The Chrysler Windsor was introduced back in 1939, and after a brief hiatus in the forties remained a full-size offering in the brand’s lineup until 1961, although it continued a bit longer in the Canadian market. While the car always offered an attractive exterior design for the period it represented, tail fins were gaining popularity in the mid-sixties, and by ’57, the rear was wearing a pair that would almost certainly cause heads to turn wherever it went. This 1957 Chrysler Windsor here on Craigslist is a true beauty and remains mostly original, including the paint. However, a few parts have also been replaced recently, to help ensure this one’s ready for more trouble-free driving. This cool Mopar hardtop is in the northwest section of Houston, Texas, with the asking price set at $17,500. T.J., thanks for spotting this one and sending us the tip!
While not as eye-catching as Chrysler’s Panther Pink hue that came later, Shell Pink was still an attention-getting finish, and I believe the side accents and roof here are of the Sunset Rose color. The seller doesn’t mention how long he’s owned this car or much about its history, but the paint is stated as original, so it’s obviously lived a sheltered life and been well-cared-for. The chrome and trim have also survived nicely through the years, so there’s not much to be done outside except to preserve the presentation as it is.
Most of the interior components are also original, with all of the seating areas except for the lower front section still wearing the dealer-applied plastic covering, which was put on when the Windsor was new in December of 1956. It’s not quite as clear now, but the material looks quite good overall, considering nearly seven decades have now passed. There’s some wear on the door panels and a couple of small tears in the front seat’s fabric, but most of the components in here remain in decent condition. Probably the biggest eyesore is the warbled dash, so if I were going to replace one thing on this car, this would be it.
The 354 cubic-inch V8 is also the factory engine, and it’s said to still be running great. The automatic transmission is controlled by push buttons on the dashboard, and some of the new parts mentioned include brakes, tires, and the exhaust system. Lots of fuel-system maintenance has also recently been performed, such as a new gas tank, sending unit, and all new fuel lines. Other than possibly addressing a few minor interior details, I’m not finding very much else to improve on this 1957 Chrysler Windsor. How about you?
Note that the Windsor, being the entry level model, came standard with a 3 speed manual transmission, a Torqueflite was optional. I think paying an extra $600 to upgrade to the Saratoga would have been the smart choice: you would get the Torqueflite, power steering, upgraded interior, a higher horsepower 354 engine, and dual exhausts all standard.
That $600 upgrade in today’s devalue of the dollar would be $6,917 per the inflation calculator.
This was the car that Carl Kiekhaefer told NASCAR to cram it with walnuts. He had great success with his ’55-’56 300s, and purchased 4 new ’57 300Cs, with the all new 392 hemi. He was one of the 1st so called “company based” teams, with several truck transporters and rumored to have put up entire groups in motels. NASCAR accused Kiekhaefer of cheating, and rather than jeopardize his marine business, withdrew from auto racing forever, after some colorful words to Bill France.
These were wonderful looking cars, but I read Chrysler, in fact all car makers, had some of the worst build quality then. The demand for cars, 1 every 58 seconds, was too great. I heard, sometimes the “reject pile”, cars that didn’t pass inspection and “tended to later”, was almost as great as the ones that passed. It really was a beautifully designed car.
Hudson was the first company team in NASCAR. Tim Flock was part of that team and then he joined the Kiekhaefer Chrysler 300 team and Carl would choose which one of his drivers would win a particular race.
My favorite year for Chrysler. Mom had a baby blue/dark blue New Yorker hardtop when I came along in `60. All I really recall was the guy at the Mobil station asking mom, “Should we check the gas & fill the oil today?” Let’s just say the tailpipe smoke matched the paint job. I’ve always wanted one of these, but not the base Windsor. However, I would be very tempted with this jewel. Can’t believe the condition overall for it’s age! And I love the color combo. Wish I had the money and a place to park it. GLWTA!
I had a Saratoga two door hardtop with the same color combination. The new owner didn’t like the colors so restored it to a two tone blue combination offered back then. It turned out great. It was a great car, and dependable. The engine was a 354 cubic inch, same CID as the Hemi version, but was a poly.
Hi Mike:
I don’t think the phrase “…and after a brief hiatus in the forties…” in the first line of your article is correct. There was a Windsor model right through the 1950s so I don’t know when the “brief hiatus” took place.
The line-up in the 1940s was the Royal as the entry level six-cylinder and the Windsor as the “de luxe” six cylinder; the Saratoga was the entry level eight-cylinder and the New Yorker was the “de luxe” eight cylinder. There was a full line of models in each class.
While waiting for Mike to reply, I will speculate (guess) that “the brief hiatus” could be what one of my college professors referred to as the 2nd unpleasantness. AKA WWII.
You’re probably right, Fred. I’m so old that I don’t have to be reminded about that “2nd unpleasantness” but maybe the young ‘uns do. Add “brief hiatus” to AKA WWII.
If ever there was a car that cried out for fender skirts, this is it. Front and back!!
Nope!
front and back skirts ??? ewww
What a great year 1957 was for cars!!
Only 2 headlights!
(Probably looks better with 4)
Quad headlights were illegal in 11(?) states in 1957, but it appears that the car was designed to have them, in hopes that they’d be legalized in time for the ’57 model release date. In any case, quad headlights were legal in all 48 states for 1958.
Yep, my 57 Saratoga had quad lights. That was in Washington State, but I have no idea if the car spent its entire life there.
There were two West Coast states where quad headlights were illegal in ’57 – California and Oregon. But they were indeed legal in Washington State, so there you go.