With the launch of the “Forward Look” design in 1957, Chrysler brought back the Saratoga name to use on its middle-grade of new automobiles. Each of them wore a golden lion medallion that signified the new V8 hardware under the hood as part of the company’s promotional theme “Chrysler 1959 – presenting the ‘Lion-hearted Car’ that’s every inch a New Adventure.” This ’59 Saratoga 2-door hardtop is one of fewer than 3,800 built that year, which means the number surviving may only be in the hundreds. With what seems to be a solid body, the engine and interior will need to be put back together. Located in Lyons, Illinois, this Mopar is available here on craigslist for an undetermined price (the $1 the seller uses must be a placeholder). Thanks for the heads-up, T.J.!
The heavily finned 1959 Chryslers used the same basic body structure of the ‘57-58s, but the sheet metal was carefully changed to give the cars the appearance of a fresh look. All hardtops and convertibles used the dome-like windshield that was pioneered on 1957 convertibles. The golden lion theme applied to two new motors Chrysler employed in 1959 with displacements of 383 and 413 cubic inches. They featured a wedge combustion chamber that helped simplify both design and production costs along with lower weight.
This Saratoga comes across as a work-in-progress, situated in a cramped alley that makes taking photos difficult. The body looks to be in good condition, perhaps escaping the rust blight that often afflicted these cars. But the white over pink paint doesn’t look like the Ivory White over Persian Pink that was a factory two-tone option. The pink on this car is deeper and looks more like it came from a bottle of Pepto-Bismol.
We suspect the motor here was once the 383, but it was taken apart to be inspected. The same is true of the interior and pieces – new and old – are scattered about, hopefully enough to put the machine back together again. After a recession year in 1958 Chrysler production inched up by 10% in 1959 to just shy of 70,000 automobiles. The Saratoga comprised 17,500 units of which the 2-door pillarless coupe was 3,750. These would be the last Chryslers of the era to have body-on-frame construction as the company would shift to “unibody” in 1960. This could be a cool car to restore, but the pink would have to go!
Pepto-Bismol or Mary Kay ?
Good n Plenty.
The engine naming convention is interesting. Golden Lion makes me think of a Chinese restaurant.
Nothing is worse than an unfinished project that has new parts purchased that go along with the sale. It would take a warehouse to unpack the entire project and sort out all the misc parts.
My heart goes out to the seller.
Sad indeed.
I can see why it’s listed for a $1.00 USD price.
Bob
Perfect for the guy who recently retired and his wife still works. Put it in the 2500 square foot garage and with the stereo going he’ll be happy for weeks, even years!
A decent project depending on what the pink paint is hiding.
Be careful of the cooled seat though.
Unfortunately there is no telling if you’re getting everything to rebuild this one. That pile of parts inside the car spells nightmare to me. Also, where is the bench seat?
As for the Pepto-Bismal pink color, it was someone’s bad idea of a ‘trendy’ shade that isn’t. Take this down to bare metal & start over to do it right. Sorry but I have to be honest here; buying someone else’s problems is never a good idea. If you want a `59 Saratoga hardtop bad enough, search and buy the very best you can afford. Hopefully running. In the long run you will be much better off.
Look at that roofline. Then look at a 1958 Studebaker 2 door President. You Exner’s stamp. THere was one posted yesterday on Barnfinds https://barnfinds.com/?s=1958+packard
Don’t knock the pink too hard. Every car maker in the mid ’50s was putting out pink cars. I think Buick topped the the pink thing with it’s black, white and pink cars. Chrysler was as short step behind in the pink parade. It all happened about the time Elvis was buying pink Cadillacs for for everybody he knew.
What is with the crome trim around the middle of the roof ?
Back in 1959 that’s what they called extra-deluxe chrome trim.
I like it.
Bob
Never seen that! So . . . Lets punch a bunch of extra holes in the roof for trim that isn’t really necessary . . What could go wrong????
Thank you Russ Dixon for all the ultra-cool cars n’ trucks you bring to discussion on BF. You have an eye for the best stuff out there, frankly.
Keep up the good work.
I love the stuff you post.
Cheers, Bob
After doing several restoration projects myself, I can say the following categorically;
Taking things apart and selling them that way is almost always a very bad thing….
Honestly, just DON’T take things apart if you do not have the skills and knowledge to put it back together.
This creates so many headaches…..just DON’T…..PLEASE DON’T.
You did this….now you will get pennies on the dollar if you are lucky…
Taken apart and inspected
translation
taken apart and figured out I’m in over my head and don’t have the means to finish what I started.
I had one many years ago, surprised a lot of people. Spent night in the clink………. cop said if I hadn’t stopped for the light he never would have caught me. Circa 1971 and it was just a old 300 dollar car.