Town & Country wagons used the 1951-1952 style rear fenders and trim. A popular option was two-tone paint. 1953 NEW YORKER DELUXE SERIES C56-2 - 8-CYLINDER: The top-of-the-line Chrysler was now the New Yorker DeLuxe. The DeLuxe offered an additional body style over the base New Yorker, the convertible coupe. Deleted from this model was the eight-passenger sedan and Town & Country station wagon. The upholstery was notably upgraded. Nameplates were located on the front fender above the wheelhouse opening. Powerflite became standard equipment late in the model year, replacing the Fluid Drive/Fluid-Torque Drive transmissions. New Yorker DeLuxe series cars were now also built in the Los Angeles facility. MODEL/ENGINE I.D. DATA: Windsor serial numbers. Detroit built cars used serial numbers from 70110001 to 70140156. Los Angeles built cars used serial numbers 65011001 to 6013020. Motor numbers ranged from C53-1001 to C53-82918. They were interspersed with Windsor DeLuxe numbers, sequentially as engines were built. Windsor DeLuxe serial numbers. Windsor DeLuxes built in Detroit were numbered from 71005001 to 71050872. Los Angeles built cars were numbered from 67040001 to 67043434. Motor numbers ranged from C53-1001 to C53- 82918. They were interspersed with Windsor numbers, sequentially as engines were built. New Yorker serial numbers. Detroit built cars serial numbers were from 76540001 to 76585872. Los Angeles built cars serial numbers were from 66506001 to 66509462. Motor numbers began with C53-8-1001 to C53-8- 86292. They were interspersed with New Yorker DeLuxe numbers, sequentially as engines were built. New Yorker DeLuxe serial numbers. Serial numbers for the New Yorkers were from 7222001 to 7245465. Los Angeles built cars serial numbers were from 69001001 to 69003868. Motor numbers began with C53-8-1001 to C53-8-86292. They were interspersed with regular New Yorker numbers, sequentially as engines were built. All serial numbers were located on the left front door hinge post. Windsor I-6 motor numbers were found on the left side of the engine block below the cylinder head between the first and second cylinders. New Yorker and New Yorker DeLuxe Hemi V-8 engine numbers were located at the front of the engine block, between the heads, under the water outlet elbow. All Series - no code numbers were provided for identification of body/style type. BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS: 5 Arctic Blue 6 Erie Blue 7 Niagara Blue 8 Columbia Blue 9 Potomac Blue Continued – Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. BODY PAINT CODE/COLORS Continued 20 Vermont Green 21 Foliage Green 22 Everglades Green 35 Pearl Gray 37 Submarine Gray 45 Caravan Beige 46 Cinnamon 47 Cocoa Brown 60 Hollywood Maroon 61 Pimento Red 65 Casino Cream CHRYSLER ENGINES: Windsor and Windsor DeLuxe Series Engine. L-head six-cylinder. Cast iron block. 264.5 cubic inches. Bore and stroke: 3.438 x 4.75 inches. Compression ratio: 7.0:1. Horsepower: 119 @ 3600 RPM. Torque: 218 ft. lbs. @ 1600 RPM. Five main bearings. Carburetor: Standard shift - Ball and Ball E9C, E9C1. Fluid Drive/ M-6 transmission: Ball and Ball E9A1. New Yorker and 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: 180 @ 4000 RPM. Torque: 312 ft. lbs. @ 2000 RPM. Five main bearings. Hydraulic valve lifters. Compression ratio: 7.5:1. Carburetor: Carter WCD 2-barrel 935S or 935SA. CHASSIS: Wheelbase: Windsor and New Yorker long wheelbase models - 139.5" All Others - 125.5". Overall length: Long wheelbase cars: 222.1" All Others: 211.0". Tires: Long wheelbase cars - 8.20 x 15, Short wheelbase cars - All Windsors 7.60 x 15, All New Yorkers 8.00 x 15. POWERTRAIN OPTIONS: Windsor. Three-speed manual transmission standard with Fluid Drive optional. Windsor DeLuxe, New Yorker and New Yorker DeLuxe. Fluid Drive hydraulically operated M-6 transmission standard. NOTE: June 1953 - Powerflite 2-speed automatic transmission replaced the Fluid Drive semi-automatic transmission. SIGNIFICANT OPTIONS: Electric windows lifts. Air conditioning. Exhaust deflector. Fluid-Torque Drive. Fog lamps. Heater. Locking gas cap. Outside Rear view mirror (both sides available). Power brakes. Power steering. Power windows. Powerflite Automatic Transmission (beginning June 1953). Radio. Solex glass. Spare tire valve extension. Sun visor. Two-tone paint. Windshield washer. Wire wheels. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: The 1953 Chrysler line was introduced in dealer showrooms on October 30, 1952. A new Chrysler, the Custom Imperial Newport, was added to the line March 18. 1953, Prices on most Chrysler models were lowered on March 25, 1953 between $27-274, depending on the model. The Powerflite transmission was introduced in June and over 35.000 were installed in Chryslers by the end of the model year. Continued – Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. PRODUCTION: Chrysler production for 1953 totaled 160,987. See the attached chart for the detailed model breakout. CAR IMAGES The 1953 Chrysler New Yorker DeLuxe Newport Hardtop was only number four on the high-priced Chrysler model list, but number one in sales of those big ticket models with 3,715 sold. Continued – Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. CAR IMAGES Continued For 1953 the Convertible moved down to the 125.5" wheelbase, but lost no interior room. At $4,025 base, it didn't lose anything in its selling price, either. The 1953 New Yorker Town & Country Wagon replaced the former Saratoga T&C model, and offered a nice interior. For 1953 the old Saratoga 8-passenger Sedan was now named a New Yorker but still rode on the 139.5" wheelbase. Continued – Copyright © Automotive History Preservation Society, All Rights Reserved. Contact: Librarian, PO Box 467, Perry MI or e-mail [email protected]. CAR IMAGES Continued The 1953 New Yorker 4-door Sedan was available in Standard and DeLuxe trim. 58,125 left the factory – a nice increase over 1952. The 1953 New Yorker 2-door Club Coupe had a much more modern roof line - the 1st since 1940, which resulted in a nice increase in sales over 1952.