Tri-tone paint right from the 1956 brochure makes this 1956 Chrysler New Yorker Two-Door St. Regis Hard Top stand out in a crowd, and a first-generation hemi’ V8 backs up that style with performance. This Rapid City, South Dakota classic “runs good,” according to the listing on Facebook Marketplace. The $10,500 asking price buys what looks like an honest albeit imperfect Chrysler with solid potential. Thanks to reader T.J. for spotting this fifties hardtop.
Space-age wraparound glass comes with a wraparound dash. Meet George Jetson! Elegant gauges with plenty of brightwork add class, and what’s more futuristic than a push-button transmission, newly offering three forward gears (up from two) for ’56? Brake and gas pedals the size of skateboards should be hard to miss after that three-martini lunch. Did you close that deal, Big Chief? Somebody might be getting a juicy bonus.
Just before the 1957 lineup went “fins to the moon,” Chrysler teased buyers with a slice of Forward Look in the outgoing fifty-sixes. Elegant fins extend to twin slanted towers aft uniting the quarter panel, tail lights, and bumper tips. While I love the bold ’57s, this St. Regis (and the DeSoto and Fury) from ’56 demonstrate the baton pass to Virgil Exner’s vision of the future.
The ground-breaking Hemi’ hit the scene in 1951 at 180 HP, big news at a time when folks bragged of V8s making just over 100 HP. Chrysler continued tweaking the potent powerplants, hitting 300 HP and inspiring the name “Chrysler 300” by ’55. These early hemi’ engines earned accolades for performance and engineering, becoming a popular swap for hot rods of all brands. With hemispherical combustion chambers and other design advantages, this “Firepower” V8 made 280 HP (gross) from its 354 cid (5.8 L) displacement. Plug wire covers over the cylinder head-central plugs make a clean look under the hood. Thanks to Lov2xlr8 and Wikipedia for some details. This St. Regis might make a hard sell for anyone planning to pay for a restoration and turn a profit, but how about just making it safe and driving it around? You bet I’d consider it. Do you prefer the subtle fins of this 1956 St. Regis or the fintastic ’57s?
The 3 speed TorqueFlite was a late model year option in `56.
The 2 speed PowerFlite was still standard.
The photo provided in the Marketplace ad does not show which transmission it has, and it is not mentioned.
So I assume it is a 2 speed PowerFlite.
David, the 3-speed Torqueflite arrived sometime in the spring of `56, so probably not that many equipped with it. I agree; very likely a 2-speed Powerflight.
When my uncle sold these he had one that was teal blue and black. I was kind of young back then but I remember it well. If something like this came my way, I might be tempted to paint it with the same color scheme…
The ’55-56 Exner designs were tastefully done. All the Chry-co cars were handsome during those years. This car needs that powerful hemi. It’s a heavy car, and the hemi was also a torque monster. If I was to buy this car and repaint it, I’d keep the red and white but paint the top black.
Only four pictures? Put a little effort in why don’t ya? I do prefer these Chryslers to what came later. Needs vintage AC and some tunes and ride.
Hey Fox Owner. True, but the seller captured the entire vehicle in the frame of both exterior shots and showed both sides, at least part of the front and rear, interior, and engine, more than most people can manage these days. Probably the best four-shot post I’ve seen in a while, but more would be nice. Thanks for your comment!
I would have to get a vanity plate “FILBIN”
A number of years ago I saw a series in a magazine of a restoration project for a convertible version of this car. It turns out that the structure is extremely complex and the work was very difficult. The result was outstanding and I’m sure that the owner was well underwater by completion. It was a beauty though in a salmon color.
A beautiful care and well worth “light” restoration and maintenance. Almost for sure a Powerflite. Need to see the transmission push buttons in full to tell. Powerflites had 4 buttons, Torqueflites used 5 buttons. Either way, a great car and would make a wonderful weekend cruiser.
My very first car when I was 17 was a 56 Chrysler, I think it was a NewYorker, it had a std. engine, no hemi, it wouldn’t even get out of it’s own way. Probably good for a punk to learn to drive in. Good luck seller!
I really like the old car. Different from the run of the mill. Could be cleaned up and air/tunes added for a daily or semi daily at least.
My Dad had a 1956 Chrysler 2 door fadded red paint and a hemi in the mid 1970’s. I was between 5 and 7 years old at the time and still remember that car. He said it was a tank of a car in the snow in New jersey. It was just a used 20 year old car then. He got rid of it to a local gas station owner for a couple of hundred dollars because the exhaust manifolds were leaking and rusted.
That car has some nice lines. And a Baby Hemi doesn’t hurt either.
Actually, Mark, I think that’s the full Monty there. It does say, “Fire Power.” I’m sure the baby hemis had “Red Ram” on them.
Hot Heads has all kinds of performance parts for these You won’t get Hellcat power but you could possibly get 400 hp I believe they also have adapters for modern transmissions
Screams old-school cool.