- Seller: H C (Contact)
- Location: Tucker, Georgia
- Mileage: 00000 Shown
- Chassis #: 7084985
- Title Status: Missing
- Engine: 323 cui Straight-8
- Transmission: Fluid Drive Automatic
With its long hood, compact passenger compartment, and enormous rear deck, this 1948 Chrysler New Yorker Business Coupe has a presence all its own. The three-window body gives it an unusual profile, while a Spitfire straight-eight provides the power. If you enjoy postwar Chryslers, this one offers plenty to appreciate, along with a few projects for its next owner. It is located in Tucker, Georgia, and is being offered here as a Barn Finds Auction.
The black finish shows its age, including deterioration on the deck lid and areas of surface corrosion. Its repaint history is uncertain, so buyers should view it as an older finish without assuming it is factory-applied paint. The seller says the car has spent much of its life garaged. The bumpers have reportedly been replated or replaced, and the exterior trim includes a full set of hubcaps. There is room for cosmetic improvement, although the next owner could take a preservation approach and concentrate on making it more usable.
Under the hood is a 323-cubic-inch Spitfire straight-eight, described by the seller as original, with Fluid Drive. The seller reports that it runs, drives, and stops. Reported work includes rebuilding the carburetor and fuel pump, cleaning the tank and fuel lines, and replacing the points, condenser, distributor rotor, plug wires, coil, and battery. Brake work includes replacement shoes, hardware, wheel cylinders, lines, and master cylinder. The seller also reports replacing and packing the front wheel bearings and renewing the wheel studs. It retains a six-volt electrical system, and the older bias-ply tires need replacement before regular road use.
The seats and door panels have been reupholstered in a red Highlander-style plaid pattern. A previous owner also painted the dashboard and interior trim bright red and installed the red carpeting, which the seller acknowledges is not period-correct. The headliner is described as original and shows its age. The radio, clock, and chrome dashboard details remain, but their presence should not be mistaken for confirmed operation. The radio needs attention, including a replacement speaker, and the seller reports repainting the speaker cover.
There are several remaining jobs to consider. A replacement speedometer cable has been installed, but the instrument cluster still needs attention, and the fuel gauge and sending unit are reported inoperative. The seller says the ammeter, oil-pressure gauge, and temperature gauge work. The heater is included but disconnected, and the sale includes new door sills, a sun shield, and the original front bumper guards. Mileage is unknown, and the car is offered on a bill of sale without a title. For someone who enjoys preserving and improving an unusual postwar coupe, this Chrysler could make an interesting project. What would you tackle first?
Bid On This Auction
Nosnhoj bid $6,800.00 2026-10-27 10:58:14
Larry B bid $5,800.00 2026-10-21 11:28:29
JIMMY C. bid $800.00 2026-10-20 15:42:50
David Allen Scalf bid $200.00 2026-10-20 11:15:46
A wonderful condition vintage car, the likes of which are fast disappearing, never to be seen again.
New Yorkers were the top of the line in those days. I imagine the less deluxe Windsor series comprised most of the business coupe sales.
Too bad about the missing title.
I believe in Georgia, after 10 years old, all you need is a Bill of Sale. It was that way at one time
Buy it, check it over, drive it EVERY chance you get! Business coupes are my favorite!
So I have a ’47 New Yorker business coupe, fully restored. I was at a gas station filling it up when this man started yelling at me, “Let me tell you something!” He came over, gave me a big bear hug, and said, “I’m from Detroit and that’s how we do it right there!”.
That is why we drive these cars.
I’m curious, these questions go out to HC also. The dash is painted to match the interior fabric. Is this correct? I would have thought that they would have had the painted woodgrain. Is there anything different mechanically on the Canadian models? What about (aboot?) interior and trim?
The previous owner had painted the interior steel dash, a fire engine red color that was not period correct, and looked bad IMO. The new pictures of the Burgundy color on the dash, is something I recently did. That color is more period correct. Wood grain dashes came in the same year Town and Country and maybe in some of the Imperials, but not in the New Yorkers.
So ugly, it’s cool.
The first I’d do is figure out how to get a title. Without that it’s a parts car.
Not really. Most states have procedures where you can get a title issued from a bill of sale, although you probably would want to do a VIN check before purchasing or see if the seller can get a replacement title issued.
I’ve had this car for 2 yrs and have had time to do some research on its history. It was originally a Canadian car, that was definitely garaged all its life to have survived in this condition. Canada doesn’t have or issue car titles like we do here in the states. Its registration only. And all US states are different. My state, Georgia has exceptions for certain year vintage cars like this, and only requires a Bill of sale. States like Virginia, and PA are very strict on title requirements for vintage year cars like this.
It’s a running and driving survivor, and too nice and original to be a parts car. If you live in a state that has extreme restrictions for titles, it’s probably not for you.
Depends on how restrictive your state is on registering vintage cars without titles. Many states like Georgia and others are more flexible. And a bill of sale is all that is required.
Gs. Does not title on 1985 back ..Bill of sale ,inspection all is needed to register ..or can be titled if owners requests
Here the result of the last auction last year of the same car:
https://barnfinds.com/bf-auction-1948-chrysler-new-yorker-business-coupe/
I am curious, if the seller will be willing to part with it now for a similar price.
No, I would not part with it for that price. It’s reserve price has been lowered, but there were higher offers made that last time as well. This car needs to be garage kept again. At the moment, I can only provide an enclosed carport for it.
I have a 48 Dodge 3 Window business coupe with good running flathead 6 cylinder engine with title for $3500
In New Mexico
I placed a bid on sellers New Yorker as it is a great car although sounds like his reserve price will be out of reach for me
Judging by last years high bid of $9500 he will not accept this time either.
No, I couldn’t accept that price, because it’s alot less than I paid for it. And that doesn’t make sense. These New Yorker 3 win dow Business Coupes with straight 8s are pretty rare.
There were thousands more of 48 Dodge models with flat head sixes that were produced, than there were 48 New Yorker trim level, Business Coupes with straight eights. Its like comparing Apples to Oranges.
One of the ugliest car designs ever birthed. Looks like a platypus 🤣‼️Only Chrysler could hatch something like this.
You know the old saying about opinions and AHs, everybody has got one.
I resent that comment, I own a 1949 Nash Airflyte 600 2dr Sedan and some people claim that IT is the ugliest car ever made! LOL
Used to see lots of these, but the Dodge version was more common.
I have a dodge version of this …my hood opens in halves from the sides … noticed this one is 1 piece ,front opening..didn’t know that until now
These hoods were called Alligator hoods, that replaced the earlier side to side hood styles.
Never thought I’d see a New Yorker business coupe transformed into a Toon Town car, but with that interior…here ya go!
That is actually the Highlander style interior, which was a very desirable version of these cars and is also seen in the Town and Country.
It does have a very Dick Tracy look about it.
HC, I just want to compliment your Chrysler. Business coupes are one of my absolute favorite body styles, no matter what make or model. But this Chrysler version is very nice, very classy. It’s not something you see every day. Best wishes on the sale, and to the new owner, hope it goes to a good new home ( and garage). And also, thank you for all the great photos as well, we ALL wish folks would have more photos when they’re selling something.
That flat straight 8 sure does sound smooth! Very nice driver. I can’t but will keep watch anyway.
As noted in an above comment yes this same New Yorker Business Coupe was listed in 2025 here on Barn Finds with a high bid of $9500 which did not meet the reserve of $25000 !!
It has NO TITLE as Owner does say.
Bonded titles are necessary in this case for most states the process in each state varies
If in fact when a vin inspection does turn up a record of previous ownership then it gets complicated .
Any interested buyer needs to find out what is required for buying a vintage car without a title, in their state. A Bill of sale is acceptable in many states, and then there are others where it is not, and may not be worth the trouble. The reserve price has been lowered and I Don’t think you’re correct about that reserve price on that last listing.
What intrigues me is you see a lot of the Chrysler Thunderbolt with the top up in it.
These models were pretty rare, only 699 ever made as a 48 New Yorker, 3 window Business Coupe. There were more regular coupes made, but not this one. Probably only a very few that have survived to this condition.
Yes, rare, especially in New Yorker trim level. I researched these cars thoroughly once I became interested in them and finally found one. I could only find about 6-7 prior sales online. The Dodge version comes up more often but they tend to be total project cars. You see maybe 1-2 per year that come up. Besides low survival rate, a lot of them were turned into hot rods due to the exaggerated looks.
Good luck with the auction!
Some good photos including underside. One photo shows a grease nipple that is the same dry tan color as metal, so it hasn’t seen grease in maybe years. That should be one of the first thing easy things to do.
I remember and commented on this car last auction. It is very appealing to me. And yes this is a rare bird. The problem as I see it revolves less around what the seller’s bottom line might be and more about the ever shrinking market. The old hobbyists like me who would want this car can’t justify buying it at the seller’s probable reserve. Presently the high bid is $5,800 and with one day to go it may not be bid to the same price as last year. This is really too bad because it is a very nice car and the seller seems to be very transparent. Well, GLWTS.
Don’t these usually feature 3 bumper guards and over-riders? That’s how I remember them at any rate.
Could have been what my father called “watso bars” back in the 50s. They seemed to be a common aftermarket item back then.
In the ad it says that it comes with the bumper guards. Bumpers were replated or replaced, the bumper guards were not.