This is one of those finds where maybe you don’t want to know what’s inside. It is a genuine barn find with a pretty creepy aura about it. It could make a storyline for a Stephen King novel. So while we’re waiting for that to happen, let’s examine this 1956 Chrysler Windsor in detail. It is located in Sebastopol (North Bay area), California, and is available, here on craigslist for $4,500. Thanks to Pat L. for this tip.

The seller states that though this Windsor has been parked for 30 years, it is a great project car. Unfortunately, it’s situated in such a fashion that it’s hard to get a good look at it in its entirety. There is plenty of observed surface rust but no mention of overall body or underside integrity; the listing is light on detail. It was painted a shade of blue, perhaps #5 Mediterranean Blue, at one time but the dust, dirt, and fading only gives a hint of this Windsor’s former stately appearance. The extensive stainless trim, however, appears to be all present.

The seller suggests that the interior of this 83K mile example is in “pretty good shape”. I can’t say that I would agree with that assessment. There is plenty of rust, mold, dust, and likely water spotting in various places. The bench seat has a blanket puller over the seat bottom so it’s hard to get a look at the upholstery. Whatever the case, it would seem this interior is going to need more than a general sprucing up. Of note is the push-button control for the automatic transmission, located far left, a Chrysler trademark.

For power, this Chrysler employes a 331 CI, polyspheric design “Spitfire” V8 engine that generates 225 gross HP.  The Polyspheric engine was produced from 1955 until 1958 and utilized the “Hemi” block but employed a different design cylinder head. The intention was to develop a lower-cost alternative to the Hemi. It would seem unlikely, however, that this is a running and driving automobile. The engine, when it does run, applies its motion through a PowerFlite automatic transmission.

The Windsor model was positioned to be Chrysler’s price leader and ranked beneath the New Yorker and the Imperial, which was not designated as a Chrysler model at all, but an actual Chrysler Corporation brand. That said, The Windsor was not limited in its model iterations as there were four-door hardtop and sedans, a two-door hardtop, a convertible, and station wagon versions. This 1956 example is the first of Chrysler’s new “Forward Look” designs and while reflecting Chief Designer, Virgil Exner’s styling influences, this Windsor is restrained compared to what came later. And as can be seen in the above publicity image of the Windsor’s grille, this Chrysler carried an attractive, balanced design.

It’s hard to value a car like this Windsor as one doesn’t really know what they’re getting here. Pulling this Chrysler out of its barn solace would wreck its “barn find” cachet but it would give prospective buyers a much better idea of what they’re in for in the event this car stirs their interest. The draw for a car like this Windsor is probably a bit limited but it is not entirely without potential buyers. Might you be one?