Talk about a land barge, this 1965 Chrysler is one big wagon! We cover Ford and Chevy wagons from time to time on Barn Finds, and some Dodge and Plymouth intermediates too, but this New Yorker wagon is the first full-size Chrysler that I have encountered. Its profile really accentuates its size, so let’s look it over and see if this outsized rig is really as big as it looks. This Chrysler is located in Boulder City, Nevada and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $10,700 with nineteen bids tendered as of this writing.
Chrysler’s line-up in ’65 included the New Yorker, 300, and the Newport with body styles in four-door hardtops and sedans, two-door hardtops, two-door convertibles, and a pair of station wagons, six or nine-passenger, in either New Yorker or Newport/Town & Country trim. There was an Imperial in ’65 too but that’s really not considered a Chrysler branded automobile. So, how big is this New Yorker station wagon? The length is 219″, the width comes in at 79.5″ and the entire 121″ wheelbase package weighs 4,800 lbs. The slab-sidedness of this Chrysler makes it appear even larger still but 18’3″ of length is nothing to trivialize.
The seller claims that this 63K mile Chrysler was found in a Sacramento, California barn where it was peacefully slumbering for twenty-five years. It must have been a comfortable storage arrangement as this New Yorker looks pretty well preserved. The finish is flat but the body is mostly unmarred, certainly as it relates to any visible crash damage. And rust, for the most part, has been held in abeyance though the bumpers will need to be re-chromed. It also appears that all of the stainless trim is in place too – good to know as the station wagon-specific pieces are probably hard to track down. This station wagon had a vinyl roof cover, something not found often on wagons. In this case, it has disintegrated and fallen off but the underlying roof panel is sound. Note the wheel covers, they’re from a ’58 Imperial and work well with the wide-whites, but maybe not so well on this vintage New Yorker.
Power is provided via a 340 gross HP, 413 CI V8 engine spinning through a TorqueFlite three-speed automatic transmission. As referenced earlier, the odometer displays 63K miles which the seller thinks is correct but there is no authenticating documentation. If it is accurate, this engine should have some good life to it once it has been properly serviced. The seller adds, “It now currently runs and drives but will need some work to be 100% roadworthy“. He also mentions that some of the brake components have been replaced.
Inside, and there’s a lot of insides, we find disintegrating carpet and split seat upholstery. From what can be seen of the way back, it looks a bit weathered but not cargo damaged. The dash and instrument panel, however, still present well. The seller mentions that neither the radio nor the A/C is operable but all of the air conditioner components are present.
You can check out this New Yorker here, with a running and driving video. Old domestic station wagons are hot property these days and Mopar versions don’t turn up often. So, if you’re a fan, here’s your chance, another may not come your way again, or at least anytime soon, wouldn’t you agree?
That’s a lot of wagon for sure, it’s really huge! An rare find that is well-optioned though at almost 2-1/2 tons, those drum brakes probably have to work pretty hard to slow it down. I like the roof treatment, it’s unusual but attractive and compliments the chrome roof rack. This behemoth will need a pretty large infusion of money if you want to have it look it’s best. New interior, replacing the vinyl roof and probably fresh paint along with any mechanical needs. I guess it all depends on what it sells for that will determine if it’s feasible to pour money into it.
“Next stop Wally World”. (watch out for the red Ferrari).
This only makes sense if you do a sympathetic “restoration”, buff the paint, address specific issues with the interior and make sure it runs and stops well. Once you go fir a full repaint and interior, this moves into a price range beyond the typical enthusiasts budget.
I’d like to find a midsized 60’s or early-70’s wagon in similar condition, one step down the food chain. The seller got this for what is likely a reflection of the local market and was smart enough to flip it into a national buying platform.
Steve R
It looks like it needs more than a sympathetic restoration. It’s really hard to stop once you start, esp.when the winning bidder spends $$$ just to buy it. Hard to buff right over rusted areas, and ignore the vinyl top? Replace just the carpet and not replace the seats, and leave all of the weatherstripping as is? Suspension and all other systems will need to overhauled if you really want to drive it at any speeds. Now you’re off to the races and a full restoration is around the corner.
The owner says he has put 20 miles on it and “Car will drive onto a car transporter with ease”. What more could ya want.
Gone are the rounded Exner cues. This first year was a breath of fresh air, with the square edges a la Elwood Engel.
When I was a kid mom and dad had a 65 New Yorker 4dr hardtop in the same gold with gold interior. About 10 years ago I saw a wagon that was almost a twin to this up for auction in Auburn, IN. Just wish my car port was long enough for this.
64 Was the last year Mopar hardtop wagons where made . Then only in the Dodge and Chrysler line from 60-64.Pic of my 64 Dodge 880 9 pass hardtop.
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These don’t come along every day. And this one is equipped right, with the factory ‘split’ vinyl top, and power everything. The seam tear on the LF seat might be savable, but hard to say for sure from the one pic. Me, I’d repaint it in the original fawn beige metallic, lose the wide whites & Imperial wheel covers for proper `65 units and narrow white walls. These weren’t built in huge quantities like Chevy or Ford wagons, and their scarceness will turn heads at shows. These had great road manners for such a large car, and they make great cruisers. Wish I had the dough; I’d buy it.
In 1972 or 1973, I wanted a cheap truck and went SW shopping. The rules were that it had to be full size, have a roof rack and have fake wood.
At that time a car with 100,000 was considered to be worn out. My target was $300 and there were lots available. I was offered two 1965 full sized Dodge wagons, on red over black, one black over red, but I had to take both
I settled on a beige 1966 Chrysler New Port with 136,000 miles. It almost fit in my rental garage, I had to chain and padlock the doors..
I remember it had large 14 inch tires, not 15. Instead of backup lights, there were stainless steel plates in place of lenses. The wires were there. The dash was nice with a juke box look to the cluster. The interior was fine with one split neatly resewn with fishing line. It ran ok, so it got no maintenance. The ac condenser was donated to a friend’s project. It once transported a refrigerator on the roof.
I traded it on a new 1974 Fiat 124 Coupe. I parked it on the street, and told them they were giving me 5 cents a pound. They said ok, but leave it there.
The owner must have kept it in a hermetically sealed vault or it would have been lost to a demo derby years ago!
If I had the room I’d buy it. Period. ’65 was a great year for Chrysler.
I’ll take this year Chrysler, in a convertible, thank you!
Bidding has reached to 11,600 9:07 am pacific time. Is this thing going across the waters?
We used a customer’s 72 Town & Country to determine where to install the lifts in my building. If there was wall clearance for it, there was clearance for anything.
Agree with a few other comments to just clean it up, make it road worthy and drive it as a survivor and enjoy the beans out of it.
Mom and dad had a similar body Dodge wagon around early 70s. I remember driving cross-country from Alabama to Arizona on a 14 year olds learner’s permit. Crossing Texas I can still see the speedometer needle bouncing between 100 to 105 as we were cruising. Dad would have croaked if he knew we are they doing that! Good thing mom was patient.
I remember the 14 in tires which I thought were large at the time oh, it had some Big 3 inch wide brake shoes though. When we got to Arizona I remember my 1 year older brother taking a turn driving from Flagstaff down to Sedona through Oak Creek canyon. I think I was white-knuckling the seat belt on that ride
Add me to the ‘good thing I don’t have room’ crowd, I’d be all over this. After many years it seem like wagons have ‘come into their own’…our club prez just sold his ‘61 Newport wagon for a crazy amount of money to a fella in Cali who already had one and just had to have his. This car…nice. I’d get rid of the too-wide-whites that just aren’t appropriate for this year, but other that that…just cruise. Hey Moparman you gonna weigh in on this?
Hop in my Chrysler, it’s as big as a whale, and it’s about to set sail! I got me a car, it seats about 20, so come on, and bring your juke box money!
This was built in an era when cars were made to look as big as possible with extensions beyond the real front completely around the grille & radiator & rear sides. The functional body was not any longer than previous years editions