Chrysler commercials in the mid-1960s would often tell the prospective buyer to “move up to Chrysler,” because in an era of monthly payments, a few extra dollars a month over a lower-priced car could buy one. Those ads were most often aimed at the price-leader Newport; however, 59 years later, it might be a good time to buy this well-documented 1966 New Yorker four-door hardtop, which has a lot of options and, if the seller and the paperwork are to be believed, 44,000 miles. It’s currently an auction on eBay in Stockton, California, with a high bid of $6,705 (although the reserve has not yet been met).
Not counting the separate marque Imperial, the New Yorker was the most luxurious car Chrysler Corporation offered in the 1960s, and one might argue that it was a smarter buy. In addition to a long list of standard equipment, it could be ordered with enough luxury options to resemble a little Imperial, if the term “little” could ever be applied to a New Yorker. This one has factory bucket seats (the driver’s seat is power-operated), working air conditioning, power windows, cruise control (not currently working), and “‘Safeguard Sentinel’ automatic lighting.” The seller says that although the car has had a “high-quality repaint in the original factory color,” the interior is original and preserved.
The New Yorker came standard with a 440 big block and a Torqueflite 727 automatic, but this car has the optional “TNT” 440, which had a twin-snorkel air cleaner and dual exhausts, which added up to 365 horsepower, 15 more than the standard 440.
The seller has a complete ownership history of the car going back to its original owner, one Mrs. Stillwell, who bought the car from Mid City Chrysler Plymouth in Arlington, Texas. The original owner passed it onto an heir in 2001, who sold it to a museum in St. Louis. Then, a collector in California bought it and refurbished it for the road. After passing through another owner in Palm Springs, the current owner bought it with the purpose of cruising Route 66, which they did.
The New Yorker has been so well-loved and preserved that it’s no surprise that the original “Vehicle Certicard,” which was a form of warranty card, remains with it.
The original wheels and wheel covers also remain with the car and will be included in the sale, in addition to a nearly new set of reproduction bias-ply tires. I think I’d install the originals and enjoy cruising in this most luxurious of 1966 Chryslers, interesting C-pillar vinyl covering and all. When a car this nicely maintained comes along, why not move up to Chrysler?
My lordy, I would drive the pants off this car.
When I saw the opening photo…. My first thought was…. The interior of Rex’s garage just might get a little tighter.
This NewYorker is absolutely beautiful. I’ve said before that we had a close family friend with a very dark green ’66 Newport. I still remember that steering wheel and that beautiful dash board. That dash is one of my all time favorite designs. This one is really well preserved and taken care of. Someones going to get a great car here.
Love Shack …. some of you should get it.
“It’s as big as a whale, and about to SET SAIL!”
I got me a Chrysler! It seats about twenty. Another I wish automobile.
Oh yeah, I get it!
When it comes to a hardtop, 4 doors make me want it more.
I had a white 440 – two door hardtop with burgundy sails, with the interior in a very interesting brocade pattern which matched. It rode like on a cloud. I wish I had never traded it off … as it got lost forever. The next time I saw it, was on a trailer headed to the salvage yard after juveniles destroyed it and others in a cold storage collectors garage at the edge of the city on a farm. A pickup with two older gents pulled into a service station and there it was minus all the glass with dozens of sledge hammer marks and dents everywhere. I silently wept for in the length of time I owned it, I cared for it well even though it only got 12-14 mpg on a good day. This beauty makes me wish to return to ownership and keep it till the day I die
Many of these also “died” in demo derbies.
it was a true survivor when I got it and nearly 20 years old
VERY few 4 doors stir my soul . This one Does !!
This is a beautiful Chrysler! I love the color of it! These cars rode like a dream. They were spacious. Six adults actually fit inside and that’s not counting to three dead bodies in the truck. You could push the accelerator down and it would throw you into the seat.Chrysler build spectacular sedan hardtop two door hardtop and wagon. Those days are over. Stellantis has killed Chrysler!
I agree, also adding the poor build quality and the Aspen-Volare fender recall disasters of the 70s.
Back then, a friend of mine worked in shop at a local dealer and would talk about repairing a lot of the cars that came off the truck before they could sell them.
This car is beautiful and while I almost always like sport rims, the original wheel covers go with this car better imo. They give the car a stately appearance which it should have.
There you are,Jon! Happy Empty Sausage Day! That’s Hollow Weenie! Yeah, I know! But I always have to let folks know I can still pull off a few tricks! IMO, the 65 and 66 New Yorkers were a huge improvement over those butt ugly 63 and 64. I’m about to head out on my Broughamstick hoping to find some treats and just maybe a TRICK! 😲.
My dad bought a 66 Newport new. I had the coldest factory A/C I’ve ever been around. Built like a tank!
This car makes me smile. In the area where I grew up in Detroit Michigan in the 1960s no one bought Chryslers, only Ford or GM, so to experience these beautiful, unique cars today is pretty cool!
Now this is one handsome 4 door.
This 1966 NY has to be one of the best survivors on the planet.
440 TNT and torsion bars.
* The interior seems like it was an upgrade, looking at the upper door panels.
Gold Lion pkg?
had 2 i bought from an original owner 18yrs ago. got them running but ended up passing them on to other people as they need a lot of work from sitting 25yrs prior to my buying them. they sure were cool
I owned one of those land yachts in my twenties. I bought it from a friend of mine for $75 (Yes, less than a hundred bucks!) because it had been sadly t-boned in the passenger side. Those doors wouldn’t even open but that 440 under the hood would scream all day long down the highway. What a car! I especially loved the grill. Talk about comfortable. It was a real cruiser and I could power brake at stop lights and freak the old folks out. I went through tires and gas like crazy and that engine just laughed at me. Great car. And wing windows!!!
Great story! My parents had a ’72 NYB coupe when I was in high school with a driver’s license. Lots of stoplight races left some shaking their heads, I took it past the 120 speedo mark once on a deserted VA freeway. Chrysler outdid its competitors with torsion bars and their big block 383/440s.
Lordy, this 66 New Yorker is just beautiful. I don’t mind 4 doors as long as it’s a hardtop version. No sedans please. The 440 and all the options check all the boxes for me. She was loved all her life and she deserves a good home.
Amazing beauty! That color and the “C” pillar are everything.
My Uncle Tom had a 1965 New Yorker in medium blue. He was rear ended, and he bought a 1966 New Yorker in medium blue. As beautiful as the 1965 was, the 1966 was more so. It had the same interior of this one in black.
My Uncle Jack had a 1966 Newport 4 door sedan in light blue.
My great uncle, Uncle Mid, had a 1966 New Yorker six window sedan in tan.
These were all on my mother’s side. My mother had a 1966 Chevrolet Impala. While it was a nice car, it didn’t have the status of a New Yorker.
BTW, a sister had a 1966 Plymouth Fury III. I guess 1966 was the year for new cars in the family.
It’s incredible to think we actually used to make cars like this at one time. Absolutely beautiful Chrysler. Love the color too. A no sell as the reserve wasn’t met but I don’t blame the seller for holding out for more.
Ended at $14,200.
Reserve Not Met.
28 bids.