Canadian Cruiser: 1961 Chrysler Saratoga

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As the saying goes, it’s only original once — and this 1961 Chrysler Saratoga is extremely original! It is listed for sale here on eBay where bidding has risen to just over $10,000 CDN. That’s right, this beauty is north of the border; Vercheres, Quebec, Canada to be precise!

Let’s deal with the only really bad thing at the beginning; somehow the new owner will want to address this nasty crease in the right side of the rear fender. Honestly, though, that’s a pretty small problem considering the car is 60 years old! Of course, there’s surface rust in places, too, but nothing that appears serious in the many pictures. The car was in storage for many years before benefiting from a new gas tank, fuel pump, fuel filter, carburetor, and both master and wheel cylinders.

There are quite a few under car shots as well in the listing, and while none of them will win any photography contests, they all show a nice, solid, original vehicle. We’re told that there are some holes on one side of the trunk floor, however, I would hope those could be patched in an area that won’t be seen frequently.

As best as I can discern from the 1961 Chrysler brochure, the Saratoga model was a Canadian-only model as it was discontinued in the US after 1960. I found one source that explained that the 1961 Canadian Saratoga model was essentially identical to the 1961 US Windsor model, which would put it near or at the bottom of the Chrysler full-size model lineup, but it was an impressive lineup with Virgil Exner styling at its finny finest! There were only 2,941 US Windsor hardtops built, so I’m guessing there were even fewer Saratogas, making this a rather rare machine.

Those stiffening ribs were revived by Chrysler in later models, even showing up (in negative impression form) as late as the 2004 ME Four-Twelve concept car. Stylish as well as functional!

Can you believe this interior! The seller says you’ll need to replace the headliner, but believe it or not, that’s readily available for less than $190! What a great place to spend some time this fall!

I can’t imagine this being anything but the original 383-cubic-inch V-8, and while the appearance could certainly use a weekend cleaning and touching up, I can believe the 61,338 miles as being original. Not that it really matters at this point — condition obviously is the big deal here! What do you think of this cool Canadian cruiser?

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Comments

  1. Blueprint

    Here’s something I never say while browsing BF: this is just 30 minutes from me!

    Like 15
  2. On and On On and OnMember

    Would love to find an instrument cluster/ dash from one of these for a wall……In H.S. I drove one and was mesmerized at night by the speedometer and gauges

    Like 2
    • Dickie F.

      Dad bought one at a Cape Town police auction for abandoned cars etc in the early 70’s for only $12. It was complete and turned over, but never fired up.
      That dash was unique as it was LHD, read in kms and up to 240 km/hr.

      Like 1
    • Will Fox

      Same dash used `60-`62 on Chryslers. My grandfather had a silver green `60 New Yorker 4dr. HT with the ‘toilet seat’ on the deck lid. The speedometer always reminded me of the Rose Bowl Band shell out in Pasadena.

      Like 1
  3. Tom

    My parents had a very similar 1961 Chrysler. Close to the same color but it was a Newport. I believe the engine was a 361. Traded it for a 1963 Newport. Then Dad went rogue and started getting Saabs! The ’67 was a three cylinder, mix the oil with the gas, “embarrassment” after riding around in Chryslers all my life!

    Like 5
    • Solosolo UK ken tilly UKMember

      Your Dad obviously didn’t love you as much as you thought he did!

      Like 1
  4. gregg stewart

    When did they discontinue the 354ci & 392ci.

    Like 0
  5. Larry D

    Wellllllll, I wonder who submitted this Chrysler to BF. Yes, I wonder.

    Like 1
    • Jamie Palmer Jamie PalmerAuthor

      Larry, if I missed giving you credit, I’m sorry!

      Like 0
      • Larry D

        That is OK, Jamie. Mistakes will happen. Thank you!

        Like 1
  6. martinsane

    Stunning car. So much more noteworthy than the usual Mustang, Camaro or Charger.

    Like 6
  7. Rick Olley

    Nice car. Good to see so many undercarriage photos. In Canada, where road salt is everywhere in the winter, checking underneath is essential. I’m surprised how often cars are advertised for sale with no pictures of the bottom. I understand southern cars don’t have the same rust issues, but there is no guarantee a car has lived its whole life in a salt free environment. Always check. I would love to have this car and keep as is. No room in the garage however.

    Like 1
    • Solosolo UK SolosoloMember

      Most likely due to the fact that people selling cars from home don’t have a hydraulic lift in their garage.

      Like 0
  8. PRA4SNW

    I don’t know if they changed it, but the bidding is stated in US dollars, not Canadian.

    It’s up to $12,500 U.S. with close to 3 days to go.

    Like 1
  9. Valentine

    This is one I truly want to own, but it’s way too nice for the nefarious things I envision for a ’61 Chrysler. Any modification would be an injustice, basement model or not.

    Like 0
  10. ROBERT

    I owned one in 1974, I was stationed at Fort MacArthur in San Pedro, CA. I needed some wheels and found a 1961 Aqua Marine Blue Saratoga from a really nice lady and got it cheap. I remember she said her husband bought it in Canada when they traveled and loved it when he first seen it. I fell in love with it too. It was loaded, tilt steering, push button Trans, swivel drivers seat. I drove it all over until I got t-boned on El Segundo Blvd one night, thank God there was no one with me yet, There would have never survived, a total loss. I think I cried that night. Miss it but I bought a1959 T-Bird, Maroon, black interior Convertable, Another story.

    Like 0

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